86 - The chapter with Liam's threat

Rose Campbell

" So how are you and Christian doing? " Skyller asked as I walked with her and Camille through the halls of the arts building after class on Thursday.

Yesterday, after the meeting with the university welfare office, Christian took me to Waterfall to buy a new cell phone at my dad's request, and we enjoyed the afternoon together in town before joining everyone for dinner.

I was excused from classes that day, which helped so I didn't run into Audrey or Alicia. And today when it happened, they didn't seem pleased to see me parading around the campus unfazed.

If they only knew.

" What about Chris? " I frowned " We didn't forget anything, right?”

" 'We bought the powdered pigments, the eggs,' Sky enumerated, “and don't run away from the subject, you know what I'm talking about.”

" Chris will bring the vinegar and the distilled water " I did the mental checklist " And I really don't know what you want to know.”

" I think she's talking about the fact that you paraded around in his jacket yesterday and he has a key to your room," Cam shrugged, leaving me shocked.

"Oh my God, Camille! How could they have corrupted you so quickly? " I stared at her.

Sky shook her head in a smile, not quite willing to accept that answer.

"I don't have anything to say, he's my friend, we get along on our own terms” I said.

But the looks of the two girls broke down my defenses a bit. Okay, there was no reason for me to lie to my friends, right?

" I promised him there would be no feelings involved, but that's not what's happening," I sighed.

" 'So you have feelings for him? " Cam celebrated my confession.

I took a deep breath, holding back a small smile that threatened to creep onto my face as I thought about everything I'd been feeling for him over the past few days.

" 'I like him, but it's complicated,' I sighed, 'Our situation is a little complex.”

We started to walk up the stairs, heading towards the room I had managed to reserve for the development of my work. As I was released from yesterday's class, the teacher let me hand in the work they developed yesterday in class tomorrow, so I needed to rush to finish.

"Okay, you agreed not to be exclusive, but that doesn't mean you can't change your mind. Talk to him " Sky advised " I should have done this with Liam from the beginning.”

" But our situation is different from yours and Liam's," I returned.

" Rose, I'm sure Chris will agree to become exclusive if you suggest it. I saw the way he looked at Liam when he offered to warm you up last week," Cam assured him.

Yeah, I'd noticed that too, and I'd actually considered talking to him, but there was still one big question.

"He might even accept, the problem is that I don't know if it's what I really want," I explained, stopping my steps a few meters from the room, knowing that Liam was already waiting for us there.

They stopped walking, turning to me, looking surprised by my revelation.

" You don't know? How can you not know? " Cam repeated.

"Look, I'm very young, my parents haven't had such a long relationship and they're... well, they're my parents!" I took a deep breath. " What if I try it and find out it's not what I want and ruin everything with him? I mean, I don't want to be with other people right now, but what if in two weeks I meet an amazing guy? Or what if he meets someone else? What if I make a fool of myself?”

" "Wow," Cam stammered.

" "I know, she decided to expose all her fears at once," Sky gave a half smile.

" 'No, it's just that I was hoping that this was the kind of thing that goes on in boys' minds and not hers…”

I let out a small laugh at that sentence, that girl was really one of a kind!

" Look, I don't think I'm ready to get into a relationship, even though I like him, so I'd rather leave it at that", I shrugged, walking back.

"In that case I agree with you, you better figure out what you want," Sky warned.

I stopped walking as soon as I got close to the room, hearing Liam's angry voice.

" 'Ridiculous what you did, don't come to me for support!”

" What did I do? I didn't do anything! But that's typical, you side with a girl you met five months ago instead of being loyal to your blood " Alicia retorted, making my blood boil.

Sky and Cam exchanged a quick glance and I motioned for them to stay silent, listening to our friend's conversation.

" Blood? What blood? You want to talk about blood? We're barely related and you know it, and don't think I don't know that your parents think my career choice is ridiculous," Liam returned, raising his voice. "I've gotten to know Rose more in these five months than you have in my entire life. Because the girl I imagined you to be would never lower herself to such a ridiculous role."

" Am I ridiculous? Of course, because Rose is perfect, isn't she?”

" She's far from perfect, but that's okay, at least she's authentic. Not like you who pretends to be what they want you to be! You talk about family, but you used me to grow up here and walked away without even looking back!”

" I don't…”

" 'Don't you dare insult my intelligence, Allie.”

The only response he got from the girl was complete silence.

" Stay away from Rose, I don't want to hear about these games anymore,' Liam lowered his voice to a dangerous tone.

" I'm not afraid of you, Liam. Do you think you can use your father's influence against me? You know Uncle Nathan adores me,” she sneered.

That was typical. The little princess finally got rid of all her masks and showed who she really is!

" That's true, but I also know that your parents love to brag to everyone about how perfect their little daughter is in everything. How do you think they would react to... I don't know, a video of you dancing drunk on a table?”

Silence reigned in the room until Liam spoke up again, seemingly undeterred.

" I could put it on a big screen at the next family reunion. A compilation of unforgettable moments of the Waldorf little princess. I have plenty of material on that,” he continued

" 'You wouldn't dare,' she growled in reply.

" Test me! " Liam returned harshly.

" I hate you! " His voice came out full of spite.

" I can live with that,' he returned nonchalantly.

Allie's footsteps began to approach the door, but Liam called her once more.

" And a word of advice I give you. Whatever you have planned for Davis, you'd better give up. He's not going to trade someone like Rose for you.”

It wasn't long before Alicia came out of the room, halting her steps and widening her eyes when she saw us standing there. Camille looked disconcerted to have been caught spying, I just cracked my best smile as I stared at her. The girl turned away from our little group, letting out an annoyed grunt before stomping off down the hall.