Page 10 of Beautiful Rose
“Don’t you huh me. You think I didn’t notice how he was staring at you or how your cheeks turned pink every time he said something to you.”
My heart thumps loudly in my chest. If it’s their usual banter, I don’t want to hear any more.
“Ship!”
Did she just curse politely? I suppress my chuckle at her over-the-top manners.
“No shit. Care to explain what I’m missing?”
“It’s…nothing.” The nervousness in her voice is back.
“I hope it’s not.” Kristy raises an eyebrow at her.
“Why do you say that?” Couch girl tilts her head to the side before fixing her red glasses.
“He might be gay, you know. I read an interview where one of his brothers mentioned that Zander Teager is probably gay.”
What the hell? Fuck Zach and his stupid jokes.
“Crab. You mean I’m attracted to a gay guy?”
I’m still reeling from the surprise that this woman can’t say the word crap out loud, and then realization hits. Did she just say attracted to?
“Did you say attracted to?” Kristy puts my thoughts into words.
I peep through the crack in the door. The girls have now crossed the lobby and are standing outside the elevator. My face is plastered to the wooden door as I struggle to hear couch girl’s next words. It’s only because there’s an echo in the big, empty lobby that I manage to catch bits and pieces.
“I don’t know, Kristy; it doesn’t matter. I’ll never be able to talk to him. And if he knows… forget it.” Her shoulders slump in defeat and the deep heaviness in her voice surprises me.
What does she mean by if he knows?
All these feelings, this confusion, has turned my stomach into knots. Any good that walk did is now gone. I glance at her one more time as the elevator door opens before them. When she steps into the car, I get out of the closet and trudge in the other direction to take the stairs up the building. I’m only half paying attention when I collide with someone on my way.
5
ROSE
A holler captures our attention, and Kristy presses the button to stop the elevator door from closing. We step out to see what just happened.
The mail boy yells at Zander as he disappears behind the door leading to the stairs up the building. There are mail strewn on the shiny floor.
My legs go weak, and my hands turn clammy with sweat.
How long has he been here? Did he hear us?
“Crab!”
Kristy stares in the same direction, most likely thinking the same thing.
“Do you…think he heard us?” I ask, not even sure if I want an answer.
“I don’t think so,” she replies in a hesitant voice, playing with the strap of her handbag.
“Oh my god. What if he did?” Sweat beads collect over my forehead, and black spots threaten to cloud my vision.
“Don’t panic, Rosie. I don’t think he heard us. Even if he did, it doesn’t matter.”
“What…do you mean?”