The GHC

Chap 18: "Rose Park"

Sam held the punching bag in place as Dylan got his anger out. Needless to say, he'd been 'getting his anger out' for a while.

"Dude, seriously, what's got you so worked up?" Sam asked as Dylan punched the bag again.

"I don't want to talk about it," Dylan growled.

"Dyl, we've been friends since we got pitted against each other in a boxing match in third grade. I'm pretty sure that's enough years of friendship for you to trust me with whatever's going on." Dylan finally stopped throwing punches, breathing heavily.

"It's Leah."

"I could have guessed that much. What happened?"

"She—she doesn't like me."

"Seriously, this again?" Sam rolled his eyes. "Of course she likes you. Have you seen the way she looks at you?"

"No, she doesn't like me. She was with some other guy."

"Please tell me you're joking." Dylan just stared at him. "That doesn't make any sense. Who?"

"I don't know. Look I don't want to talk about it. Like I really can't talk about it. I just want to break something."

"How 'bout his nose," Sam whispered as he noticed Zane coming up to them, surprisingly lacking his usual sidekick, Alex. Dylan took off his boxing gloves to reveal his very bruised knuckles as Zane approached them.

"What d'you want, Zane?" Dylan asked in a bored voice.

"I was thinking about taking up boxing. Thoughts?" Zane replied.

"I think on the off-chance you're strong enough to make it in my weight class, then I'd crush you," Dylan retorted. "Why are you actually here?"

"I was looking for Alex," Zane admitted.

"Well, he's not here, so get lost," Sam replied.

"Actually, I really feel the need to punch someone. Any takers?" Zane questioned.

"Look, Zane," Dylan began in a low, dangerous voice, "I am having a really really bad day and if you want to throw down, fine, I'd like nothing more. But if you're just gonna stand here and talk smack then I'm leaving." Zane said nothing in response, so Dylan slung his athletic bag over his shoulder, and walked out.

"What's with him?'" Zane asked Sam as they watched him leave. Sam ignored the bully and walked out of the room too.

"Fine, I'll just find Alex myself," Zane muttered angrily.

At The Movies

Cyrus paced nervously at the movie theatre. He had arrived more than thirty minutes early just in case he got in a car accident and had to run the rest of the way to the movie. He had—in fact—not gotten in a car crash, so he spent the entire time going through possible scenarios in which this 'date' could go wrong.

"Cy?" Cyrus spun around to see TJ standing behind him with a goofy grin on his face. "I hope this isn't super weird, but I got you a flower. It's not like I went to a flower shop and bought it or anything because that would probably be weird. I just kept seeing these flowers all over the park when I was walking here, and I'm pretty sure it's a wildflower, so I just picked it." TJ handed him a rose.

"Roses aren't wildflowers and there aren't any in the park," Cyrus replied confused.

"Oh, well I didn't mean the park we always go to. I meant...uh...well obviously I got it from...uh...rose park...?"

"Rose Park?"

"Yeah, you haven't heard of it?" Cyrus shook his head slowly. "Let's go watch the movie," TJ changed the topic quickly.

"Okay, what're we watching?"

"Well, I was thinking Mulan if you're okay with that?"

"Totally! We stan a strong, independent woman."

"My thoughts exactly," TJ laughed.

Leah's house

Luke was pacing around Leah's bedroom while she explained what had happened earlier that day with Dylan.

"And then he ran outside and drove away," Leah finished her story.

"Okay, we can fix this," Luke muttered.

"How?"

"First you have to tell him the truth about however you got that hickey."

"I didn't—"

"No, don't even start. I don't want to know. Just tell him."

"I can't." Leah hung her head dejectedly.

"Then why the hell am I here since you're clearly not interested in salvaging your relationship?"

"Luke, please..."

"Fine, if you're not gonna tell him the truth, then I guess apologize profusely, and tell him how you really feel about him before he completely writes you off."

"How is he?"

"Not a clue. He hasn't even told me yet. I think he's worried I gave you the hickey after the whole hoodie incident." Suddenly Luke's phone began ringing. Luke answered hesitantly. "Yes?"

"Luke, it's Dylan, can we talk?" Luke put his phone on speaker phone, motioning for Leah to listen.

"Sure, what's up?"

"I was going to tell Leah I liked her like we talked about, and—" Luke hastily took his phone off speaker, leaving Leah dumbfounded. "Just a second," Luke told Dylan. "I have to go," he mouthed to Leah before walking out. "Okay, sorry, go ahead," Luke told Dylan once he was in his car.

Luke had already driven home by the time Dylan was concluding his story of the incident. "And then I ran out," Dylan finished. Luke stayed silent, unsure what to say. Dylan sighed dejectedly. "I know I shouldn't have freaked out, but I was just so mad."

"Dylan...you and Leah...you guys weren't actually in a relationship, so she didn't really do anything wrong."

"I know! I know. I'm not mad at her; I'm mad at myself; I'm furious with myself. Luke, she's all I've ever wanted, and I screwed up. After what happened with Thomas, I wanted to give her time to heal, but I waited too long, and now it's too damn late."

"It's not too late, Dylan. You two are soulmates. Look, we don't actually know anything about this guy. Maybe it was just a fling. She might still be available. The only way to know for sure is to talk to her."

"You're right, Luke. Thank you. You know, for a second, I thought it was you who gave Leah the hickey."

"Dylan..."

"I know. I know. I am so sorry. I just keep messing up. You're my best friend, and have no idea why I keep doubting you." Dylan let out a shaky breath. "Do you forgive me?"

"Of course I do, Dyl. Of course I do. Now go get your girl."