Blood of a Rose

All-day at school I felt like something big was going to happen... something bad. I just didn't know what it was. I had a feeling deep in the pit of my gut. My friend lizzy tried distracting me. She was telling me about Amanda Shirlwind's latest boyfriend. Her story was interesting enough considering Amanda is the school slut and was an everyday gossip. Leaving her alone with your boyfriend could be a mistake that would likely cost you your relationship. I mean there is the occasional guy that turns Amanda down but that's a rarity among teenage boys.

Not that I had much experience in the boyfriend department. The closest I ever came to being someone's girlfriend was when Riker Flame had waved to me when I was passing him in the cafeteria ... only it turned out that he hadn't even been waving at me. He had actually been waving at his friend who had been walking behind me. So not very close at all and boy was it embarrassing. Then again, no boy would want me if they only knew everything about me.

The gossip just didn't hold my attention like it normally would. Maybe it was just one of those off days, I thought. While Lizzy kept rambling off, I looked out the window at the huge oak trees. My attention drifted over to my teacher's purple dress and her yellow bead necklace. My eyes slid down towards her coffee brown boots. Mrs. G really needed some fashion advice, but her great way of making a class interesting made up for her lack of fashion sense. I looked down at my textbook and sighed.

I already knew everything she was teaching by heart. "Miss Collins would you please pay attention?!" I quickly snapped out of my stupor. "Sorry Mrs. G. What was the question again?" Mrs. G clucked in annoyance. "Who was Robert Hooke in the scientific world? "She asked, sitting on the corner of her desk waiting for my answer.

I thought for a second before answering. "Robert Hooke was a Renaissance Man – a jack of all trades, and a master of many. He wrote one of the most significant scientific books ever written, Micrographia, and made contributions to human knowledge spanning Architecture, Astronomy, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Surveying & Map Making, and the design and construction of scientific instruments."

I finished looking her straight in the eyes. I forced myself not to look away from her eyes first. She scared a lot of the students, but I was determined not to let her know that she got under my skin too. Everything would go downhill from there and she would treat me with the same contempt as she did with the others. Sometimes I wondered why she was even a teacher if she thought we were all stupid. I'd given her a run for her money so far this year and she couldn't seem to knock me down like the others.

She'd tried and tried, but my photographic memory helped me stay one step ahead of her at all times. I also read my textbooks before I even start my actual classes. I know I'm a nerd, what can I say. Mrs. G pursed her lips and kept teaching the class. I grinned to myself remembering the first day of class. Mrs. G had tried using me as an example. She tries to humiliate kids who don't pay attention in class by making them answer a question in front of everyone that she hasn't talked about yet. she doesn't know that I have a photographic memory and I plan on keeping that a secret, although it could be a pain in the ass at times. It's both a gift and a curse. She absolutely hated that she couldn't stump me with a question off-guarded like the rest.

"Hey Isabella I'm not understanding any of this...do you think you could tutor me some after school?" I turned following the masculine voice to look at Francis, our varsity quarterback-six foot two, stormy grey eyes and built like an ox. Francis was every girl's dream and yet I found him utterly resistible. I privately thought his name was better suited for an old man in a wheelchair. "Sorry France, I'm babysitting the little ones today, maybe Friday?" I replied barely looking at him. I could feel the jealous stares on my back like darts aimed at a dartboard. "Oh ok, Friday could work." He said with fake nonchalance. He tried to get my full attention by talking about his weekend plans. I listened politely while I continued to work. I couldn't focus on him or my work. That darn feeling wouldn't leave me. I was worried. My intuition was trying to tell me something ...Something important. And for some odd reason, something in France's voice was making that feeling go haywire.

The bell rang finally and I went about picking up my books, dumping them in my backpack as the room quickly emptied. Aeries High School was famous for short passing periods. and although this was the bell that marked the end of the school day I could tell Mrs. G hurried out to the teachers' lounge before all the donuts could disappear. I went to stand and turned into the aisle to leave the class but I nearly walked right into Francis. He was standing there looking nervous. He flashed out a hand to keep me from falling. "Oops. Sorry, Francis. I didn't see you there. Do you need anything?" I asked wishing he would get out of my way so that I could go home.

