#tyrian rosette

[simmerjazen]

“Yes. So, I’m sure you want to meet them and I want you to. It’s just, unexpected and I need to tell the girls and Sy that you’re here.”

A strange look crossed his face at the mention of Syrah. Whatever he was going to say was cut off when Rosie called out.

“I need to get her, but um leave me your number and I’ll call you later.”

“Okay. And um…it was good to see you again, Dove.”

“Same.”

I don’t know what possessed me to do it, but I hugged him, and held on for probably longer than was appropriate before I stepped away.

[simmerjazen]

I frowned. “You…you used me. You said…you said you didn’t…”

“It was a lie. Your father. I’m sorry, Dove. I wanted to tell you the truth. I was going to, but you were always watched and Cotton was around.”

He reached for my hands and the moment he touched me that spark from years ago revived like it was yesterday. I snatched my hands free.

“What did my father do?”

“He threatened to pull the scholarship and get my mother fired. He told her that if I didn’t stay away from you…I was a kid and it was stupid. I should have stood up to her and him, but I didn’t. And I’m sorry. I’m so sorry Dove.”

I swallowed down the lump in my throat. It made sense. My parents and Cotton went through great lengths to control my life. Still it hurt that he went along with it. No, that was past. I’ve moved on.

“I asked about you, when you stopped coming to school. Candy and Yuki remained tight lipped. And Cotton, well let’s just say it was a rough end of the year.”

I groaned, suddenly feeling guilty for leaving Tyrian to face Cotton’s wrath.

“How…how did you find me?”

“Our daughters. I got an email a while back. I didn’t believe it at first, but they showed me the picture we took. You kept it all these years?”

I nodded. “I wanted something for when I told them about you. I’m sorry, for not…for keeping…”

“It’s okay. I mean it sucks that I’ve missed out before, but I understand the why. There is much I’m sure we’d both change if we could go back in time.”

He smiled again and once more butterflies attacked my stomach. It was nerves. Only nerves.

[simmerjazen]

A million thoughts and feelings raced. Staring at his face transported me back to when I was seventeen. He was here. How was he here? Why was he here? My mouth went dry and there was much I wanted to say. Much I probably needed to say, but only one word made its way out.

“Tyrian.”

He smiled and I could have sworn my heart skipped a beat. “In the flesh.”

My past was colliding with my present and I didn’t know how to process that fact.

“May I come in?”      

In? “Oh, yes, of course.”

We sat in silence, my nerves continuing to prevent my ability to have complete thoughts.

“So…I’m a dad,” he finally said. “Why…why didn’t you tell me?”

[simmerjazen]

Tyrian’s house became our new spot. I loved being there. I’d tell my driver to take me to the library then we’d take his scooter back to his place. It was nice having alone time with him since some of the times his mom was at work.

“Tyrian I have something I want to tell you.”

“Okay.”

“You’ve been the best thing that’s happened to me, and…and I think. No, I know I’m falling in love with you.”

He didn’t say anything at first. Then he smiled and looked me directly in the eye.

“I love you too Beautiful.”

I didn’t think I could get any happier at that moment

[simmerjazen]

“Tyrian?”

He finally looked at me. I’d never seen him look so sad. “I’m sorry Dove. I…I don’t love you.”

“No, that’s not true. You…you said…”

“Good grief Dove. He was just using you. Something you should be use to by now,” Cotton cut in.

“Cotton!” Dad reprimanded.

He just shrugged. “What? What she said was true. But hey it works in all our favor for her to play her role in advancing your career now and mine later so what’s the harm in being honest with her?”

For the first time I saw a look of shock on my Father’s face. Once again it took Cotton’s words over my own. None of it mattered.

“Tyrian. Please…”

“Look Dove. You’re nice and it was fun hanging out with you. You’re like the most important girl in school so it helped having you as a friend, but that’s all it was. An easy way to transition into school ya know?”

I couldn’t hold it back any longer and barely made it to the bathroom before getting sick again.

