The Rose

Off-Brand Mandalorian Press Presents

The Rose

By: me

aka Joshua Edmiston

Starring Josiah Amor

Rosaline Floria

Tristan Goodman

Rebekah Paul

Joshua Edmiston

Dorshea Goh

Daniel Dove

With Tirzah Hopkins

And Brayden Freund

What is love that man should show? What is love that woman should share? What both pleases and pierces, what both satisfies and stabs? To feel, to feel is not enough. Loose compulsion is a train without tracks, its own power is its own undoing. Charm has faded, lust has expired, all has been forgotten of that which transpired. What lasts? What tarries? Cut a rose from its pathway to life, control it as you please. It will die, it always dies. Love without God will not, cannot, shall not stay. All that remains are thorns as the rose decays.

_____________________________________________________________________________________

January, not a month that I could call my favorite nor a month I could describe with contempt. I cannot say that I have a favorite or least favorite month, just that I was glad a new year was upon us. Not that the year prior was horrid, but it was lackluster to say the least.

My name is Josiah Amor, and I’m a junior in highschool. I changed schools last year which some would - and do – view a process like this as being a grand adventure. But I am not some, I am me. I have never been described as the most outgoing man in the world so you could say that my friend list was sparsely populated.

But it wasn’t meant to stay this way as I was fortunate enough to meet someone who would become a very good friend of mine. Trystan Goodman is his name, a respectable guy whose character I value equal to his insight. But even then, my sphere of influence was short and my record of conversations with other students was shorter. Do not pity me though, for I was content with this, I wished not for more.

Yet content as I was, I was rather disappointed with academics. Every month and week and day and hour trudged and trudged. With every glance at the clock, it seemed the hands wouldn’t budge. And so, it was settled, I had selected my fate and I was fine with that.

A pattern of working, eating, and sleeping continued for the first semester with little interruption. There was the occasional event I would attend with Trystan. There was the occasional school survey I completed. There was the occasional student I would have the pleasure to meet, but in all actuality, my pattern remained solidified.

This was my mode of operation until January, after the end of the first semester. We had just finished Literature class as we were wrapping up our discussion on Sense and Sensibility. A rather fine book in my opinion, though Trystan thinks the ending is too cliché. On our way we went to history class, Trystan was rather ecstatic that we would be covering the war between Octavius and Marc Antony.

Nothing was out of the ordinary. Then again, nothing is ever out of the ordinary right before a profound change. I was trying to keep up with Trystan’s lightning-fast comments when I beheld her. I didn’t recognize her, surely, I would have at least remembered someone of such beauty. My steps stopped still, less by thought and more by feeling.

She walked and talked with grace and prestige. Her hazel hair glided down past her shoulders. Every pattern and system I adhered to shattered in an instant, I wished to speak with her but fell short on courage. Her complexion was delicate, yet well-defined with honor and dignity. She had a strength in her stride that I found no fault in. Her voice, oh her voice was that of an angelic choir. Dear reader, I was in love.

The bell rang. I jerked. I cast a quick glance to the clock and saw class had already started. I quickly looked back, but she was gone. I was sure she was real, not a figment or a phantom, she was real, she had to be. Reason hit me, I was late for history class! I slipped into class and planted myself in my seat just in time for the lecture to start. For a brief moment, I forgot where I was in the world.

The Rose: Part 2

Culinary Catastrophe

“It’s important where you sit at lunch this time of year…” said Trystan

His voice was lower than normal, as if he knew of an impending ambush. The cafeteria, it had never been a place of glorious excitement. The most exciting thing that Josiah had ever witnessed here was a debate over whether cereal was a soup. But other than that, the cafeteria was about as thrilling as watching paint dry. The large, open room consisted of seemingly endless rows of tables that acted more as independent clans than they did tables. In other words, it was rather important where one sat.

“It can’t be that important.” Josiah replied.

“Oh, but it is. We’re nearing Valentine’s day.”

“So?”

“So that means we are approaching the day of dread.”

“The day of dread?”

After retrieving their lunch, the two ventured to find a table. It had been some time since Josiah’s hallway encounter with the one he fancied. How much time, you ask. Josiah couldn’t really tell you as time hadn’t seemed to work properly ever since he first laid eyes on her. It was now February, approximately one week before Valentine’s day.

“It is February, approximately one week before Valentine’s day.” Said Trystan.

“Yes,” Josiah replied, “but I still don’t see how that’s the day of dread.”

“You will…”

Josiah stared at his friend for a moment, trying to decipher his choice of words.

“Anyway,” began Josiah, “where do we sit?”

“Well there’s the Sporty Kids. But they always do trick shots with their food.”

They watched as a girl threw a slice of pizza high into the air only for it to come crashing down on her friend’s head. Josiah and Trystan slowly turned away and casually continued walking down the row of tables.

“I’m sure the Chemistry Club would be ok with us sitting with them.” Said Josiah.

“Yes,” said Trystan, “but they have a reputation for explosively unsuccessful lunchtime experiments.”

The students at the table were eagerly watching a boy pour half a cup of Pepsi into half a cup of Coke-A-Cola to create a new soda. Never had Josiah seen people so ecstatic and intrigued with soda plagiarism. So, they continued.

“Should we sit with the Drama Club?” Asked Josiah.

“By no means, they’d probably think we were auditioning for something.” Said Trystan.

“What about the Biology Bros?”

“They’re probably too busy dissecting their lunch.”

“Ooh, what about the Table of Debate?” asked Josiah as the two of them halted and turned.

The debate table was erupting with chitter and chatter. ‘Mac and cheese is a pasta I tell you!’ cried one of the debaters. ‘Then you are lost!’ cried another. Some were yelling one thing, others another, some didn’t even know why they were there. Needless to say, the friends passed that table up.

“College Prep People?” asked Josiah.

“Too busy panicking.” Replied Trystan.

“The Art Association?”

“You seriously want paint in your food?”

“What about the Literature Lounge?”

“Pretty sure they aren’t even eating.”

“Oh!” exclaimed Josiah, “what about the Gossip Girls?”

They both looked at each other only to burst out laughing.

“Good one.” Said Trystan.

“Thanks. But seriously, what about those guys?”

There was no conversation coming from this table, just boys and girls sitting equal distance from each other in a circle gazing at the center of the table. None of them had any food, no, they were far too busy keeping watch over a single, solitary stick. None of them so much as uttered a single syllable. There were a few empty seats with one of them reading ‘in memory of fictional Ruthie: 2021-2021’ while the ceiling above seemed suspiciously lacking in structural integrity.

“Oh,” said Trystan, “We don’t talk about them…”

“Ok then…” said Josiah.

“Hey, we could sit here!”

“But, there’s nobody here.”

“Exactly.”

For those who were either unable or unwilling, there were a group of tables that had no theme or club occupying them. Tables that were excluded from the rest. Tables that were, oddly enough, far safer than the others. Josiah and Trystan sat down as they enjoyed their lunch. Josiah was going to ask Trystan to elaborate more on the whole ‘day of dread’ comment, but were joined by more students before he could ask.

“Mind if we sit here?” one of them asked.

“Of course not.” Said Trystan

There were four of them - Josiah noted - and they all sat down in a hurry. Trystan made sure to introduce them all to Josiah, none of whom he’d met before. Their names were Fianna (the one who asked if they could sit there), Tirzah, Cora, and Elson. They all introduced themselves to Josiah who introduced himself to all of them.

“Did you all get lunch yet?” asked Josiah.

“We’re about to,” said Cora, “we just wanted to save some seats, and to wait for that… thing… to blow over.”

“What thing?” asked Josiah.

“We pranked the mages guild.” Elson said, careful not to speak too loudly.

“Which table is that?” asked Josiah.

“It’s not a table,” said Trystan, “or at least it’s not anymore. They meet in the janitor’s closet every day during lunch.”

Josiah found this somewhat disturbing.

“So, what’d you all do?” asked Josiah.

“First, I fed Skunky the skunk nothing but garlic and broccoli for a full week.” Said Tirzah in a suspiciously calm manner considering the topic at hand.

“Skunky the skunk?” inquired Trystan.

“Yes, keep up.” answered Cora, “Then Elson, Fianna, and I hid a jar of berries mixed with honey in the janitor’s closet yesterday evening.”

“It took three of you to put a jar in a closet?” asked Josiah.

“Yes, now be quiet.” Said Tirzah, “Then I put Skunky the skunk in the air vents and-”

“What?!” exclaimed Trystan, “You put a skunk in the vents?”

