His Rose

Ch. 6

Waking up Sunday morning was quite a feat. With the pounding headache and the fuzzy memories of last night, I didn't want to get out of bed. For a while, I buried under my comforter, part of me trying to remember last night, and the other part of me thoroughly embarrassed. I didn't fully remember what Jace had told me; for all I knew, he just yelled at me for drinking their vodka. But I felt like there was more, that we calmed down before I passed out. That he said something important.

I sighed, wishing I hadn't drank as much. I'll remember it eventually, when something triggers the memory back to the surface. But for now, I had to get up and get ready for the day. It was Sunday, my last day here. And then I could go home and think clearly for the first time in the week.

I trudged to the bathroom, staring tiredly at the mess that was me in the mirror. I spotted the vomit in the toilet bowl I forgot to flush, gagging slightly again before flushing that down the drain. The smell of vodka reached my nose, and I realized I should probably shower before heading downstairs. I didn't need Lena or Julian smelling their alcohol as my makeshift perfume.

After a quick, hot shower, I ended up just throwing on my favorite sweatshirt over a pair of running shorts that I was too lazy to use for their actual purpose. The sweatshirt swallowed me up, covering my shorts and resting mid-thigh, but I didn't mind. I didn't even mind that it was technically Jace's old sweatshirt. He didn't seem to mind that I still had it. He might not even notice it was gone. I was just satisfied to be comfortable today.

I headed downstairs with a sigh, not surprised to see the three Castillo kids already in the kitchen, enjoying a big breakfast of eggs, bacon, sausage, pancakes, waffles and an array of fresh fruit. I wouldn't have been surprised if they had those mini self-serve cereal boxes like a hotel on top of all that.

"About time you got down here," Nolan greeted. I forced a smile, the image of Jace and Kenzie seemingly seared into my mind as I walked through the doorway I had frozen in last night. I then proceeded to lightly nudge Nolan for the comment, causing him to wobble on his chair, hoping that it was enough to make me seem alright. I doubted it worked, but I kept moving, heading to the counter to fill my own plate of food. Jace beat me to it, already shoving a full plate towards me. I glanced down, my heart warming slightly that he remembered I liked my sausage cut up in small pieces, put both syrup and powdered sugar on my pancakes and waffles, and didn't like blueberries.

I glanced back up at Jace, shocked to see him still standing there, watching me. I sent him a curt nod in gratitude before walking over to the table, taking a seat between Elsie and Nolan.

I ate in silence, feeling Nolan and Elsie's gazes locked on me. I knew they would corner me about Jace and I. They probably already did the same with Jace; it would explain why he left so quickly once I was there. But there wasn't much left to say; I told Elsie all I knew, and I'm assuming she told Nolan everything.

At least they had the decency to wait until I finished eating.

"Why the hell wouldn't you try to clear up things between you and Jace?" Nolan demanded, pinning me in place with a pointed glare. I was caught off guard with his tone. It reminded me too much of my dad when he was in the interrogation room. I never thought it would work, but I guess it depends on the person.

"I... he wouldn't-"

"How do you know if he'd talk to you? He might actually explain himself if you just asked."
"But-"

"But nothing. You-"

"Nolan, stop interrogating her," Elsie scolded, glaring at her brother.

"But she-"

"But nothing," Elsie shot back. I couldn't help but snicker. Karma.

"Can she at least explain herself?" Nolan asked, letting out a frustrated sigh. "Cuz I need something here. Otherwise, they're both idiots."