colors | afi [WATTY'S 2017]

neuf

april 25 1986

rose's pov

"amanda? rose? do you think you could help me take these things to the dinner table? it's not heavy, it just lots of stuff." mrs. irwin yelled and then let out a small laugh. she was a very sweet, yet ditzy woman; amanda didn't remind me much of her. amanda held herself differently, the same way her father did, they both were incredibly mature yet laid back.

amanda sighed and held out a hand for me to grasp so i could lift up from the couch. mr.irwin, my mother, and my grandparents was seated outside on the porch, brent upstairs lost in some game--tetris was it?

"great, here, it's just potato salad, chicken, and green beans. oh--also plates, silverware, and napkins, call brent if you need more hands." amanda's mom smiled at the both of us as she shoved the items across the island.

"should i tell them all to come inside?" amanda asked as she lifted up the bowl of potato salad.

"yes please amanda baby," her mother smiled kindly at her and watched as i struggled to hold the hot pot of green beans.

+++

i was seated next to my mother to my right and mr. irwin to my left, directly across from me was amanda who kept playing footsie with me under the table. while i, did try to pay attention, i was also watching and listening to the older man next to me. he was speaking to the table about his work, he was a forensic analysis. he was telling a "dinner-table rated," as mrs. irwin describes it, story about a body he had to do an autopsy on.

i watched as his jaw would clench and unclench when he would bite the small portions of food he ate, the way his nose would flare when he said something funny about his work day, the way he would playfully roll his green eyes at his wife who would sternly say, "dinner table rated!" when he got too graphic. i sat in awe of the man next to me, my chin rested on my left hand as i listened intently to the story, mr. irwin taking small glances my way and winking.

"you seemed very interested rose, is that a field a study you'd like to go in?" i was too caught up in my gaze at mr. irwin to figure out who i said that until i heard a "rose are you listening?" from my mother.

i hummed in response and turned to my mother who turned her eyes towards mrs. irwin whom was waiting patiently for an answer from me.

"oh, well i--i'm not very sure. i think i just enjoy interesting stories like that," i felt heat rise to my face as i felt the seven pairs of eyes on me. i gave a side eye to mr. irwin and saw him smiling and staring intently at me.

i cleared my throat and smiled, "is it okay if i take a picture of you all? it's for my photo album, i like to make sure i remember everything."

"of course!" mr. irwin low voice bellowed as he pushed his chair back, everyone following after him.

"the lighting is nice outside at this time, would that be a good location?" mrs. irwin inquired as she hooked her arm with mr. irwin's.

i felt jealousy rise up inside me but i immediately tried to push it back down, he's married, he's older than me, way older than me.

"yes, that's fine," i shook off her question and reached in my bag for my camera. walking swiftly outside to already see the group posing.

"let's do a funny face!" amanda said as she stuck her tongue out.

mr. irwin laughed and kicked out his leg as he did a wink, "i hope i don't look foolish."

i put my eye to the camera and smiled, "you look perfect" i whispered.

{funny story i wrote "egg" before i wrote "eye" bc im weird and theres something wrong w me also i reread this and this chapter is so good}