The Complex Art of Rosie

Introduction"She's a little different than people, maybe even a little slow but she is a good person and has done nothing wrong here, officer."Rosie fiddled with her fingers, not tearing her gaze away from her hands. She didn't have the courage to look up and meet anyone's eyes."Maybe you shouldn't call her slow," Anthony murmured softly, speaking to his best friend in a quiet voice although he knew Rosie could still hear them talking about her. Rosie was used to hearing people talk about her, making assumptions and judgments, having opinions formed on her before even being spoken to directly.Tamara sighed. She bit the inside of her cheek as she looked at her cousin, Rosie. "I'm sorry. It's just that I know she's a little... odd. I can assure you she means no harm nor has she done anything wrong." Tamara tried to convince the officer to drop any charges against her cousin, who had been caught 'breaking into' a library. But that wasn't the full story.The officer narrowed his eyes,

How to Explain Myself?Rosie stood outside the bar, clutching her wallet close to her chest. Her body felt the need to start shaking uncontrollably.She knew going out was a bad idea, especially knowing she would have to meet new people. Her cousin was the only person who knew how to deal with the way she is. Anthony was an exception because he knew well enough how Rosie was, although she never spent much time with him. He had just been around long enough to see for himself how complicated Rosie may be, which made him more lenient and patient with her.Rosie wasn't necessarily comfortable around him, she wasn't comfortable around anyone really. She was just comfortable enough, knowing that he didn't get weirded out by her anymore; knowing that he didn't have high expectations from her because he knew what to expect, based on how much of her he had seen along with what Tamara explained to him.Rosie struggled to open any app on her phone, her hands trembling as she clutched onto her ph

Easy to Tease"Watch it, mute. You are just mute, right. Not blind too?" Blaze Winters shoved Rosie's shoulder with his own, causing her to stumble and nearly drop all of her books. She was walking through the campus to get to one of her lectures when she had crossed paths with another one of the rude people who loved to make fun of her for being the quiet, non-talkative person she is.Rosie bit down on her lip, hard, to stop herself from croaking out any sob-like noise. She was used to be treating this way but it didn't make it easy.Blaze looked at his friend, Andrew, both of them laughing when Rosie hadn't said anything. She tried to move past them and keep walking."Come on," Blaze sighed deeply, dramatizing the sigh. "Give me something, Rosebud. One little comeback or comment. A little spar."Rosie clutched her books to her chest, keeping her gaze on the ground as she stood frozen in spot. She knew walking away would only make them continue to holler at her. If she stood here sil

Cordial CompanyJust as Rosie had expected, the next morning was tedious. Tamara spent all morning sitting with her head ducked in the toilet bowl, vomiting her insides out. Rosie held her hair back and offered her water, just waiting for her to get all of the liquor out of her system. Tamara remained annoyed while being bratty. Her hangover was causing her to be much more of a pain in the neck than Rosie was willing to tolerate."I'm sorry," Tamara grumbled out, lifting her head off the toilet seat. She wiped her mouth with the back of her hand. "I was a bitch yesterday."Rosie sighed deeply. She didn't want to get into this conversation again. "It's fine, Tamara."Tamara shook her head which only led to her groaning loudly from the throbbing in her skull. "No, it's not fine. I need to be more mindful."Rosie dropped Tamara's hair that she was holding back and moved to the sink to wash her hands. "I'm going to go make you a disgusting smoothie that will make you feel better."Tamara

Night on the Town"You never take more than a minute to find an outfit. What's so important about this one?" Tamara stood leaning against Rosie's bedroom door frame, peering at her in amusement."Nothing." Rosie tossed her a dull expression.Tamara scoffed, a smirk playing on her lips. She knew Rosie was hiding something. "A big date?"Rosie rolled her eyes, turning to go back to digging through her closet. "There's an art opening."Tamara paused in thought. "Wait, you mean the one Aatalo is being featured at?"Rosie didn't look at her cousin as she nodded her head.Tamara narrowed her eyes suspiciously at Rosie's back. "Are you going with Anthony?"Rosie shrugged. "He'll be there, yes. He said he will take me since we're both going to the same place."Tamara's jaw dropped. She took a moment to compose herself before she let out a loud squeal and raced over to Rosie. "Holy shit, my cousin dearest is going on a date with Anthony Morelli! Solid catch, Rose."Rosie pushed Tamara off of h