Chapter 2: This Boy

Rose's Pov:

The wind whipped past my face as the engine roared beneath me, but my mind—my mind was a storm. Every mile we cut through the empty streets felt like I was sinking deeper into memories I desperately wanted to escape. Jace. His name echoed in my skull like a warning. Why couldn't he just leave me alone? I had convinced myself back then that I could handle the chaos—his fury, the danger, the darkness of his world—but the man he became, the monster that he let himself turn into, was too much for me. Each time his temper exploded, it was like a fire I couldn't extinguish, and I was burned every single time.

I thought I'd found an escape when Kaiden offered me a way out. A chance at freedom. But freedom came at a price—one that bled my heart dry. Kaiden's life. The memory of it haunts me like a shadow that won't go away.

"Rose, watch out!" Richelle’s voice pierced through the fog of my thoughts, sharp and panicked.

My breath hitched. A truck was barreling toward us, the blaring horn splitting the air like a scream. My hands jerked on the handlebars, swerving us back onto the right side of the road, my heart pounding like a drum in my chest. I could barely hear anything over the roar of adrenaline, my vision narrowing to the cold, dark asphalt beneath me.

Both Richelle and Janelle’s eyes locked onto me, filled with concern. My hands trembled, but I forced myself to steady the bike, focusing, willing my pulse to slow. It wasn’t just the close call—it was the overwhelming sensation of dread. The kind that drags you under, makes you feel like you’re suffocating, like you can’t breathe.

I swallowed hard, my throat dry, as I fought to regain control of myself. "I'm fine," I murmured, the words tasting foreign. "Just... been distracted."

Janelle’s voice cut through the tension. "Rose, are you sure you're okay? That was too close."

"I'm fine," I repeated, though I wasn't sure I believed it myself.

"Well, drift your thoughts off the road, Rose," Richelle said with a mixture of worry and irritation, her tone a reminder that I couldn’t afford to let my mind wander, not while I was still in control of this speeding death trap.

Her words hit me like a slap, but deep down, I knew she was right. I had been drifting for days, lost in thoughts of Jace. Thoughts of us—his laughter, our moments of stolen tenderness, those late-night FaceTime calls when we'd fall asleep with the screens showing nothing but each other's faces. How did it all go wrong?

Each memory felt like a needle in my chest, a reminder of who he was and who he became. The worst part was, I couldn't stop missing the man I once knew, even though the monster he had turned into destroyed everything. I have to stop thinking about him. This wasn't healthy. It wasn’t just painful—it was toxic. And yet, every corner I turned, every second I spent with these girls, my mind couldn’t escape the echoes of a past I had to bury.

We finally pulled into the school parking lot. The bikes came to a screeching halt, and I kicked the stand down, too exhausted—emotionally, physically—to care about anything but getting through the day. As we walked toward the front gates, I noticed Janelle looking across the lot, her gaze hardening. She nudged me, and I followed her line of sight.

My stomach dropped.

Across the parking lot, a group of boys surrounded a young girl, their taunts and insults a harsh, biting contrast to the morning air. The girl, smaller than the rest, tried to back away, but the boys only moved closer, their bullying like a swarm of locusts closing in. My heart twisted. I knew what it was like to feel trapped, cornered by monsters. And in that moment, I felt a surge of something. Something dark, something cold... something I didn’t want to feel.

I glanced at Janelle, her eyes flashing with something fierce. “We can’t let this go on,” she said quietly, but with resolve.

I nodded, my mind suddenly clear, my body no longer weighed down by the ghosts of my past. It was time to fight back.

I marched over there, my heart pounding with determination. My every step was charged with the weight of unspoken words, a promise to stand up for her. I knew too well what it felt like—trapped, cornered, a wild animal desperate for a way out. The walls close in, the air thick with fear, as if escape were a distant dream. But not today. Today, I was her escape. Today, I wouldn’t let her be alone in that cage.

Every muscle in my body tense with a silent fury. The cruel laughter and taunts echoed in the air like nails on a chalkboard. I could see her, shoulders hunched, her eyes darting around for an escape that wasn’t coming. The way they cornered her, like wolves closing in on a fragile prey, it made my blood boil.

I knew that feeling all too well—the suffocating weight of being trapped, eyes full of fear, desperate for a way out, but with no one to help. The ridicule, the whispers, the cruel, cutting words—they turned you into something small, invisible, a shadow in the room. But I wasn't going to let them do that to her.

Without a second thought, I stepped between them and her. "Back off," I said, my voice low but sharp, a challenge in every syllable. The bullies paused, surprised by my sudden interference. They might have thought I was another quiet bystander, too afraid to speak up, but not today. Not this time.

I stood my ground, and for once, it wasn’t just her trapped in the corner. It was them. And they had no idea how much danger they were in.