“Shh! Don’t let anyone hear you.” Said Elson, “But yes, we did put a skunk in the vents-”

“Skunky.” Chimed Tirzah.

“Yes, Skunky.” Said Elson, “But we trained him to only go to the janitor’s closet and stay there until we pick him up after school.”

“How’d you do that?” asked Trystan.

“Duolingo.” Answered Fianna.

Josiah and Trystan found this truly fascinating. After the conversation ended, Josiah’s four new friends left to get lunch. They returned after a couple of minutes leaving the two friends to process what on Earth had just happened. When they returned, a new conversation sparked.

“So, Valentine’s day is only a week away, how does that feel?” asked Trystan.

“Ah yes, the day of dread.” Said Cora.

“Why is everyone calling it that?” asked Josiah.

“Probably because of the ship list.” Said Fianna.

Josiah’s perplexed look expressed all that needed to be expressed.

“Is that a bad thing?” Josiah inquired.

“Depends on who you ask.” Said Elson.

“Indeed,” began Cora, “for most people, it’s a negative, unless you’re Fianna.”

Everyone slowly looked to Fianna. She was in the middle of taking a bite of pizza.

“What?” asked Fianna. “Oh yes, that!”

Josiah could tell that a story was brewing, so he and everyone else prepared to listen to what would be a tale of true love. Josiah wasn’t overly thrilled with this. But then, he beheld her. He had seen her several times since the hallway incident. A glance in another room, or even a glimmer in his own class, but never this close. She effortlessly glided right towards them.

She sat down at the table directly across from where Josiah was seated. Her lunch was her only companion as she was still quite new to the school. Josiah couldn’t take his eyes off her, and his ears had tuned out his prior conversation.

“It all started a long time ago,” began Fianna, “when I first met George Anouk Scruffy Danksworth III. I had just finished art class when…”

This was the last that Josiah heard of the conversation.

“Blah blah blah,” it seemed she said, “some stuff that you really don’t care about… Filler text, filler text, filler text, ect…”

Josiah wished beyond all wishes that he would just get up, walk over to her, and introduce himself. Yet he lacked courage. He also lacked subtlety.

“Uh, Josiah?” asked Fianna, “You ok?”

“Ok?” asked Josiah, “I’m too ecstatic to be ok, too enamored to be mediocre!”

Normally such a statement would draw attention to one’s self. But the cafeteria was infamous for being loud enough to drown out certain sounds. Only those at the table heard him, and they were visibly confused.

“Well howdy!” said a voice.

“Hey.” Said Elson.

The voice belonged to Rebecca, an associate to the prank pals and one who did not have a lack of courage. She too carried her tray of lunch in search of a space to sit. There was no doubt that she was going to ask if she too could join the rest, but one look at Josiah raised questions.

“What’s his problem?” she asked, in regards to Josiah’s star-struck gaze.

“We have yet to find out.” Answered Cora.

Josiah couldn’t contain it, all his words since first laying eyes on her had been less thought and more instinct. There was no holding back which is odd coming from a man of sub-par outgoingness.

“I must confess, if I don’t I feel as though I should burst. As though I should radiate the light hidden in me! I am in love, in love I am. I first laid eyes on her in the hallway, such beauty, such dignity, such pristine character. I can feel that I know I am right. Her hair, oh how it drapes like fine, silk so elegantly woven. I behold her, right there in front of me, how perfectly wonderful I can see she is. How could I properly describe her? What words do her justice? Oh, I ought to list every fine feature of her, and I ought never get tired of doing so. Every fine feature from the royal crown of her head to the very soles of her feet. And oh how-”

“Ok! We get it, with all the Song of Solomon stuff.” Said Rebecca, “But some people here are trying to eat their lunch, mainly me.”

Josiah couldn’t believe it. Everything he had thought had been uttered by his mouth. He certainly didn’t mean to. His family always said he was the poetic type, though he never believed it until now. But thankfully, it seemed the numerous noises of the lunch room concealed all that could be said, even Shakespearean sonnets. Though Josiah had now firmly resolved to better guard his mouth.

“You like her?” asked Elson as he turned around.

“Of course not,” said Tirzah sarcastically, “people just say that every now and then.”

Trystan and Fianna were too shocked to say anything. Rebecca had since occupied a seat at the table where she proceeded to give her sagacious advice.

“Well, if you really do like her, then why not introduce yourself? The Valentine’s dance is coming up soon.”

The advice was genuine.

“No way!” said Josiah, “what if she thinks I am the most disgraceful and degenerate creature she’s ever had the misfortune to meet?”

“I think you’re being a bit dramatic.” Said Rebecca.

“Maybe, but I can’t. I’d have to work up the courage.” Said Josiah, rather honestly.

Now there are those that, when presented with a problem, will fix it. Then there are those that, when presented with another person’s problem, will proceed to fix that too. And while Josiah didn’t overly enjoy this, it was necessary for him and for this story.

“Oh, well I got just the trick for that.” Said Rebecca

She turned to the girl at the other table with a wall of clamor between the two as she prepared to shatter its stronghold that separated Josiah from the one he held dear.

“Yo lady! This kid…” she began.

Josiah and Rebecca suddenly realized that they hadn’t properly been acquainted yet. She turned back.

“Hey, what’s your name again?” she asked Josiah.

Josiah was terrified beyond all terror. For one, this was not exactly the first impression he wanted the one he held dear to have of him. And second, she was looking directly at him (or at least in his general direction). That said, the pressure of the moment prompted him to answer the question.

“Uh… Josiah.” he answered.

“Nice to meet you Josiah, I’m Rebecca.” she said.

She turned back to the lone girl at the lone table.

“This kid Josiah wants to talk to you!”

The lone girl at the lone table pointed to herself as if asking.

“Yes, you!”

Normally such a conversation would be considered rude, but the surrounding noise had been gradually getting louder. The girl took her lunch tray and walked over to the table where Josiah was. Everyone parted the way so that Trystan, Cora, Tirzah, Elson, Fianna, and Rebecca sat on one half of the table and Josiah and the new girl sat at the other half.

As far as first impressions go, Josiah would have ranked this somewhere not in the top ten. But the overwhelming pressure around and - more importantly - pressure within him drove him forward.

“Hello?” said the girl, “did someone say you wanted to see me?”

“Uh, no- uh I mean yes. Someone did, I think, say that. And… oh, sorry about the- uh… how it may- um, uh… have been said. I would have come over to see you… but-”

“It is fine, it is very loud in here.”

“Oh, yes, it is very loud in here indeed.” Said Josiah as he looked over to Trystan.

Trystan (who was sitting behind the new girl) was giving Josiah two thumbs up and a smile. Josiah suddenly remembered the purpose for this conversation.

“So, I- uh, saw you in the hallway in January. And… I thought you were new here, so I wanted to say, um- hi to you.” Said Josiah in the most awkward manner possible.

“Oh, well hi to you too.” She said.

Her soft accent pierced the walls of cumbersome noise as if they spoke directly to his heart. Though he feared his voice sounded like a Zoom call with poor internet connection. The initial shock of the moment was wearing off as he could focus more clearly.

“I’m Rosaline.” She said, brushing her hair back “it’s nice to meet you.”

“I’m Josiah,” he said, trying not to look like the definition of ridiculous. “It’s nice to meet you too.”

There was a moment of silence in the midst of the growing chaos.

“There was actually something I’ve been meaning to ask you-” Rosaline began.

Suddenly, an eruption of half Coke, half Pepsi exploded from the Chemistry Club’s table, which resulted in many disembodied screams and shrieks cutting Rosaline off. Everyone peered over to the origin of the disaster. Someone had planted Mentos in the cola experiment. And there was only one group who was capable of pulling off such a prank without being seen, the Sporty Kids.

“Oh boy.” Said Trystan.

“Is- is something wrong?” asked Rosaline.

“Yeah there is.” Said Tirzah.

Rosaline looked disturbed, as was Josiah. The two tables took defensive positions and opened fire on each other, not with weapons, but with food. The other tables held back, acknowledging the duel between tables. Tomatoes, bowls of soup, lasagna, and kale chips were shot in volleys as the two tables had been turned on their side as shields. The fight was rigorous and the Sporty Kids seemed to have the upper hand.

None of the other tables stirred, it was against the code to interfere with a one versus one battle between lunch table clans. The Sporty Kids had knocked out everyone in the Chemistry Club except for one girl. She took two bottles of soda (one Coke and one Pepsi) and stuffed five packages of Mentos in each with great skill. She then launched both bottles behind the table and chairs defending the Sporty Kids. The bottles - being under tremendous pressure - gave way and unleashed their full destructive power on the Sporty Kids.

