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Chapter 33: Rose

"Rosemonde, why'd we have to wake up so early?" Emily groans. One of her small hands is fitted into mine, while the other rubs her eyes sleepily.

For some reason, I automatically know when Nathan usually wakes up. Sometimes he wakes up even earlier. So for good measures, Emily and I escaped at 6 am.

I plop down under an oak tree at a park, brushing through the girl's hair with my fingers. She giggles a little as I braid it. "Looks just like yours."

I crack a goofy smile. "That's right."

We then walk to her home. I can feel Emily'd anxiety growing with every step. She'd be in trouble once we arrived.

"Can't I just go with you? It'd be fun. Just you and me!" She pleaded, tugging on my pant leg.

"Not this time. Maybe after the war when it's safer. I'll take you somewhere," I promise with a forced smile.

When I drop her off, Alice bursts into tears from worry. She plants millions of kisses on Emily, and hugging me tight before I leave. I almost want to stay there.

But I can't. Nathan will be coming over and questioning them soon. Plus, old memories are starting to come back, around this area. They are happy ones too.

Letting instincts take over, I end up in the woods. The welcoming trail bring memories that make me smile, and then names start to appear. This time, I'm positive that these people aren't dead. I finally know someone without a doubt.

After about an hour, I stop in front of a very old wooden house. Trees surround it. A man is bent down in the front, working on the garden.

"Teacher?" I blurted out, my amber gaze lighting up hopefully. At first, the man studies me in confusion, but his eyes widen in recognition.

He doesn't say anything. I offer a smile, but tears quickly stream from my eyes. The old man wraps his arms around me and begins crying as well. It's been so long since we've seen each other. 3 or 4 years at the least.

"Where on Earth have you been all this time?" He murmurs quietly.

"I have no clue," I reply, making him raise an eyebrow.

He was my Earthbending teacher when I was about eight years old. He took in my best friend, Rowan, and I originally to teach us. I was in and out of foster homes then, and we quickly grew a father and daughter relationship. Sometimes I used to want to call him 'Dad' but I've had negative experiences with that word. So I just settled on calling him 'Teacher.'

He ushers me into the cabin in which had brought me the best memories of my childhood, which suddenly are coming back rapidly. I half expect Rowan to be gone, since he'd be about 19 now. I doubt that he still works at that teashop, and probably joined the military.

So when I slam right into his broad, muscular chest, the surprise is overwhelming.

"R- Rose!?" He stutters in shock.

I offer a sly smirk. "I'm back."

He ruffles my blonde hair. "And still as short as ever."

My face reddens. "I'm not that short," I mumble, making him laugh and wrap me tighter in his arms. I accept the embrace happily.

After having a little reunion with the three of us, Rowan and I decide to take a walk. It's not long before we find Nathan frantically searching for me in the woods. His face reddens with fury as he spots me.

"What the hell Rose? I've been searching for hours!" He growls.

"Why are you acting mad?"

"Every time you leave like that, you start trouble! Let's just go back to the hotel."

"No."

Nathan seems to just notice Rowan standing beside me. He's even taller than Nathan. His chocolate colored skin is slightly glistened from sweat from the heat and maybe nervousness. Nathan glances at our hands, in which are laced together.

"Who's he?" He asks rather defensively.