Rose

Today's a Saturday, and I'm going to The Rosette's Workshop as usual. But currently, I'm in a dilemma of choosing clothes, shoes, and painting my face with makeup.

"Rose, the driver's been waiting for you for 30 minutes. " I was frantically searching for clothes to wear and putting on makeup that I lost track of time.

"Just give me 10 more minutes" I shouted.

Should I just wear jeans? But they're too simple.

How about a crop-top? .......No, I don't think it would suit me.

What the hell am I gonna wear?

I reached further down the closet and grabbed a black off-shoulder top and paired it with an A-line floral skirt. I looked at the mirror and smiled.

Perfect.

I grabbed a pair of earrings and some accessories and put on a 3-inches high heels. I looked at the mirror and fixed my hair again which is like a hundredth time already.

When I was a child I got a horrible taste of clothes for myself, even though I enjoy fashion and styling clothes. It was always for others and it was just when I was an adult that I became conscious of what I wear.

"Rose? You really need to get going" Ugh whatever. I look pretty anyway.

I went out of the room and Sena looked at me stunned with what I'm wearing. Well, it was a miracle that I have salvaged and found this dress.

"Rose, you look...different but it's better" she flashed me a thumbs-up and a wide grin.

"Thank you, nanny but I really need to get going. I'm already late. Bye-bye, see you later" I ran off, safely making my way downstairs.

"Ok, have a safe trip" she shouted and I waved my hands at her, flashing a toothy smile.

I hurriedly went to the luxury car and instructed the driver to drive fast. We zoomed past buildings and houses, and after a few minutes, we arrived.

"Pick me up around 4:30. Thank you." I shut the door quickly and dashed to the workroom.

The instructor was already carving and instructing to do things, so I presumed I'm late. I ducked down, trying not to disturb him or anything and quickly went to my table.

"You off to a date?" I heard Zeth asked and I turned to him.

I raised one of my brows

"No, Why?"

"You're dressed beautifully and you absolutely look like you're going to one," He said without looking at me.

I felt blood creep up my face and butterflies rummaged my stomach.

He said I'm beautiful

I've heard others calling me beautiful and stunning but I was never accustomed to it. They even went far and hit on me but because I was head over heels for Aziel, I've shrugged it off and thought it was absurd.

"I meant the clothes" I furrowed my eyebrows

"What?"

"I meant the clothes you're wearing right now is beautiful." I felt embarrassed and laughed awkwardly at him.

Way to think ahead of myself

"What are we carving?" I asked him, Zeth was listening to the instructor attentively that I hesitated on asking.

"Carving an animal"

I nodded and listened to the instructor showing us how to carve a cat.

"You can start carving any animal you want" I heard him say and I was dumbfounded.

Was that all? but he only showed us how to carve a cat? He just freaking showed us without teaching anything.

Last time I checked, I was in the beginner's class. So what is he talking about?

"You can learn by experience and use your imagination" he stated answering my inner questions and I suddenly want to do a somersault and land at his face.

Wtf. I stared down at the block of wood on my table not knowing what to do. The fuck am I going to carve?

I glanced around the others and they started to work on their block of wood. Is it just me thinking the instructor is doing a poor job with teaching us?

Yeah, I think it's just me.

"What are you trying to carve?" I asked Zeth.

"A bird," he said without glancing my way.

Maybe I'll try carving a fish. Yeah, I'll try doing a simple one. I cut the block of wood to make it thin and started chiseling around the corners.

Two hours passed and Zeth was done with his bird and it freaking looked realistic while there's me trying to carve a drawn-by-a-preschool fish.

He glanced at my work and laughed. Why am I this unfortunate to have my table beside him? It should be a crime to sit beside someone who's absolutely a pro.

"That looks like something a kid would make" he snorted and I was ready to duct tape that mouth of his.

"Well simplicity is better," I said trying to defend my fish, yet it's making me feel pathetic.

"Simplicity is better when it doesn't look like a dying fish made by a kid" I turned to look at him with squinted eyes while he's busy laughing his ass off.

"Anyways school is starting, so where are you planning to study" I tried to change the subject while hiding my embarrassed state. I started to paint my fish with red color since I like red and I was relieved that I was almost done.

"Nah I'm homeschooled. Uncle wants me to focus on things" I furrowed my brows

"Uncle? Where's your parents?" He paused for a while, thinking deeply.

Umm... They're somewhere very far away," he told me and sadness enveloped his face.

The conversation turned awkwardly silent as I was clueless and I didn't know what to do to uplift the mood.

"So tell me, what made you want to learn woodcraft?" He smiled but it was a fake one. I was sure he was trying to change the subject and change the atmosphere.

"I was.....interested with it" I looked at him and his eyes were swirling with emotions as he looked back at me.

We spent the whole afternoon talking about useless things, and I felt completely immersed in it that I forgot about the time.

I told him that I was originally into fashion but because I want to learn more, I tried woodcrafting. He also told me that his father was the one who taught him woodcraft and he signed up for the experience.

We talked mostly about ourselves and we were absolutely the last ones to get out the workroom

"Hey, I think you should better go. It's around 5:00 already" he cut off our conversation and I looked at my phone. It read 5:05, Oh god I absolutely forgot about the driver.

I lifted my gaze with eyes wide open.

"Shit, I really need to go. I just told the driver to pick me up at 4:30."

I waved my hands at him and ran off. He chuckled as I dashed out to the parking lot.

"Hey, you look really beautiful today but make sure you're not late next time" I heard him shout as I sat on the passenger's seat.

My face heated up and I was staring at the windows dumbfounded. My heart felt like it was just in a rollercoaster ride and my whole body was brimming with bliss. My mind was all fuzzy and I was smiling like an idiot.

I was heavily guarding my heart, scared I might break it again because

of love, but being with Zeth was comfortable.

I only see him as a goofy friend that I was able to lower my guard but...

Arrgh screw it, he's just a friend who called me beautiful and it's just normal to feel this way.

Right?