Only two remained who could still fight on the opposing side, the girl drew a baguette as her sword and disarmed and stunned the remaining two students before they knew what hit them. The Chemistry Club had won against all odds. She was the only student of the two factions who hadn’t been incapacitated by food.

Normally, the losers would present terms of surrender, but this had been an all-out food fight with only one student standing. Yet there was another, who stood up from his table, a different table, and walked towards the destruction in a slow manner.

“Well done Ms. Overholt.” He said.

“Oh no.” said Trystan, to those at the table, “It’s him.”

“Who?” Josiah asked.

“Brayden,” Trystan answered. “this is going to get messy.”

The girl that had bested the entirety of the Sporty Kids was Ruthie. She turned to face Brayden, apparently this too was a long-standing rivalry. He too had a baguette drawn as his sword and he wore a dark, silverish grey dress vest, the type he only wore before battle. Ruthie then made a sudden realization.

“So, the prank was you all along.” She said.

Alas, the Sporty Kids had been framed. They’re not the only group that can make a trick shot like that. The Archery Association is equally as skilled.

“I guess the cat’s out of the bag on this one.” Brayden replied.

“Why do this?” asked Ruthie.

“It was only a matter of time before these two tables fell back into the territory of the Archery Association, if you stand down, all further conflict can be avoided.”

“And let the Chemistry Club decay faster than Hydrogen-7, I don’t think so.”

“Your loyalty to your club is touching, now enough talk.”

“If that is what you want.” Said Ruthie

The two stood in a standoff, both with baguettes drawn. They were in the middle of a group of tables as a space had been cleared during the food-fight. They both glared, waiting for the other to make the first move. Then, Brayden surrendered by dropping his baguette and bringing his hands down to rest. Ruthie relaxed momentarily.

Brayden saw this opportunity and swiftly pulled a slice of pizza from his belt and thrust it with all his might as it soared through the air. The slice was like a shuriken. Ruthie reflexively brought her sword to block, but it was no use. The stale pizza cut through the baguette and knocked Ruthie off her feet, everyone watching intensely. Brayden had won. He slowly walked over to where Ruthie had fallen.

“These tables belong to the Association, as long as nobody challenges this claim, everyone will be left alone.” Brayden said.

“I challenge this!” said a voice.

Brayden turned, as did everyone else. He couldn’t believe his eyes, though he retained his cool despite his shock at who it was. It was her, the legendary thirteenth grade representative as declared by last year’s graduating class.

“Gontse Motsheko, I must say this is a surprise, an unwelcomed one, but a surprise.”

“Surely you haven’t forgotten the pact I, as well as many students here have with Ruthie. An attack on one is an attack on all, regardless of cafeteria factions.”

Several students acknowledged this. Some even stood up to support Gontse who was widely considered as a master in the arts of food-fighting.

“You are hopelessly outnumbered Brayden, stand down.” Ordered Gontse.

Brayden smiled as he glanced behind him.

“You really think I came alone?”

At this, the Biology Bros and Movie Fans all stood and prepared to retaliate. Yet not everyone was as adamant as Brayden. A nervous Biology Bro (a newbie) threw squash casserole across the room right towards Gontse. She effortlessly sent the casserole flying back to Brayden who used his sword to deflect it behind him.

The casserole soared through the air only for it to come crashing down on a member of the Rifle Rangers, former rival of the Archery Association. This caught one of the members off guard who accidentally let go his chocolate pudding which ended up on the face of a member of the Gossip Girls.

“Here we go again.” Said Trystan.

Josiah was going to ask but didn’t need to. The web of alliances had been greatly disturbed. Students all over the cafeteria began arming themselves with every food known to man. Fianna, Elson, Cora, Tirzah, and Rebecca gathered their lunch, preparing for the fight to come. Trystan took his lunch tray which he planned to use both offensively and defensively. The only ones who didn’t know what was going on were Josiah and Rosaline.

“CHARGE!” screamed a kid somewhere in the background.

And so it was, food was flung about like frisbees. Gontse darted forward along with a few other students to assist Ruthie as Brayden pulled back. He engaged in a fierce duel with Gontse while the other students helped Ruthie recover.

Everyone at Josiah’s table except for Trystan, Rosaline, and (of course) Josiah sprang up and launched their lunch as a form of cover fire to secure the table. Trystan, being a senior, knew what he was doing as he took his lunch tray and used it to deflect incoming meals as well as to repel those wielding baguettes while Josiah could have sworn that the roof collapsed over the table with the stick.

Rosaline hid under the table with Josiah as that was the only safe space, though it would not remain this way for long. Tables and chairs were being overturned by the second as makeshift shields and it was only a matter of time before theirs was next. The fight was so chaotic that Trystan and the others had been separated from Josiah and Rosaline.

A group of students noticed the table they were taking cover under. They approached the table, ready to repel anyone who dared to claim it. Josiah and Rosaline were surrounded. There were far too many students between them and the exit door that they so desired to reach.

Yet something began to well up inside of Josiah. He would stuff every single aggressor’s head in a trash can if that’s what it took to get his beloved out of their unscathed. Against all odds, he prepared a counter offensive. Josiah had taken his lunch tray under the table with him after seeing what Trystan did.

“Rosaline?”

“Yes?”

“I think I can get us out of here! When I say so, we both make for the exit!”

“But there’s too many of them!”

“Just stay with me, I should be able to protect you!”

Rosaline would have objected and questioned Josiah’s use of ‘should’ but there was no time. The second Josiah had said this, the exit door burst open. Students covered with berries and honey came sprinting through the doors with none other than Skunky the skunk in hot pursuit. This startled everyone who saw this, including those surrounding the two. This was just enough of a distraction.

“Now!” said Josiah.

With a lunch tray as their shield, they both charged for the exit. Josiah managed to block all incoming shots as he and Rosaline broke past the students laying siege to the table. They were almost in the reach of freedom when someone blocked their path, he was wearing a dark, silverish grey dress vest. He was the one Josiah had heard called Brayden.

“Leaving so soon? I thought Trystan was just beginning to introduce you to these fights.”

“He was.” Said Trystan as he ambushed Brayden from the side.

Baguette met lunch tray as the two battled it out. Brayden’s abilities were quite advanced for a freshman, but he still couldn’t easily best a senior. Josiah saw his opportunity; he and Rosaline made their way to the exit. Josiah made sure she was through the door that he turned to check on Trystan. Brayden had since received reinforcements, as did Trystan.

“Go!” Commanded Trystan, “Get out of here, I’ll be fine!”

Josiah wanted to stay and fight, but he didn’t know just how safe it was outside the cafeteria. Had the fight spread beyond these four walls, had he just sent Rosaline into deep danger? He exited the lunch room, the only noise in the hallway was the dampened muffle of lunch turned insane from the cafeteria.

Josiah was slightly stained with something that he’d rather not think about. He turned to see if Rosaline had survived the free for all unharmed. Fear struck his heart as he suddenly couldn’t remember if she too had been affected by the onslaught of the culinary catastrophe. Much to his dismay, she had fled.

The Rose: Part 3

The Plan

‘OUT OF CONTROL FOOD FIGHT’ read the school paper, the school podcast, the school bulletin board, the school app, the school blimp, you get the idea. Josiah knew that he was far from fault in regards to who started the war of food, but that didn’t stop him from feeling fresh waves of guilt. Was Rosaline hit? Was she safe? Was she alright? Had the whole situation convinced her that he was the most disgraceful man on the planet? All these questions raced through Josiah’s mind. But now was not a time for thought racing, it was yet again time for lunch. Though hopefully things would be drastically different this time around.

“I see what you meant,” said Josiah dryly, “about it being important where we sat.”

“Ah, yes.” replied Trystan, “If I had known it was all going to fall apart yesterday, I would have given you more of a crash course on food fighting.”

That’s right, it had been a full day since the culinary catastrophe. Though for Josiah, it had felt like an eternity. He hadn’t seen Rosaline since they fled the room, and for all he knew, she had already transferred schools and was somewhere off in Nepal. Yesterday, Josiah had only picked the food that seemed appetizing to his appetite. But now, he wasn’t standing before food, but before weapons.

“I ain’t waiting forever,” said the lunch lady, “take it or leave it.”

Poor Josiah, he was still quite shell shocked from the war. Normally such a blank stare into empty space would equate to Lunch Lady Bertha passing one up, followed by the giving of a nickname that would last forever. But considering all that had happened yesterday, she was much more gracious to the stunned students. Josiah jerked from his train of thought as he took his lunch tray and moved on.

