Rosewater Bookstore Novels & Stories

“If you’re reading this, it means you’ve found the truth. Esteban can be trusted. He’s your only ally. Protect him. The future depends on it.” Her father’s handwriting. Before she could react, the wall behind Esteban exploded inward, sending them both crashing to the floor. Smoke poured in, and shadows loomed in the haze. Gunfire. Esteban shoved her behind the overturned desk. "Run!" "Not without you!" "They’ll kill you!" She kissed him, fast and fierce, then slipped the folder into her apron and sprinted for the bookcase. Shots whizzed past her, one grazing her arm. She cried out but didn’t stop.

A looked crossed his eyes,but it went away as quickly as it came, and soon he was looking at me amused again. "Of course, I didn't anticipate finding raunchy books in a sweet girl's bag, you're definitely right. Noted, I'm never doing that again." I scowled and he smirked. "So Rosie?" He asked, I couldn't help it, I rolled my eyes at that, rubbing at my temples. "No, my name's Rosette, not Rosie. That's childish." "Okay, so Rose. Well that's a pretty name for a very pretty girl, as cliché as it sounds, it's the truth, you're a pretty little flower." And the blush that was barely receding was back again.

Our cab had already arrived, so we got in and headed straight for Reno’s Boutique — one of the biggest in New York. I’d only heard about the place from Marielle, but stepping inside was something else entirely. The glass walls gleamed, the scent of expensive perfume filled the air, and designer dresses shimmered under the warm lights. I ran my fingers across one of them, smiling a little for the first time in days. Tessa and I started browsing through the racks. When we reached the trousers section, I picked a few to try on — and that was when I saw her. Marielle. She was clinging to Adrian’s arm like her life depended on it, laughing too loudly, too sweetly. The moment her eyes met mine, he

A sigh escapes my lips as dread washes over me, realising I didn't have a coat or an umbrella. Absolutely brilliant. Way to go, Rose. I place my hand on the glass door, knowing that soon I will be drenched. I turn to face the old librarian as she approaches the door, "Goodbye." I say softly, then walk out into the freezing cold rain, the wind whipping at my skin and causing my ebony hair to stick to my face.

Aria turned around, a genuine, warm smile instantly touching her face. Hurrying out from the back storeroom was Rose. She was nineteen years old, with bright, wide blue eyes and a messy ponytail. She was wearing an oversized green sweater that looked like it had been washed a hundred times. Rose was an orphan, aging out of the state system last year, and she practically lived at the bookstore. She was the sweetest, most unabashedly innocent person Aria had ever met in her entire life. Rose practically bounced over to the counter, holding up a tiny, incredibly soft yellow knitted blanket.

I grab my book and continue to read the last chapter. A few weeks have passed since the party and since it’s summer we have no school. Rose begged me to go shopping with her at the mall the next town over for a new dress to wear when Ethan comes to see her tonight. When I refused her she used my love for books against me and told me they had a new bookstore only two doors down from the dress shop. I couldn’t pass up books, I’ve read all of mine and I did need new ones.

I swear that thing was taller than him if we made it stand. We had pizza for lunch and voted that the bookstore would be our last stop. Rosie found the newest addition to a series of books she was collecting, and I stumbled upon a book illustrated by Jessica Wright. “This is the lady we met this morning!” Rosie exclaimed when I showed her. “It’s so pretty,” she awed as she opened it. It was a big, old-fashioned storybook, and Rosie was studying a whole page drawing of a princess. “We should buy it too,” I said, and Rosie gave me a huge smile.

The streets were lined with flower beds in full bloom, local shops with hand-painted signs and people who nodded as they passed, faces a little older, a little wiser, but kind nonetheless. Cassie wandered slowly, hands in her pockets, letting her steps take her where they pleased. Her first stop was the bookstore, Willow Pages, a two-story shop that still smelled of pinewood shelves and well-loved novels. She didn’t stay long but bought a worn paperback she had once read in high school, more for the nostalgia than the plot.

It's fascinating, and I really want to know more about it all. "I'm sure you'd like it." She places the book on the table in front of me and I smile at it. It's not so big but has a lot of pages and the cover is really beautiful with a golden rose drawn standing beside another rose, a silver one, but instead of sepals, they have a fire burning below them, and they are both rooted in a deep blue sea. Captivating burning roses with their roots in a deep sea, how artistic. PSYCHICISM is written in a weird writing that looks more like a drawing and my smile widens even more. How did she know this is just what I wanted! She really does have book powers.

Of course I wanted his number then I replied, "What is your name?" I sat my phone down so I could dry off and get dressed. Then like clock work another ping from I*******m. He asked, "What is your name beautiful?" I began to blush then replied. "My name is Elisabeth Rose Freeman ,but everyone calls me Beth", I messaged back. He then replied, "Vladius Lee Sinclair, nice to meet you Beth". I then in return sent my number to him. I finished getting ready for the day. I was planning on cleaning up my dorm room.