Unforgotten Memories

Chapter-9

Jackson

"Awww is the lover boy feeling lonely today?" Justin asks mockingly.

"Cut it out you jerk." I glare at him.

"Looks like you've got no choice but to hang out with us after school." Ronny says patting my back.

"No way in hell. I'm gonna meet her after school." I say twirling the pencil around my fingers.

"Are you insane? She's got the chickenpox man. You still wanna go to her?" He asks, discombobulated.

"What else then? You expect me not to see her for 2 weeks?! Are you insane now? Anyways, I already got the pox when I was a kid, I won't be getting it again." I say.

"You never know. One of my cousins got it twice." Justin says as he carves a 'J' on the bench.

"Well then, Rosie is worth getting it." I get up and head towards my locker as soon as the bell rings.

"That guy is whipped." I hear Justin saying to Ronny.

I pull over to Rosie's house and get off my bike. I gently knock on her front door and wait for someone to answer. As soon as I hear the lock clicking, I cross my fingers and pray that her dad isn't home. He's a pretty intimidating man, being around him is not child's play. Fortunately, Mrs Harper answers the door with a polite smile.

"Hey, Jackson. What are you doing here, honey?" She asks.

"Oh hello, Mrs Harper. I'm here for Rosie."

"She's got the chickenpox, dear. She won't make it to school for the next 2 weeks."

"I know that. I just came to see her. Ugh, I got the pox when I was 8 actually, so I'll be fine being near her." I say with a sheepish smile.

"But Jackson, she is not really in the state to be seen by anyone. She has gotten rashes on her face and body, it's not a pretty sight. She's going to feel conscious with any of her friends around her."

"Oh, it's alright. It's just me, and I know what it looks like, I've got it myself." I beg. She looks down at the floor, and then at me, giving me a hesitant nod.

"Alright, but try to keep your distance from her."

"No worries Mrs Harper," I say, grinning. She opens the door wider to let me in. I climb the stairs and make my way towards her room. Once I'm in front of her door, I gently knock on it.

"What is it, mom?" Her muffled voice comes from the other side of the door. I chose to ignore her question and continue knocking.

"Mom, just come in." She says exasperatedly. I twist the knob and open the door to see her under the blankets. I close the door behind me and lean on it.

"Hey, pumpkin," I say. This startled her and she gets up with a jerk.

"JACK?!" She yells. She immediately puts the blanket over her head, covering herself entirely.

"Ohh come on Rosie! Don't hide your face from me." I say whilst heading towards her bed and standing before her.

"What are you doing here Jackson? Go from here! I don't want you to see me like this." She says.

"Babe it's just me. You know you don't have to be embarrassed about it when you're with me. Please, Rosie, my whole day was trash because I didn't get to see you."