I stepped forward, my eyes narrowing with quiet intensity as I gestured to the girl, signaling her to get away from the chaos. She hesitated, looking uncertain, but I gave her a reassuring nod. "Go," I whispered, my voice steady, the weight of the moment pulling the air taut. She walked away, glancing over her shoulder once, and I felt the tension of the crowd shift to me.

Zach smirked, clearly enjoying the scene he’d orchestrated—his gang of followers snickering like hyenas behind him. But I wasn’t laughing.

I locked eyes with him, my gaze icy, unwavering. The pit of my stomach churned, but I shoved the fear down deep that I used to have against him. He took a step forward, that cocky swagger of his making him believe he had all the power.

"You think you're tough, huh?" I said, my voice loud enough for everyone to hear, drawing them in. The murmurs stopped. "You think you can push her around like you used to do to me? Well, I’ve had enough of it."

I stepped closer, closing the distance between us, feeling the collective breath of the crowd inhale in anticipation. "You want to try and bully me, Zach? I dare you," I added, each word a challenge, each syllable dripping with defiance.

The smirk faltered, just for a moment, but that was all I needed. The air seemed to hum around us, the world narrowing down to just the two of us. His hands clenched into fists, and for a heartbeat, I could see the flicker of doubt in his eyes.

The silence was deafening. This wasn’t just a confrontation—it was the breaking point.

He was left dumbfounded as I walked towards Janelle and Richelle furious

I could tell they were keeping their mouths shut anything could set me off at this point, I've noticed ever since I attended this retched school bullying takes place maybe it's because of the cliche group dynamic, or the social environment having to live up to peoples standards on how you look and act.

I had to admit, in the past three months of homeschooling had been a relief. No drama, no gossip, just peace and quiet. I had my friends, but they weren’t the ones that mattered. I learned the hard way that quantity didn’t equal quality. I didn’t see it then, but looking back, I wish I had paid attention.

The first lesson came with heartbreak. The guy I thought I was in love with—the one I had put my trust in, my heart in—betrayed me in ways I never thought possible. He slept with one of my so-called friends, and to top it all off, used my car as collateral for a debt I couldn’t even understand at the time. My brother Will and my father had warned me repeatedly, but I had been too naive, too caught up in what I thought was love. My first heartbreak didn’t just sting—it shattered me.

That feeling of betrayal... it doesn’t go away. I wish I could say I’ve healed, but some scars stay with you, lingering like a shadow that never quite disappears. You learn the hard way that love isn’t always kind. It’s a lesson you don’t forget, no matter how hard you try to.

I shook off the memories as I watched a sleek Ferrari roll into the parking lot. A smooth, confident car. And the guy who stepped out of it? Well, let’s just say, he was just as smooth. "So this must be the guy everyone's been fawning over," I thought to myself. And yeah, I had to admit it—he was something to look at. I wasn’t ashamed to appreciate the view.

Richelle and Janelle, of course, couldn’t help themselves. They said in unison, “Damn.” I snickered, watching their hormones go into overdrive. They practically drooled at the sight of him. But then, he turned and looked right at me. That infamous smirk on his face, the kind that could make any girl’s knees buckle, but not me. Not again. I’d been fooled once before. I wasn’t about to let some guy with a pretty face tear me apart again.

His eyes traveled over me like I was a prize to be won, an object for his collection. The disgust twisted in my gut. "Not this time," I muttered to myself, feeling my mood sink lower than it already was. I wasn’t going to be some trophy, some notch on his belt. He wasn’t worth it.

Then, of course, there she was—Victoria. With her perfectly groomed hair, her nose so high in the air it was practically in the clouds, trying to make everyone believe she was superior to everyone else. She made my skin crawl. She was the reason my first relationship had ended. She’d spread her legs for my ex and ruined everything. Now, I was about to watch her do it again.

Her two loyal followers, Maria and Sarah, strutted behind her, their heels clicking in perfect harmony as they followed her every move. Victoria didn’t need to say "heel" to them. They might as well have been her dogs, slavishly following her wherever she went. I couldn’t understand why they worshipped her.

I leaned against my bike, arms folded, watching with a mix of amusement and disgust. Victoria sauntered up to the guy—no, it was more like she practically ran her finger down his chest as if she had already claimed him. It was beyond pathetic. If I could have thrown up right there, I would have. Her skirt was so short it barely covered anything, and she had the audacity to act like she was a goddess. "Where's her bloody modesty?" I thought.

Oh wait. I remembered. Modesty was something she lost the moment she thought plastic surgery and Botox would make her better. She was just a cheap imitation of a Barbie doll, a version of perfection that looked like it came from a broken factory.

"Hey, handsome," she purred, her voice dripping with insincerity. "I was wondering if I could show you around school. You know, introduce you to everyone. Maybe we could do something later..." Her eyes locked onto him, the same way a predator looks at its prey.