[simmerjazen]

We started making out and things got carried away. Tyrian became my first kiss. My first love. My first. I was floating on cloud nine. Until I checked my phone. I’d lost track of time.

Three missed calls from Mother. Panic mode. I’d gotten careless. How could I have done this?

“Dove it’ll be okay. Can’t you call Candy, come up with some cover story?”

“No! Mom would have already made the rounds. She’s going to kill me!”

The entire ride back to the library I tried to think of what to say, but came up empty. When I saw Cotton’s smug face I knew it was worse than I imagined.

“Well, well, well…what do we have here?” Cotton stepped close to me.

Tyrian moved so that he stood between us. “None of your business.”

“Like hell it isn’t. In case you’ve forgotten, she’s mine.”

“You talk about Dove like she’s property.”

Cotton looked at me wearing the most sinister grin. “You know your place don’t you Dove? This can go one of two ways. You can either come with me now, or I can tell your mother I caught you slumming it.”

[simmerjazen]

I looked at both guys. Tyrian opened his mouth to speak, but I shook my head as I moved around him towards Cotton.

“Dove?”

“If he tells my Mother she will lock me down tighter. As it stands I only get two free hours on the weekend.”

“Wouldn’t being out in the open about us be better for everyone?”

“Us? You two are not a thing Scholarship Kid.”

“Shut your face Pretty Boy before I do it for you.”

“This is the kind of rift-raff you hang out with Dove? I’m disappointed.”

“Why are you here anyway Cotton?”

He smiled again and I wanted to knock the smug look off his face. “Your mother called since you apparently missed curfew. But…being the good and devoted boyfriend that I am, I covered for you. Took the heat, so see, you owe me.”

I shuddered at the way he said that. Cotton only did things that benefited himself.

“Dove you don’t need that ass. Or to keep living under your parents dictator like rules.”

I stepped to him, taking his hands in mine. “I wish it was as easy as you make it sound.”

“It is.”

“You don’t know my parents. This life is everything to them.”

“So that’s it, you’re just gonna cave?”

“Oh enough of this!” Cotton grabbed my arm and pulled me away. “I’ve let you embarrass me enough because of this freeloader.”

I yanked my arm free. “Like you embarrass me when you sneak around with Yuki.”

He rolled his eyes. “Oh please. Yuki knows her place unlike you. She knows she can never be anything more than what she currently is. Now time to go!”

He started pulling me away, Tyrian went to stop him. Cotton let go the swung at him, making direct contact with Tyrian’s jaw.

I shoved Cotton. “You asshole!”

I tried to go check on Tyrian, but Cotton grabbed my arm. A small crowd started to gather. Some had their phones out taking pictures. This was bad. Real bad.

I looked at Tyrian, hoping he could read the apology in my expression as I let Cotton drag me away.

[simmerjazen]

He took my hand and led me out to the gardens. They had become ‘our spot’ since most times the other members stayed indoors.

“So what’s wrong?”

“What’s always wrong?”

“You’re mom?”

I nodded.

“Turn around.”

I did as he said and let out a sigh when he started massaging my shoulders.

“You have to stop letting her get to you. How much control can she keep once you turn eighteen?”

“You’ve not met my mother.”

I turned back to face him.

His fingers went to my chin. “No, but I’ve met you. You can be determined when you want. Look at how you've found a way to get around her rules to see me. Not to mention you have real talent that you should be free to explore. Seriously Dove your paintings are beautiful. Not as beautiful as you though.”

Before I knew what was happening, his lips were on mine. I’d dreamed about this moment and now it was happening. His lips were perfect, better than I had imagined. My first kiss. My first REAL kiss. Cotton had tried once, but was stiff and awkward. No kissing Tyrian was light years better. He seemed to be a natural, not that I had much experience, but it just felt...right. Perfect.

When he pulled away, Tyrian smiled. I blushed.

He brushed his knuckles across my cheeks. “Dove, I know that you’re in this arranged relationship with Cotton, but I like you. Really like you.”

“I like you too.”

“So maybe we can figure out a way we can be in a real relationship.”

“I’d like that.”

He gave me that adorable smile before kissing me again.