“Watch after this one, ok George?” said the lunch lady, half request, half command.

“Yes, ma’am.” said Trystan, who had been deemed George when he was in fifth grade.

No nickname escaped the memory of Lunch Lady Bertha. Even though Trystan was in the twelfth grade, she still called him George. Josiah and Trystan took their food and looked for a table. Trystan was a grade ahead of Josiah, yet Josiah was a year ahead of his class in Literature and they both took Out of Order History together as an elective. Aside from these two classes, their encounters, friendship, and adventures had mostly been in the cafeteria.

Looking for a table was much easier this time. Firstly, all the table clans had scattered as they hid among other students. That is, except for the Table of Debate which was formally dissolved after the teachers held a meeting. And while they were not guilty in this case, Trystan had told Josiah of all the times they started fights and got away with it. So they had it coming.

Teachers stood at all the exits, just to be safe. And Josiah had even heard from some students that the principal had personally asked a certain student to secretly patrol the tables. Josiah didn’t catch who this was supposed to be. Trystan said that it was just a rumor started by some students and that this certain student was far too busy this time of year to do something like this, so Josiah left the matter at that.

Oddly enough, they ended up at the very table where they sat yesterday. Josiah thought he was beginning to understand how lunch worked at this school. But if there was anything yesterday taught him, it was that everything changed around the Day of Dread. Josiah remembered that he had yet to ask Trystan what that even meant.

“So,” began Josiah, “do you think there will be another one?”

“Of course not,” said Trystan, “look what they’re serving for lunch.”

Whether it was his own guilt, the impending second food war, or a mix of the two Josiah couldn’t tell. Josiah hadn’t even checked what food was being served before he took it. He hadn’t even thought of checking his own food. It was a single cube of semi-sweet, semi-stale fruit cake that was so dense and so large that it could not be thrown without the thrower looking ridiculous. Come to think of it, Josiah had noticed that the tray was suspiciously heavy. Thankfully, there would be no food fighting today. Sadly, there would probably not be much eating either.

“Did the food fight start because of the whole Day of Dread?” asked Josiah.

“Well yes, but actually no.” replied Trystan.

Josiah could tell that yet another story was brewing as there was no easy way to answer his question. But since lunch time had just started, and considering the food was less than appealing, Josiah didn’t mind the long story.

“Hold on,” said Josiah, before Trystan could start, “before you tell me, why is Valentine’s day called the Day of Dread here?”

“You see,” said Trystan, “that’s because of the-”

“Well howdy!” said a voice.

“Oh, hey Rebekah.” said Trystan.

Great, every time Josiah inched near the answer to his questions it seemed someone always showed up to add to the suspense. Agitated, Josiah turned around only to notice that this wasn’t the Rebecca he had met yesterday. Now that he thought of it, he hadn’t seen anyone in that group since yesterday. Regardless of this, Josiah would greet this girl with respect.

“You’re not Rebecca.”

Or so he thought. As far as greetings went, Josiah’s wasn’t very impressive. Apparently his slight irritation concerning the ‘Day of Dread’ question hadn’t worn off quite yet.

“Uh, yeah I am.” she replied back.

“You sure?” asked Josiah.

“Uh… yes?”

“Like Rebecca yesterday at this lunch table, that Rebecca?”

“No.”

“She’s the other Rebekah.” said yet another voice.

This even newer voice belonged to Tirzah, which helped usher in some clarity in the midst of the confusion. She made herself quite at home at the table while the debate over the definition of Rebekah was taking place.

“There’s two of them?” asked Josiah.

“Yep,” said Rebekah, “you must’ve met Rebecca Gascho. I’m Rebekah Paul.”

“Nice to meet you, I’m Josiah.”

Now Josiah was thoroughly confused. Though he quickly regained both his grip on the situation as well as his grip on his manners. Tirzah noted that there was also the distinction between the sound of ‘Rebecca’ and the sound of ‘Rebekah’ though Josiah had too much on his mind to give the proper attention. There was still so much he didn’t know about Rosaline, he needed a way to communicate with her without making a mistake that he’d certainly make.

“Tirzah, why are you wearing a fedora and aviator shades?” asked Trystan.

“Shh, I’m not Tirzah, ok?” said Tirzah.

“Pretty sure you are.” said Rebekah.

Josiah’s question concerning the Day of Dread had officially been hijacked. Alas, he would have to wait for the answers he so desperately yearned for.

“Listen,” said Tirzah as she leaned forward and lowered her voice, “that little stunt we pulled concerning one Skunky the Skunk didn’t blow over as well as we thought it would. We’re all keeping a low profile until things calm down.”

“I don’t know,” said Rebekah, “those shades are pretty high profile if you ask me.”

“Yeah,” said Trystan, “that’s not exactly what I’d call an effective disguise, we all recognized you, even the new kid.”

“Ok, we get it,” said Tirzah, “this probably wasn’t the best choice for a disguise.”

“But a great choice of fashion.” chimed Rebekah.

Josiah just sat there, he continued to interrogate himself over the very last thing he saw Rosaline do before she vanished. He had scanned the cafeteria for her but she was nowhere to be found. That said, the cafeteria was huge, so he probably hadn’t spotted her yet. Yes, that was it! But even if he has the privilege to lay eyes on her beautiful face once more, he hadn’t the slightest idea on how to talk to her after yesterday’s disaster. He needed a way to build courage.

“Josiah? You ok?” asked Tirzah.

Only now had Josiah realized that he had been staring off into empty space while he was contemplating these serious topics. He snapped back into reality only to be met with three pairs of eyes staring at him winding if he was alright.

“Does he always do this?” asked Tirzah to Trystan.

Josiah was going to answer for himself, though Trystan beat him to it.

“Not usually, but he’s in love, so I don’t know what's going on in that head of his.”

“Ooh! In love?” inquired Rebekah, “Who is she? What’s she like? Is she fashionable? And why haven't you proposed yet?”

Josiah didn’t quite know how to respond to this bombardment of questions. His secret love for Rosaline was slowly slipping from the realm of secrecy into the open light. Alas, Josiah saw no point in trying to hide it anymore, not that he had been doing a good job at it in the first place. He would confide in his friends and hope they wouldn’t make fun of him.

“There’s this girl,” said Josiah. “Her name is Rosaline, but I don’t know her very well. I would like to know her better, but I’m not sure if she feels the same way. And after the whole food fight thing, I just feel like I’ve failed her somehow. And while I’ll always view her as the most innocent and elegant being of this world, I can’t help but notice how far apart we are in every way. I would move mountains to fix that, yet I have no idea where to start.”

Everyone stared at him in silence.

“That… was beautiful…” said Tirzah.

“Are- are you crying?” asked Trystan.

“You’re crying!” exclaimed Tirzah.

“So Josiah,” began Rebekah, “what are you going to do?”

Trystan and Tirzah broke off from their crying conversation and redirected their focus back to Josiah who was still new to having the spotlight on him.

“I don’t know.” said Josiah, “I still don’t even know if she managed to get out of the food fight unstained. I should probably give her something, at the very least as an apology for what all happened. After that, maybe I can I can-”

“Flowers.” said Trystan, “You can never go wrong with flowers.”

“But that’s too cliche,” said Josiah.

Rebekah and Tirzah let the two friends argue it out while they watched on the sidelines.

“No it’s not.” said Trystan.

“Yeah it is, I bet it gets old after a while.” said Josiah.

“Listen boy, I don’t know what it is, but flowers never get old. It’s like some unwritten rule of humanity. The girls get the flowers, and the guys blow their paycheck to make sure that happens. Then all is well in the universe.”

“Sounds like something the flower companies came up with so they could all get rich.” said Rebekah who had since renounced her claim to the sidelines.

“Yeah, “ said Tirzah, joining Rebekah, “that’s exactly what big businesses would do!”

“I don’t know,” said Josiah, “maybe Trystan is right. Maybe flowers would be a nice gesture. But I don’t even know what she likes.”

“Well you could always just ask her.” suggested Trystan.

“And ruin the surprise?!” exclaimed Rebekah in an inquisitive way.

Josiah was glad for this conversation. His plan gradually began to become solidified. It wasn’t much, but it was a start. And every great adventure begins with a start.

“Rebekah’s right.” said Josiah. “I want this to be a surprise.”

“A surprise apology?” asked Trystan.

“No… yes… well, I still haven’t figured it all out.” replied Josiah.

“You could ask her friends what she likes.” suggested Tirzah.

“But Rosaline is always alone, and I don’t want her to suspect anything,” said Josiah.

