92 - The chapter where Rose is back

Rose Campbell

"Alright, I admit that Peterson's method is pretty effective," Liam commented as we walked out of the cafeteria together.

He was carrying the painting he had done of me with pride while Theodore had stood next to Camille, putting his arm around her shoulder, making me smile. The girl looked like she was about to burst with happiness at everything that had happened, and our group was finally attracting attention for something good.

" I would agree with you if I wanted a relationship, but that's not the case. I don't want to give off this image of being stuck with Christian, as much as I like him " I decided to be honest with the boys, since we had a policy of never lying to each other, as much as the truth could hurt sometimes.

" Rose, you're going to regret that thought. Come on, just because you get into a relationship with someone in college, doesn't mean you have to marry them. Or do you think I'm thinking of marrying Liam? " Skyller retorted, receiving a cross look from her boyfriend.

" Thank you?”

" Don't get me wrong, Liam. I didn't say it can't happen, I said it's not our focus at the moment " she explained " Or do you think you'll marry me in the next few months?”

"Okay, you have a good point there," he agreed with his girlfriend.

" Look, I don't want to hear about this anymore. I've already explained how I feel." I took a deep breath.

" It's your right, but you better make up your mind, after yesterday, I doubt Allie will take Liam's advice and walk away " Sky warned me, indicating with her head Liam's cousin who was standing a few meters away with Audrey and Savannah.

I knew my friend was right, Alicia, now more than ever, she would try harder to get something with Chris. But I trusted his promise not to get involved with her, and after everything that happened, I knew he would never do anything to hurt me.

But I didn't say anything about it to my friends, just trying to change the subject.

" What are the chances of you giving me this painting as a Christmas present? " I pointed to the board that Liam still proudly carried.

" 'None, I'm sorry, my little Rembrandt incarnation, but I meant it before. This is going to get me an exhibition in some gallery " he shook his head in denial " I'll get after it as soon as I finish the series with all of you.”

" Good luck getting Davis' picture,” Theodore quipped.

" If he doesn't send it, I'll have to use my imagination," Liam shrugged, making me laugh.

" I'd love to see how you imagine him, Liam," I teased.

My friend was about to answer me when the beginning of a commotion caught our attention.

" You're not turning your back on me, you Slut!”

We turned to where Audrey and the girls were standing, surprised to see the red-haired Jenny, the leader of the girls who attacked me on Tuesday, screaming at the top of her lungs at the girl.

" Have you gone mad? " Audrey turned to her with a disbelieving expression on her face.

We got a little closer with other people who were also passing by, trying to understand what was going on.

" You assured us that nothing much would happen! That we would have a chance to get into the sorority!”

I crossed my arms, exchanging a disbelieving look with my friends, understanding well what she was talking about. So all she did was for a chance to join the sorority?

" Look, if you've jeopardize yourself in an attempt to impress us in any way," Savannah started to say, but was interrupted shortly after.

" Have I jeopardize myself? You made sure it was just a silly prank and we got kicked out!”

Wow, I knew they would be punished, but I confess I wasn't expecting it.

"We? Honey, I'm trying to be polite, but I've never seen you, I've never spoken to you, in fact, I was unaware of your existence until your ridiculous stunt this week," Audrey returned haughtily, "If you did that to impress us, I'm sorry, but Sigma Sigma Kappa has a zero tolerance policy for bullying, as does the university.”

A buzz started among the people around us, making a worried expression take over Audrey's face for a second.

" 'You instructed us on everything, told us about the song and her ridiculous nickname. " Jenny pointed at Alicia.

" 'Me? I'm sorry, but I think you must have dreamt it. I never spoke to you,” Allie even blinked as she lied, making my smile widen.

" Even if that were the case, everyone here knows that Alicia is just a newbie. What power would she have to offer anything in the name of sisterhood? " Audrey gave the final card.

" And unless you have some proof of this ridiculous accusation, we're leaving,” Allie turned away, leaving the girl behind.

It wasn't long before everyone who was watching that little spectacle started to disperse, leaving the girl with a disbelieving expression standing in the same place. I found myself unable to stop smiling, and when Jenny's gaze focused on me, her expression immediately closed.

" Are you finding this funny? " She approached me, her voice laced with hatred.

Everyone who started to walk away stopped as they saw a new mess forming. But unlike when she took me by surprise, I wasn't going to get the short end of the stick this time.

" You expect me to lie? " I said back.

" I just told you I was expelled! What big joke do you see in that? " She raised her voice a few octaves.

I was aware of my friends standing next to me, ready to interfere at any moment, but I wanted to deal with it myself.

" The big joke is that the insane bitch you tried to humiliate this week is going to get a degree. Unlike you " my smile widened.

" Oh my God, that's awful! This is my future we're talking about! " She returned, looking shocked by my response.

" This may come as a shock to you, but I don't give a damn about your future. What do you expect? I'm a great person with those who deserve it, but if you're a bitch with me, I'll be a bitch with you,” I snapped at her, lowering my voice, “You're lucky I didn't decide to take this story further.”

" Really? And what would you do? Are you going to threaten me for being friends with Van Derr Waal? " she sneered, despite her watery eyes.

" She's not my friend, she's my girl, and my dad has access to the best law firm in the state” Liam answered for me.

" He's right about that, but you know what? His father has access to the best law firm in the state, but guess who has a father and a stepmother who are lawyers at that same firm " I stared at her, having the pleasure of seeing her face lose a little color " You will do yourself a favor if you just forget that you ever crossed my path. “

She held my gaze for a few seconds, before turning away and walking off in silence. I kept my arms crossed, watching her walk away while something inside me, a part of me that I thought had been suffocated for good by that attack, pulsed with pure adrenaline.

It's official, ROSE CAMPBELL IS BACK!