Expect The Unexpected

Chapter 11

Rosemary

A sudden thought surfaced in Rosie's mind and reminded her of something, something that only Mari could help her with.

"Hey, Mari?"

Her blue gaze jerked from the area she had been gazing off into and moved it to Rosie's face.

"Yeah?"

"Would it be okay if you designed a dress for me too? I know it's...Wait, no, never mind, it's just gonna add to your pile. Forget I-"

"No, it's fine, Rosie. Besides-" Here, Mari's lips curled into a happy smile and her expression said she was pleased with herself. "-I already started on yours 2 days ago."

"Wait, really? Oh my gosh, merci beaucoup!"

Rosie leaped onto her friend and hugged her tightly, grateful for such a kind and considerate friend.

Mari giggled and returned the gesture. "Non problème! I had thought of the idea the first day we met when I remembered that I still had some other designs to do for some girls and thought you would like one."

Rosie squealed happily, bouncing up and down at the thought of going to her very first dance, Mari jumping with her, giant grins plastered on both of their faces.

Another idea popped into her mind and her lips opened before she could blink and realize what was coming out of her mouth.

"Hey Mari, could I give you some suggestions for my dress?"

The blue-eyed girl quickly nodded and pulled away from the embraces, plopping her pink backpack down on the courtyard floor and knelt, producing a pink sketchbook with black flowers painted on the cover. Mari unclasped the magnet that held the book closed and whipped out the pink-and-gray artist pencil that lay on the inside of the book, tucked under a small black elastic.

Mari turned to a page that had a dress sketched out in the middle, different colors and sewing directions written off to the side. Mari looked at Rosie and she listed off some simple but cute designs for the dress, occasionally kneeling to pluck the pencil from Mari's hand and sketch out the design she had in mind, giving her blue-haired companion a physical version of the design.

The large smiles on the girls' faces was the product of their activity and once Rosie had finished prattling off the ideas, Mari quickly scribbled one last thing in the notebook before slipping the pencil back in its place and clasping the book shut before placing it back in her pink bag.

The girls stood as Mari zipped the bag shut and slipped her bag onto her back.

Rosie smiled in thanks and turned away, preparing to leave.

"Wait! Rosie, where are you going?"

Rosie's head turned back to Mari as she responded.

"I need to go get lunch before I go meet Nate in the art room. Au revoir!" Rosie wiggled her fingers before turning around and walking away again.

A hand suddenly grasped her shoulder, whipping her around and Rosie found herself face to face with Mari again.

"If you're just going to get lunch, why don't you come over to my house? My house is really close and my mom would love to meet you. Plus, you could bring Nate with you."

Mari wiggled her eyebrows as she said his name and gave Rosie the look of "I know exactly who you like and you two are adorable together."

Rosie's face instantly heated and she knew, without a doubt, that she was blushing furiously.