Black Rose

Chapter Five* (Edited)

a/n: another chapter my diamonds <3

Attendance check here! If we hit 200 votes I'll update early for chapter 6 :)

Chapter Five

Elliot's POV

A week had passed since Rose had said anything. The incident in the library still replayed in my mind; I could hardly believe I almost confessed that Ava and I were not together. While it was true that we weren't, I had made a promise—not until she was ready.

Rose would quietly work on her assignments before leaving, only engaging in brief conversation with Ty when he asked her questions. He tried to lighten the mood with cheesy jokes, but she remained unresponsive, which both bothered and frustrated me. I often found myself lost in thought about her during class, and would steal glances from afar.

There was a time where I saw her standing by her locker with a friend. For a brief second, our eyes met, but her smile vanished the instant she caught my gaze. I tried to apologize to her several times, but each time she brushed me off with excuses, claiming that she had to meet someone. Then she would wait in the library, waiting until the next bell rang.

She was doing exactly what I had said and that was to leave me and Ava alone but for some reason that was bothering me. Why would something like this bother me? Sighing, I got off the bus and went inside making my way towards the library.

Today marked the second meeting of our study group, and I was determined to speak with Rose. I pushed open the library door and glanced at my watch—I was right on time. As I made my way to the back, I found Ava already seated, but Rose and Ty were nowhere in sight. Great. I approached the table we had reserved and took a seat across from Ava.

Ava looked at me, puzzled by my choice to sit across from her. Just then, Ty walked in and shot me a confused glance. I gave him a pleading look, hoping that he wouldn't ask me any questions. He nodded and I sighed, relieved he didn't press for details.

"Why are you sitting there?" Ava asked. I glanced over at Ty to see him staring directly at me. I heard the seat next to me move. That must be her, she's here. My heart was beating faster than I anticipated. I turned my head towards her direction, only to greet her with my eyebrows furrowed. Realizing that the person beside me is actually someone else. The girl sat down next to me and opened her backpack and placed the laptop in front of her.

When she looked up, she found all of us staring at her. She raised her eyebrows and gestured for us to speak. "Are you all okay?" She asked, pausing her unpacking to focus on us, clearly waiting for a response.

She looked at me, hopeful for a response, "Where's Rose?" I blurted out, immediately regretting my question. The girl frowned in confusion and asked, "She didn't tell you?" I shook my head.

The girl groaned, "Really, Rose?"

Sighing, she explained, "She asked me if she could switch study groups. I thought you all already knew she left and that I was coming," she explained.

"We didn't know," Ty replied.

"Why didn't she tell us? And why did she switch groups?" I wondered.

"Do you know why she switched?" Ava asked, her gaze fixed on the girl in front of us. She hesitated, glancing between Ava and me before finally responding, "She said she couldn't make it on the days that you all decided on."

I watched her carefully, trying to gauge her sincerity. Her body language gave her away: the nervous leg shaking, the beads of sweat on her forehead, and the way ear hands fidgeted. Were all signs that she was lying.

"Where is she?" I pressed. She looked at me, hesitating again, clearly debating whether to reveal the truth. I sighed, realizing she wasn't going to answer.

"Try checking the Irena," Ty suggested. I glanced at him, surprised that he seemed to know where she might be.

"She's an ice skater and captain of the team. She spends her afternoons at the rink that's why she said she couldn't make it on the you all agreed," the girl explained.

I nodded, guilt weighing on me as I rose from my chair and grabbed my backpack. Ava stood up from her chair, her brow furrowed as she asked, "Where are you going?" I shot Ty a glance, silently asking for backup, and before I could say anything, he nodded, understanding me with a single look. He's the one person who almost always gets me.

"I'll be right back," I replied, double checking my pocket for my bus pass. It was there, but as I checked my watch to see if I'd make the next bus, I heard the sound of keys hitting the table. I looked up to find Ty's bike keys in front of me. 

"Not a single scratch on that bike," Ty said, his tone serious. I grinned nodding in agreement. Ty's family is wealthy, while I'm just scraping by. I'm still not sure how we became friends with our different personalities and backgrounds, but it's been one of the best things to ever happen to me. I'm grateful I met him. He saved me.

With a grateful smile at Ty and an apologetic one to Ava, I took the keys.

"The promise I made to you still stands, but right now, I need to go," I headed out of the building as quickly as I could, only to realize I didn't know where the arena was. Just then, a text from Ty popped up with the location—it was farther from the library than I'd thought. I hopped on his bike, hoping she wouldn't be gone by the time I got there.

I don't know why I am feeling this way, but I have to see her today, no matter the cost.

Any readers in 2024?

A/n: who is your favorite character so far?