-Chapter 1: Homecoming

  Niel: Hey, hey rose, can you hear me?

  Rose fell asleep against the car window, it had fogged up due to the condensation from her breath.

  Rose: Are we already there, how long was I out for?

  Niel: We're almost there, you've been out for almost a couple of hours and it's a bit later into the afternoon, I'd figure we grab a bite to eat before heading home.

  Rose: Yeah sure, I could go for a bite.

  Rose takes a breath fogging up the window more, she draws a little heart on the window.

  Rose: Dad, how long are we going to be here, in town?

  Niel: Hopefully a month if everything goes well, I should start tomorrow so you gotta help me with unpacking those boxes alright.

  They pull up to Bons of Broadway, a divey diner on Broadway street, it's pretty empty beside some sports fans at the bar and some others sitting at tables around. They get a table at a booth.

  Niel: They got the really big pancakes here, you want to get a plate?

  Rose checks her phone, 3:45.

  Rose: Sure, good with me.

  Rose takes a bite of her pancakes before taking a sip of coffee, looking over she sees two police officers come in before scrunching up and turning away to look at the sticker filled wall.

  Penny: If I don't believe my eyes! Neil Bush, back from the grave!

  Niel: Penny, long time no see!

  Niel gets up and hugs Penny as Rose attempts to avoid interaction with them.

  Penny and Niel continue to chat along as Rose scrolls on her phone.

  Penny: Oh rose I'm sorry, me and your dad were catching up I completely forgot to check on you, how have been holding up?

  Rose: Lovely.

  Rose gives a sarcastic smile before continuing to scroll on her phone.

  Niel: She's starting at La’ Salle college tomorrow, and we're moving back into our old house!

  Rose: Renting…

  Penny: Oh that's lovely, it must feel nice moving back into a familiar house no, even after all these years.

  Niel and Penny continue to talk for a while before wrapping up and getting ready to leave.

  Penny: Oh, make sure you're up bright and early tomorrow, happy to have you back on the force!

  Penny scuttles out of the diner as Rose gives her dad a shocked look before slamming her hands on the table.

  Rose: YOU PROMISED!

  Niel: I know but I need this, we need this

  Rose: YOU SAID THAT you had an easy JOB!

  Niel: The overtime and hazard pay can cover the rent, I'm trying to keep us afloat!

  Rose: I DONT WANT YOU DYING!

  Niel: I-I know, but look at you, you're in College, you prepare meals for me, you help around the house. I'm doing this for you!

  Rose gives him a look before storming out to the car.

  —--------------------------

  Niel: Well home sweet home!

  This is worse than a run down house, it's like nothing changed, everything left behind, before the move out, is preserved perfectly. Whoever was taking care of this house did the bare minimum of keeping it intact. Even the stain is still there on the carpet.

  Niel: Welcome home, I'm thinking we can unpack tomorrow and have a movie night?

  Rose: Yeah sure, I'm going to bed.

  Rose heads up the stairs to her room with her boxes.

  Niel: I'll make pancakes tomorrow morning! Again…

  Rose scrolls on her phone in bed, she keeps looking at posts and considers commenting but quickly goes back on that.

  She lays on her back with an arm over her head. They've been moving a lot when growing up, especially after the “incident”. Now She's starting college. Taking a deep breath she puts her phone by her bedside and falls asleep.

  Her alarm goes off at 6, groggly she gets up and hits it. There's a note for her on the bed from her dad, annoyed she opens it.

  “Sorry honey, i got called in early but i made pancakes, there keeping warm in the microwave.

  Love: Dad!”

  Great pancakes two days in a row. She scoffs before getting undressed and taking a shower. Hoping out she starts to dry off with a towel, wiping the mirror she stares at her reflection before she starts to dye her hair. Her hair is naturally a bright pink which pissed her off, people would always ask “What dye did you use”, “How did you get it that color”. She says it was natural but people would give her a look of disbelief or just scoff at her. She pulls out some small boxes from a bag.

  Rose: Lets see, we have Black, dark brown, light brown, and blonde.

  She opens the light brown hair dye and starts to dye her hair.

  After dying it she gets properly dressed and puts her hair into a ponytail.