I had to pick up Niklaus from his friend's house on the way and I didn't want to make Mrs. Adams wait any longer than she had too. She was a very busy woman. Francis opened his mouth as if to say something but nothing came out. I waited a bit before trying to move around him. "I really do have to go Francis." I said as politely as I could ut I was having trouble not showing my annoyance. His hand flashed out again and grabbed my wrist. "No wait...sorry I just lost my train of thought... It's just that ...you're so pretty and sometimes I don't know what to say to you" he said nervously shifting his weight between his feet. "Francis I'm really sorry but I just don't think of you in that way. I mean you're nice but I just don't..." I looked up at him apologetically. I really did feel bad for the big guy.

I made it past him and was heading for the door when he grabbed my wrist. I stopped and turned to face him again. "Francis I'm sorry but I ..." he leaned in and stopped my words with his lips, His free hand now cupping the back of my head, holding me in place. I tried to move away, but he interpreted the motion as a desire to deepen the kiss.

Anger flared up inside of me. My first kiss was happening against my will! No Not again. My mind flashed back to a rainy night two years ago and my heart started to race. This was technically not my first kiss but that night 2 years ago didn't count either. At least that's what I told myself. The fear of that night welled up inside of me. I shoved that memory down and the anger for the here and now grew. Sure, the guy was as hot as a tamale straight ought of a steaming pot and most girls would be jumping up and down to be in my place, but I sure as hell was not one of them. I tried to shove him away with all my strength, but his grip was like stone. I waited for him to let go of me. He smiled and I slapped him across the face. What the hell!" he said glaring at me.

Chapter (2) Scuffle

I stepped away and picked up my bag where it had fallen. "Never, …and I mean never without my permission," I said and turned towards the door. I was just a few steps from the door when Francis grabbed my arm roughly and yanked me back towards him.

His eyes looked savage and there was no hint of kindness left at all on his face. He was breathing hard and for the first time, I noticed how big he truly was. He toward over me. The look on his face had changed from the sweet guy I was used to, to something full of rage. "Let go of my arm, Francis. You're hurting me," I told him, taking pains to keep my voice from shaking. The look in his eyes scared me.

I had never seen him get like this. "You know I don't have to take no for an answer, Isabella. I asked you out and I expect the answer to be yes," he said menacingly. I kept my face calm. "Oh, I'm sorry I didn't know that you were my master, Francis." I said it as calm I could. "Let go of my arm. I said no or have you taken too many footballs to your head to understand?" I yanked my arm hard, but he only tightened his grip.

"Isabella, you don't seem to understand me, do you? I said you're going out with me and you'll like it. I mean it's the least you can do for slapping me." He smirked down at me with a nasty glint in his eyes. "I've tried doing this the nice way but you leave me no choice but to force you...or do I have to pay a visit to that little brother of yours to get a yes from you? or better yet I can make your life hell here in school. All I have to do is send some pictures of you in your bra and underwear. I already told the football team that you would say yes and I'll be damned if you make me look stupid in front of the school." He glared down at me.

I could not believe this was happening. He had to be bluffing. "excuse me? you have to be kidding me." my eyes went wide as I looked at him and realized he was telling the truth. "where in the fucking hell did you get pictures of me????"

He smirked at me and pulled out his phone. He unlocked it and showed me a picture angled through my bedroom window. I was getting ready for bed in them. He scrolled and showed me another photo. my eyes grew wider.... no... this one I was naked except for a pair of panties that showed more of my ass than I would like anyone to see. The next photo was of me with a T-Shirt that went down to my thighs in the same panties.

He scrolled and the next two were of me laying down on my bed. On my stomach with my laptop and my t-shirt wasn't covering my ass. He reminded me so much of my dad that it scared me even more. He had the same malicious glint in his eyes that my dad used to have. Why did my family have to attract all the crazy people? "You touch my brother and I will make sure everyone knows what an ass you really are. you share my photos and I'll press charges. better yet give me that phone I'm deleting them." I said icily. I tried grabbing the phone but he raised it just out of reach above my head.

I stomped on his foot and when his hand came down to catch his balance I went for the phone. His hand came up out of nowhere and I stumbled to the ground from the sheer force of the blow. I put my hand to my cheek, flinching at the hot stinging sensation.

