The Beautiful Rose, a Romance fanfic

The Beautiful Rose

Introduction

You know the most beautiful things come in small packages and may not look like much, but they’ll sure surprise you with their worth. Gracie was just an ordinary girl. She loved, she lived, and she gave the world everything she had. She was the girl who was different from everyone else, but yet the same. She had struggles that most girls didn’t, but she never gave up. No matter how hard it became she was a living proof of true inner strength. This is her story………….

Chapter 1

Gracie sat in a waiting room watching time literally go by. Her Mother in tears and her father with a stone cold reflection. Dr. Michaels, after seeing how we were responding to the news, walked out saying “I’ll give you all some time.” Gracie’s mother Jane looked at her saying “Baby it’s going to be okay”. Gracie turned away and replied “Nothings ever going to be okay ever again.” That’s not true baby, Jane replied. “It is mama. My life’s over” she screamed as she ran out of the waiting room into the hospital area. Jane and her father, Eric, ran after her. “Baby where are u going?” Jane asked after catching up with her (with her husband directly behind her). “Anywhere, but here. I can’t stay in that waiting room one more minute” Gracie replied with rolls of tears flowing down her cheek. “We’re going to get you help, baby” her mother replied. “Mama, what if were too late?” Gracie asked. “We’re not, baby, the doctor even said so”, her mother reassured. Gracie had stopped by now and was in her mothers’ arms crying. “I just don’t wanna die mama” Gracie cried. Jane was speechless, all she could do was hold her (at least while she could.)
Everything was just moving to fast for Gracie. They had just moved to Kentucky because of her dad’s job, she had left all her friends back in Mississippi, and now this. Could things get, possibly, any worse? Apparently so, because now it was time to go back to school and of course Gracie knew nobody. She was on her own in the world called high school. How bad could it be anyway she thought? I mean I am in 12th grade. She took a deep breath before walking into Hawthorn High. As she walked in she got a few looks from some girls who looked like they’d be pretty snooty. Out of what she already knew about the school (which wasn’t much) she was able to find her locker. # 77 she thought as she checked her piece of paper to make sure she had the right locker. Yep, locker 77 was definitely hers’. Since it was only 7:45 she took that time to get her locker straight and reflect on what had happened last Thursday. She couldn’t believe her mother was letting leave home after the horrible news, but I guess a lot of her decision reflected on what the doctor had advised. His exact words had been “Let her go to school while she can. She needs to be around other people her own age. It’ll keep her mind off her condition.” She didn’t think that Dr. Michaels knew she had heard him or he would have rephrased it, but she was glad she had heard it. She wanted to know the truth about her condition. Not some nice sounding lie. It was so weird. Not even a month ago she had been a normal person and now she was on chemotherapy. She felt her soft hair she couldn’t believe in a little less than a month it would be all gone. It was unbearable to think about. Why did she have to have leukemia? She just couldn’t understand. What did she do so bad to deserve this? Just then her thoughts were interrupted by the giggles of those snooty girls she had seen earlier."Ugh, excuse me, but your in front of my locker" one of the snooty girls said. “Oh sorry” she replied as nice as she could. She quickly moved out their way and set out to find her homeroom. Before she could get fully out of hearing range she heard the girl say "Loser." She didn't care. She couldn't afford to get anymore bruises. Now that she had leukemia she could barely bump into something and get a bruise, but if she was able she would have punched that girl old-fashioned. For now though, she would have to let it slide. After walking around for about five minutes she found her homeroom (# 307). She walked in to see about five guys in a group together. She guessed they were friends and came in here to get away from the snooty girls. She knew if she was them she sure would. They all one by one looked up and acknowledged she was there. She didn't hear what the guys were saying because she could care, but this what they were saying: "Ewe... who’s the new girl?” one of the guys asked the others. "I don't know that’s why she's called the new girl. No-one knows what her name is so they call her the new girl." one of the guys replied jokingly. "Oh, shut up, Kasey! the guy said a little embarrassed. "Oh, Aaron we just messing Kasey said. “She is sort of hot though isn't she?" Kasey asked. They all agreed. “What do you think Nick?" Kasey asked. "Huh, what?" Nick asked. "Oh my gosh you were staring at her weren't you?" Kasey grinned. "What? No you crazy!" Nick replied. "Look we all saw you staring at her" Aaron said. Nick just ignored them. So what if he liked the new girl. They didn't have to know.

