Unforeseen ComfortRosie inhaled deeply, holding the crumbled page above the water, ready to throw it in the lake and get back to her usual lonesome routine."So much for saving the turtles."Rosie snapped around to see the last person she was expecting to run into right now.She blinked. For a moment she thought she was hallucinating."Blaze?"Blaze's usual smug grin rested on his face as he walked towards her, his hands shoved into his jacket's pockets. "You could just throw the paper in a garbage bin instead of polluting the lake, you know?"Rosie slowly retreated her hand back, staring at him in bewilderment. She didn't know if she was more confused by his concern for pollution or the fact that he was here to begin with. "What... are you doing here?"Blaze stopped beside her, turning to stare out at the lake as he leaned against the wooden banister. "Catching lake polluters, obviously."Rosie took a step back, continuing to gape at him in confusion. Blaze was at complete ease, bli
A Needed PushThe next few days were hard for Rosie. Although it was unspoken, Rosie just knew that whatever bond she had been growing with Anthony, it was over.She noticed Tamara had been going over to her friend's houses a lot more, almost like it was an excuse for Anthony not having to come to their apartment. She had hardly seen him and the very few times he was at their apartment with Tamara, he avoided her gaze and didn't speak to her, with nothing more than a head nod to acknowledge her.Of course, Rosie didn't have the backbone to say anything to him even if she really wanted to. When all she wanted to do was muster the bravery to say anything to him, she stopped herself, telling herself this was happening for a reason and it was better off.She couldn't get him out of her mind. She couldn't help but feel hurt and disappointed that like she had assumed, he stopped bothering with her.It hurt that it was coming from him. It hurt more than it would if it were anyone else.She s
CritiquedRosie dragged her feet into Tamara's car, already filled with dread. She had been dreading this day all week.Tamara could easily tell how unhappy Rosie was to go to Aatalo's. She didn't know it was because of Anthony, she assumed it was just Rosie being her usual self and not loving such social events. Because she could sense Rosie's mood, she hid her own happiness about Rosie coming.For the first time, Rosie wasn't thinking about all the people she'd have to interact with and be awkward around as they drove to Aatalo's. The only thing on her mind was Anthony and if he would speak to her tonight. She already knew he wouldn't so she didn't bother getting her hopes up.Aatalo's loft represented his personality perfectly. It was open concept and industrial; an unplastered brick wall, a steel staircase, concrete floor, a black ceiling. It was modern and raw with the structure exposed. The loft was furnished with sleek dark grey and black furniture, classy and clean. The few po
House-WarmingRosie sat in Aatalo's art studio for a long time after he and Michael had left. She was too breathless and amazed by what had just happened to get up right away. She needed a long moment to process everything.Eventually she did head back into the party.When she walked back into the main area of the loft, she glanced around the room to spot her cousin. There was a massive smile on her face that she was unable to control. She needed to share the news with Tamara, it was the only thing she could think to do.Her eyes finally landed on Tamara but they didn't stay there long.Tamara was standing with her friends - Madison, Josephine, Ryder, and Anthony.Rosie's smile fell off her face faster than light. The heaviness in her chest that was just joy had quickly turned into pain.She didn't know it would be this painful to see him. She knew it would suck, she just didn't imagine it would hurt this badly.Although nothing had technically gone down between them, it still felt li
Last Day3 WEEKS LATER"Last day." Simon frowned.Rosie couldn't help but smile. "Keep travelling, my friend."Simon scoffed but grinned. "You're the only who's really travelling. I'm just stuck travelling while-""While never moving your feet," Rosie finished for him.Simon laughed lightly, pulling Rosie in for a hug. "I'm proud of you, Rose."Michael fell in love with all of Rosie's artwork. He hadn't been this impressed with anyone's work in a long time. Rosie's confidence had boosted more than she thought was possible because of this. She felt proud of herself in a way she never had before. Michael had set Rosie up for possibly one of the biggest opportunities she would ever get in her life. There was an art study abroad program in Paris - the place known for art. While she would spend the next two years getting her degree at the Paris College of Art, she would also be interning with some of the most prestigious artists and art galleries in Paris.It was a huge opportunity that wo
Confessions and ConclusionsA few days later, Rosie rolled the last of her suitcases out into the living room. All her belongings from her room were fully packed up and ready to go.As excited as Rosie was for this new chapter, she was also terribly sad. She had grown attached to more things than she could have imagined over the past few months - Aatalo, Blaze, even Ryder. Most of all, Anthony."Tonight's the big night," Tamara walked up to Rosie, standing behind her and squeezing her shoulders. "God, you have no idea how proud of you I am."Rosie turned to face her cousin, smiling sheepishly. "I love you, Tam."Tamara's eyes glistened with tears. "I love you."Just before Tamara had the chance to pull Rosie into a hug, the front door swung open. Both the girls turned to see a frantic looking Anthony rush into the apartment.Bewildered, Tamara sucked in a sharp breath as she slipped past both Rosie and Anthony. She sent Rosie a sympathetic look before quickly and quietly slipping out
The Unhappy EndingTamara returned home with a huge smile on her face, expecting to walk in to Rosie and Anthony fondling each other on the living room couch. Instead, she walked in to see Rosie clutching her chest, on her knees, broken on the ground as she cried. Tamara couldn't get the sound of Rosie's excruciating sobs out of her head. It haunted her.She sat there on the ground for the next hour, just holding Rosie and allowing her to cry. Rosie spent the hour after that wrapped up in Tamara's bed, quietly sniffling and silently crying. Tamara had never seen anything like this before, never seeing Rosie cry in general.Her heart completely broke for her cousin.By the third hour, Rosie had taken a long shower. Tamara was sitting on the couch when Rosie walked out of the bathroom with her bags in hand, ready to head out."Where the hell are you going?""To the airport," Rosie responded in a robotic voice. She didn't even sound like a human. She had gone fully cold and detached from
Unsaid GoodbyeAnthony stood in the doorframe of Rosie's room.He glanced around the mostly empty room. It felt unfamiliar, unrecognizable.The bare walls that lacked her artwork, the empty desk that was rid of all of her art supplies. He stared at the book-shelf that was missing most of Rosie's book. Everything that had once made this room Rosie's, was all gone.Anthony's eyes narrowed when he saw something lying on her desk.Cautiously, almost afraid, he walked to her desk.He grabbed the wrinkled piece of paper that had been sitting on Rosie's desk since she had placed it there days before she had left for Paris.It was the sketch of Anthony that she had finally drawn eyes onto.Anthony's heart clenched, unsure of what to think. What did this mean?"She stood right there, in that exact spot, holding the paper just like that and staring at it." Tamara leaned against the doorframe with her arms crossed over her chest.Anthony swallowed the lump that had formed in his throat, clenchin