𝐎𝐅𝐅𝐋𝐈𝐍𝐄(gxg)

Chapter 16

ROSE'S perspective

"I was wondering when you'd come back." Kai's voice rang. He sat on the couch with his sketch book in hand along with a bowl of cereal.

I walked further into the living room, dragging my purse and jacket along the floor the closer I got to the couch. I tried to be more energetic and proud whenever I was with my brother, he was the last person I wanted to see worried about me. But now? Now I was a mess, and there was no hiding that.

His face fell when he saw my own, immediately rising to his feet, curious about what happened last night. Luckily he didn't ask, and honestly if he did I wouldn't know what to say or where to even start. One moment were laughing in my car the next I'm laying on a leather couch naked.

I excused myself from the room, hauling my way through the hallway until I made it to my bed. I crashed down in one motion, not even knowing what to do from here. I wasn't going to work today, that was obvious, but I also wasn't going to quit.

Running away from my problems was something I was all too good at, it was familiar and something I often did. I fell back on it when things got tough. But this was a wake up call, my life was falling through my hands like soap and I needed to gather myself before I lose my mind again.

Last night was a mistake, though I wish it wasn't, it was. And just like any other mistake in life, you learn from it.

I walked into my bathroom, peeling off all of my clothing that smelled of Emelia. I washed my tear-stained face and removed any makeup that managed to stay. I stood in the shower for at least an hour, Lord knows I could barely afford a high water bill but I needed every part of me that she touched to be down the drain.

I stepped out, drying my curls and feeling refreshed as my feet hit the carpet. I continued doing my normal routine, even turning on my favorite artist and swaying to the music while I proceeded to get dressed.

The sound of my phone ringing stopped my music from playing. There wasn't a whole bunch of people who could be calling me, and I wished just—just for a second— that Emelia would be the one behind the phone ready to apologize. But when I stumbled upon the caller ID I realized it was actually Erin.

I didn't need any of her criticism right now but I knew if I didn't pick up she'd be knocking at the door in a matter of minutes.

"Hello?"

"So how's your girlfriend?" She started.

I rolled my eyes, explaining myself was the last thing I wanted to do. "She's not my girlfriend." I spoke dryly.

This sparked her curiosity as she started to list of a number of questions I didn't have the ability to answer. Now I had wished I hadn't told her I went to drop Emelia off, though Erin was my best friend, there were things that she just shouldn't have the privilege of knowing.

"Well what is she? One day she's your secret online lover, the next she's your boss, and now she's asking for rides... she basically runs your life." She rambled, unintentionally causing more tears to fall from my eyes. She was right, despite everything I had done for Emelia it seemed as if she only continued to shit on me.

Even after last night, when I thought I had caught her at her most vulnerable point she just proved me wrong.

There was a long pause before keys moving behind the phone could be heard. "I'm coming over."

_

"That bitch!" Erin yelled.

I had just confessed everything that happened last night and it was obvious Erin was unhappy about the turn of events. Thankfully, I had managed to make it through the conversation without crying, but talking to Erin only made me feel worse.