A Rose With Thorns (if anyone has a better title idea, please let me know!)

The first day. Crystal couldn’t believe it. She was finally in 8th grade, and her friend group, the Jaguar Peak, was the most popular group in school. She had woken up early just to get ready for such a special day. There was a sense of glee in the air, the fresh breeze of excitement, but also a hint of nervousness. It was the first day, after all, and Crystal had every right to feel that way.

She picked out a nice, light pink blouse, with a purple cardigan over it, and some jeans. Crystal also made an effort to make her makeup look perfect. Sharon, her best friend, said it made her look so much nicer, and Crystal wanted to look nice! People would like her that way, right?

After about an hour of getting ready, she ate her breakfast (jam on toast), and started her walk of pride to school. She lived rather close to the school, so it didn't take her long to get there, sign in, and meet her friends by her locker.

"Hey girls! Long time no see," she joked with a laugh. They'd all met up a few days prior, to look over schedules and such. The other girls laughed along with her. Crystal felt a sense of power, having all these girls right at her fingertips. Of course, she wasn't the true leader, more like a co-leader. The true leader of the group was Sharon. She had all the numbers, a boyfriend, and therefore, the most power in all of the school.

The next few minutes involved the Jaguar Peak going over their summers and classes. But what happened next was nothing Crystal had ever expected. It had only been for a second, yet it felt like time had slowed down, nearly froze, even. Rose McBride, the new girl, walking past her locker. Her half-purple hair, her eyes, her everything… holy moly.

"Hey!" Sharon's voice snapped Crystal right out of her trance. "I asked what you think of little miss new girl?"

"O-Oh- she's, uh- kinda freaky." Crystal knew this would be right to say. The Jaguar Peak was known for their power… and their rudeness. They used fear to stay in power, a tactic that had been used since last year.

Sharon nodded. "Agreed. What a freak."

But Crystal sure didn't think so.

It was now after school, and Rose was wandering the halls, humming softly. She was just waiting for her dad to come pick her up, and-

"Hey, loser!" The Jaguar Peak, including Crystal and Sharon, walked up to Rose, who raised a brow.

"You need something?" Rose seemed so confident then, but it was all an act, a fraud, to not seem weak.

Sharon smirked.

"Indeed we do," she sneered, slamming Rose against the locker. "How'd you become such a FREAKSHOW??"

Rose's breathing hitched, as she looked at the group, clearly upset. She continued to get teased, even by Crystal every now and then. Eventually, her dad did come, and she managed to escape by bolting out the door as most of the Jaguar Peak laughed. Rose didn't say anything on the ride home, which wasn't exactly unusual for her. Once home, she sprinted up to her room, locked her door, and threw herself onto her bed. She hated them. She hated every single one of those girls.

Meanwhile, Crystal felt… a lump in her stomach. Like an annoying fly, swarming her mind. She didn't know it then, but she felt… guilt. She felt bad that she hadn't done anything about Rose. Should she have teased her more? Should she have said no to her friends, the most powerful girls in school? No, it was easier to just make fun of Rose… right?

So she watched a movie. Her favorite one. It was weird, she'd never really been into "love" or all that, but this was a rom-com. One of the cheesy ones, too, the kind that makes you laugh at how stupid and cliché it is. Crystal would always watch them whenever she needed a break from life. But there was one description in the film that made her stop. It was the main character describing the feelings she felt about the love interest. It was described as butterflies in a stomach, face heating up, feeling lighter than air… feeling like time stops. She paused the film, eyes widening. That… those were the feelings she had been feeling when Rose walked by. Did she… have a crush on her?!

No. No, this couldn't be happening. It would've been fine if it was one of those popular boys, but for a girl?? What would everyone think of her?! What would become of her… well… true friends (so cheesy, she thought,) would stick by her side no matter what, right? They wouldn't abandon her… hopefully.

A week later. Rose was being picked on, again. But Crystal had a plan this time. She wasn't about to let this poor girl keep getting mocked. This was a leap of faith, nerves and uncertainty filtering the air. She took a deep breath. She could do this.

"Hey," Crystal spoke up, voice stern and cold. Sharon smirked, and Rose flinched, both of them expecting Crystal to tease her. But what she said next would come as a shock, not only to Sharon and Rose, but ultimately, to Crystal herself.

"Leave. Her. Alone."

And for a moment, there was finally stunned silence. Rose looked at Crystal with wide eyes. Was this a trick..? It couldn't be, for Sharon said,

"…What did you just say..?"

"I. Said. Leave her alone." Crystal's voice rang out, clear as water. You could say, it was crystal clear. Sharon glared at her.

"…C'mon, girls. Let's go. And leave the two freaks together." Sharon turned to walk away. Crystal sighed softly. Sharon was, in all honesty, quite the jerk. But… not all of the group left. Two left with Sharon, but the other two, Elle and Patty, stayed. They had wanted to speak up, but couldn't, in fear that their voices would be left behind in the dust. Crystal was about to speak, but Rose's quiet voice cut through.

"…Th..Thank you… I-I'm not sure why you did that, but- I'm grateful, I really am."

Crystal blinked softly, a soft grin reaching her face.

"…You're welcome… I'm Crystal, by the way," she spoke as she extended her hand to shake.

Rose carefully took it. "Rose. Rose McBride." She smiled shyly. Maybe not all of those girls were so bad after all.

"…And, well, that's how I figured out that I like you." It was a few months later, and Crystal was finally telling Rose her true feelings. Rose blinked, blushing.

"…Wow… heh, going soft on me, Crys?" she spoke playfully after a moment, jokingly punching Crystal's arm. She laughed.

"Hah… in your dreams, girl."

Rose chuckled. "…Well, if we're being honest here, I do think you're really cute…"

Crystal's face flushed. "W-Wait- really…?!"

"You mean to tell me you never noticed the way I looked at you?? God, I thought it was SO obvious!" Rose laughed, and Crystal couldn't help admiring the way she was so carefree.

"…But, yeah, you wanna head to the park sometime? Or maybe grab a bite to eat? Maybe… as a date?" Rose asked, tucking a stray hair under her ear.

"…I-I'd love that…!!" Crystal exclaimed. She held out her hand to Rose, who gladly took it. And they began to walk home, hand in hand.

The End