  After she exits the bathroom (her hair almost fully dyed brown except for the tips and roots) she checks the pancakes before starting the microwave. She starts to make some coffee before turning on the TV. She eats her pancakes and has her coffee before heading out.

  The first day of classes is so boring.

  Rose is slumped in her chair in the middle of a lecture, she missed orientation the day before and struggled to even make it to her first class. Going into journalism, history, and biology isn't exactly the winning combo but is what she's most interested in, she hopes. So far she's just had the most mind numbing experience, everyone's silent except for the teacher.

  Gun: Hey uh, you good, you're drooling.

  Rose: Huh?

  Rose looks to her left to see a guy sitting there, he's got his feet on his desk and head tilted back. Rose was caught off guard by the question that it took her a minute to realize what he said. Quickly she sits upright turning away to wipe her face.

  Rose: Y-yeah sorry, I probably was dozing off from the speech.

  Gun: I feel you, he's been talking non-stop for 45 minutes. It would be nice if he gave us a break to do an activity.

  He raises his hand behind his head to rest.

  Gun: But hey, I can't complain about a free block to relax. I'm Gun by the way, and yours is? He extends his hand to greet her.

  “I'm Rose” She says with her arm still around her mouth. She shakes His hand.

  He sits in an upright position.

  Gun: I haven't seen you around before, you're new in town?

  Rose: Not really, I used to live here as a kid but moved out, came back to town for college. And you?

  Gun: I used to come during the summers to visit my dad but I'd live with my mom. I moved to my dad's for high-school and stayed here since.

  They both fall silent for a bit before Gun speaks up.

  Gun: Yo I'm in this band, we don't really play often but we're doing some practice tonight if you're up to tagging along?

  Rose: Sure, I probably have nothing better to do.

  Rose waves bye as she heads to her next class, Rose keeps walking around trying to find her next class, she keeps getting lost running around the halls until.

  Twilight: Look who decided to show her face, I didn't think you dare come back.

  Rose: Jeeze, who got your panties in a knot?

  Rose was hoping she would run into…

  …literally anyone else, heck she would rather be dead.

  Standing in front of her was a woman, she was wearing black leather boots with spikes along it, she had ripped tights, black shorts with a spiked belt. She wears a black crop top with a super cropped sweater. She wears a spiked collar around her neck, she has black lipstick and black eyeliner, adjusting her twin ponytails which are held up, again, with spiked bands.

  Rose: Look Twilight im not happy being back here if it makes you feel better.

  She scoffs at Rose.

  Rose: Look if you don't mind I got a class to get to.

  Twilight: Actually I do mind!

  Rose tries to walk away but Twilight blocks her path.

  Twilight: Why are you back, nobody wants you here!

  Rose: Nobody, or just you?

  Twilight: Look here, at least I am not scared to be who I am huh, what's with all this hair dye, and the bow holding your ponytail doesn't fit your vibe you know!

  Rose: Oh, “not scared to be who I am!” well the spikes are new, I have a feeling they say go away and don't touch me!

  Twilight looked furious. Before Rose realized two girls came up behind and held her down while Twilight pulled out a water bottle and started pouring it on her head and attempting to scrub the dye out of her hair.

  Twilight: Hey come on, where's the Rose I remember huh, what's with all this gloom, why so down. I remember when you were all bright rainbows and sunshine huh!

  She grabs Rose by the hair and whispers in her ear.

  Twilight: Get lost bitch.

  Before she walks away.

  Rose, now soaked and drawing the attention of other people, runs off. Who was once her childhood friend now is the number one person she hates most. Rose keeps running off until she gets to some stairs, while going down she loses her balance and slips. As she falls her whole world starts spinning.

  I don't want to be here, I just wish we never came, I wish we never left.

  She keeps falling until.

  Ross: Are you okay?

  Opening her eyes expecting to be concussed on the floor she instead found herself in someone's arms. Looking up she sees a man looking at her, bright blue eyes and blonde waved back hair.

  Ross: I saw you falling down the stairs, you're lucky that I caught you. Are you okay, you haven't said anything, let me check.

  Rose just looks at the man in silence as he's checking on her. She finally speaks up.

