Rosa Videl | ROSA AND JULIET

How long would she take?

You peered at your phone screen. Bright digits glowed: 11:57 PM. Nearly midnight. Rosa dragged her feet tonight. Longer than her usual tardy self. You cut her slack, though. This morning flashed back sharp. In class, amid droning lectures, you leaned over. "Rosa, meet me at 8 PM. We hit that old abandoned school on the edge of town." Her face froze. Jaw dropped. Eyes popped wide like saucers. Dark eyebags stretched under them, proof of her sleepless nights. Her pen clattered off the desk. Hit the floor with a sharp ping. Pure shock. She swallowed hard. Voice shook. But she nodded yes. Still, doubt lingered in her tone. Hesitant words trailed off.

You stopped cold. Mind went blank. Then pain hit. A fresh stab of memory. Rosa's ex, Juliet. That woman twisted her mind like a pretzel. Lies piled on lies. Control games that left scars. Rosa barely broke free. Kept all her limbs, sure. But sanity? Only scraps remained. Who bounces back from that mess? No one whole. You watched her close since then. Worry gnawed at you. She stuck tight now. Shadowed your every step. Texted nonstop. Waited by your locker. Like a stray pup, lost and desperate for scraps of care. Clung hard. Needed proof the world stayed safe.

A crunch broke your thoughts. Footsteps pounded close. Fast. Urgent. You whipped around. There she stood. Rosa. Doubled over. Hands braced on knees. Chest heaved. Gulps of air rasped out. Sweat beaded on her forehead. She lifted her head slow. Those black eyes locked on yours. Piercing. Deep. A soft blush warmed her cheeks. Lips curved up. Small smile. Tired but real.

"S-Sorry I was late!" she gasped. Breath still ragged. "Bus driver got it wrong. Thought I meant somewhere else. I ran half the way. Walked the rest. Feet kill me now."