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The Complex Art of Rosie 39
A New SideAs soon as Rosie stepped into the apartment where the party was being held, she wanted to turn around and walk right out. Music was booming so loud the walls were vibrating, lights flashed all colours, and the apartment was packed with so many people it felt like there was no air in the room.Blaze looked down at Rosie and saw the distraught look on her face. He nudged her lightly. "Maybe we should get a drink in you.""Yes, please." Rosie followed him through the apartment, squeezing her way through many sweaty bodies. This was anything but formal and sophisticated, the types of parties Rosie was used to."You've changed," Blaze noted. He leaned against the counter as he poured drinks into plastic cups.Rosie laughed softly. She knew she had changed. A year ago, she would have never stepped foot into this apartment or accepted a drink. "I'm trying to step out of my comfort zone.""How is that going for you?"Rosie gave Blaze a dull look. "I hate it."Blaze snickers, extend
The Complex Art of Rosie 40
Fogged MemoryRosie woke up the next morning with the worst headache she had ever experienced. She couldn't open her eyes because of the sunlight that seeped through the window and blinded her vision.She groaned as she rolled over, when she noticed a glass of water and some aspirin sitting on her bedside table.She smiled weakly as she grabbed her phone and shot Blaze a text.Thanks for babysitting me. Appreciate the hangover help.A few minutes later, she was completely bewildered by Blaze's response.Darling, I didn't make it through the front door.Thank your lover boy. Fucking asshole.Rosie shot up straight in her bed. Lover boy? She didn't have to think long before understanding that Blaze was referring to Anthony. She laid in her bed for a long time and desperately tried to remember anything from the night before but everything an hour into the party was a giant blank. Not even a blur, just a blank."Have you talked to Anthony?"Tamara groaned into the phone. "You're calling m
The Complex Art of Rosie 41
Sober Feelings, Drunken ConfessionsAnthony leaned back into Tamara's couch, slowly sipping on a beer. "She's not going to come over, right?"Tamara opened a bag of chips as she plopped down on the couch beside him. "No. She had a bunch of meetings with Michael and clients today."Anthony nodded his head slowly before exhaling a long sigh. "She's different. She's changed."Tamara laughed lightly, cocking her head to the side. "Paris changed her, Anth. For the best, I think. She's more confident and sure of herself, not as afraid to speak what's on her mind.""That's for sure," Anthony mumbled quietly, staring down at the coffee table as if it were the most interesting thing in the world. "It's... good. I'm glad she's become stronger. Sometimes I just feel like I can't recognize her anymore, like I don't know who she is anymore.""Because you don't."Anthony turned to look at Tamara. His eyes swirling with many conflicting emotions. "I don't."Tamara sighed, shrugging softly. "She's no
The Complex Art of Rosie 42
What's Already Been DamagedAnthony woke the next morning and was ambushed by all the world's regret and guilt crashing down on him. He had silently wished that he wouldn't remember the previous night but he recalled every brutal second of it. He messed up and he couldn't take it back. All he saw when he closed his eyes was the hurt on Rosie's face. He thought he couldn't hate himself more than he did when he let Rosie leave for Paris but he hated himself more right now.Rosie was woken by the sound of frantic knocking on her front door. She groaned loudly as she pulled herself out of bed and went to open the door, her eyes still half shut and mind foggy."Tama-" Rosie stopped speaking before she started. She blinked her eyes rapidly, pinching her arm as if she were making sure she was really awake. All her haziness was stripped away when she locked eyes with Anthony. "What are you doing here?"Anthony sucked in his lips, a sheepish and guilt-ridden expression on his face. "Can we ple
The Complex Art of Rosie 43
Mourning DayDays had passed since Rosie and Anthony's big falling out. They hadn't seen or spoken to one other. Rosie would be very cautious every time she left her apartment, acting like a spy or ninja to make sure she wouldn't run into Anthony in the hallway or elevator.Aatalo walked into one of the local bars, walking over to the counter to see Tamara sitting on a stool. "Where is he?"Tamara jabbed her thumb over her shoulder, pointing towards Anthony who was sitting in a booth all by himself. His head was drunk as he sipped on a cocktail, a few empty glasses and beer bottles already sitting on the table."I don't know what to do. His depression is depressing me."Aatalo sighed as he motioned for the bartender to pour him the same thing Tamara was drinking. "Have you talked to Rosie?""Not at all. She's keeping herself locked away in her apartment, working on her art.""Wish me luck," Aatalo grimaced as he walked over to the booth and slid in across from Anthony. Anthony didn't
The Complex Art of Rosie 44
All We've Lost"Maybe I should just find a rebound. Although I don't know if it counts as a rebound since Rosie and I never dated."Ryder narrowed his eyes, his face scrunching in distaste. "That sounds like a horrible idea. You'd hate every second of it."Anthony rolled his eyes. He poured himself some coffee and popped toast into the toaster. He knew he'd hate everyone second of it. He didn't even like the sound of it and knew very well he most likely wouldn't be able to go through with it. He just needed any sort of help in stopping feeling so sad."It will temporarily help me stop thinking about her.""No," Aatalo spoke firmly, not looking at the boys. He sat in Ryder and Anthony's living room, his feet propped up on the coffee table and a book in his hands.Anthony quirked an eyebrow. "Why not?""No," Aatalo repeated, tone straight. "No rebounding." Of course Aatalo had ulterior motives for keeping Anthony away from the idea of rebounding and finding a new girl. He just couldn't
The Complex Art of Rosie 45
Schemed Evening"This is such a ridiculously terrible idea. He's not even going to show up." Rosie paced back and fourth in Aatalo's loft, shaking her head frantically.Aatalo walked to stand in front of her, placing his hands on her shoulders to stop her. "Rosie, my dear, look at me. Take a deep breath."Rosie listened, staring at him intently as she inhaled deeply.Aatalo nodded slowly. "You have to exhale too."Rosie exhaled. "Right.""Tonight is your first exhibition back home. You're going to win over the cities heart the same way you won over Paris."Rosie wrinkled her nose, shaking her head. "I created a whole new set of paintings in a week. They're not even good."Aatalo sighed, smiling faintly. "They are perfect."Rosie heaved out a heavy breath, walking backwards until she plopped down onto the couch. Panic and concern was flashing through her eyes like a lightning storm. "I don't even care about the exhibit itself. Are you sure Anthony will show up? He hates me, why would h
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ForeverOne Year Later Rosie and Anthony walked down the bustling busy street, hand in hand. The grey clouds filled the sky, the light sound of thundering notifying them that it would rain soon. Anthony smiled down at her. "Maybe I should have stopped at the Louvre or at least the Eiffel Tower last time I was here. Instead, I ran away like a lost puppy." Rosie cocked her head to the side, humming. "a lost puppy would be wandering, not running away. More like a... crab." Anthony laughed. "A crab?" Rosie shrugged, leaning into his side. "A crab would run away if you scared it, right? Or do crabs attack. I don't know." Anthony kissed the top of her head. The two of them stopped when they reached an art gallery. "Here we are." Rosie sighed dreamily as she stared up at the building. "My art is already in there. Tomorrow night, it will be up on the walls for everyone to see." Anthony took both her hands, turning to face her. "Would you ever move back here?" Rosie's eyebrows raised.
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