𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵 𝗺𝗲 𝗶𝗳 𝗜 𝗳𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝟮 ⁑ t.holland

21. Rosewood High

I knew it was still early in the morning when I heard the knock at the door. The only reason I knew for sure was because the sun was still low enough where it could shine through the hotel windows. 

My body felt as though it was sinking into the mattress. For some reason, hotel beds were so much better than your own for no reason in particular. The pillows were just fluffy enough that  once you lay your head down, you never wanna get back up. 

I thought that after hearing the first knock, whoever it was would take the hint and leave. But, only seconds later they knocked again. I groaned a little and gradually pushed myself up and off the bed. My feet dragged across the carpet on my way to the door, and my rubbed my eyes with the palm of my hand when opening the door.

My eyes squinted a little in an attempt to get used to the lights in the hall but, it didn't take me long to recognize Tom who was wide awake. 
I looked back at the alarm clock on the bedside table and turned back around to face him. "It's nine in the morning..." I remind him, my voice groggy and tired.

He laughed a little at my lack of emotion altogether and nodded. "I know, and we're already late"

I frown, scratching the back of my head. My hair was falling out of the ponytail I had put it in last night. "Huh?"

*  *  *

I was a little more hesitant about coming back to Rosewood after so long of trying to push it out of my head. There were of course great memories from this place but at the same time, there were too many bad ones. 

For so long, I've tried forgetting about this place. Never googled it, never really talked to anyone from back here. I just tried acting as though Portland never even happened. Especially before Tom and I started talking again.

We got out the car and walked along the sidewalk up to the front of the school. When looking up at the top floor of the large brick building, I felt my heart sink in my chest.

"This'll teach you to stay the fuck out of my business." He growled mockingly, finally letting go of my face. I lowered my head again, heart pounding in my ears.

"Hold her tight, she's a feisty one." He laughed out in a lower tone.

Tom and I walked up to the front doors, my eyes locked on the stone path. I felt a cooler breeze run down my sweatshirt. That and the haunting memories of this place made my breath hitch in the back of my throat.

"Brooklyn?" Tom called out, gently turning my face so I could look him in the eyes. "Hey, hey, darling..." His breaths were shaky. He forced a smile, tears still rolling down his cheeks one by one. "I'm right here... paramedics are on their way. You'll be okay."

I never even realized that we had gotten to the massive set of doors until feeling Tom's hand land on my lower back. My eyes met his and I eventually started feeling my heartrate slow down. The panic, the fear, the worry-- it was all gradually going away the more I looked into his brown eyes.

"You're okay" He told me with a sweet smile. "Come on" He reached for the handle and opened the door for me before walking in himself. 
Immediately, my focus bounced from one end of the lobby to the next. New paint job, new furniture. The old school with warn-out furniture had turned itself into something decently close to luxurious. 

They really outdid themselves.

"I've been trying to come back here as much as possible" Tom said as we slowly made our way down the hallway to our right. "I grew up here, y'know? 6 years at the same school, you can't really forget about that."