Where Do Broken Hearts Go?

Chapter Five

Rose unlocked the front door and stepped in the house. She was surprised to see Aunt Bea laying on the couch, sleeping. A blanket covered her and there was a wet washcloth over her head. The T.V. was playing reruns of Grey's Anatomy.

Rose stared at her aunt, confused. Since when did Aunt Bea miss work? Rose decided she was not feeling well, and so she left her alone. Climbing the stairs to her room, Rose felt her phone vibrate. She took it out, instantly smiling at the new text message.

Hey Rose! I had a great day today! Thank you again for showing me around! Would you want to hang out Friday night? We could go to a movie and dinner or something? Just a thought! Rose smiled at Andrew's text. As Rose entered her room, she checked her calendar for Friday. It was clear, like the rest of her calendar. Rose thumbed her reply: Hey Andrew! I would love to! What time Friday? As Rose waited for a reply, she opened up her laptop to begin her homework. No more than a minute later came another buzz.

How does six sound? If you give me your address I'll come pick you up.

Six is great. Okay, 7236 Amber Grove Road.

Great. We are on for six on Friday.

Rose smiled and replied: yes, and I wouldn't miss it for the world.

Andrew and Rose spent the rest of the evening exchanging text messages. Rose learned that Andrew's favorite color was forest green, his dream vacation was Germany, he has been to 43 states and he has been out of the country twice, and he doesn't like animals. She also learned how his aunt and uncle never paid much attention to him because they worked, he also got money from them even if he didn't want it, he never dated anyone, he was always the last person picked, and he was bullied in junior high.

Rose had shared with him things about her as well. Her dream vacation was Amsterdam, she had been to 22 states, she never left the country, she liked dogs and turtles but that was all, and her favorite color was midnight blue. Rose also shared that Aunt Bea was gone most of the time and gave her more money than she would ever need. However, unlike Andrew's aunt and uncle, her aunt loved her and cared for her very much.

Speaking of Aunt Bea, Rose set her phone down and went to go and check on her. She found Aunt Bea in the same position, still sleeping. It was already 7:30, and Rose was getting pretty hungry. Trying to be as quiet as possible, Rose crept into the kitchen to make herself a sandwich. She had turkey, pepper jack cheese, mayonnaise and lettuce on her sandwich. She grabbed the Pringles from the cupboard and silently went back up to her room.

When she picked up her phone, she noticed that Andrew had sent four messages. Curious, she slid her phone to read what they said. So, are you excited to graduate in a month? The second one read: Are you going to be going anywhere after you graduate? Then the third said: Hello? You still with me Rose? And the final one had said: I'm guessing you are eating. I have to go eat, too. I'll text you in a bit!

Rose took a bite of her sandwich as she thumbed out the reply. Sorry, I was eating! Yes, I am excited to graduate but no, I'm not sure if I'm going anywhere. I really want to go out of the country, but I can't go alone and Aunt Bea won't have time to go with me. I might just hang out here in Washington but I don't know.

Deciding Andrew wouldn't answer for a while, Rose started watching The Help on her laptop. The movie was fifteen minutes in before the reply from Andrew came.

You know, if we hang out more, maybe our aunts would feel comfortable if we took a trip together? I mean, we don't have to, but we both want to go out of the country and we both can't go alone. Why not go together? Just a thought, though. When Rose read the message, she almost fell out of her bed. A trip with Andrew? They would have the best time together.