A Rose in the Sun.

Pt. 2: In the Garden

庭園

I believe it was December twenty-second in the year two thousand and twelve. That was when I saw Rose sitting on the snow covered steps of the library; it was also when I decided that I love the cold weather. Immediately after the two of us made eye contact, I felt entangled, and I felt as if I was wearing a crown of thorns. Despite this feeling, I still was able to move, so I trudged through the deep snow and towards the front door of the library.

"It's locked," Rose said through the cracks of her teeth. I could hear a faint chewing of gum.

I turned around and looked at her. She wasn't looking back.

"I've been here for three hours and I'm starting to give up," she laughed as she sat up and brushed the snow off of her pants. The melted snow she sat on had left a wet print near her butt.

I turned towards her as she came towards me, but I couldn't find myself able to speak. I had to rely on smiling and avoiding eye contact.

"I'm Rose," she sang as she reached a hand out to me, "and you are?"

"Blue," I said as our hands met. The warmth of her hands could probably melt glaciers.

"Funny being named after a color," she laughed. 

Nothing Rose said was ever an insult to me. Her laugh pierced through the deafening silence of the gentle breeze, and I laughed too. For once, I did not feel alone. I never felt alone in Rose's Garden.