There would have normally been a wave of embarrassment following a confession that a man had his keen eye on a woman he fancied. But everyone was far too busy helping Josiah plot and plan. Josiah noted the kindness and sympathy of his newfound friends.

“You could always dump her and call it a day.” said Tirzah.

So much for the kindness and sympathy.

“No,” said Josiah, “I want to do this, and I want it to be a surprise. But I just don’t know what I’d give her. I need someone who would know something really obscure like this.”

Rebekah turned to Tirzah as if suggesting something in silence. Tirzah somehow understood what Rebekah was trying to say. Whatever it was Rebekah was saying, Tirzah didn’t like it as she responded with a nod saying no. Rebekah countered this move with a nod saying yes. At this point Trystan had also caught on as to what was being brought to the table, so to speak. Tirzah looked to Trystan for backup only to receive a shoulder shrug as if saying that this plan could actually work.

“Care to let me in the loop?” asked Josiah.

“Not him!” said Tirzah, who hadn’t noticed Josiah’s question.

“C’mon!” said Rebekah. “It’ll be fun. Plus, you heard what Josiah wants, this guy perfectly fits the description. And this kind of thing is right down his alley!”

“It really isn’t.” said Tirzah dryly.

“I don’t know.” said Trystan, “He’s usually really busy this time of year… but we could probably use his help for this.”

“Ha!” triumphed Rebekah, “That's two to one!”

“Uh, well what do you say Josiah?” asked Tirzah.

“Actually I-” began Josiah.

“He’s new, he doesn’t get a vote!” said Rebekah.

Josiah’s facial expression could only be properly summarized by the word ‘bruh.’

“Actually,” began Josiah again, “I’d like to hear what Rebekah has to say.”

“Ugh,” groaned Tirzah, “I guess that’s three to one, but don’t blame me when things get weird because they will.”

“That’s the plan.” replied Rebekah happily.

“It’s three to one on the condition that you tell me what’s going on in slightly more detail.” said Josiah who was still less than thrilled with the attempt to remove his vote.

Trystan turned to Josiah, “We know a guy.”

___________________________________________________________________________________

“Guys, I mean this,” said Josiah to his friends, “you really didn’t have to come along. I don’t know why you all choose to stick with me.”

“That makes two of us…” said Tirzah, who was still less than happy with Josiah voting for something that he had no knowledge about.

Josiah, Trystan, Rebekah, and Tirzah had all agreed to meet after school. The motivation to bestow a gift from the hands of a man to his love was deemed a noble goal. And so the three accompanied Josiah to this mystery figure. Trystan had since explained that the guy they were visiting was the student who was rumored to have been tasked by the principal to secretly patrol the lunch tables. However, Trystan was still convinced that this student was far too busy this time of year to involve himself with the food fight.

As the four friends walked down the hallway, Josiah could hear Rebekah and Tirzah talking about the Day of Dread, but he was too locked on his target. Knowing what that term meant was nothing in comparison with the promise that he could make amends with his beloved Rosaline. The one who he so hoped would appreciate whatever it was he would get her.

“Alright, we’re here.” said Tirzah.

“Do you think he’ll be too busy?” asked Josiah.

“If he is, I say we crawl through the vents and ambush him that way.” chimed Rebekah.

“What kind of an idea is that?!” asked Trystan.

“A brilliant one, he’d never see it coming.” she replied.

“Can we not talk about the vents?” requested Tirzah, “the whole skunk prank hasn’t gone over as well with the Mages Guild as I thought it would…”

“You mean the weirdos in the janitor’s closet?” asked Josiah.

“They’re not weird,” began Tirzah, “ they’re just-”

“Yeah,” interrupted Rebekah, “Josiah’s right, they’re the weirdos in the janitor’s closet.”

Josiah noted that something was rather odd. If his eyes weren’t deceiving him, then they were all four standing in front of the door leading to the janitor’s closet. Trystan walked up to the door and gave the secret knock.

“How do you know he won’t be busy?” asked Josiah.

“I booked us a reservation.” replied Trystan. “Well, at least I booked us a time where we could ask him a question, he may or may not have the answers you want.”

“Wait!” exclaimed Rebekah, “I’ll go through the vents and surprise him while you’re all gossiping about Rosaline’s private life.”

“I don’t know Rebekah…” said Tirzah.

But by then, she was off as she skipped around the corner of the hallway to who knows where. Josiah was going to try and go after her, but before he could, the door unlocked as Trystan and Tirzah entered. Josiah followed suit. Inside there was a rectangular, metal desk and five chairs. One was facing the door and the other four were facing away from the door.

The room was somehow larger than Josiah had expected a janitor’s closet to be. But the school was big, so it made sense in retrospect. There were various cleaning supplies and - oddly enough - large chalkboards that were littered with notes and diagrams and theories. Things that would have only distracted Josiah from his mission.

The room wasn’t normally well lit. There was one light fixture that provided the necessary light a closet would need. But there had been several makeshift lamps set up to emit more light than usual, probably to help better see the chalkboards.

However, probably the most odd thing about the room was the smell. There were empty cans of air freshener strewn about the shelves while a couple of fans kept the air in circulation. Yet the room still had a scent of the musty odor that the Mages Guild would bask in as well as a faint mixture of honey, berries, and skunk spray. The smell was far from unbearable, but it was best for Josiah not to dwell on what his nose was trying to pick up.

The student who had unlocked the door greeted them with a ‘hello there’ and turned to sit at his makeshift desk. Trystan, Tirzah, and Josiah sat in three of the four seats that faced him. Everyone was comfortably spaced despite the cluttered room. Hopefully Skunky the skunk was the only critter who had visited the janitor’s closet.

“Hi Trystan, nice to see you again.” said the other student, who Josiah still didn’t know.

“Hey Joshua,” said Trystan, “nice to see you too.”

“So, what is it you wanted to see me for? I thought you said you’d bring three others, but I guess I misread your message.”

Nobody was overly eager to be the first one to tell Joshua that the fourth member of their party had supposedly disappeared to ‘the vents’. To be honest, nobody really knew what exactly Rebekah meant by that, so nobody really knew what to say concerning the subject. For the time being, Trystan moved the empty chair over to the corner. As he returned to his seat he said.

“Actually, it was Josiah that needed help.”

“Josiah,” said Joshua as he turned to him, “can’t say I’ve properly introduced myself, I’m Joshua. It’s nice to meet you.”

“Nice to meet you too.” was the response Josiah gave.

“So, what do you need?” Joshua asked.

For some reason, Josiah expected more formalities than this. He quickly scrambled together the words to describe what he was feeling, to describe the deep drive that called for him to make amends. He had been honest with his new friends, but this was a total stranger. But this stranger was somehow the only way Josiah could get the answers to his questions, at least that’s what the others said. And Josiah trusted them enough to put himself on the line.

“There’s this girl.” began Josiah before pausing and thinking about what to say next..

“I don’t know,” said Joshua. “I’m pretty busy this time of year with requests to help students remove their names from the ship list. But I’ll see if I can squeeze you two in.”

Joshua had clearly reached the wrong conclusion. But that conclusion was built off of knowledge that Josiah wanted to know concerning the Day of Dread. He was going to ask both what this ship list was and why Valentine’s Day had been reorganized into the Day of Dread. But as usual, he was beaten out, this time by Tirzah.

“Which students are you working on now?” she asked.

“Actually, I’m working on something different,” said Joshua before leaning forward and lowering his voice. “I have been personally asked to find the students who somehow got a skunk in the school by someone high up in the staff. I know it wasn’t the closet crazies, it had to be someone else. But I’m still not sure who.”

Tirzah’s eyes widened. Apparently the rumor that the principal had asked a student to secretly patrol the tables had more truth than Trystan had originally suspected. Of course, the rumor wasn’t completely true. That would just ruin the fun. But it did seem that Joshua was tasked with seeking the skunk students. And even worse, it seemed that he was rather close to discovering that Tirzah was a part of the skunk bombing. And if the Mages Guild - or ‘closet crazies’ as Joshua called them - had let him use the janitor’s closet, Tirzah now didn’t know who to trust. This past paragraph took place entirely in Tirzah’s mind which gave Josiah a chance to finally ask his question.

“So… what’s the ship list?” Josiah asked.

“A student, or a group of students make a list of all the romantic couples that they think should be a thing.” answered Joshua. “Hence the shipping.”

“And after that,” added Trystan, “everyone makes public remarks about the couple in front of the unlucky guy and girl and just about everyone else in the school. This ship list gets especially popular among the ‘shippers’ (who are the people who make the lists) this time of year which is why Valentine’s Day is also referred to here as the Day of Dread.”

