Avatar Rose: Justice

Chapter 3: Alone

(Team Avatar theme song above XD) ^^

Rowan's POV

You have pierced my soul. I am half agony, half hope...I have loved none but you.

I stare at the words scrawled across the yellowing page. I sigh, shaking my head as if to snap out of it.

Sometimes I wonder if I can go back, return home and live my life in peace. I miss that place. Well, almost.

Ever since I met Rose, I've always imagined us growing up together and one day getting married. I was happy and content with the thought of a simple life with her. But she didn't feel the same way, about me nor the way of life I wanted.

I don't know why I was so intrigued by Rose in the beginning. Maybe it was her golden hair and an appearance to match her name. Maybe it was her fiery personality. Sure, she was a thief and a liar, but I always overlooked that because I knew those were just survival instincts.

The best way I can explain it is in an analogy, I suppose. Rose is like a complex puzzle, something that most give up on after a while. But those who are persistent, can conquer it, even if it takes years. Once you do, a beautiful picture puts itself together. I've found myself falling in love with that picture.

Nathan gave up. I guess a part of it was because he's his own puzzle that even he can't figure out. Sometimes I wonder what it'd be like to live that way, unable to decipher your own feelings. I've seen Rose try, when she tries to explain the way she's feeling. She only becomes frustrated, taking it out on me.

[Flashback]

"You think she'll pay us?" Rose asked with a grin, balancing on a rail a few feet off the ground as we walked.

I blinked a few times, perplexed on how agile she was. I didn't know she was the avatar then, and how she trained as an Airbender for the longest time.

"We're not doing it for money," I replied simply.

Her shoulders sagged and she stopped in mid balance. "Why not? I don't want to spend my day pulling Mrs. Morris's weeds out of her garden when we could be playing."

"It's the right thing to do. She's getting old. Besides, Teacher would make us train all day. I don't want to kick your butt again."

This made her angry, and she fell silent for a while. It didn't last very long as she spotted an orange cat sun bathing on the side of the road. Her amber eyes lit up as she rushed to it.

I smiled a little. When we got to the old lady's house, Rose put on the fake, deceiving little mask that she always does around strange adults. One that said, "no, I'm totally not a juvenile delinquent! Here, let me get that bag for you!" as she picked their pockets.

"Hi Mrs. Morris. We heard you needed help with your garden," I said, offering a genuine smile.

"Such a good young man! Thank you, Rowan! Please keep an eye on that girl, I've heard of the likes of her before," she answered, giving Rose the stink eye.

I nodded, taking Rose by the hand as a scowl twisted itself on to her face. I begin to pick the dark green weeds quietly. Rose was all the way on the other end of the garden, glancing at me every now and then to make sure she's doing it right.

She groaned. "C'mon, Rowan. Stop moving so slow. If we hurry, we could still play pirates."

I chuckled. We were thirteen, maybe a bit too old to be playing pretend.

"I'm taking my time," I said.

Rose began to pick the weeds rapidly, her pile growing higher and higher. I eventually ignored her. After about an hour, Rose stood up.

"Mrs. Morris! I already finished my side of the garden!" She chirped excitedly, longing and desperate for someone's praise and approval.

There was a scream. "Wh- what have you done!?"

Rose's eyes went wide in dismay. "I- I picked the weeds. Aren't you happy?"

"You picked all my herbs!"

An innocent smile. "Oh... Whoops, my bad."

"GET OUT! BOTH OF YOU!"

[End of Flashback]

I smile a little as the memories flood my mind. Rose had a knack for getting into trouble, despite even her good intentions.

I never really knew she was the avatar until the news of her banishment spread. I thought I'd never see her again. But somehow she found me, and now we're stuck in one heck of a mess.