Expect The Unexpected

Chapter 10

Rosemary

After managing to wake up early enough and get ready with 10 minutes to spare before the first-morning bell rang, Rosie dashed out the door and sped toward the school steps, half of an apple croissant held between her pink lips and clenched teeth, her light blue jeans holding her tucked in tight elbow-length sleeved white blouse that rustled softly in the harsh wind that whipped through her loose, dark red curls and her simple black flats pounding against the concrete, spreading small tingles through the bare skin peeking out from her shoes.

When Rosie walked through the large oak doors that led into the school courtyard, she was astonished to see large groups of students talking and laughing excitedly throughout the wide arena. The girls had large smiles on their faces paired with glowing, red cheeks and the guys had the same expressions, albeit shy and nervous, but excited nonetheless.

What is going on? Did I miss something?

Rosie walked briskly through the courtyard, weaving through the chattering students, their voices ringing through the air and whispering in her ears.

"...didn't you hear? It's going to be next Saturday! Eeh! I can't wait! Let me know..."

"...go with me?..."

"...yes! I will!..."

"...Mari will know what to do to help you get ready. Just ask her and..."

"...we're gonna have to go shopping next week and pick out our dresses! Give me your number and I'll..."

"...go ask Mari. You know, that blue-haired girl who won that fashion contest a few years back? Yeah, her. Here, let me give you..."

The different words and phrases skittered into her brain, jumbling them together as she tried to process what she was hearing. Trying to focus her energy on walking to her class, Rosie let the rest of her mind wander as it sorted through the different possibilities of what she was hearing meant.

The one word that her brain kept giving her was Mari but she couldn't figure out why Marinette was so important in this situation.

A flash of blue hair caught her eye as Rosie started up the black steps and she jerked her head in the direction she had seen it.

Mari had just passed her, a thoughtful look on her face as she weaved through the crowd of students that blocked most of the area in the courtyard.

Despite knowing she shouldn't and that it would cause problems for her later, before she could think twice Rosie backed from the steps and went after her blue-haired friend, her tightened lungs already making her regret it.

"Mari! Hey, Mari!"

Rosie shoved her way through the students, trying not to hit anyone with her backpack as she tried to catch up to her friend, her lungs squeezing the life out of her as her vision blurred slightly, but she managed to rasp out a loud shout.

"Mari!"

Marinette stopped walking and jerked her head back, her blue gaze rolling through the crowd for the source of her name until it landed on Rosie's flushed face and Mari's lips lit up with a smile.

"Rosie!"

She had finally reached her and stood beside her, panting heavily and trying to catch her breath.

Unable to stand it any longer, she ripped off her backpack and threw it on the floor, leaning over and placing her hands on her legs, breathing hard as her face flushed, her lungs feeling like they were about to explode and the familiar cold flashes erupted in her chest, making it harder to suck in any air.

She felt a hand on her back and started rubbing it with small, quick circles that started on her upper back and slipped down to the middle before sliding back up and repeating the process. Rosie breathed in what air she could through her mouth and released it through her nose, repeating the action and she was soon able to feel clean air enter her parched throat.

Once the feeling returned to her lungs, she panted out a heavy and raspy, "Hey...do you...know...anything...about...whatever...everyone...is talking...about?"

Mari patiently waited for Rosie's heavy, raspy breaths to fade away into softer pants before replying, still rubbing her back with soft strokes.

"Yeah, I do. There's going to be a dance next Saturday at the school. We've never really had a dance that's been for just the school and the students so everyone's really excited."

Rosie waited before speaking again, pushing down the cough that always tickled in the back of her throat after she had been running.

"I kept...hearing...your name...whenever...anyone...talked...about it...so I came...to ask...what that...was all about."

Rosie was slowly regaining her breath and her lungs were filling up with delicious air that was calm, her vision no longer blurring and was now clear. She continued to breathe in through her mouth and release with her nose as she stood up straight, shifting her hands from her legs to her hips, closing her eyes, and releasing slower, relaxed breaths. Marinette's hand fell away from her back but Mari's warmth still lingered on her skin.

Her lungs still felt icy but it had been reduced to a small tickle in one spot and the tightness that had gripped her throat before was now a softer hold that allowed more air in and out of her mouth.

Once the air was fully back into her lungs, she popped open her eyes and looked at Mari, who was raising an eyebrow in questioning concern. Rosie laughed shakily before answering.

"I'm fine. I just shouldn't run unless it's necessary. I have asthma so running isn't the best option for me most of the time. I forgot my inhaler today so I have to do a breathing exercise of breathing in through my nose and then releasing through my mouth. Merci, though, for helping me. I really appreciate it."

Mari smiled, her blue eyes twinkling and pink cheeks glowing.

"De rien. Now, what were you asking about the dance? Monsieur Asthma over there interrupted us."

A wink followed her words and Rosie giggled, thankful for the light joke.

"Anyway, I was wondering why everyone is mentioning your name whenever they talk about the dance. Are you in charge of something for it or?..."

Mari's smile widened and a proud twinkle gleamed in her eyes. "Not exactly. I'm designing the dresses for all the girls who are going. I've gotten a lot of requests, some from people I barely or don't even know, asking if I can design and sew their dresses. It had originally started with just me, Alya, and Chloe because they're my meilleurs amis-"

Here, Mari winked and Rosie giggled, "-but after Rose asked, all of the other girls started asking me and I had to put my foot down a little and told them that I can't design and sew 30 or so dresses in only a month. Thankfully, Chloe stepped up and told me that she would have her own designers sew the rest of the dresses for the other girls so I can still do mine, hers, and Alya's and just design the dresses for the other girls. So far, it's been going really well and since the dance is next week, I've been getting a lot more girls asking me."

"Oh! I hope it hasn't been too stressful for you."

"No, it's fine. It's actually been good for me because I get a glimpse of what professional designers have to deal with when they have deadlines and millions of people asking for clothes to be made by them."

Rosie grinned, folding her arms and looking at her friend, whose eyes shone with admiration and passion.

FysteeUnicorn: I will try to post part 2 at the end of this next week so hopefully you'll get more of the story soon! 😁