Barns Courtney One-Shots

Roses

A/N: The house described is inspired by the house in the movie "Secret Window."
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"I still think you should get a security system installed." My friend said to me as we drank iced coffee on the front porch. "I will. The company I hired can't come by until next month." I replied before sipping my drink. "A whole month though... that would make me feel uneasy." She replied with a worried look in her eyes. "That's because you've never lived in the woods before." I said with a small smile. Unlike here I lived in a more rural town before. This new place is more surrounded by woodlands though. Plus there's a lake nearby. Here I'm really off to myself, which is what I wanted. Living the city was great, but I just needed a change. I needed to get in touch with nature again.

"True. I would still be worried about you even if you just moved to another apartment. The world is more dangerous now." She said, and I understood her point. We talked and finished our iced coffees. She would have stayed for dinner but she had to get back to the city; She had to go into work tomorrow. I waved at her as she drove down the gravel driveway. I locked the door behind me and walked into the living room. I was loving how my living space was starting to look. It actually was beginning to feel like a home to me. Even though I haven't been here long. I walked into the kitchen and started making dinner. I decided to make cheese ravioli, garlic bread, and a salad.

As I was cooking I heard the porch screen door open and close. It didn't slam shut, it was like someone gently closed it by hand. Unfamiliar footsteps walked across the wooden porch floor. It sounded almost like the person was wearing heeled boots. I stood and listened as the footsteps stopped for a moment. Then they started again as if they were walking away. Then the screen door opened and close again. I wondered if my friend had forgotten something. But it didn't sound like her footsteps and I didn't hear a car pull into the driveway. I walked over to the window and looked outside. I didn't see anyone on the porch, in the driveway, or in the yard. So I unlocked the door and opened it. To my surprise there was a long stemmed red rose laying on the welcome mat.

I looked around and wondered who had left me a rose. I reached down and grabbed it, looking at it more closely. It was one of those dark red roses; it was so dark it almost looked burgundy. I smiled softly and sniffed it's lovely scent. It made me a little nervous that someone left a random rose on my doorstep. But I love flowers, so I couldn't just let it's beauty be waisted. I closed the door and locked it again. Then I rummaged around for a vase. Eventually I managed to find a small clear glass vase that was perfect. I filled it with water and placed the long stemmed rose inside. Then I placed it on the windowsill so it could get some sunlight. After that I washed my hands and returned to cooking dinner.

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The next day I woke up to my alarm clock. When I switched it off I could hear the birds swinging, which made me smile. I rubbed sleep from my eyes and stretched as I yawned. After getting out of bed I got ready for the day. Once I was dressed I walked downstairs to get something to eat for breakfast. I looked through my fridge for a bit and decided to have an egg sandwich. I brewed a pot of coffee as I cooked my food. It looked like a beautiful fall day outside. So I made plans in my head to paint outside today. It was only September, so many of the leaves haven't started to change color yet. But it was still beautiful to see them begining to change. After eating I washed the dishes and then brushed my teeth.

I grabbed all of my art supplies and walked outside. I ended up walking down to the lake and picked a spot to sit. I laid down a picnic blanket before sitting on the ground. After a few moments of observing my surroundings I started painting. I can understand why some people enjoy summer. But fall and spring to me are by far the best seasons, especially fall. A few hours passed and my painting was starting to look good. I decided to take a little break and stretch. I walked into the house and grabbed a water and an apple to snack on. Then I returned to my painting. A few moments passed before I heard a noise coming from the woods. I looked around but I didn't see anything. 'It was probably a squirrel or something.' I thought as I turned my attention back to painting.

As the sunlight faded I finished my work. Signing my signature in the bottom right corner of the canvas. I carefully picked the finished painting up and took it inside. Then I collected my art supplies. As I cleaned my brushes I heard the porch door open. My stomach filled with anxiety. Again, heeled booted footsteps came walking across the porch. They stopped for a moment and then started again. Whoever it was had left and gently closed the door behind them. I finished washing my brushed and paint pallet before drying my hands. I consciously walked over to the window and looked out. Just like before there wasn't anyone to be seen. When I opened the door another long stemmed red rose was laying there. Except it was on top of my picnic blanket, which had been neatly folded.

I reached down to collect both of them. I laid the picnic blanket on a nearby wooden chair before locking the door. Then I added the rose to the vase that held the first one. 'Who is this person?' I wondered curiously. It could be a neighbor, but that's a long walk to make every day. Especially if they just leaving me roses. The sound of my phone ringing startled me out of my thoughts. I felt embarrassed  for jumping a little even thought no one was here to see me do it. When I looked at my screen I saw that it was my friend. I answered it and we talked as I put my art supplies away. I placed the painting on a stand in my upstairs studio/balcony. I figured it was the best place to let it dry.

"Wait... someone has left a single rose on your doorstep for two nights in a row?" She asked after I told her what has happened. "Yeah, but I never get to see who it is. They're always gone when I open the door." I replied. "That's creepy as hell, y/n!!! And it's just encouraging them keeping the roses." She said in a serious tone. "I know, but I don't wanna just throw them away. They're too beautiful." I said, and she let out a deep sigh. I knew she was annoyed and frustrated with me. "Look, I'll ask my brother to spend a few days with you. That way he can keep an eye out on your safety." She said, which was sweet. But I didn't really feel like I was in any danger. "No, you don't have to do that. I'm perfectly fine. Besides, your brother has a busy schedule." I replied as I sat down on the couch.

My stomach growled a little and I realized that I skipped lunch. "Honestly, it's no problem. He owes me a favor anyway." My friend said. "I don't feel like I'm in danger. If I do you'll be the first to know, I promise." I said, hoping she would drop it. We talked for a while and she eventually changed the subject. She told me about going for a promotion at her job, which was excited about. She has been wanting a promotion for a while now, and she absolutely deserves it! Eventually we said goodbye, but she said she might call me later. After talking to her I quickly heated up leftovers for dinner.

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I really appreciate you all for reading my Barns Courtney fanfictions. Check out my other ones if you want to!! <3 <3