The Peacefulness of NumbnessRosie couldn't stop thinking about Anthony. She didn't know if it was her concussion or her mind unravelling from thinking about Anthony nonstop that was causing her head to hurt.She spent the next two weeks mostly in bed. She was sore and achy all the time, her head constantly hurting. She couldn't even read a book or sketch without her head starting to hurt after half an hour.Anthony had stopped by briefly to check in on her a few times. Even Aatalo and Ryder stopped by to see how she was doing.She knew it was impossible to avoid Anthony, nor would it be fair to him. This time he was the one who seemed to be distant.Anthony was struggling with his own increasing feelings towards Rosie. He wasn't naive, he knew he was falling for her hard. He felt lost on what to do because every time he thought they were making progress, she would start to pull away. At this point he was afraid of just losing her as friend. He thought the more he tried, the more it w

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

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

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

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