Well the 1st day of school no-one talked to Gracie besides the snooty girl, but who was counting her. It sort of went in the same pattern until Friday of the following week. "Ewe! Look at the geek!" one of the snooty girls cried. Gracie stood there holding back tears."Whatcha do cut too close w/ the razor?" Another said laughing. It was official she had started losing her hair. The last couple of days she had lost just small amounts, but this morning she awoke to a spot of hair missing from her head. The guys watched in amazement at the incident. "Nick, honey, doesn't she look just so hilarious?" one of them asked as she pulled him out in front of Gracie. Gracie looked at him and then looked at the rest of them before saying "What did I do to you people? I didn't and I don't wanna have anything to do with ya'll so leave me alone" she finished. "Oh, but it's just so fun to pick on little mice like you" the girl with Nick stated as she kept Gracie from passing. "Please, just leave me alone" she begged. By now tears were rolling down her cheeks vibrantly. "Magen let her go" Nick said demandingly. "Oh Nick, come on were only having fun" she laughed. "No you’re having fun" he said looking at her irritated. "Fine" she replied as she let Gracie pass (who ran all the way to the girls restroom crying). Magen died laughing. "You know that was quite entertaining" she finished. "What’s wrong with you?" Nick asked. "How could you just treat her like that?" he questioned. "Baby, she's only a nobody" Magen replied. “Well, lets put it this way that girls not a nobody to me. We're through he yelled as he walked off towards the girls bathroom. Kasey immediately caught up with him asking "Are you crazy? Magen’s the head cheerleader and your the head football player. Ya'll are supposed to be together." he finished. "I don't care" Nick replied determined to get to the bathroom. “Don’t care?! Your gonna leave the hottest girl at school for some weird girl with a bunch of bald spots? Kasey finished. "Kasey, I've learned to see what’s on the inside because the outside can be deceiving. This girl is nice, doesn't bother anyone, and looks just fine to me so if you excuse me" he finished as he knocked on the girls bathroom door. Kasey at that point gave up and went to homeroom. "Gracie could I talk to you?" Nick asked from outside the door. "Who is it?" she asked sniffling. "It's me Nick" he replied. She paused momentarily before crying "Go away. “Come on Gracie, I'm sorry about Magen. I even broke up with her." Why would you do that? she asked as she opened the door. “Because I want you" he replied. "You’re kidding? No-one wants me. Just listen to your friends." she exclaimed as she went to reshut the door. He caught the door and said," But I'm not them. I like you Gracie and their crazy because you’re the prettiest girl I’ve ever seen." Gracie looked at him with tears rolling down her cheeks. "Why would you want me? I'm ugly! she cried. He looked at her sympathetically and took her in his arms. She allowed him, because she was so weak from all the crying. “Let me take you home. There's no way you can make it the rest of the day." he said sweetly. She knew he was right. She hadn't even driven today because she was already so weak this morning. Her mother had dropped her off. She looked at him thankfully and said "sure." He picked her up and carried her in his arms as he walked to his car because he knew she was too weak from whatever she was sick with to walk for herself. She gently wrapped her arms around his neck. Some of the teachers gave a few strange looks at them till he was stopped by Magen. "What do you think your doing?" she asked all snooty. He just ignored her and kept walking. "Hey, did you hear me? Nick, you walk out that door and you'll officially be a geek." He stopped, turned around and said "Well in that case, Magen, I'll finally be on your level." he laughed as he walked out the door. "UGH..." Magen screamed as he walked out holding Gracie. “I can't believe u just did that" Gracie exclaimed. "Girl I've been wanting to do that forever and she finally got what she deserved" Nick laughed. "Now let’s get you home" he said sweetly...