  The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

  Rose: S-sorry, I slipped down, God I'm really sorry I.

  Ross: No, don't apologize, it looks like you're having a rough day.

  Rose: You'd be surprised.

  Ross: I don't think I have seen you here before?

  Rose: Yeah I get that a lot.

  Ross: What?

  Rose: Oh uh, I used to live here when I was young, haven't been back in years.

  Ross: Ah, So why did you move back here?

  Rose: My dad got a job and I got accepted into this school so we thought it was best to move back.

  Ross: Well If you hadn't moved back I would have never run into you.

  Rose: Oh y-yeah you're right.

  Rose stares at him for a few minutes before snapping back and realizing she's probably late, checking her phone she realizes that it's 5 past her classes start time.

  Rose: Oh I'm late! I'm really sorry for bothering you. I best get going now!

  She starts to run off before stopping in her tracks and turning around back to him.

  Rose: I'm sorry I never got your name?

  Ross: Oh, give me a sec.

  He quickly pulls out a small note pad and a pen and writes something down before ripping it out and folding it.

  Ross: Here you are, I best get going now. I hope to see you again.

  As he walks off Rose opens the paper which has a phone number and a name. Ross Hallaway.

  Rose walks down an alley way, hand stuffed in pockets and bag on her back, she forgot how cold Vancouver gets during the fall.

  She finally pulls up to the address. Out back of the garage is a drum set, a bass guitar, and an electric guitar. There seems to be 3 people there. Gun seems to be the lead guitarist of the band, plugging in his guitar while adjusting his collar (funny his “nice shirts” all had a fish pattern on it) and knotting up his brown hair which had an interesting orange fade. To his left is a dark skinned man with dreadlocks and a leather coat,he's adjusting his black suspenders as he wraps a shoulder strap over and starts to tune his bass. Lastly the drummer was setting up their drum set, she was wearing a pencil skirt and a baggy oversized sweater, she brushed her long light blue hair setting aside a glasses case, she pulled out two drumsticks from her boot.

  Gun: Hey Rose, you're here! Happy you could make it!

  Rose: Thanks, I didn't have anything else to do today so thought I'd drop by!

  Blade: Great, he brought another girlfriend.

  The bass guitarist sighs in annoyance.

  Jade: Yeah, seriously Gun, how many girls are you going to go through before you're finally happy?

  The drummer says adjusting her glasses, seemingly too big for her face and thus slide off often.

  Gun looks at the two of them annoyed.

  Gun: Hey. It's not like that, I literally just met Rose today.

  Jade: Even better.

  The drummer scoffs

  No, you take that back, Gun snaps, she just met me and was willing to come here and listen to us perform, Jesus what is wrong with you?!

  Rose: Are you guys um...

  Rose trails off pointing at the drummer.

  The drummer looks mortified

  Jade: Hell no, they say again, readjusting their glasses.

  Gun turns to Rose

  Gun: Hey, thanks for coming out, really, it means a lot.

  Jade: Don't we have Ram?

  The Drummer says, starting a beat with their sticks.

  Blade: Yeah but she lives in Japan, she's probably asleep right now.

  The Bass guitarist says, playing to the rhythm.

  Gun: Also for you two's information I have dated boys as well so stop being an ass ok?

  Gun starts to play individual notes on his guitar.

  Gun: Sorry about them by the way, asshole one there is Blade and asshole two there is Jade. You already know me Gun, together were the Machine Boyz!

  One!

  Two!!

  Three!!!

  Rose quickly grabs one of the Amp boxes to use as a seat before they start playing.

  (Band plays)

  After the show Rose starts to clap as they finish, Gun starts to play notes mimicking thank yous which makes Rose slow down clapping for a sec before continuing to clap normally.

  Gun: So, do you think we did well?

  Rose: Um...it was... actually really good!

  Jade:She's lying we suck.

  She's not lying Jade! See we're great! Tell him Blade!

  Blade: We suck.

  Blade says, unhooking his guitar.

  Everyone wraps up their equipment as they get ready to go, Rose starts waving by and walks off until someone runs up behind her startling her.

  Gun: Come on, you guys never stay after one song, this is why we aren't good, we don't have enough practice!

