I stand by the river, staring into the crystal blue water from which I see the reflections of clouds and trees. It is so beautiful. Since I think it's pretty, I'm taking a picture. I mean what are you supposed to do if you want to remember something that made you happy?
I do that often. Whenever I see something pretty or funny or anything else I like, I take a picture. Though I heard most people are the same way. I take about three pictures or so to make sure I have one that I like. Once I'm satisfied I run back to my bike. Before riding away I take one last look at the gorgeous lake. I take in the wonderful aroma of pine and water.
When I mount my bike I notice something is wrong. My tires are flat. Damnit. I hear laughing and snickering fading into the forest and I just know it's Benny Rogers and his idiot friends again.
Man this really sucks! My day had started off so well. Now I have to walk my bike home.
When I get home I'm exhausted. Mom asks me if i'm ok and If i'm hungry but I can't answer i'm just too tired to properly reply. I bend down and put my hands on my knees and put up one finger in her direction. " One second," I choked out, without the correct amount of air to say it correctly.
When I finally catch my breath I stand up straight but by then my mom has a concerned look on her face. " This is the third time this week Rose" She touches my cheek. I understand this is a gesture of love and concern but I honestly don't care at the moment. " I know mom," I smile and walk toward the hallway where the stairs are.
My mom yells after me and asks what I want for dinner. I yell something back. I don't quite know what I say. It was just the first thing that popped into my head. I don't think she hears me though because she yelled again.
At this point, I just go back downstairs. As I got back down to the kitchen, my mom is at the door talking to someone. Strange. I think to myself. I never heard the doorbell ring or anyone knocking.
I went into the TV room and sat down. " Rose!" my mom yells. "What mom? I just sat down."
" Someone is here to see you and apologize!"
Ugh. It better not be Lily trying to apologize for pointing directly at the guy I like. I'm a little irritated that she would even try to apologize again because I told her it was okay.
I walk over to the door where my mom stood and peer out of the doorway. I have never been more shocked.
It's Benny Rogers? Oh it's definitely Benny. He has this sad little look on his face and what looks like sweat. I don't know why he looks so tired. It's not like he walked ten miles home.
However, I can't help but feel a little sorry for him. But, it's not in the " Oh my god are you okay?" type of way but more the," Oh man that's pathetic," type of way.
He walks inside staring with an unsure look on his face at my mom. However, it looks like he was more scared of seeing me than my mom.
He continues toward me and I take a step back. I think I have a look of disgust on my face because he backs off a bit as well. He looks down and then back up into my eyes. He has never been so close to me without yelling in my face or calling me names. No, he is so calm. Or atleast has a calm face. Maybe he's the most scared he's ever been in his life.
I wouldn't know. I know nothing about him.
I don't understand why though. He's never been scared of me throughout our whole relationship. Actually I've been the scared one, so I don't understand why he's looking at me this way.
Especially after what looks like he's been crying or sweating. I really can't tell at this point. I mean he hasn't said anything either yet.
I feel like his eyes are sinking deep into mine and he is losing consciousness. " So..?" I ask as he continues to stare at me with that blank expression. He bites his lip and continues to just look at me with his sorry eyes. I have never noticed how pretty his eyes are. An icy blue with a hint of hazel.
He finally seems to snap out of it and says, " I'm sorry Rosalee." He is subtle and it takes me by surprise. He said my full name and I kind of enjoyed it.
What is going on with me right now? I have literally never felt this for him. I mean when we were younger there was a subtle attraction. Though, that died the moment he stopped being nice and started just standing there while his friends did despicable things to me.
" I mean... " I am hesitant to say it but I did. "Thank you for coming here to say this," I say just before turning and walking back to my room to scream into my pillow.
I am just so taken aback by the whole experience. Why after all these years? Why after all the bullying? Why, just why would he say sorry when he hasn't said a single nice thing to my face in my whole life? It just doesn't make any sense.
After a couple hours, I go back downstairs. My mom looks concerned and says " What are you still doing up?" She gets up and feels my head. She takes her hand off of my face and places it on my shoulder. I brush her hand off and reply.
"Couldn't sleep. What are you watching?"
" No, don't change the subject. Are you feeling ok?"
" Yeah mom I'm just a little weirded out by Benny coming over is all."
" Well at least he came and said sorry to you hun."
" I know it's just I don't understand why now you know?"
" Yeah I'm sorry I understand sweet girl. Come watch criminal minds with me!"
" Okay mom."
♥♥♥
We end up watching criminal minds until falling asleep around two-thirty am. It's nice just staying with her and being around her. Normally she's working or studying or even just on her phone. So yeah it's nice just being with her. I love my mom and all but she's way too busy all of the time.
The next morning is a blur. I can't stop thinking about Benny and how he came to my house to say sorry. He said sorry? I just can't believe it. One of my childhood bully said sorry?
The more I think about it, the less weird it becomes and the more I cringe at the thought of someone feeling that it is okay to suddenly after years of torment say sorry and expect forgiveness.
A scary thought begins to creep into my head. Benny Rogers might actually like me. Or atleast want to be friends.
I mean that's just so weird to me because why would you bully and degrade someone for years upon years just to like them? I wonder if he thinks I'm going to want him. If he does that makes me laugh because I would never like and or love someone that hurt so often without even making the effort to apologize.
••••
HIIIII sorry if there's some mess ups! I am a first time writer and have no idea where I'm going with this. So if you have suggestions or I messed up somewhere let me know!! Okay love you all<3 thanks for looking at my first chapter!
** 1326 words **
April 24, 2022!
