Rose
I turned on the shower and stripped down. I put the clothes in a bag and tied it. I hopped in the shower and flinched at the hot water streaming down my body making any minor cuts sting.
But regardless of the stinging it felt good to shower. I washed my hair and aggressively scrubbed my body down. I dried myself down and wrapped my body in my towel. I scrubbed my face and brushed my teeth. I lotioned my body down and sighed in satisfaction. I feel like a brand new person.
I pulled on my sweats and felt something lowering on my back. I turned around and saw blood trickling down my spine. I covered my front side and opened the door.
"Where's Jewel?" I asked realizing Nick was the only one in the room.
"She went to answer a call," he replied. "You ok?"
"No uh I just- I'm bleeding on my back and I need help cleaning it up," I sighed awkwardly.
His mouth formed an 'o' and put his hands in his pockets, "I mean. I don't mind helping you."
"Um. Yea ok. Sure," I mumbled clearing my throat.
I held onto my towel tighter and grabbed the first aid kit. I went into my room and sat next to him on my bed. I turned my back towards him and through my mirror I saw his face fall in sadness. He wiped his face and began cleaning it up. I felt my heartbeat faster and faster with every touch.
"Rose," he said and I turned my head towards him. "Relax. I'm not gonna hurt you. Ok? Breathe."
I nodded slowly and took a deep breathe. He finished up and I felt better. Nick relaxed me. Which I knew he would. He's the calmest in the group.
"Hey I'm- what the fuck?" Jewel asked stopping at the door.
"Oh relax it's not like that. I was cleaning her wound up," he laughed and I went to my bathroom. I pulled on a sweatshirt and walked back in my room. Jewel raised an eyebrow at me and returned the expression.
"What?" I asked.
"You don't dress like that," she replied.
"I do now. Shit happens," I groaned putting my sneakers on.
"Stop. Stop. You're not doing this-"
"Jewel you don't know what happened to me so leave me alone-"
"No bitch. I'm your best friend and I'm gonna ride this out with you," she spat and I looked down. "Rose... what happened?"
We sat in a circle on my bed and I sighed.
"I was going in the bathroom. And a guy barged in and raped me on the spot. Then I blanked out. I woke up in a basement and he hit me with a bat. Multiple times. All day. He raped me twice. But the guy who hit me was a different person. There's a team. Unknown isn't just one person," I stammered and Nick covered his mouth. Jewel's eyes watered up and she grabbed my hand.
"I'm sorry Rose. And you were a... I'm sorry," Jewel sighed with a tear streaming down her face.
"You were a virgin?" Nick asked shocked. I nodded slowly and looked down.
"And why did you avoid Brandon?" Jewel asked.
"He said if I associate myself with him Zion will be killed," I replied breaking down into tears. "I can't even tell Brandon why."
"That explains it..." she mumbled and Nicks phone rang.
"It's B," he sighed and picked it up. "Yea bro?... Yea she's cleaned up..... nah I don't know why, she's not talking... I know you do I'm sorry bro... alright see you in a bit."
"What he say?" I asked feeling my stomach turn.
"He wanted to know why you're not talking to him."
Silence fell upon us and my phone vibrated. It was a text from Brandon.
Brandon 💞: Hey.. I don't know what I did for you to be upset with me but I'm just happy you're home safe. I missed you so much. And I'm sorry for whatever went down and ... I'm just happy you're back. I'm here if you need me love ❤️
Tears fell down my face and I gave my phone to Jewel. She read over the message and sighed.
"He thinks he did something. And I need him and I can't even talk to him," I cried getting to my feet.
"We'll figure this out. Listen come back with us and we're gonna plan something ok?" Nick replied getting to his feet as well.
"Ok. Ok let's go-"
"Wait! Put on some real clothes. At least jeans instead of sweats please and brush your hair for god sakes," Jewel groaned and I rolled my eyes.
I changed into my skinny jeans and put on my converse. I adjusted my hoodie and put my hair in a slick back ponytail and hoops. I put gloss on my lips and foundation on my noticeable bruises and cuts.
"Better?" I asked and Jewel smiled.
"Much."
-
"Warn them to keep the touching to a minimum please," I sighed fidgeting with my fingers.
"Ok love," Nick replied as he opened the door.
He whispered to the boys and he made way for Jewel and I to enter. Once I stepped in everyone got up and just stared. Brandon stood sitting looking at me sadly. Which killed me.
Pause.
"Wait. Am I seeing shit or is some ICONic Boyz standing right in front of me?" I asked and everyone laughed almost in relief.
"Yea we're here love. Who was your favorite?" Louis asked.
"What makes you think I had a favorite?" I laughed as we all sat in a circle.
"Oh come on every girl had that one member they stanned more than the others," Mikey smirked. "Did you like me too?"
"Actually no fake abs. I liked Madison and OH SHIT. You're right there. Oh- well Damn. I exposed myself," I groaned and everyone erupted with laughter.
"Hold up. I got real abs now like-"
"Well I'm flattered," Madison laughed cutting off Mikey.
"I need a picture. Just saying. My 11 year old self deserves it," I replied pointing at him.
"Of course," he smiled.
"Anyways. The plan?" Brandon said in an angry voice.
"Right so who do you think can be behind it?" Mikey asked.
"I was thinking Ana and maybe some guys from high school that really didn't like me and the girls," Zion replied clearing the tension.
"The hate is too deep for it to be her and some high school bullies," Jewel replied.
"True."
My phone vibrated and I saw a private text from Unknown.
Unknown: You two are gonna start dating. I want to see how far I can push the innocent Brandon 😏
What..? I clicked on the members of the chat and saw one other person attached to the group message.
I got a private message from Nick and I just couldn't deal with it.
Nick: I don't wanna hurt him.
Me: Yea but Zion's LIFE is on the line... I'm not trying to upset Unknown
Nick: True... it's just weird. I see you as just a friend
Me: Trust and believe so do i. I care about Brandon. But I'm not risking Zion's life.
Nick: So how do we make this work?