Flowers and Darkness

Chapter 5

I faked being ill for two days. My parents didn't suspect a thing when I told them I'd sprung a fever.

Jayden had texted a few times. Actually every several hours over those two days. Apart from an occasional "yes", "no" and "I'm going to sleep" I didn't answer him much.

When I walked into the school building the next day within seconds I was greeted by Jayden who'd rushed over to hug me tight. I caught sight of Rose, who was standing next to her brother Alex and was looking over at me. I met her gaze and untangled myself from Jayden, feeling incredible uncomfortable and awkward under her watch. When she looked away and smirked, my cheeks burned. Was she and Jayden a thing now?

"How are you?" He grabbed hold of my shoulders and raised an eyebrow. "And don't say that you're fine, okay?"

I just shrugged my shoulders, not knowing what else to say.

He glanced over at Alex. "You should trust him. He's hasn't been here long and look what's already happened."

I looked over at Alex and thought back to the first day I had met him. "Don't worry, I don't."

He pulled my arm over to the lockers and looked over my head. I caught brief sight of blonde hair and frowned, already knowing who it was.

"Thanks Jay, but I can't avoid her forever."

He watched as she turned the corridor corner. His eyes tracking her movement. I just rolled my eyes and I straightened my bag on my shoulder.

"Look I'll speak to her and everything will go back to normal."

"I don't think you should do that. Maybe not right now at least." Rose had made her way over and joined the conversation. I tried to hide my annoyance at her presence and how close she was standing next to Jayden. She swept back some loose tendrils and lightly bit her lip. "I heard her talking to Megan about you. She's not exactly your biggest fan right now.

Look, tonight me and you will have a girls night. It will completely get your mind off all of this. I'll make sure of it." She winked and adjusted her mahogany handbag on her shoulder.

Having a girls night over at Rose's house wasn't exactly at the top of my list. She intimidated me. I don't know if it was her confidence and how she held herself, or the fact that I knew little to nothing about her.

I was about to politely reject the offer, when Jayden sighed and rolled his eyes.

"Don't be silly Rose, she's not going to come over to your house and spend any more time with you. She's already been around you more than enough."

I raise my eyebrows at his tone. Rose looked unfazed and Alex, who'd walked over during the exchange, just looked amused.

"Is little Jay-Jay jealous Rosie's taking your friend from you?"

"Shut up." "Don't call me Rosie."

He raised his hands and laughed. "Look, it'll be good for her. She can't alway be holed up with you. She needs to be around other people. Other people that can help. Probably more so than you." His eyes bored into Jayden's and his words had taken a more serious tone. "She's getting older, as you know."

"Look. This isn't a good idea." Jayden stepped forward until he was face to face with Alex.

"And why's that? And we're all here for the same thing. To help her. So what's the issue?"

"The issue is that I don't want you around-"

"Jayden." I stepped forward and put a hand on both boy's arms. "It's fine. It's just a girls night. I haven't even had the chance to respond before you started acting all...weird about this."