Rose's POV
Parts of concrete blocks were all around me piled up to the fragile-looking ceiling. Slight bumping on the back of my head screamed for attention, but considering that I was in a small space that felt more like a grave than a room, I ignored it. As I watched enormous rocks I shivered. What if Kayden couldn't protect Layla or if Adrian was crushed by one of those boulders?
I shook my head and wrapped my arms around me. I was alone, scared, incredibly cold and I couldn't do anything about it. My bottom lip shivered and tears filled my eyes. I bit that lip and close my eyes.
I won't cry. I just won't. I'm tougher than this.
I cry all the time like a freaking infant. I just don't want to do it anymore. I don't want to be that girl whom everyone secretly hates for being a crybaby as she faces Every Little Obstacle.
Today is a crappy day. Whatever. I won't think about it.
Now, let's be productive.
So, I need a way out.
I got up and started pressing random parts of wall made of fallen rocks to the side that looked a little shakier hoping to move it away. At first nothing happened, but then I succeeded to move a small rock. It seemed to glide towards the inside of the wall so I pressed it with more force and it just went through. I laughed at my achievement and the rest of the rocks fell down. I took few steps back as the wall, or whatever that was, finished with crumbling.
I hid my eyes behind my hands to protect them from dust.
When I finally heard that it was over I looked up.
I frowned disappointed.
There was nothing, just more ruins.
"Really?" I yelled at no one in particular, squeezed my jaw and angrily moved away that stray lock of my hair. I am as always incapable of doing anything smart. What was I hoping to achieve by this? I obviously wasn't thinking; I just did anything to get myself from ugly thoughts â just like a child I was. Of course those actions just made it harder to breathe nothing more and nothing less. Only thing I could've gotten by this was an injury or even...
"Rose", I heard a muffled voice behind a wall of rocks that cut off the lesson I was mentally giving to myself.
I startled and forget to breathe for a moment. I gaped like a fish at the side of wall that just collapsed and started calling my name. After I pulled myself together, I took few steps towards it. I listened closely to hear something else to make sure I haven't imagined it, but unfortunately only thing I could hear was my heart beating like crazy.
"Who is there?" I asked.
No one answered. I repeated the question, but a bit louder now and waited.
"Mov...way", voice said. I did as I was told.
Loud smash could be heard and the dust flew from the wall. A moment later there was another one and another one.
Silence.
I frowned.
Just as I was about to go and check, stronger strike knocked the wall down.
A cloud of dust filled the space I was in and I couldn't see anything. The air seemed so thick that it was impossible to see or to breathe without taking in an enormous amount of dust. I coughed and waved in front of my face trying to purify it. I blinked a few times until I could somewhat see who is in front of me.
"Adrian?" I asked not really sure. He nodded. Of course it was him. Who else it would be? I frowned.
"Are you okay?"
"I'm fine", I said avoiding his gaze.
"What about Kayden and Layla", he asked with a firm voice.
"I don't know"
No one said anything after that. Few moments of silence later, with a sigh, I got back to what I was doing before just to distract myself from him. I saw him sit down. His presence was starting to suffocate me and it was getting worse as more time passed.
Once again I found a place that I could be easy to break down. I decided to ignore all the reasons why I shouldn't break this wall although I knew it was stupid. I really needed some space and if I had to break a freaking wall to get it, I would do it. And... if I was aware of my stupidity does that mean I'm not stupid? Also if I'm not stupid, can my actions be stupid? But what if they are calculated? Well, I guess...
I shook my head dismissing deep discussion that was about to begin. Just as I was about to push I felt tingles coming from my upper arm. Adrian pulled me back.
"What the hell are you doing? Do you want to kill us?" he asked angrily.
"No, I'm trying to get us out of here", I answer in same tone he used.
"By killing us?"
"Get your hand off of me" I yelled pushing him away. He pressed his lips together and clenched his hands into fists.
"That is supporting wall. If it collapses, we're gone. I'm strong, but not that much"
I didn't know what to say so I just narrowed my eyes at him and crossed my arms on my chest.