If this was supposed to deter Josiah, then the explanation had failed in its entirety. Oh what a picture, Josiah and Rosaline on this list they spoke of. Alas, Josiah had once again entered the realm of daydreaming. ‘Josiah & Rosaline’ on a great big banner was all that Josiah could envision. ‘Twas a great and glorious thought. Though Josiah hadn’t realized just how long the thought took place.

“And so that’s how I get people off the ship list.” concluded Joshua.

Yes reader, Joshua had explained every single detail concerning ship lists and the Day of Dread that Josiah could ever conceive, though he hadn’t been listening to any of it. It is incredible what the power of imagination and daydreaming can do.

“That is really cool.” said Josiah. “But can you repeat that whole thing so I can really remember it.”

“You weren’t listening, were you?” asked Trystan.

“No…” admitted Josiah quietly. “Sorry about that.”

Josiah was always a focused man, he never would get distracted the way he had been before Rosaline.

“Oh, that’s fine.” said Joshua who loved nothing more than to tell a long and drawn out story, “it all started with the ship lists-”

“Nobody wanted to hear that again!” said Tirzah. “Here, I’ll summarize: There’s a list, it’s awkward, and you don’t want to be on it.”

Joshua would have objected, but it was accurate enough, plus he was short on time.

“So,” said Joshua, “who's the girl?”

“Rosaline.” answered Josiah, and how sweetly it sounded when he said it.

“Rosaline…” repeated Joshua as he opened a filing cabinet and dug through some papers.

“You don’t have a computer for this?” asked Trystan.

“Nah,” said Joshua as he continued to search, “that stuff can be hacked, and there’s zero chance I’m letting that happen.”

“What?” asked Tirzah.

“I said there’s no way I’m letting that happen.” said Joshua, “Ah, here it is!”

He set a file down on the table in front of everyone.

“Rosaline Floria,” said Joshua, “foregin exchange student, she’s new this semester. Good news is that there’s only one person in the school named Rosaline, so I didn’t have to do much digging.”

The beauty in her very name stunned Josiah. It was as if an extra piece of a puzzle had been added. The picture of his love became clearer and more vivid knowing not that the picture could become any clearer than it already was. It was if Josiah was back in the hallway, he could relive that moment day after day. Only now he wondered what would have happened if he had known to call out such a pristine name. Indeed, Josiah had to thank Joshua for this piece of advice that so elevated him. Josiah jerked from his dream.

“Wait! Hold on…” Josiah said with a suspicious tone, “how’d you know her last name?”

“How’d you know her first name?” countered Joshua.

“You have a file about her, are you spying on her?” asked Josiah as anger mixed with his once mild and calm voice.

“No.” said Joshua.

“Sounds like something a spy would say.” said Josiah.

A hero had turned into a rival just like that. There was a new feeling in Josiah, a feeling he hadn’t felt before. He wanted to fight, he wanted to duel, he wanted to impress a Rosaline that wasn’t there. Was Joshua scared? No. That would be like asking if an author was scared of his characters. Surely Joshua had a file on Josiah Amor which he could use to best him in approximately five seconds. Josiah was able, willing, and ready to challenge the man who had so kept his keen eye on his beloved treasure.

“Hold on,” said Trystan, “I thought you said you didn’t have files on people.”

Josiah stopped, he would at least give his rival a chance to speak before he shoved his head into that filing cabinet.

“Well…” began Joshua.

“You’re right,” said Tirzah, “he doesn’t. I bet Ezra gave it to him.”

“Who?” asked Joshua.

“Ezra Johnson,” said Tirzah, “He gave it to you, didn’t he?”

“That is classified.” replied Joshua.

“Just then, the door flung open as someone came in with a pile of files and folders.

“Hi Joshua! I got more info about the Botany Club!” he said.

It was Ezra Johnson. Tirzah slowly turned back to Joshua.

“That wasn’t part of the plan, was it?”

“No…” Joshua replied.

“Was this a bad time?” asked Ezra.

For Joshua, this was a very bad time. For everyone else, it was not.

“A little bit.” said Joshua.

“Oh, well I’ll put these here then.” said Ezra as he put the pile of papers on the desk, “Sorry about that.”

Then he turned and left the room as the door was shut behind him.

“Care to explain?” asked Trystan.

“Fine…” said Joshua, “That’s Ezra, he wants to help with the ship lists this year. But I said that if he wanted to take on something like the ship list he’d need to know how to do it. Apparently that was taken as meaning he needed to prove himself. So yeah, he’s been giving me these weird files ever since.”

Joshua lifted the large stack as he stuffed them into an empty compartment of the filing cabinet, except of course for the file on Rosaline that Josiah found himself holding firmly. As for the explanation, everyone believed. And by everyone, dear reader, I mean everyone but Josiah.

“So, you don’t have your eye on Rosaline?” asked Josiah, the anger having fled.

“No.” Joshua admitted.

Josiah cooled. It turns out the rival wasn’t a rival after all. Conflict had been avoided, there would be no gentlemanly duel between the two. As for Ezra, Josiah could tell that he wasn’t interested in gaining the favor of Rosaline, he simply wanted to join the team, whatever that meant.

“So these weird files,” asked Josiah, “are they about the Botany Club.”

“Yes…” said Joshua, “I would have gotten rid of them, but then I’d have to explain that to Ezra, plus that filing cabinet really completes the look here.”

This intrigued Josiah, he opened the file about Rosaline and discovered something that would change the course of this story forever.

“Rosaline, she likes botany.” said Josiah, to himself.

Josiah’s train of thought was busy with motion. So much so that his grip on the folder had loosened so much that Joshua thought he was giving it to him. He took the folder and opened it.

“Yeah,” said Joshua, “Looks like she applied for the Botany Club around… the beginning of the semester.”

“So she likes flowers!” Josiah said with great jubilation.

“HA!” exclaimed Trystan, “I told you flowers were a good choice!”

“Botany isn’t just flowers.” said Tirzah.

“Oh yes,” said Trystan, “I’m sure she’d rather get a venus fly trap for Valentine’s Day.”

All rage and bitterness melted away from Josiah. He felt as if he could fly to the moon and back. Did the moon even have flowers? No matter, Josiah would scour and search for the most perfect flower conceivable. And even better, Trystan had given him such a splendid idea.

“Trystan, you’re a genius!” said Josiah.

“I am?” questioned Trystan.

Indeed he was. For the Day of Dread had little dread in it now. For there was nothing for Josiah to dread, there was only that which he could hope for. And this Day of Delight was only six days away. Josiah hoped and prayed that those six days would feverishly fly. Ah, but they couldn’t do that quite yet, he still needed those six days to find the flawless flower. So those six days would truly be worth it. Josiah snapped back into reality (he does this often) as he realized he still needed one more piece of information.

“Wait,” said Josiah, “does it say what her favorite flower is?”

Joshua was visibly confused at this change in expression from Josiah. But it would have been improper to deny the polite request of a patient, so he skimmed the file through.

“Let’s see… favorite flower… Oh yes, here it is.” said Joshua, “It looks like her favorite flower is the Juliet Rose.”

“What’s that?” asked Josiah, who wanted every bit of information on something he would have cared nothing for yesterday.

“I don’t know,” said Joshua, “but it’s just a flower, how hard can it be to find?”

This was it! This was most certainly the flower that Josiah had been searching for. Oh, the rose, how fitting for the cherished rose of his life. It would ordain her with great magnificence, he could see it all unfold now. But he couldn’t, there was a task at hand, and this was something Josiah held with utmost importance.

“So,” said Tirzah, “do you just buy it on Amazon or something?”

“Buy it on Amazon?!” exclaimed Josiah, “Now where is the exploit in that? No, I wish to climb the highest mountain after voyaging in the lowest valley! I want to sail the seven seas and conquer its terrible tides! I want to traverse the dense rainforests, I want to trek the great Sahara! Oh the things I would do to see that rose so tenderly planted in the gentle hands of sweet Rosaline!”

What an odd burst of poetic romanticism. Fortunately for the group, Joshua was fluent in British romanticism.

“Hold on,” said Joshua, “you’re telling me you actually want to be shipped with her?”

“It would be a most glorious dream!” responded Josiah.

“Oh,” said Joshua, “I thought you were here to get un-shipped.”

What a dreadful word that word was! It would be the nightmare to crown all nightmares if Josiah woke one day to realize that he had been un-shipped with someone of such great beauty and grace. He shuddered just at the thought.

