A Single White Hibiscus (Pearl x Rose)

6. So Close

Pearl and Rose had been lying on a same bed on a warm, cozy Saturday morning as they woke up to a distant jazz music, which was probably exploding in the next town. Today was the start of a festival week--the Late Autumn Moonlight Festival in their entire city. For a week, every working job halted in the city to celebrate the joyous day of Rose Quartz saving the city from a giant, thundering, fearsome natural catastrophe. It was said that Rose Quartz (the ancient hero) possessed a power to communicate with God, a rather impressive ability.

That was the ancient hero Rose Quartz - and her direct descent, also named Rose Quartz to pay respect to the admirable hero of history, just woke up next to Pearl; she fluttered her ethereal eyelids a few times before stretching out long, shaking the bed. In that shake, Pearl also woke up, but pretended not to.

"I know you're awake, Pearl," Rose said, giggling.

"...How did you know?" Her serene expression slowly forming into an irresistible smile, Pearl asked in a slightly raspy voice, a first echo of her throat this morning.

But she already knew. She already knew that they've been together for so long--a time that may be called eternity, in their terms--that Rose knew every one of her petty habits, her preferences, body language, even each of her facial expression. This wasn't due to Rose's meticulous scrutiny, it was just, purely, simply because they've been together for such a long time.

"Rose...did you sleep well?" Turning in her seat, Pearl asked as she stretched, too.

"Yes. I had a dream of an amazing world; a world in which everybody dressed fancy and sparkling petals of roses in sunlight scattered everywhere. We had a great, golden party."
"That dream is just like you." Pearl giggled.
"But - the festival events are starting today, in reality. What an amazing time to be alive!" Rose exclaimed, getting up and opening up her windows, letting in a fresh stream of air to replace that of their overnight-stenched room.
"Yes, it is indeed exciting," Pearl agreed. But, suddenly, her expression changed drastically as soon as her eyes traced back to her quiet phone.
"Oh, shoot. What time is it?!"
She impatiently poked on her silent phone, trying to get her background picture pop up. However, her phone was dead silent - and Pearl saw that the charging code wasn't connected to the phone. She panicked, her eyes darting around the room quickly to find a wall clock. She found it. 8:23.

"Kyaaa!! I'm so late to my rehearsal!!!"

She jumped out of bed, trying to dress in less than one minute for a parade rehearsal. In surprised, wide eyes, Rose asked Pearl:

"What's wrong?"
"I'm dancing in today's parade this afternoon! We decided to meet at 8:30 in front of Rose Quartz stand in the middle of the city-which is like, 30 minutes away from here!!" Almost crying, she desperately squeaked as she put on her ballet attire.

"What's wrong? You don't have to go there. Pearl, look at me."

Rose, gesticulating as if providing infinite generosity and unmeasurable love, raised Pearl's chin and fixated it, looking straight into her eyes and sneaking into her mind. Pearl's blush deepened as she faced Rose's tender yet unfazed eyes.

"W-why?! It was you that suggested me to go perform at-."
"Yes, I know. My mind has changed. I am a fickle creature, you know. In this wicked world, I just want you to stay beside me. If you leave, I'll be so sad. We share all secrets, after all."
"That is true..."
"And I'm the chief of this city, so you should technically heed to my requests, right? Technically, that is."
"Yes."

Pearl stopped questioning Rose, and stopped her efforts to get to the rehearsal on time. She turned her torso toward Rose, facing her entirely. At Pearl's loyal gesture, Rose's eyes bended to satisfaction, giggling. That way, they danced together, blessed by the white scattering sunlight and a fraction of bluest skies above them.

But, that evening, everyone wondered where the main lead dancer of the whole parade went.