The guy didn’t even hesitate, but he wasn’t as interested as Victoria hoped. “Sorry, but I have to meet my stepmom and stepsister tonight," he said, turning his attention away from her with a casual shrug.

But just as I thought that was the end of it, he added with a sly smile, “But I didn’t say we couldn’t do something after dinner.”

Victoria’s face lit up, her eyes practically sparkling with excitement as if she had won a prize. The way she winked at him made me want to hurl. How desperate could she get?

Then, just to add insult to injury, he grabbed her by the waist and kissed her, right in front of everyone, as if it was some kind of performance. I gagged. Literally. The scene was so revolting I couldn’t stop myself from feeling sick.

I shook my head, trying to rid myself of the image, but I couldn’t. "Is this really what it’s come to?" I muttered to myself, rolling my eyes as they pulled away from each other, both of them with those ridiculous smirks on their faces.

"Ew, what the hell," Janelle whispered, clearly disgusted. "He’s going to catch something. That’s for sure."

I sighed, agreeing with her. "They’re a match made in heaven," I said, shaking my head. "I wouldn’t be surprised if they both end up with something worse than a broken heart." 

As the bell rang and I walked to my locker, I couldn’t shake the feeling that things were about to get a whole lot more complicated. And of course, just as I thought the day couldn’t get worse, I felt a crash into my shoulder. I looked up to see him again. That guy. The one who had made my stomach turn earlier.

He grinned, his smirk still plastered on his face. "Already falling for me, Petals?" he said, his voice dripping with arrogance.

"Petals?" I frowned, confused.

"Yeah," he said, eyeing me up and down like I was his next meal. "I heard your name’s Rose. It suits you."

My skin crawled. I wanted to push him away, but there was something about him—something dangerous. Something that felt all too familiar. And I hated that I couldn’t push it away.

I took a deep breath, willing myself to stay calm. "Excuse me," I said, my voice tight, "but I have a class to attend. I don’t have time for desperate men."

He only moved closer, trapping me against the lockers. The air between us felt thick with tension. "You know," he murmured, leaning in dangerously close, "I like a good challenge."

I swallowed, fighting the urge to run. He looked into my eyes as if having an hidden urge below his features than he kissed me my head hitting the locker I was about to give in until I pushed him back and whipped my hand and slapped him across the face

He smirked again, that cocky, self-assured grin that made my stomach twist in knots. "Well then, Petals," he whispered, "this is going to be fun."

He had that effortless charm, the kind that made people pause and take notice without even trying. Dark, tousled hair framed his face, his sharp jawline adding to his undeniable appeal. His eyes—deep, intense—seemed to study her with an almost knowing look.

"I think your attracted to me, Don’t pretend you didn’t notice me." He kept trying to hold the conversation

She tried to hide the way her pulse quickened, but her lips couldn’t help but twitch into a small, amused, sarcastic smile. “And what makes you think that?”

"Well, you’re still standing here, aren’t you?" He took another step, his presence suddenly overwhelming, filling the space between them with something electric. "Most girls would’ve walked away by now. But you’re still here, letting me get closer. You wouldn’t do that if you weren’t curious."

Rose felt her defenses start to crumble. Damn, he was good. And he knew exactly how to play this game. But she wasn’t going to make it easy. Not just yet.

"Maybe I like a challenge myself" she said, her voice dripping with playfulness. "Do you think you can handle one because your not going to get anywhere with me?"

His grin widened, and there was something mischievous in his eyes now, a spark of excitement. "Oh, Petals," he said with a teasing edge. "I don’t just handle challenges. I conquer them."

I rolled my eyes, but the warmth in her chest was undeniable now yuck. “You sure talk a big game. But can you back it up?"

He stepped so close that she could feel the heat radiating off his body, his breath warm against her cheek. He leaned in, just a breath away from her ear, his voice low and silky. “I’m not here to talk, Rose. I’m here to show you.”

Her breath hitched at the sound of her name slipping from his lips, that teasing note still lacing his words. It took everything in her not to give in to the pull between them, but her instincts were telling her to play this carefully.

“Well,” she said with a smirk, meeting his gaze head-on, “we’ll see if you can actually follow through.”

He grinned, his confidence unwavering. “Oh, I’ll follow through. Count on that.”

As he finally backed away, there was an unspoken promise in the air. One that neither of them was willing to break. And as Rose walked past him bumping into his shoulder in annoyance, the teasing glint in his eyes followed her every step. She couldn’t help but wonder—how far would this game go?

As I stormed back to the classroom after coming back from the toilet disgusted that he kissed me but I enjoyed the banter no one else could ever keep up with me, frustration bubbled up inside me, the last thing I expected was to find him sitting in my spot. That smug grin of his already etched on his face, as if daring me to challenge him. My heart raced, fists clenching at my sides, the anger in my chest swelling with every step I took toward him.

