Shriveled roses

New Beginnings

▁ ▂ ▄ ▅ ▆ ▇ █ 𝐊𝐚𝐧𝐲𝐞 𝐖𝐞𝐬𝐭 - 𝐅𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐜𝐡 𝐦𝐲 𝐇𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐏𝐭. 𝟏 █ ▇ ▆ ▅ ▄ ▂ ▁

The neon lights of Las Vegas flickered through the thin curtains of Rose Mooney's one-room apartment, casting a kaleidoscope of colors across her bare walls. At 20, she had traded the familiar chaos of Oakland for the shimmering allure of the Strip, a decision that felt both exhilarating and terrifying.

Rose sat on the edge of her unmade bed, staring at the half-unpacked boxes scattered around the small space. Each box held remnants of her life—framed photos, clothes, and the journal that had chronicled her dreams and fears since she was a child. The journal was a tangled mess of ink and emotion, and she hoped to fill it with new experiences in this vibrant city.

But as the sun dipped below the horizon, uncertainty crept in. She missed her mom's voice echoing through their small house, the smell of home-cooked meals, and the familiarity of the streets she knew so well. Las Vegas was a different world, one that thrummed with energy and possibility, yet felt utterly isolating.

Taking a deep breath, Rose grabbed her phone and scrolled through her contacts. There was Kira, her best friend from high school, whom she had met in LA during her senior trip. She hesitated, then put the phone down. This was her chance to find herself, to step out of the shadows of her past.

The doorbell rang, breaking her thoughts. Rose jumped up and opened the door to find a tall figure standing in the hallway, silhouetted against the harsh fluorescent lights. It was her neighbor, a guy named Jamal, whom she had met briefly during her move-in.

"Hey, I thought I'd check in," he said, a warm smile breaking the serious facade. "You settling in okay?"

"Uh, getting there," Rose replied, forcing a smile. "Just unpacking."

"Want some help? I've got some time before work," he offered, glancing at the boxes piled in the corner.

Rose hesitated, but the offer felt like a lifeline. "Sure, that would be great."

As they worked side by side, Rose learned about Jamal's life—his dreams of becoming a photographer, his family back in Atlanta, and his love for street art. With each story, she felt a little more at ease, a little more connected to this new place.

"Why did you move here?" he asked, breaking the comfortable silence.

Rose paused, considering her answer. "I wanted a fresh start. I thought... maybe I could find myself here."

Jamal nodded, a knowing look in his eyes. "It's a tough city, but it can be a good teacher if you let it."

As they stacked her books on the shelf, Rose felt a flicker of hope. Maybe this new chapter wouldn't be so bad after all. With each laugh and shared story, she began to envision the life she could build here—a life filled with adventure, love, and even a few mistakes.

As night fell, the city outside her window pulsed with life, and Rose knew she was ready to embrace whatever came next. Shriveled Roses had started to bloom.