105 - The chapter where Christian wants a chance

Christian

I begrudgingly allowed them to lead me to the stairs, casting a glance or two at Rose's closed door, which Liam was carefully trying to open. We made our way in silence to the common area, where Camille was waiting for us, giving us a confused look as soon as we arrived.

" What happened? Where's Liam and Rose? " Cam asked, causing me to let out an agonized groan upon hearing her name.

I was supposed to be in that room with her!

" It's a long story. Which Christian is going to tell us now," Theo muttered, sitting down next to the girl.

" I don't even know where to start,” I admitted.

" You can start telling us how Alicia ended up in your room," Sky gave me an unfriendly look as I plopped down on one of the sofas, "and how your nothing fits with that hickey on your neck.”

" Who were you in the room with? " Camille widened her eyes.

I took a deep breath, starting to tell her everything that had happened, trying to remember all the details. When I got to the end of the story, my friends were staring at me in amazement.

" Are you kidding me that she did that! " Cam stammered " Rose suspected her earlier!”

That sentence caught my attention, I raised my gaze, frowning as I focused on Camille.

" What did she suspect?”

" Alicia overheard our conversation this morning, where Rose basically admitted that you two were together for real " Sky took the lead " Rose was uncomfortable when she saw that she realized.”

I threw myself back, resting my head on the back of the sofa, hiding my face with my hands. My life was finally perfect, how could it turn into such a mess in such a short time?

" I didn't do anything! And for a moment I thought she would accuse me of assault for pushing her off me. But I would never do anything to hurt Rose," I muttered in annoyance.

" That would be a problem for you, but lucky for you, her target is Rose. And right now she's probably satisfied that she got what she wanted," Theo comforted me.

As if that was a good comfort. I'd rather be accused of assault than have seen that hurt in my girl's eyes. If I can still call her that.

" What was her problem with Rose, anyway? " Camille didn't seem to understand.

" She wants to be Rose, she wants everything she has. When she doesn't get it, she attacks," I muttered.

I hadn't known the two of them that long, but everything I'd heard and witnessed in the last few months was enough to understand that Alicia's biggest motivation was jealousy. Especially after today, when she tried to convince me to call her the same as Rose, no matter how offensive the terms are under normal circumstances.

" Look, Rose is hurt right now, after all, all she saw was you two leaving the room, you with your shirt inside out and a hickey on your neck. Of course she's suspicious, but when you get the chance to tell her what really happened, she'll believe you. In the end, she knows more than anyone what Alicia is capable of," Skyller tried to reassure me.

" I just wish I could talk to her and explain everything at once." I took a deep breath.

"Hmmm, she's coming," Cam pointed.

We turned around, watching the girl approach Liam's side. I stood up in a jump, running my gaze over her body, admiring her lush beauty. Rose had her hair down and her makeup on, dressed in tight black jeans, a lacy top that could easily be mistaken for lingerie under a jacket, and a pair of boots.

" Rose…” I started to speak, but she walked straight past me, completely ignoring my presence.

" Rose, are you all right? " Sky frowned.

" I'm great. Liam and I are going out dancing, do you want to come? " her smile widened.

I cast a questioning glance at my friend, who let out a tired sigh before approaching the girl.

" Rose, why don't you wait for me in the car? " Liam suggested

She smiled in response, turning her back on the group and walking to the exit, ignoring my gaze on her.

What is she doing?

Liam waited for her to leave before turning to me, approaching, trying to keep his tone low.

" I know it sucks, but.... “

" Sucks? What are you thinking? " I raised my voice.

" She was willing to go on her own, so I thought it might be better to accompany her to keep everything under control. After all, what we don't want is for her to do something on impulse and regret it later. And she was bad enough to do that." He pointed a finger at me.

I wanted to hit him back, I wanted to fight him for going out with my girlfriend, but I knew deep down he was right.

" Liam, I don't know…”

" Sky, you stay in her room. I promise I won't drink and I'll get her back safely. She's gonna need someone tonight. And you, Davis. For tonight, you can sleep on my couch. And I'll want to know everything that happened," he warned before handing me the key to his room and turning away.

I lowered my head, throwing myself back on the couch, covering my eyes with my forearm. Why has everything become such a mess? Am I still going to be able to fix things?

" Dude, you better eat something, you didn't show up when we were eating and..." I interrupted.

" I'm not hungry " I interrupted Theo, getting up " I need to be alone for a while.”

I went to my room, seeing all my stuff on the bed, not knowing what I would do next before grabbing my helmet and the keys to the bike, deciding to ride a bit to forget everything that had gone wrong that day.

I didn't go anywhere special, I just rode the bike around, trying to clear my mind, but the look on Rose's face of hurt and disappointment kept coming back to me. When I got back, I went to Liam's room, taking my things there, surprised to see how different his room was from the others. For starters, he had a double bed and a leather sofa, as well as an easel and numerous canvases of his paintings scattered around the room.

I put my things in a corner, threw myself on the couch, waiting for him to return, and every minute that passed without him giving the slightest sign of life, agonized me more. It was past midnight when he opened the bedroom door, looking exhausted.

" 'Great, you're awake', he sighed, throwing himself on the bed.

"How is she? " I sat on the sofa, watching him.

"She wants to show she's fine, but she's nowhere near it. She overdid it with the booze, I had to stop Brigitte twice to make her throw up on the way back " he answered " But don't worry, she didn't do anything she could regret tomorrow.”

That relieved me a little, but knowing she was suffering agonized me. Why couldn't she just listen to my explanation?

" Do you think I have any chance of making things right? " I finally asked.

" In the next few days? No. It will take her a while to get over it. But maybe in the future " he shrugged " I already know her whole side of the story and how she feels about this matter. Now you can start telling me your side. I'm curious.”

And once again, I prepared myself to tell him everything that had happened, hoping that this hell would soon be over.