Special thanks
- Follow me right this way.
They walked past a few tables and then there was a bigger table with a bunch of older ladies sitting around ,
- Good evening ladies, Rose wanted to say hello.
The first one to get up was the older one who was sitting at the left side of the table, in a dark blue suit and hair pulled back she looked pale.
- Rose ! You look all grown up.
Rose smiled and shook her hand. She didn't even smile.
- You seem to be doing so much better, you're Grandmother tells me you paint now, that's wonderful.
- And this is Noah Bennett , he is Jack's son and a friend of Roses
- Good evening
Noah said feeling so confused. He knew Rose wasn't the most social person but now she just looked different. Her palms were clenched behind her back and she looked uncomfortable. He just couldn't understand who these women were or why Rose was so tense.
"seem to be doing so much better"..was she talking about the accident?
- This is Mrs.Parkson, The principal at Roses high school and these ladies are the other grandmothers and mothers of Rose's high school friends.
Irene explained.
- Nice to meet you all.
- Your friends are two tables over darling, I'm sure you've missed them.
- Yes, so much. If you'll excuse us.
Rose said. And walked away.
Noah went right behind her. He grabbed her hand.
- Said I wouldn't let it go tonight. You okay?
- What? Yes. Yes I'm okay.
- So I will get to meet your high school friends.
- You don't have to if you don't want to.
- No its okay.
She walked to their table. Here they were, her nightmares with faces.
There were two girls and three boys around a tall cocktail table, sipping on some cocktails and laughing at something. And then they saw her .
- Oh wooooooooaw if it isn't Posie herself
One of the boys said and he approached Rose.
- Rose, Edward. Its Rose.
- Oh still with that huh?
He continued and the others laughed.
- Noah these are Edward, Francis, Dylan, Charlotte and Evelyn from high school, this is Noah my childhood friend
- Wow didn't know Posie had cute friends
One of the girls said.
- Didn't know she had friends at all
Francis said and they all started laughing.
- Still very funny Francis. Now if you'll excuse us .
Noah didn't say anything, they looked like the exact type of people Rose would stay miles away from, how were they her friends.
As they made for their table , Charlotte said
- Hey Rosie Pea. Your hair looks gorgeous, if you ever think of a haircut, give me a call. The old salon is still working,
The others tried to hide their laughs.
Rose turned around, looked at them and said.
- Thanks. Dylan, the scar on your face is gone I see, that must mean its definitely time for a haircut.
The boy looked angry but didn't say anything.
Noah was wondering what the hell was going on. What scar, what did that have to do with her hair.
He was standing there like a dummy saying nothing but he didn't know what to say.
They walked to their table.
- Finally
Hunter said, he looked at Rose. She looked pale.
- Quite interesting friends huh..
Noah said as they sat down
- Yeah but not really friends, just some people I went to school with whose families are part of Irenes club.
- Huh. Lot of inside jokes, you lost me there for a minute
- Yeah, they like being funny they just aren't .
He didn't want to ask any more questions. Rose looked annoyed and he didn't want to push it.
- So, this is kind of like a birthday party for you ?
Hunter asked not sure why they were there, or she was there.
- Never really liked those but no, its more of an event where Irene gets to show off how she is a hero taking care of a distressed child in need.
- Distressed child in need? You ?
- What can I say.. I don't understand her or her way of living, neither she mine so we tolerate each other as much as we can
- So you call her Irene because..
- Because I don't feel like calling her anything else and the name I like to call her wouldn't be polite to use when I'm dressed this fancy
- Good enough of a reason for me
Cheers then!
He said and raised a glass of champagne. They all followed and took a sip afterwards.
- I have to say, I would rather have a beer from Mr.Moha's
Aliyah said with a frowned face. She didn't like champagne.
- Yeah if he would bother putting them in the damned fridge, I would say the same
Hunter said taking another sip and the others laughed.
- But its nice, I mean all of us together. I have missed all of you guys so much
Aliyah said, but she looked at Hunter more.
- You're not gonna cry are you?
Hunter joked.
She only gave him a smile.
- I've missed all of you too.
He replied looking at her as Noah and Rose bumped their arms and gave each other a funny look.
- I mean you and Rose because I've seen this nerd everyday
- Yeah Hunter , I know what you mean
Rose said as she took another sip and winked at him.
- We all do
Noah said and raised his glass to Rose who did the same and they laughed
Irene approached their table again.
- Rose darling, I have a speech prepared and I would love you to accompany me
- Yeaaah… no thanks
- It's the last thing and then you can leave
She really wanted to leave.
She looked at Noah.
- I'll be right here
He said and she just wished she could just sit there and hold his hand until all of this was over.
But she stood up and followed Irene to a little stage where the orchestra was.
Jack then saw the boys. He went over to them
- Look at my two handsome gentlemen
And Aliyah you look beautiful
- Hey dad
- Is that my tux Hunter?
- Afraid so
- It looks good on you
- I know
They laughed.
Noah was staying silent looking at Rose. He sat down next to him.
- Remember how your mom used to call her?
- Rosie Gorgeous Eyes.
Jack laughed.
- Yeah. She loved that kid. "Zoe is missing out on such a great kid" she used to say
- She would be sad to know she left Pine Hills
- She would be sad to know you two spent four years apart
- Yeah that too
- But I guess its over now?
- I can't tell but I hope so
- Allisons back I hear
Noah looked at Hunter talking to Aliyah. He knew it was him that kept Jack updated.
- Yeah, she's back
- So? Everything sorted out?
- Not just yet. Maybe tonight.
- Well. Hope you can figure things out, I'm not worried about you and Rose, you two can overcome anything
- Its Allison right?
- Yeah. She seems to be going through a rough patch, so just be careful okay?
- I am but she just.. she frustrates me and she makes me feel guilty
- Of what?
- Of …I don't know. Rose.
- Well, we can't choose who we love. Boy would life be easier if we could
- Yeah I know.
- Well at this point all you can do is be straight up forward with her.
- Yeah the last time I tried they ended up in a crashed car
- The last time you tried you were 16
- Don't think she has changed much
- But you have, I love Allison but you can't live your life according to her feelings. No one can, and even if you could you wouldn't be doing her any good.
- Yeah, guess you're right
- Guess so.
He said and hugged Noah as Irene started talking into the microphone.
- Good evening everyone. I am so honored to have you all here tonight, thank you for being here with us on this very important day for my granddaughter.
She has been through some bad days but she fought hard and she worked on herself to be the person she is today, she owes it to each and every one of you who have supported her the last four years despite her troubled behavior at times. So thank you
Rose felt her heart shatter, it felt like a huge slap on the face. She knew she shouldn't have agreed to this in the first place. She had never felt so angry in her life before.
- And now I'm sure she has a few thank you-s and apologies she would like to give out.
Rose stood there under the spotlight , she was having the worst panic attack she'd had in years. She couldn't move or talk.
She stepped closer to the microphone.
- Be a smart girl
Irene whispered in her ear.
She was trembling.
Noah was confused of this entire night but now he was mad what did she mean by "troubled behavior"?
He looked over at Hunter and Aliyah. They were whispering something.
- What the hell is going on?
Hunter and Aliyah looked at each other in panic.
- That's it! She's not doing that!
He said and tried to get up, but saw Rose near the microphone and stopped. He sat back down.
Rose saw them but this time she didn't want anybody to save her.
So she started talking.