Chapter 3

"Rosie, it's time to get up," a smooth, French-accented voice orders as I feel a large hand rub my clothed back. "We're leaving in five."

I jump up only to slam into Adrien. "Isn't it snowing outside?" I ask. "This cave is pretty comfortable." Why would he want to leave this warmth?

He sighs, impatient with all my questions. "Rosie-Ellie, Max, and I all agree that living in this cave is predictable and tedious. Now bundle up; we are finding a new home." Adrien picks me forces me into a purple beanie and a gigantic, navy blue jacket. Why is he in such a bad mood?

On the other side of the cave, Ellie and Max embrace and mumble romantic words to each other. "They are so cute together," I whisper to Adrien. "If only you were as nice as Max is to Ellie."

He chuckles as if he's confused as he'll ever be. "Rosie, are you suggesting that we should be a couple?"

What? Where did he get that? "Of course not, Mr. Conceited," I tell him like I'm the president of the United States, demanding and in charge-in a playful way, of course. "I am saying that they are cute, and you are not." He reaches in to tickle me but is stopped.

"Okay, okay, that's enough playtime," Max says, a grin on the corner of his lips. Adrien, though, does not smile one bit. In fact, he glares at Max like a tiger about to eat a deer.

"Uh, Adrien-"

"No, Elle," he spits, but his enraged, indignant, wrathful eyes are on his one and only prey-Max. "This is not about you. Max is the one who needs to know his place in this group. I'm the leader, and you are just my follower." This is about to get vile.

Max stomps his foot against the stone, cave ground, obviously ferocious with him. "Woah, bud. I am the leader of our group-get it, I am-so stop trying to control something that is not yours! You, Ellie, and Rosie are all mine to control!"

Now that is ridiculous! I slap Max right across his red face which becomes even redder. "Don't you dare drag me into this quarrel," I order. "I am not yours, Max." Angry tears stream down my cheeks, and I grunt. Why is this happening? We're supposed to be family!

Max smiles as if what I'm saying is irrelevant, and Adrien pushes Max away from him. "See what you did, Mr. Thinks He's Leader!" he exclaims, rabid. "You made Rosie cry. That is not something to grin about." He hugs my waist like he's my protective older brother.

"Max, what has gotten into you? You do not control anybody, and neither do you, Adrien," Ellie reasons. "This group is controlled by everyone. Now stop fighting, or I'll break up with you." She pushes some of her boyfriend's curly, brown hair out of his face and then presses a gentle kiss to his lips.

He blushes as he holds his injured stomach and pleads, "I'm sorry, Elle. Please forgive me. I am an idiot."

She nods, embracing him like it has been years since she's seen him. "I forgive you, and, yes, you are an idiot."

"You know you have to apologize to Max, right?" I whisper in Adrien's ear. I almost burst out laughing as he groans at my suggestion.

All in all, he trudges over to him. Max smiles, and Adrien holds out his hand like a true gentleman. "I apologize for fighting with you," he says. "I hope we can still be friends."

"Yes, I hope so, too," Max says. The pair of boys shakes hands, and everything is back to normal. Almost. I noticed some slight tension in Max's eyes when Adrien shook his hand.

"Alright," Ellie says after a long, comfortable silence, "now we should go look for a new home." She looks at me for a moment, and then she stares at her boyfriend when he walks back to her.

Adrien points to the front of the cave which is no longer covered with snow and says, "The blizzard is gone. There will be no more trouble getting out of here." He grins, making those extremely attractive dimples show, and I almost have to slap myself.

Get a hold of yourself, Rose.

While being sure that we don't step on rocks or other sharp objects, the four of us trudge out of the cave. The second someone takes a step outside, a bunch of rocks fall to the floor, covering the entrance of the cave, and I realize that getting out of here will not be as easy as we have hoped.

Author's Note : Review! ~ Steph