He softly knocked on the door to Gracie's house. A woman answered the door. Seeing Gracie in his arms the woman exclaimed "Gracie are you ok?" He gently put her down and she fell into the woman’s arms. As soon as the woman was holding Gracie safely in her arms she asked "Gracie, who is this man?" Gracie looked up at her saying Mama, this is Nick. He brought me home because he was concerned for me she finished coughing."Ok, baby you know I'll have to call Dr. Michael’s and inform him on your condition", Jane stated sadly. "I know mama" she answered a little upset as she made an attempt to walk to her room, but stumbled. Her mother caught her quickly and then looked at Nick. "Nick do you think you could get her to her room? She's a little too heavy for me to carry." Jane explained. "Sure, Mrs... uh..." he began. "Norris" she informed. "Mrs. Norris it is" he said as he lifted Gracie into his arms. With Gracie's direction he carried her safely to her room and laid her gently on her bed. "Thank you" she whispered softly as she closed her bright brown eyes. He looked at her sleep so peacefully and wondered what was wrong with her. How could someone so quiet and graceful be so deathly sick he pondered? He didn't know what it was that was ailing her, but he knew it had to be something bad for it to affect her like this. He walked out into the hallway where Mrs. Norris was. "She's asleep isn't she?" Mrs. Norris questioned him. "Yeah, she immediately dozed off as soon as I laid her down" he answered a little uneasy. Noticing his uneasiness she said "This must make you very uncomfortable. My names Mrs. Norris like I stated before and I'm Gracie's mom. Um usually her dad's here, but he had to work today." she finished. "It's nice to meet you, Mrs. Norris" he replied extending his hand out. She shook his hand and then led him to the living room. "Since your here, why don't you explain to me what happened today" she insisted as she sat down on the couch. "Well, my ex saw that Gracie had a bald spot and her and her friends starting making fun of Gracie. My ex tried to bring me into it and stood up for Gracie. Gracie ran off to the bathroom and I broke up with my ex. Which is something I should have done a long time ago" he informed. "And why's that?" Mrs. Norris asked. "Because I couldn't stand her. I didn't even really talk to her. It was just one of those things where you carry the title your dating the girl, but your really not. Because you see, everyone thinks that the lead football player has to date the head cheerleader. I really could care less so, I broke up with her cause, to tell you the truth, Mrs. Norris I never liked her. We've never even kissed and I'm glad of it" he finished. "So how did you end up taking Gracie home?" Mrs. Norris persisted. "Well I walked to the bathroom and got her to come out and told her I'd take her home. She accepted and I picked her up because I could tell she was struggling to walk. Then I brought her home." he concluded. "Nick, why did you stick up for my daughter?" Mrs. Norris asked with tears streaming down her cheeks. “Do you want the honest truth?" he asked with a slight grin. Mrs. Norris shook her head yes. "Well, Mrs. Norris, I really like your daughter and I'm worried about her" he concluded. Tears were now fluently running down her cheeks. "Are you okay?" he asked concerned. "Yes" she replied. "It's just she's really sick and for the first time in her life someone other than her family actually cares about her. You know she used to be so healthy and beautiful. She actually, at her old school, was head cheerleader. She loved it. Cheerleading was her life. She wanted to try out so bad this year at this school, but she became sick and she isn't able." Mrs. Norris wiped the tears from her face. "Well, I better get cleaned up. I can't let Gracie see me this way." she sighed as she attempted to get up. "Mrs. Norris, what’s exactly wrong with her?" Nick asked as he gulped hard. "I think, it would be better if you let her tell you" she replied with a short-lived smile. "You’re welcome to stay until she wakes and if you need to use the phone it's in the kitchen. You walked through it when you came in" she informed. "Okay, thank you he replied quietly. He watched her walk back through the hallway and then disappear. A few moments later he heard Mrs. Norris talking to someone. He figured it was the doctor. She must have decided to go ahead and call him. He wondered what could possibly be wrong with her. Soon Mrs. Norris reappeared. "Would you happen to like to see some of her cheerleading pictures?" she asked. "Yeah, sure" he replied with interest. “Come with me then" she directed. She led him back to Gracie's room where she lay sleeping. She opened what looked like a closet door. It happened to be a small room. In the room were at least seven trophies on a shelf and a box on the floor. Mrs. Norris sat down on the floor and he joined her. She gracefully picked up the box and lifted the lid off. Inside were a bunch of pictures. She took out the most resent ones and placed them on the floor and then placed the box and the lid to the other side of her. She picked up the first one. It was Gracie in a blue and gold cheerleading outfit. It showed her belly and was sort of tight fitting. He had to admit she was hot. Just then Mrs. Norris sighed saying she used to love cheerleading but now she hates anything to do with her past she won’t even talk about cheerleading. I fear the little girl inside her has died. She used to smile when she talked about it but, since her sickness she hasn’t smiled since” Mrs. Norris finished. Just then Gracie walked in. “MOM! HOW COULD YOU!” she screamed. “Baby, calm down all I did was show him some pictures” her mother defended. Nick stood up immediately saying “Gracie calm down before you hurt yourself”. Gracie looked at him sympathetically. “I thought you of all people would understand” she said crying. Nick immediately put his arms around her. “Uh, I’ll give you two some time” Mrs. Norris said making a quick exit. She didn’t push him away although she could have. For some strange reason it actually felt good to have him near her. She guessed in a way she liked him too but, she wouldn’t let him know that (at least not yet). About that time he pulled away and looked directly in her eyes. Your dieing aren’t you? He asked gulping hard……….

She looked at him a little uncomfortable before saying “I don’t know.” I don’t care if you are or not. I love you and I always will.” he blurted out not caring anymore if she knew. She looked at him confused. “How can you love me. You barely know me” she stated bluntly. “I don’t know how I love you, but I do” he answered. He moved his face close to hers before attempting to kiss her. She turned her face whispering with tears streaming down her face “I can’t, I’m sorry, but after you find out what I have you won’t want to anymore. He moved back a little hurt before saying “No it’s ok.” She took a deep breath before saying I have Leukemia a type of blood cancer she stated quickly. He looked at her with a slight smile. “What?” she asked confused. He took her face gently into his hands and kissed her passionately. She looked up still sort of confused. “I’m here with you till the end. You’re the kind of girl I’ve always dreamed of dating. Your perfect” he concluded smiling. “Why cause I have leukemia?” she asked sort of getting angry. “No, because you deep down inside you care about me and I care about you he said with a smirk. “How do you know that? She asked. “I don’t but, when I kissed you, you kissed me back” he answered. The tears began falling down her cheeks vibrantly. He looked at her with compassion as he wiped away her tears. “ I will always be here to wipe away your tears” he promised as he embraced her gently.