“To get un-shipped?” asked Josiah, “Why I would never wish for such a terrible fate upon myself. To see the love of my life ripped from my embrace? Well… I would expect myself to utter a most dreadful outcry of agony like-”

“AHHHHHHH!” screamed a voice from above as a girl came crashing down on the table in front of everyone.

“AHHHHHHH!” exclaimed Joshua, and everyone else too.

The girl who had crashed on the table landed flat on her stomach, it was Rebekah Paul! Somehow, she had managed to navigate the vents and fall right in the janitor’s closet, much to everyone’s surprise.

“Lady Paul?!” asked Joshua.

“Yeah?” she responded as she got up from the table and stood dizzily.

“What were you doing up there?! And how’d you even get in? I’m pretty sure we have security and stuff.” said Joshua.

“Actually, Sir Edmiston,” began Rebekah, “the vents don’t have any security.”

The gears began to turn in Joshua’s mind. Of course, so that’s how they managed to hide a skunk in plain sight. They used the vents. But who would do such a thing like this? It would only take a matter of time for Joshua to find the culprit. Tirzah was terrified as her secret methods had been thoroughly popped by Rebekah.

“Anyway,” said Trystan, “where do you want to get the flower?”

“What’d I miss?” asked Rebekah.

“Well,” said Joshua, “Josiah came to me for some advice. But I think there was a mix-up because I only specialize in getting people removed from the list, not added to it.”

“Seems pretty ironic to me,” said Rebekah, “considering how many times you’ve been slapped on that list.”

“Oh you had to bring that up.” said Joshua sarcastically.

Josiah could tell he was in for disappointment, despite the humor.

“Anyway, I don’t think I really have time to help get you on a ship list. Especially since Rebekah helped uncover a piece of evidence concerning the skunk case.”

“I did?” asked Rebekah.

“Yes,” said Joshua, “the skunk must’ve navigated through the vents. So whoever put him there knew what they were doing, that explains why the skunk disappeared so suddenly.”

“Eww!” said Rebekah, “You mean a skunk was up there?”

Tirzah was now very concerned. She had to act fast or else the entire Prank Collective would be exposed and tried for treason, at a high school level of course.

“Hold on!” objected Tirzah, “Joshua, you’ve heard this man’s case just like the rest of us! And that means you will certainly know that Josiah’s cause is a just one. And you’re just going to throw it out for a stupid little detective’s case about a skunk that didn’t even do any harm?”

“Well actually,” interjected Joshua, “the skunk case is actually kinda important.”

“Nonsense!” exclaimed Tirzah, “Tell me, of what significance is school politics in comparison to the compulsion of true love? But you wouldn’t know, you’ve been steeped in this ridiculousness for so long that you’ve lost the ability to love! And when you’re given a chance to redeem yourself, you throw it out the window! Where is the honor in that? I say that you that if you have one drop of decency left, you drop all other cases and help this young fellow reach this fair maiden he speaks of!”

This was the type of random poetic outburst expected from someone like Josiah, but not Tirzah. So everyone simply stared at Tirzah in return in great shock.

“Well,” said Joshua, “I guess I can squeeze you all in.”

Relief came about Tirzah, she had diverted the one who was near to discovering Skunky the skunk. Rebekah pulled the chair that had been set aside for her and slid it over before sitting down.

“So when do you want to get the rose?” asked Joshua.

“I want it to be as vibrant as possible when Rosaline sees it, so I’d say the night of February the thirteenth, just before Valentine’s Day.”

“Great,” said Trystan, “where do you want to get it?”

“I don’t know yet.” said Josiah.

“You could always go to the NBA.” said Joshua.

“Basketball?” asked Rebekah.

“No, the National Botany Association, but they get mixed up all the time.” he responded.

“What if Rosaline is there?” asked Josiah.

“I find that highly unlikely.” said Joshua, “But the NBA is known for having the finest flowers in the world. And it just so happens that they’re in town for a bouquet contest.”

“When?” asked Tirzah.

“February thirteenth, believe it or not.”

Josiah beamed with happiness from end to end. Indeed, this was the place he needed to go to retrieve the perfect flower. But Josiah realized that he needed to say something first.

“Guys, you all have been very kind to me even though I’m still new here. But none of you have to come with me. You’ve helped me a great deal, and I am thankful for it. I’m sure you each have more important things to do, so you won’t hurt me if any of you leave.”

“Leave?” asked Trystan, “No way, we’re with you Josiah, to the end!”

“Same here.” said Rebekah.

“This is the way.” said Joshua.

Everyone looked over to Tirzah.

“Oh no,” she said, “this is going to get really weird, and I have… homework?”

“Oh, ok!” said Josiah who was sad yet understanding of this loss.

Tirzah excused herself and left the room to inform the other prankers of what had just transpired. This left Josiah, Trystan, Rebekah, and Joshua to form the team.

“Alright,” said Joshua, “let’s go liberate us a flower!”

“WHAT?!” exclaimed Rebekah, “But that would be stealing!”

“No, it’s liberating. And I thought you loved a good heist.” said Joshua.

“Well yeah, but not the ones where you can go to jail!” said Rebekah.

“Joshua does have a point,” said Trystan, “the NBA is one of the most corrupt botany organizations in the world. We may just have to get it out by force.”

“But that’s illegal!” said Rebekah.

“Fine,” said Joshua, “how about we steal it after we pay for it.”

“But that’s not a heist.” said Trystan.

“Sure it is!” said Joshua, “It’ll be a… legal heist?”

Rebakah was satisfied with this answer.

“That sounds ridiculous.” said Trystan.

“Well it’s either that or we lose another teammate.” said Joshua.

“Fine.” said Trystan.

“Oh Josiah,” said Joshua, “You wouldn’t mind if I called in some backup? Would you?”

“I don’t mind.” said Josiah who was still daydreaming about Rosaline.

Joshua picked up a phone and spoke to the other end.

“Meet me here in five seconds.”

______________________________________________________________________________

Five seconds later…

Josiah was rather impressed on how quickly it took the reinforcements to arrive. It came much faster than he expected, but there were also less students than he expected. There was only one person standing there.

“Daniel, we have a mission.” said Joshua.

“What is it?” asked Daniel.

“This is Josiah.” began Joshua.

“Hey Josiah!” said Daniel

“Hi Daniel.” said Josiah.

The two were now properly introduced. There normally would have been more conversation, but there was too much at hand.

“So what’s the mission?” asked Daniel.

“Josiah here is in love with this girl named Rosaline.” said Joshua.

“Ah, so we write a story about the two of them!” said Daniel.

“I like what you’re thinking, but no.” said Joshua. “Josiah needs something from the National Botany Association and we’re going to help him. We’ll all meet at these coordinates on February the thirteenth, just after sunset.”

Joshua pulled out a small map of where the National Botany Association would hold their bouquet convention and gave it to Daniel.

“Sounds good.” said Daniel as he turned to leave the room.

“And one more thing,” said Joshua as he scribbled something down on a note before folding it in two, “give this note to Ezra Johnson, he’s been keeping an eye on all things botany and, oddly enough, that’s just what we need.”

“Got it.” said Daniel as he took the map and the note and left the room.

“Looks like we’ve got ourselves.” said Trystan.

“Yeah, I’m getting some serious legal heist vibes right now!” added Rebekah.

“Ok,” said Joshua, “when we get there, we’ll all go in, buy the Juliet Rose, and get out. I don’t want to cause any extra trouble with the NBA if I don’t have to. Josiah, you’re in charge of making sure what flower you want to get and how much it costs. I’ll be the one who finds out whether or not they have the Juliet Rose, but I won’t be able to get close enough to see how much it costs. These types of gatherings are very tight on security. Alright Josiah, do you get it? You’re in charge of figuring out how much this thing costs.”

Of course, Josiah was too busy thinking about Rosaline to hear. But the plan was set.

The Rose: Part 4

Legal Heist

“There it is… the NBA. You will never find a more snobbish hive of wealth and botany.”

Joshua handed the binoculars over to Josiah. It was the night of February the thirteenth. Sunset had only just occurred, the time of day when day and night struggle for control. The time of day when day itself begins to end. The time of day when the heavens are painted in yellows and oranges, scarlets and violets, and in darkness and blues. If Josiah could, he would give this sight as his flower to Rosaline.

The National Botany Association was large enough in gathering and high enough in status that Old Mountain Road had been closed. Though this didn’t stop the team from meeting there. Josiah looked through the binoculars, the National Botany Association had gathered in a large greenhouse for the bouquet contest. The greenhouse was a grid of glass - about the size of a large auditorium - and in it were the most pretty plants known to mankind.

