WHERE DESIRE MEETS DECEIT

Rosa's POVIf anyone had told me that today would be the day my life was ruined forever, I would have cursed them out and called them insane.The smile on my face outweighed the soreness between my legs when I woke up, as memories from last night flooded back.Gary's voice in my ear, and the way he kept whispering my name like it meant everything.I buried my face in my pillow, smiling like an idiot. I had really done it. I had given myself to the man I loved.Instead of getting up, I lay on my bed, daydreaming about Gary. His smile, his smirk, damn it! I could even hear his voice whispering how he would be my first and my last.My cheeks flushed as the memories rushed back all at once. I buried my face into my pillow, groaning softly in embarrassment. “Oh my God…”I couldn't help but keep replaying every second of the night before.The way Gary's arms wrapped around me, the way he brushed the hair from my face, as he whispered softly against my lips. “Relax, Rosa… I’ll take care of y

Rosa’s POVThe video was playing right there on the large screen in front of the disciplinary board.The room was silent except for the muffled sounds from the video—sounds that made my cheeks and stomach twist with shame.Teachers, administrators, people who had watched me walk these hallways for years, people who had graded my papers, praised my assignments, and smiled at me in the corridors, were now staring at me like I was something filthy.Something shameful and disgusting“Turn it off,” I whispered.No one moved.My hands trembled as I clutched the strap of my bag. “Please…” My voice cracked. “Please turn it off.”Finally, the principal pressed a button on the remote, and the screen went black.The principal folded his hands on the desk and sighed. “Rosa Caldwell,” he called slowly.I stepped forward, trembling.“Do you understand why you have been brought here today?”I couldn't answer even though I knew. My life was over.“Rosa Caldwell!” He called sternly this time.“Yes,” I

Rosa's POVPain was the first thing I felt when I regained consciousness. It crawled through my body like liquid fire.My eyelids fluttered open, but the world was nothing but blinding white light.The only thing that seemed oddly familiar was the sharp scent of antiseptic filling the air.For a moment, I couldn’t remember where I was until the memories came rushing back.Gary. The shove. The warm liquid slides down my legs.Was I dead already? Had I finally died from starvation… or the pain in my stomach? Was this some strange waiting room between life and whatever came next?My heart jerked violently in my chest, and I gasped, trying to sit up, but a sharp pain spread through my stomach, forcing a cry from my lips.“Easy,” a voice said quickly, and a man in a white coat stepped into my blurry vision.“Don’t move too much. You’re still recovering.”Recovering?My mind struggled to catch up.“Where… am I?” My voice came out hoarse.“The hospital,” the doctor replied.Hospital? I blink