"Hello there!" said Jenny brightly, coming out from the back of the booth with Mikayla. She was carrying a steaming apple fritter.
"Oh," said Matt, feigning surprise. "Done already? I thought you said it would take minutes, not seconds."
Jenny and Mikayla giggled. "I hope you enjoyed.. I mean enjoy!" said Mikayla.
"Oh yes," said Matt suavely. "I did. I mean, I will."
He winked.
Jenny and Mikayla swooned.
"Good day, Briar Rose," said Matt, walking away.
"Good day, Mathias," she replied.
The girls were silent as he walked away. When they judged he was out of earshot, Mikayla and Jenny squealed.
"Oh my goshness!" tittered Jenny. "He is SO adorable!"
"Too true!" replied Mikayla. "He and Rosie...
"What?" interrupted Rosie, puzzled. "Me and him?"
"Well duh!" squealed Jenny. "He totally likes you!"
"Wasn't it obvious?" added Mikayla.
"Yeah, mmm-hmm," Rosie agreed absently. "Listen, I have to go. See you later."
Rosie took off in the direction of her aunts' booth.
Jenny and Mikayla exchanged knowing glances.
"He fell so hard," Jenny diagnosed.
"She fell even harder," Mikayla replied.
The girls broke into a fit of giggles.
•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•
"Aunt Flora!" cried Rosie, storming into the booth. "Aunt Fauna! Aunt Merryweather!"
"Yes, my dear?" asked Flora.
"Does this 'surprise for my birthday' have something to do with Useses?" Rosie asked bluntly.
"What?" asked Fauna.
"I heard the lost princess story today," said Rosie.
"Oh dear," was all the response she got from Flora. The others just exchanged glances.
That was the last straw. Rosie snapped.
"Oh dear?" Rosie yelled. "OH DEAR?! That's it?! You've been lying to me my ENTIRE LIFE and all you have to say is OH DEAR?!"
"I told you she'd find out!" hissed Merryweather. "You can't keep secrets from teenagers!"
"It was for her own good," Fauna hissed back. "You know that."
"STOP!" Rosie exploded. "Don't talk about me as if I'm not here! I AM, if you haven't noticed, and I want an explanation!"
"Maybe we should close up shop for the day," suggested Flora calmly.
"You THINK?!" Rosie said sarcastically.
"Now, now!" reprimanded Flora. "Sarcasm doesn't become a young lady."
Rosie tried to think of some retort. Finding nothing, she sat down with a dramatic huff.
"That's better," said Flora.
Fifteen minutes later, the aunts were packed up and setting off with a sulking Rosie in tow.
As they were navigating the winding streets, Rosie saw a familiar face.