  Jade: I've got homework

  Blade: Gotta pick up my brother sighs Blade

  Gun: Wait seriously, you're all just leaving?

  Jade: Sorry Gun, Jade looks genuinely empathetic, maybe next week

  The two leave.

  Rose: I should... probably head home too, Rose says and starts to leave the classroom

  Gun rubs the back of his neck

  Gun: Uh..hey, wait!

  Rose: Hmm?

  Rose turns around to face him

  Gun: Ah, um....thanks for.... coming out

  Rose smiles

  Rose: Um same time next week? I don't have shit to do so I get pretty bored

  Gun's eyes light up

  Gun: Wait, wait really?! Uh yeah, same time next week

  Rose furrows her brow

  Rose: Aren't you going home too?

  Gun sighs

  Gun: Um... maybe not just yet. I don't exactly get along with my dad. As soon as I take one step in the house he's going to be all over me like, “son why are you home late” “you need a job” “you gotta get all the groceries again”, "what are you doing with your life", "you're a waste of space in this household." ....Really just rather not deal with that right now.

  Rose: Damn, yeah that's valid. Well...do you want to come to mine, maybe avoid going home for a bit longer?

  Gun looks uncomfortable and his gaze trails away.

  Rose: Or you can just stay here

  Gun: No it's not that...I would love to but aren't you...

  Rose: What?

  Gun: Do you invite any random dude you meet over to your house

  Rose opens her mouth to say something, and frowns. Gun bursts out laughing

  Gun: Sorry, you're face, I'd love to come over, I'll be out of your way in a few hours.

  They talk while walking back to Rose's house. When they get there it's a bit messy, there's boxes everywhere and a lot of it is half unpacked.

  Rose: Right, we never finished cleaning this up.

  Gun: Do you need help?

  Rose: No I should be ok, we picked up some food along the way, I can just unpack the rest of the cooking supplies.

  Gun: Are you cooking dinner?

  Rose: Yeah, I know it's.

  Rose pulls out her phone which says it's 5:15.

  A bit earlier but my dad gets back late and I usually just prep and cook before he gets back.

  Gun: Ah makes sense.

  The doorbell rings. Then again. Then very aggressively in rapid succession.

  Rose:I got that, make yourself comfortable.

  Gun takes a seat at the table fiddling on his phone. Rose walks down the hallway and gets the door.

  Rose: Ok, who keeps ringing the doorbell. Oh, it's you.

  Standing at the doorway was Twilight. She had her long hair down covering her left eye, she's holding a picnic basket with gifts in it.

  Twilight: Look, I'm only here because my parents wanted to deliver this to you so they made me come, just take your stupid gift!

  She says raising the basket towards Rose while turning her head away.

  Rose: Can't even show your face to me huh?

  Twilight furrows her eyebrows, lightly nudging the basket towards her. Rose goes to grab it but notices her knuckles are bruised, she grabs the basket.

  Twilight: Anyhow I.

  Twilight starts to talk as she peeks over Rose's shoulder and sees Gun standing in the hallway tilting his head to peek over Rose's shoulder.

  Twilight: I was actually going to stay for a bit.

  Rose: What!

  Rose whips around and sees Gun and then turns back.

  Rose: No! No noooo.

  Before Rose can stop Twilight she storms into the house!

  Twilight: Well who might you be?

  Gun: Oh I'm Gun, I'm just trying to avoid my dad.

  Twilight: Well nice to meet you, I'm Twilight!

  They shake hands.

  Rose: And I want you to leave.

  Rose starts to push Twilight out of her house.

  Rose: If you excuse me, I have to cook dinner!

  Twilight stops dead in her tracks stopping Rose from pushing her out.

  Twilight: You, cooking. No no no! I wouldn't trust her with instant noodles. Trust me, I can cook way better!

  Rose: Since when?

  Twilight spins Rose around to face Gun.

  Twilight: For a while. You would know.

  She tilts her head back to Rose.

  Twilight: If you were here.

  She runs off to the kitchen as Rose follows in pursuit.

  Gun: I wasn't actually going to stay for dinner, I should state.