"Whatever, asshole"
He leaned to a wall behind him and mimicked my pose.
"What do you want?" he asked emphasizing you.
Usually, I was the one asking that question, so it was weird. It seemed easy â just say what do you want, no big deal, but in reality it was far more difficult. I never thought about that. What do I want now?
"Nothing", I finally said.
"Then what is the deal with you?" he asked annoyed. Did I mention that I hate that tone?
"There is no deal"
"So, why are you angry?"
I just looked at him. Is he stupid? First he says he wants me then he says he doesn't want me and I'm difficult.
I sat down angrily and decided not to talk to him anymore. He did the same.
I looked away. I am just going to ignore him until someone comes to our rescue or until we die of hunger - which thing is most definitely not going to happen, right? They wouldn't let their prince to get left alone to die in the ruins; of course they are going to come. And my father... he must've found out about this by now. He is probably doing everything in his power to save me.
I sighed. Is he really?
I shook this thought away.
This is going to be long day.
In that incredibly awkward silence, my mind somehow wandered to the day when Adrian told me he doesn't believe in love.
I should've thought about that earlier. Why did I kiss him after he told me that? He basically warned me he doesn't want anything serious. It was about that tingly feeling â no strings attached. And I ruined it. How could I be so stupid? Even if he was a big love-believer, he wouldn't love me. My own mother didn't love me, so why would he?
I wish I could turn back time to when I thought she was dead. It was better that way. She destroyed my every birthday. I didn't even think about her that much now, but my birthday was let's-remember-her day.
I hate her.
I felt something roll down my cheek. When did I start crying? Oh, God...I'm such a cry-baby.
I quickly wiped it off with my sleeve.
I glanced at Adrian. He was looking at me. There was something in his eyes; I just couldn't put my finger on it.
"What?" I asked angrily.
"Nothing", he answered.
"Of course it's nothing...it's always nothing", I rumbled.
"What is that supposed to mean?"
"Nothing", I mimicked him. He got up and started walking towards me. I got up too.
"Why are you pissed off?"
"Really?" he knew, I saw it, but I continued any way, "You want to know? Well I'm pissed off because you don't want to talk to me. You just leave as soon as it becomes too complicated. You don't care as much as I do or even slightly close to it - I hate that. I hate that I'm so stupid to think someone could possibly care for me in any way. What is wrong with me? Hmm? Please, enlighten me, because I don't know"
"Rose, there is nothing wrong", he said cautiously. He must've been scared I would cry again. To be truthful, so was I.
"I must have done something very bad to piss someone up there so this shit keeps happening to me on my birthday. Maybe I'm cursed?" I was speaking very quickly like a crazy person. I went through my hair with my hand. Dammit.
I turned my back on him.
"So you want to know why I said what I said yesterday" he questioned. He was calm. There wasn't a hint of anything in his voice. It was emotionless.
I should prepare to be roasted now.
"I said that to hurt you", he said. Yeah, I figured that much on my own, he didn't have to say it.
"I wanted you to leave my life so I can forget about you", still his voice was steady. I laughed coldly and turned to him. I feel like a crazy person.
I motioned him to continue.
"You know why?" he asked me. It was rhetorical question, but I answered it anyway.
"Because you're an ass"
"I wanted to forget you because you made me feel something unnatural, unheard of. I thought love was a fairytale, but I was wrong"
I felt a sting in my chest as he said that. I looked away and wished he didn't say that. He was just giving me false hope. I didn't want pity.
"Love is a disease", he finished never giving up any emotion. Maybe he doesn't have those.
I nodded.
"I'm a big girl I can handle...you don't have to lie", I started, but he cut me off.
"I wasn't..."
Bang!
Dust started falling and I widened my eyes. What was happening?
Bang!
Dust filled the air and Adrian embraced me. He was shielding me from rocks that started falling. A minute later wall fell down.
I peeked from behind him and saw glowing eyes through the thick curtain of dust.
I moved away and walked out without a word. I needed to think.