Her Forever (Book 2)- Chapter 3

Rosalie

After the long trek home with an expensive Uber, I rolled up to my shabby apartment in the middle of the city. It was ten stories high and probably one of the oldest buildings on the block. The foundation was slowly crumbling, and the safety of this side of town was definitely iffy at best.

With my taser in hand, I shuffle through my pockets to grab my keys and open the main entrance to the apartment building. After climbing six stories and jumping three or four broken stairs, I finally reached my door. It was the newest-looking door out of the whole building; I naturally replaced the doors and locks once I moved in just a year ago.

toilet and shower. It was alright, though, since I never had anyone over anyways.

few treats. Macaroni had been with me since I was 10 years old, dealing with my abusive foster parent. She kept me sane and a reason

a great luxury but also a target for those who wanted to break in. Safety from the outside world was what I craved. I h

my safe place, and I would keep it as safe as po

mall sigh. I forgot how good hot water really felt.

main bit of talking while I fixed his computer. Maybe he was one of those men that didn’t like to talk to people lesser than him. He was ridiculously handso

as a master’s student. I would be officially free from all my education, except for the occasional refresher courses because technology never slows down.

ay. That was my treat for the week since I rarely spend any money and all towards my loans.

were the same. He couldn‘t have possibly been there too could he? Even though I am totally opposed to any relationships, especially romantic ones, I let my mind wonder of what could have been if I wasn’t so broken and messed up myself. I could have been happy, maybe one day I will, but this I know for sure; I’d be alone.

calico cat. “Fine,” I whispered with a huff.

go with that as long as I don’t have to pay more vet bills.

ust in the morning. After brushing my teeth, a little bit of foundation, mascara, and lip-gloss, I head out the door and lock the multiple locks on the door.

-block walk from my apartment to La’ Petite Cafe and order my usual ice vanilla latte with my computer in hand. Scanning through my thesis one more time, I decided to finally hit “send” and hope for the best. I have worked hard to get to where I am, especially of all the obstacles I’ve had to go through. With this final degree, I could pay off my loans quicker

er parents’ unwillingness to keep me, thus sending me away or end up with an abusive man that made me think he cared about me.

utting pieces of the puzzle together. They will realize how broken you really are and don’t know whether to give you pity or throw you off the friendship wagon because they just can’t deal. Heartache. You only get heartache with these supposed friends. Your heart can only be broken so many times before it can be repaired again.

n a long time. I was about to reward myself with one of the fresh muffins that just came out of the back of the cafe’ when my phone started to ring.

Amanda.

as only 9 am.

up to?!” she screeched into the phone.

, Mandy? You drank a ton and left the club way after me, I’m sure,” I joked.

ng my entire life for that moment. I’m completely fine!” she laughed. “Did you send your thesis in? Where are you? What are you doing?”

fe.” I took a big sip of my latte.

uter skills?

n outdoor girl that Amanda spent most of her time outside playing and camping in the woods as a child that she didn’t have tim

amily, and they all lived relatively close to each other. They were only two hours away from the big city, so she visited almost every weekend.

contact. “Calm down, Lee; it is just me.” She whispered. Letting my body relax, she grabbed her black coffee and sat in the booth with me.

big sip and gave me an over-exaggerated wink. I rolled my eyes at the thought.

like he infiltrated my dreams, and I knew he wasn’t going to leave anytime soon. A girl can dream as long as I don’t act.

like your male cousin of yours that kept telling me blonde jokes, I’ll pass.” I rolled my eyes. Amanda had been trying to hook me up with a lot of her friends from work, but I always instantly denied it. She said it isn’t healthy being alone without some sort

a lot of friends. I just have to pay off my l

hy.”

hysically healthy,” I mumbled quietly. The way Amanda’s eyes softened told me she heard me. “Amanda, you are the closest thing to a best friend I’ve ever had. I do trust you, but things about me are better left unsaid.” I took a small sip from my latte and

to be my friend and ignored my brutal attempts to stay away. Even though she was a partier, she did have a good heart that I had see

feel that way, Lee. Now, about this friend,” she continued. I rolled my eyes and shoved a

gulp, I washed it down with the rest of my latte.

” I seethed.

d have never agreed to it! Besi

el my eyes starting to tear up; a full-blown panic attack was in my wake. Amanda had only seen me like this a few times when I had to do a presentation to show people how to put together a PowerPoint in front of her en

” Amanda came to my side of the table and gave me a side hug. “I just thought you would get along with him really well. Maybe some other time, alright?”

, I saw a familiar yet unsaved number, so I knew I had to answer professionally.

Lee Pierce.”

eith Summers; how are you?” I let out a breath.

phone.

we are having issues connecting our computer with the projector. We were wondering if you could come to help us set it up.”

e thing,” I gl

”

ty. They need some help with a projector that won’t connect with their computer.” I started to grab my bag and take my empty plate to the trash. Amanda started to smile and sashayed to the garbage to thro

ou up to, Mandy?”

ing. I’ll see you Monday, yeah?”

the café.