  But Gun is drowned out by the noise of Twilight and Rose screaming at each other in the kitchen.

  Gun: Aw what the hell, probably just going to have some leftovers, might as well stay for a bite.

  Gun waited for about an hour at the table. It took about an hour for Twilight and Rose to “cook” if you could call it that. They mostly were yelling at each other what to do as things were beeping. Really Gun didn't mind the yelling but was ready to bolt at the first sign of something exploding in there. Rose brought over what looked like pork chops with a side of French fries and roasted carrots.

  Twilight: Bon Appétit!

  Twilight says with joy, they all sit around the table enjoying the meal.

  Gun: Mmm, I really like carrots.

  Gun says, speaking up.

  Twilight: Thanks, I gave them a honey glaze!

  Twilight says confidently, giving Gun a Big smile. They all sit in an awkward silence eating their food. After they finish the meal Rose grabs their plates to do dishes. Twilight brings the glasses over to Rose and attempts to strike up a conversation.

  Twilight: So, how's your day been?

  Rose: Great, real great, thanks a lot by the way.

  Rose gives her a very sarcastic smile before continuing to wash the dishes.

  Twilight: That's great to here

  Rose: Actually, I have a question for you Twilight, what's up with all your?

  She waves all around her face.

  Hair. I Thought you liked keeping it up and out of your face, this feels out of character.

  Twilight turns away from Rose.

  Twilight: Well. Since my parents decided they wanted to give you a welcome back gift but they were also too lazy to come here themselves so they sent me instead! So, I just knew I had to look nice and it seemed to turn out.

  Twilight gives Gun a wave. Gun, who hadn't been listening at all, gives them a small wave.

  Rose: Oh come on, can you stop with this!

  Rose waves all around Twilight's face again making Twilight smack her hand away.

  Twilight: Oh, you don't like me flirting with your “boyfriend”

  Twilight sticks her tongue out at Rose.

  Rose: Look, he's not my boyfriend, but please, not in my house!

  Twilight looks at Gun then Rose, then gives a smirk. She goes over to Gun.

  Twilight: Hey, would you like a tour, me and Rose used to play here together all of the time.

  Gun looks up at Twilight, and Rose.

  Gun: Uh.

  Before Gun could say anything Twilight grabs Gun and starts to run upstairs

  Rose: No-no ugh!

  Rose stops what she's doing and runs after them up the stairs. As Twilight reaches the top of her stairs she throws open the door to Rose's room.

  Twilight: and here we are…

  Inside Rose's room is a bed, some boxes, and a suitcase and purse. All the walls had white painted on it, slowly chipping away.

  Twilight: Oh this, this is just sad actually, I was expecting more, uh, anything really.

  Rose: I haven't really been able to do anything yet, I only just got back yesterday.

  Twilight: Well we can help with that!

  She pushes a box into the center of the room and starts digging through, causing Rose to try and push Twilight out of the way. Meanwhile Gun tries to help out by grabbing a box and moving it over and opening it up, slowly taking stuff out.

  Twilight: Oh my God, you still have these!

  Twilight pulls out some dolls and starts waving them around.

  Rose: y-yeah, there's a collection, put them down, they're fragile!

  Twilight: Oh what else is in here!

  Twilight chucks the dolls aside and continues to dig through the box. Rose leaps and catches one of the dolls while Gun catches the other with ease.

  Twilight: Oh what's this?

  Twilight pulls out a small pink box.

  Rose: Don't touch that!

  Rose snatches the box from Twilight's hands and puts it away.

  Twilight: ok ok, sorry to intrude on your personal space but I was just curious.

  Twilight heads over to the closet.

  Twilight: got anything in here?

  Rose: No, I've just been pulling my clothes out of that box.

  Twilight: come on you must have something in here!

  Twilight goes to open the closet but when she does a blinding bright purple and pink light shines in from the closet.

  Twilight: God did you put a floodlight in here?

  Rose: No! I Haven't checked my closet yet, whoever was here last left a nice gift.

  Gun: Well it's quite blinding, and it's getting louder!

  Rose: WHAT?

  The light gets brighter and brighter, and louder and louder until one final screech comes from the closet and they disappear from the room.