His Rose

4AM Fiat

I woke up to the shrill sound of my phone ringing. I groan and moan, and look blindly for the screaming device. Once my hand touches it, I pick it up and answer, not bothering to look at the caller ID.

"Hello?" I groggily ask, yawning.

"Is this Miss Rose Marino?" a stern voice asked. My eyes shot open, and I sat up in bed. I look at my phone screen, it's 4 am. What the hell, I think.

"Hello?", the voice asks again. "Yeah, sorry, this is she. Who am I speaking to?", I reply, stress evident in my voice. Who could be calling me at 4 am, I wondered.

"This is Officer James Hawkins from Rosewood's Police Station. We have in custody a woman who claims you are her family. She is allowed one phone call, and chose to call you. Would you like to take this call?", the officer spoke with a business-like voice. Once he said that, I facepalmed. She did it again. My stupid best friend Diana, has done it once more ladies and gentlemen.

"Yes officer, let me speak to her please", I reply, huffing in frustration. The officer put me on hold, and I swore loudly. This is the third time she's gotten herself in trouble, ever since she found out her boyfriend cheated on her she's been getting drunk every weekend and in fights, and I always have to bail her ass.

"Hello, Rosie?", a timid voice speaks. I roll my eyes, she thinks she can use her cute voice on me. "Dee what the hell are you doing at a police station at 4 in the morning?", I scold rubbing my face.

"I'm so sorry, I promise this is the last time this ever happens. I got into a fight with a girl at the club, and things sort of went really bad and I might have given her a concussion? Can you just come bail me out please?", she rushes out in one breath.

"Dio mio, do you hear yourself? A concussion! I can't believe you right now. Damn it! Dee you're almost 22 now! Ugh, I'm on my way to the police station", I almost yell over the phone. She whispers a mere okay, and hangs up. I get out of bed, and immediately my legs are covered in goosebumps. I quickly put sweat pants on, and my dad's old hoodie before getting my keys. I put on a pair of shoes and exit my apartment.

While getting in my white little Fiat, I curse Diana and the world for interrupting my sleep. I have an early meeting tomorrow at the school- I teach ballet at the Rosewood School of Performing Arts every Monday, Tuesday and Friday. On Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday I'm a waitress at Al's Diner. I hate working there, but it pays the bills. Plus, I get free coffee, so what am I complaining about really.

It's a 10-minute drive to the police station. I park my car and quickly walk inside, avoiding to be in the cold January air. I enter the station, and immediately my eyes look around for my tall blond friend. I see her sat down on a bench, head tilted back against the wall and eyes closed. I take a deep breath before walking towards her.

"Wake up Dee, I'm taking you home", I state, scaring her. Wordlessly, she stands up and follows me as I look for the officer in charge to pay her bail.

Once that is taken care of, we get in the car. "You need to get your shit together Diana. I will not always be able to bail you out. Trevor was an asshole, are you really trying to let his stupid ass control your life forever? Honey you're better than this. You deserve better. Stop chasing after the wrong guy, and take care of yourself because I hate seeing you like this; all self-destructive and nonchalant", I say looking at her. A teardrop falls down her cheek as she sniffles. She leans over to hug me and whispers a small thank you in my ear, making me smile. We pull back, chuckling at our dramatic selves, and drive to my apartment.

On the way there, we stop at a red light. I notice my car starts acting funny. Diana and I share a look, but shrug it off. At the green light, I press my foot on the gas and my Fiat jolts forward, then dies. Now, Dee and I are not mechanics, but we knew this was not good.

It's almost 5 am now, and here we are, in the middle of the road unable to move. "Rose lock the doors please", Diana begs, a look of panic flashing in her eyes. Okay Rose, you need to calm down, cars break down all the time, I tell myself before pressing the lock button.

"We can't call anyone, it's 5 am! What are we going to do?", I question out loud. I hate this. I hate the darkness, I hate winter, and I especially hate Rosewood at night. Just as I was going to have a mental breakdown, headlights flash in my rear-view mirror. A big black SUV pulls up next to us, and rolls its window down. At first I panic, thinking this is a typical horror movie scene. But before I can do anything, Diana presses the button and lowers her window. 

"Need a hand?", a deep voice asks. A voice that sends shivers down my spine. "Yes please, our car broke down and we don't know what to do", I muster up. I can't see the man's face clearly, but he replies with an okay and turns off his car.