Anger as hot as hells fire coursed through me. I wasn't about to lie down and let him or anyone else for that matter scare me or blackmail me. I lunged for the phone again and this time kneed him in the balls. He dropped to the floor with a groan clutching his crotch. I scooped up the phone, making a beeline for the classroom door only for me to trip when francis grabbed my ankle.

My mind flashed back to a day when my dad tried to hit me for breaking a glass cup, my mom had gotten in the way. I looked up at francis and I couldn't help it. Fear flashed through my eyes for a brief moment. I tried to scoot away from him. I kicked him hitting his shoulder with my foot hard. I scrambled away and tried opening his phone again but it had locked in the time since he showed the pictures. He saw it and laughed darkly. I noticed he was standing up so I turned and ran for the door again but he was faster than me. He grabbed my hair and yanked me backward.

"you need to stop Bella, you won't win. I'll pick you up on Saturday for our date, and wear something nice. I don't want anyone thinking my girl is a slob." He said looking at my outfit. I was wearing black sweats and a Th*r Av**gers top from a H*tt*pic. I had makeup on and my flaming red hair fell in pretty waves of curls around my face and back. My outfit was nowhere near sloppy. And Th*r was fucking awesome.

"I'm not your Fucking girl! Get it through your head Francis. I never will be. You're an egotistical jock and a controlling Git. I don't see why anyone would want to date you. I thought you were a sweet guy but your nothing but a fake. Bloody hell! I said no and I mean it!" It came out in a jumbled rush as I elbowed him in the ribs, grabbed my stuff, and shoved the phone in my pocket as I ran out the door. I never thought Francis could have been like this. I wished someone would appear and quick.

I couldn't fight him forever and I was tiring fast. Why isn't anyone coming to this classroom? Then I remembered that the teachers had informed the students in an email to parents earlier that week of a mandatory rally would happen today. Everyone would be in the auditorium at the end of the day. I was stuck without help.

As I thought of this I could hear the distinct sound of the music starting, marking the start of the dance teams performance. No one was coming to my rescue. francis followed me out the door. he reached me and shoved me into the lockers. I glared at him as he put both hands against the lockers on either side of my head. I should've known he was the reason behind that weird feelings I was having all day. Although then again how could I have known he was so good at hiding who he really was.

Chapter( 3) To the rescue

"Excuse me? I thought I made this clear to you. Do I have to knock some sense into you? give me my phone you stupid bitch." He growled. "no!" i yelled and tried to push him away. He grabbed me by the hair and threw me to the floor.

I heard footsteps but Francis didn't seem to hear anything at all. He grabbed my hair again and yanked me up, pulling me close to his face. I didn't even try hiding my fear anymore. He really was terrifying. "Please leave me alone Francis there's a lot of other girls who would want to willingly go out with you," I whispered trembling.

He threw me to the floor and then kicked me in the stomach. I gasped as the air was knocked out of me. He was going to kick me again. I closed my eyes and ...Dad had been screaming and I heard mom crying. I had walked into their room and saw my dad pulling her by the hair. Mom was begging him to stop. Telling him that some guy named Joe was just a friend from work. I had run forward and tried yanking his arm away from mom's hair. My dad had just picked me up and put me outside the door and slammed the door in my face.

All afternoon I heard him hitting her and all I could do was sit on my bed and hug my stuffed bear to my chest crying and listing to the screaming....I let out a scream of pain when his foot nailed me in my side again and the flashback ended. I heard running footsteps coming towards the classroom. Another kick to my side sent me flying into a locker and my head hit the metal. My vision went dark for a second and I saw stars floating in front of my eyes. My vision was blurry through the tears welling up in them.

I looked up at Francis through the pain-filled tears and the curtain of red hair that had fallen across my face. He took another step towards me and knelt right in front of me. He took a fist full of my hair from the back of my head and forced me to look up at him and when I tried to squirm away he yanked on it painfully. "I'm going to get my phone back and you will listen to me from now on. Am I clear? I am the prized quarterback of the school...the king of this school and you're ..." He didn't get to finish because someone grabbed Francis by his letterman jacket and threw him backwards away from me.

I felt his grip fall away and I slumped to the floor. I looked up to see two guys from the football team. Their girlfriends were standing by the door to the classroom. Their shocked expressions quickly flashed to anger as they came rushing to my side.

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