Roses

Chapter 11

I need to tell her. As soon as possible. I can't be sure about it, but I think she was talking about me when she talked about a Hiccup in real life. And she said that I looked like him. I sigh with a smile, hugging my pillow as if it were her.

The next day, as soon as I wake up, I run into the backyard. My mom likes to garden, so we have several rosebushes. Red, pink, yellow, white, name it. Even with less money than before, Mom managed to keep them safe from the cold. But they are all faded or not blooming... except for one. Beautiful and hatched with its soft petals. Coincidence?

I don't think so.

I take a pair of secateurs and cut it. A red one. I think about removing the thorns, but without them, the rose would be different and less natural — in my opinion. In a closet, I find a long and slim vase — a transparent vase made for one rose, maybe two maximum. This is perfect. I put the flower in it and pour a little bit of water. I place it on my dresser and I get dressed for school.

I'm in literature class, pretending to listen while I half-sleep. Literature class is usually my favorite, but I couldn't sleep last night. I was thinking about telling her or not. I know, I said that I would do it. But again, my cowardliness took over. I lift my head a little to look at Angela, but she sees me and smiles, which makes me blush. She refrains from laughing at me and looks in front of her, pretending to listen to the teacher. I close my eyes and get back to sleep.

"Montgomery, wake up!" says the teacher, snapping her fingers in front of my nose. "Class is over."

"Oh, um, thank you, Mrs. Carter."

I stand up, embarrassed. Angela is waiting beside me, laughing.

"You sleepy head! Let's go, she says," grabbing my arm. Have a good day, Mrs. Carter!

"You too, Miss Bellerose!"

We rush in the hallways — Angela is rushing, not me.

"Quick! I have a family dinner tonight and I must not be late!"

"Then, go ahead. You don't have to wait for me," I tell her, because she seems in a hurry and I don't want her to get scolded by her parents.

"I'll wait for you, idiot."

"You're cute."

"Just hurry up already!"

"Alright, alright."

I refrain from laughing and moving like Flash the sloth in Zootopia. It's the first time that I see her like this.

She practically ran off from the school. I had to run too to catch her. I asked her why her parents wouldn't pick her up and she replied: "They can't. They don't have time either."

Although she was in a hurry, she gave me a hug before leaving. I'm still standing in front of her house like an idiot.

The rose. Right.

I get in my house and go fetch the vase. In my room, I take a piece of paper and write something on it. Then, I tape it on the glass.

"Hey, what are you doing?" my mom exclaims when she sees me running in the stairs.

"Telling a girl that I love her. Well, not with words but ya know..."

I show her the flower.

"Aww, honey! She's going to love it."

"Thanks, Mom."

I place the rose in front of her door, so that it's visible and so that we can't topple the vase by accident. Then, I leave. For now, I just have to wait.

I'm not try'na start a fire, with this flame

But I'm worried that your heart might feel the same

And I have to be honest with you baby

Tell me If I'm wrong, and this is crazy

But I got you this rose

And I need to know

Will you let it die or let it grow? *

I wonder what she'll think about it when she'll read it... I took these lyrics from one of my favorite artist's songs. That song is also my favorite. I could have replaced the word "baby" with another one, but I didn't want to ruin the original lyrics. I would never call a girl "baby".

"That was fast! So, what did she say? Is it positive? You're smiling," notices my mom.

"She said nothing."

"NOTHING?!"

"Well... I didn't really talk to her..."

"Then, what... Oh, I see. Liam, you shouldn't..."

"I know, I know... I should have told her directly instead of putting a flower in front of her house. But it's kinda romantic, don't you think?"

"Well, I guess."

"Yes, it is," I reply with a smile. "I just hope that she'll know that it's from me."

The next morning, I rush to the school. Angela usually goes to the school a little earlier to read in the library. So I don't get to walk with her in the morning. I'll see her at the break I guess.

***

I sit at a table, waiting for her. Knowing her, she'll probably talk about the flower. But will she know that it's from me? Now, I start to seriously doubt it. I play nervously with the corner of the page of my book. Then I look up to see her and my heart skips a beat. There she is, looking at me with the most beautiful smile I've ever seen.

* Roses by Shawn Mendes  😍💕🌹💐

(Of course, I based this story on this song 😂)