Chapter 12

I shook my head and went back to my room. Crazy girl with her crazy temper. I wondered what it was all about? She said something about Marissa being a bitch and it's was my fault. Why is it my fault? I'm just a poor innocent young adult trying to survive in this world. Jeez.

My door flew open after a few minutes. She stood in front of me, practically fuming. I feel like fire would come out of her ears any moment now.

"I AM MAD AT YOU!" she yelled.

"YOU! Mad at ME? I am flabbergasted," I feigned shock.

"Shut up you sarcastic bastard, say you are sorry," she demanded.

"Yes, but what am I sorry for?" I asked.

"F...for trying to seduce my friend and then not coming to check on me even though you could clearly see I was mad!" she squealed.

"Seduce? Listen woman...I have no time to seduce anyone. My whole week revolves around you now. And as far as you being angry, you are always angry. I was just letting you cool off by yourself so you don't try to beat me up," I said.

I guess what I say was effective because she looked a lot less angry all of a sudden.

"Y...you are not trying to hook up with Marissa?" her voice shook.

"No. But why do you care anyway? What, you don't think I'm good enough for your friend?" I said playfully.

"No...she is not good enough for you," she said quietly.

Huh? Was that a compliment? This must be the opposite day today.

"Ah, so you think I'm a catch?" I smirked.

"Don't push it, pretty boy!" she threatened.

"So what do you want me to do? Get on my knees and beg for forgiveness?" I asked.

"I don't know...yes," Rose mumbled.

I knelt in front of her and held her hand. Rose's eyes went wide with surprise. I guess she didn't think I'd actually do it.

"Please forgive me, my queen, I'll never ever neglect you again. I'll run up to you and hold you in my arms until you stop being angry," I said and kissed her hand.

Her cheeks turned pink. Is she blushing?

"Y...you are so dramatic and stupid!" she said and ran off.

I chuckled. I've never met someone so sensitive about everything.

I feel like she isn't as tough as she acts, otherwise she wouldn't care whether I check on her or not. She wanted me to comfort her.

I went after her this time. I'm slowly starting to understand her. She put up an invisible wall in front of her to prevent people from getting too close but deep down she was lonely. She needed someone to listen and I'm willing to lend her my ears.

"Rose, open the door!" I knocked on her door.

"What do you want?" she snarled.

"I came here to tell you the good news. I'm going to go visit my father so you won't have to see my ugly face all day!" I laughed.

Her eyes turned dark. "You are leaving?"

"Yup, and I won't be back until after 9 so you get to be alone. Try not to look too happy though you might hurt my feelings," I said.

"Oh okay," she said.

I figured this was a good day to visit my dad since I have the day off. I'm sure Rose will be fine on her own. Hopefully, she won't break anything else in the house.

Just as I was about to leave, Rose came up to me and grabbed my hand.

"I wanna come with you," she said.

"What...why?" I was taken aback by her sudden declaration.

"I'm bored. I just had a fight with Marissa and now I have nothing to do," she said.

You don't want to come with me. You'll be even more bored," I shook my head.

"Please?" she pouted.

Dammit, I can't say no to that face.

"Fine. You can come but you can't dress like a hoochie mama. My dad is 60 years old with a weak heart. Let's not send the old man to an early death K?" I told her.

"You are dumb. Those aren't the only clothes I own you know. You must think I'm too slutty," she said. I had a feeling I made her insecure with my comment.

"I didn't mean it like that," I said and squeezed her hand gently.

After a few minutes, we were on our way.

I never brought a girl home to meet my dad so I wondered if he would get the wrong idea about us. I'll have to explain that we were just friends.

I saw an SUV parked on the driveway. It must belong to the nurse Mr. Laverne hired for my dad. He has no idea how grateful I am to him. I don't know how I could ever repay his kindness.

"What's wrong with your dad?" Rose asked before we went in.

"He had a couple of strokes and has been paralyzed ever since. He is the only family I have left," I said grimly.

I took her inside. She started to look around the house curiously. Compared to where she lives, this house must look like a dump. Who am I kidding, this was a total dump.

"Sorry, my house isn't as nice as yours. It needs a lot of work but I can barely pay my bills so I haven't been repairing anything," I said.

"I think it's nice. Feels like home," she said quietly. Her eyes were sad all of a sudden. Is she really that miserable in her grandfather's house? I couldn't imagine why.

"Just to warn you, my dad isn't soft-spoken and nice like me. He will sass you to death if you are rude to him," I warned her.

"Just because I'm mean to you doesn't mean I'm mean to everyone," she said. "I just don't like you."

"Yet, here you are, hanging out with me so freely. You are a confusing human, Rose Laverne," I smiled.

"Whatever, let's just go meet your dad," she said.

I went inside the room.

"Hey Dad, how are you feeling?" I said quietly.

"Liam! My boy. You finally came to see your old man," he said and extended his arms for a hug.

"I'm sorry dad. I've been very busy. I'll try to visit more," I said as I hugged him.

"Oh don't be sorry. You've been looking after me since you were a child. It's time you do things for yourself," he looked at me with love. His eyes turned big as he looked behind me.

"And who is that stunning woman behind you?" he asked.