“Get out of my spot,” I growled, my voice low and dangerous. I wasn’t in the mood for his games today. Not after everything.

He just sat there, giving me that damn cheeky smirk. “I don’t see your name on it... petals.” His voice dripped with sarcasm.

I leaned in closer, the warning clear in my eyes. “Get out of my seat, or you’ll be lying on the floor in ten seconds flat.” My fists were clenched so tightly, my knuckles were white. He wasn’t going to get away with it this time.

He didn’t flinch. Instead, he looked me up and down with that hungry look in his eyes, as if I were a prize to be claimed. “Feisty. I like it,” he drawled, his gaze lingering on me longer than I was comfortable with.

Just then, my teacher walked in, and the tension in the room broke like a snap of a whip. He raised an eyebrow at the scene, obviously aware of the unspoken animosity between us. “Rose, what are you doing? Go sit down,” he ordered, his tone irritable. I sighed, trying to hold it together.

I wasn’t going to give him the satisfaction of seeing me unravel. No. I would be mature, handle it like an adult. I gave him the dirtiest look I could muster, walking away, but not before I caught his hand dangerously close to my ass.

That’s it. Without thinking, my fist shot out, connecting with his jaw. His chair tipped over, and he fell back with a loud crash. The class went silent, then erupted into gasps and chuckles. Even a few of the guys were laughing.

“Rose!” My teacher’s voice cut through the chaos, filled with anger and disbelief. “What the hell is wrong with you? Detention after school. Go get him an ice pack... NOW.”

I stood there, seething, as he touched his bleeding lip, a smirk still on his face. He actually finds this amusing?

I walked out of the classroom, my hands trembling with anger, trying to calm myself down. It didn’t work. I kicked the wall in frustration, letting out a string of curse words. I must have looked insane, but I didn’t care.

When I reached the office, Faith, the office lady, looked up from her desk, already knowing what had happened. “Again?” she asked, raising an eyebrow.

I grinned, nodding. Faith was the only adult who didn’t judge me, who got it. She handed me the ice pack with a shake of her head. “You’re going to get expelled one day. A one-day suspension won’t stop you.”

Shrugging, I grinned back. “The school would be less interesting without me around.”

I walked back to class, still fuming. I slammed my hand down on his desk as I passed, cursing under my breath. Why does he have to be so damn attractive? It would be so much easier to hate him if he wasn’t so... him.

Sitting down in my seat, I felt the weight of the day pressing on me. My first day, and it was already turning into a nightmare. I was exhausted. My head dropped to the desk, and I closed my eyes, wishing I could just disappear for a while.

Then, I heard the footsteps. I raised my head, and there he was—Mr. Smirky McArrogant, standing in front of me.

“Oh, it’s you,” I muttered, irritation still thick in my voice. “What do you want?”

He crossed his arms, looking at me with that look of disappointment. “Your assignment. Where is it? Oh wait, I know. Your dog ate it, right? Classic Rose excuse.”

I clenched my jaw, trying to bite back the retort on the tip of my tongue. “I did it,” I snapped, pulling my portfolio from my bag and tossing it onto his desk. “Have some faith in me, for once.”

He eyed me, clearly not impressed with my attitude. But then I let out a sigh, softening just a bit. “Look, I’m sorry. Today’s just... not a good day for me.”

He raised an eyebrow. “It’s that day, isn’t it?”

I nodded, my heart sinking.

“You still have detention,” he said, his tone unexpectedly gentle. “But I’ll let you off early if you behave. For once.”

I stared at him in surprise. Did he... just show some compassion? Was he actually being decent?

Yawning, I slumped back in my seat, my eyelids heavy with fatigue. It wasn’t even ten a.m., and I was already done. The day stretched endlessly before me.

“Okay, class. Turn to page three hundred and fifty-two,” the teacher called out, turning his back to the class.

But my mind wandered, exhaustion pulling me into a haze. As my head rested on the desk, I thought I saw a flash outside the window—was it a camera? Probably just my imagination. Everything felt like a blur.

Why does school suck the life out of me? I thought, closing my eyes and letting my mind wander.

Ryder's POV:

Watching her, something stirred inside me. Chaos seemed to follow her wherever she went, but it was the kind of chaos that felt... intoxicating. She had a darkness to her, a raw edge that piqued my curiosity. There was something untamed about her. Something broken.

I couldn’t help but wonder... What are your demons? I whispered to myself, the words leaving a bitter taste in my mouth.

What secrets did she carry? What was behind those eyes that seemed to carry so much pain?

I glanced back at her, her face now sorrowful as she stared out the window, lost in thought. She was something I couldn’t quite figure out, and that only made her more interesting.