Page 50 of Withered

I barely take two steps when he catches my wrist again, spins me swiftly, and presses his lips against mine. Before I could return the kiss, he pulls back and says, “Good night, Rose.”

He only gave me a peck, yet he left me in need. A need that only he can meet.

He waves goodbye and walks away, leaving me to drift off to sleep with a smile on my lips.

Someone is shouting my name. “Rose, wake up, honey.”

In my slumber, I stir and open my eyes. It takes me a few seconds to get used to the glaring sunlight in the room.

“Rose, can you hear me?” My shoulders shake as Mom yells.

“Yeah. I’m up,” I say this in my groggy state.

“Oh god, finally. I was getting worried now. Get ready and come downstairs,” she says this and leaves the room. “Breakfast’s ready.” She shouts, her faint footsteps telling me she left.

I glance at my bedside clock, which reads 8 a.m.What the hell?Why didn’t my alarm go off? I find my phone near the window, which is switched off, and put it on charge.

In my closet, while dressing up, I spot something on my neck and take a close look at it. My eyes widen when I find a hickey there. So, that’s what Jake was doing.

I slap my forehead because I have to go downstairs for breakfast. Mom and Dad cannot see this.

I find a concealer and apply it to the bright red-purple spot. Once it was all set, I put on a baggy shirt and plain leggings.

Downstairs, I find my parents in the dining room. Dad reads the newspaper while Mom is drinking her coffee.

“Morning, Dad. Good morning, Mom,” I say, grabbing the juice kept on the table by Mom.

“Morning, kiddo,” Dad says, keeping his newspaper aside.

“What do you have planned today?” Mom asks.

“Usual. I’ll read or watch something for a while, then I have somewhere to go,” I tell them.

“Go where?” Dad asks.

“Let her be,” Mom says before I can finish my sentence. “She must be on her way to Kristy’s.”

I’m glad she spoke first because I’ve no idea what I’d have told them. Mom has met Jake, and I don’t think she has any problem with him; she has not even mentioned his name anyway. As for Dad, he has no idea who Jake is.

“Okay then. Give her our hello. You girls enjoy; we’ll be heading out in twenty minutes,” Dad says this, then proceeds to eat his breakfast.

Once we’re done, I grab all the plates and put them in the dishwasher, saying, “I’ll take care of them. You guys go.”

“Take care.” Mom kisses my cheeks and grabs her bag.

“Bye, kiddo. Have fun.” Dad kisses my forehead.

“Are you going to be late tonight?” Mom asks.

I honestly have no idea. Mom chimes in, “You might as well stay. Your dad is taking me out.”

I look over at Dad, who just shrugs, and Mom, who has a goofy smile on her face.

I smile at them and say, “Okay, stop being cute. Now go and enjoy. Shoo.” I wave a hand at them.

I finish the dishes and go into the living room. It’s only nine, and Jake won’t be here for another two hours. I findBrooklyn Nine-Ninewhile scrolling through the channels and watch it for another hour to pass the time.

At 10:30, I switch off the TV and go upstairs to get dressed. I grab a white sleeveless top with a high neck and pair it with nice pants and a brown belt. I change quickly and get ready on time. I take my purse and my phone.

---