Josiah set the binoculars down. The plan was set: they would go undercover, buy the Juliet Rose, and get out of there. Joshua had left to see who else had shown up, Josiah eventually followed. He could only hope that nobody there was from school. The chances were slim, but there was always a risk. Joshua had met back with Trystan who was waiting for everyone else to show up. Rebekah had since joined, but they still needed Daniel and Ezra to show up.

“What are you wearing?” asked Joshua.

“My spy suit!” answered Rebekah.

Josiah looked up after putting the binoculars in his backpack. Rebekah was dressed in all black. She was also armed with all sorts of gadgets that you would only see in spy movies.

“But aren’t we supposed to be blending in?” asked Trystan.

“I will be blending in,” said Rebekah, “with the shadows.”

“Well if we wait much longer, you might just get your wish.” said Josiah, “It’s almost dark, and where is everyone else?”

“Maybe they were eaten by water buffalos.” suggested Rebekah.

“They probably had homework.” said Trystan.

“I’m sure Daniel will be here any minute,” said Joshua, “and Ezra is definitely coming.”

Just then, a manhole cover (which was an access point to the sewers) was pushed aside. The four of them jumped back, not sure as to what was emerging from the depths of the city. When the large lid had been shoved aside, a hand clasped to the pavement. Then another hand, and then a man emerged. He was wearing a hazmat suit, which he took off once he sealed the tunnel to the sewers. Casting it into the bushes, everyone realized who it was, Daniel Dove.

“Oh, there you are.” said Rebekah rather calmly.

Everyone else stared at Daniel in raw confusion.

“What were you doing in there?” asked Josiah.

“We have to make sure nobody can trace this back to us.” replied Daniel.

“What?” asked Trystan.

“Oh, and this will also double as a good escape route.” added Daniel.

“Eww,” said Rebekah, “I am NOT crawling in there.”

“But how did you get here then?” asked Daniel.

“We walked… Like not in the sewers.” answered Rebekah.

There was a short pause.

“Wait, hold on,” said Joshua, “why do you have a gun and a poison needle?!”

Everyone took notice of the alarming amount of armament Daniel possessed.

“Was that wrong?” asked Daniel.

“Yes!” exclaimed Joshua, “Why on Earth would you bring those here!”

“You said we were going to the National Tretchary Association.” said Daniel.

Clearly there had been a major mix-up. ‘Botany’ apparently sounded like ‘tretchary’ when said in a cold, dark, and damp janitor’s closet.

“Botany,” said Joshua, “the National Botany Association.”

“OH!” said Daniel, “So I guess I won’t be needing these then?”

“No!” said the group.

Daniel conceded as he put away the gun. He was armed to the teeth with weapons and armor. He too had a backpack which he tried to stuff as much of the excess as possible.

“I thought poison needles were illegal,” said Trystan.

“They are,” answered Daniel, “but there isn’t any poison in this one.”

“So it’s just a needle?” asked Rebekah.

“Yep.”

“What were you planning to use it for?” asked Josiah.

“Just in case I needed a disguise. I’d knit a giant sock to hide from the National Tretchary Association’s security.” said Daniel.

“Pretty sure that organization doesn’t even exist,” said Josiah.

By using every last bit of space (and with some space from Josiah’s backpack) Daniel had managed to safely fit all his weapons into a bag except for the giant needle which Daniel was insistent on keeping. At this point, he was just wearing jeans and a t-shirt which wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t very gentlemanly in comparison to the well-tailored suits that the other three boys possessed. Regardless, it would have to do. Trystan offered up his suit jacket, which Daniel took. The makeshift disguise looked convincing enough, and Trystan still looked prompt and proper, but the real test was if the NBA members would buy it.

“Alright, back to business!” said Josiah who was quite ready to get back to the matter at hand.

“Wait,” said Trystan, “we’re still missing Ezra.”

“I say we go on without him,” said Rebekah, “he’s pretty much been a cameo up until this point.”

“A rather important cameo though,” said Daniel.

“But he’s late,” said Josiah, “and if we wait much longer then it’ll be too late.”

“Maybe,” said Trystan, “but then the Juliet Rose will be fresher the longer we wait.”

Josiah took great time considering this. The longer he waited, the more vibrant his gift would be for Rosaline. But then he risked not getting it at all. And by no means was he going to let that happen.

“Josiah,” said Joshua, “I never did ask you, but how much does the Juliet Rose cost?”

But before Josiah had the chance to answer, the group was interrupted. In the half-lit dome of sunset came a figure. It was distant at first, Trystan speculated that it was just a road worker. But as the figure approached, they all could tell that it wasn’t a road worker.

“Finally, Ezra is here!” said Josiah.

But as the figure came closer and closer, they could tell that it wasn’t Ezra. For one, this person was a she and very much not a he. Her light blue dress reflected in the setting sun, though nobody could tell who she was.

“Hi everyone!” she said, “I’m not late, am I?”

“Dodo?!” exclaimed Rebekah.

Dodo, a name that is often not heard. So there is some explanation that is due. Dodo is the nickname of Dorshea Goh, who happens to be the Vice President of the Student Council, which as you’ve noticed is quite the lengthy title. You have also probably noticed that this Dorshea Goh is very much not an Ezra Johnson.

Rebekah leaned over to Joshua and whispered, “I thought you were inviting Ezra.”

“I thought I was inviting Ezra too.” whispered Joshua.

The initial shock of the Ezra-less Dorshea had worn off. The brief team huddle had ended with everyone about as confused and perplexed as they were when they started.

“So, why are we meeting here?” asked Dorshea, “I got your invitation, and I was beginning to think it was a prank because the road was closed.”

Everyone (except for Dorshea) turned to look at Daniel.

“Uh…” began Josiah, “before we tell you, why don’t you show us the invitation because… Rebekah here wants to see if it’s fashionable?”

“Oh… yes?” said Rebekah with a dash of doubt in her voice.

Dorshea didn’t quite understand why this new kid made such an odd request. But she also didn’t quite understand why she or anyone else was there. So she handed the invitation over to Josiah, who gave it to Rebekah, who gave it to Trystan, who gave it to Joshua, who showed it to Daniel. This especially confused Dorshea. Eventually, everyone huddled around the note. It read:

Meet us at Old Mountain Rd on Feb 13. Come at sunset, I’ll give details then.

“Oh,” said Daniel.

“Oh what?” asked Trystan.

“I think I may have swapped the invites.”

“You think?” asked Josiah sarcastically.

“You guys didn’t mean to invite me, did you?” asked Dorshea who could hear into the group huddle, much to everyone’s surprise.

“What are you talking about?” said Joshua, “Of course we meant to invite you… We really need you to… uh, distract everyone in the auditorium?”

Yes, the auditorium, the rented NBA property consisted of two glass buildings joined together by a short glass hallway. The larger of the two was where the buying and selling of the fine flora would occur. The second room was slightly smaller where a myriad of ornate tables and chairs sat. Many ears were sure to listen to the speeches of the various dignitaries, so an agent of distraction wasn’t too far-fetched of a role.

“Oh, ok!” said Dorshea in her chipper voice.

“Anyway, back to the plan-” began Josiah.

“Why does Daniel have a poison needle, and why does Rebekah look like she’s about to commit a crime,” asked Dorshea.

“Legal crime,” corrected Rebekah, “I’m about to commit a legal crime.”

“Yeah,” said Trystan, “and Daniel doesn’t have a poison needle, it’s just in case he needs to sew a sock or something like that.”

Dorshea was beginning to question the stability of this team both physically and mentally.

“Can I ask you something?” asked Joshua to Daniel.

“Sure.” replied Daniel.

The two of them put a few yards of space between themselves and the others where they would no doubt have an analytical discussion concerning the invitation confusion. Dorshea, and the rest of the team stood there in silence for a moment. The pressure was building, each second they wasted up here was a second wasted down there. Josiah then volunteered to keep a lookout on the NBA greenhouse to help ease his conscience.

Josiah took the pair of binoculars and made his way back to where he and Joshua were overlooking the greenhouse. Meanwhile, Rebekah and Trystan began their summary of what had happened in the last three parts of this story. They began at the beginning and worked their way to the present. Josiah took this time to ponder the mission to himself. There was something about price, but he couldn’t remember it now.

He gazed at the greenhouse for a moment, all the wealth and luxury that laid within was a great deal. From up here he could tell that his suit would be on the lower end of the price spectrum. Josiah remembered wearing it to his older sister’s wedding which was a fine memory indeed. Yet there was something about this place that seemed not as fond. There was something vile hidden beneath it.

Rosaline! She was there, she was there at the greenhouse. But that was impossible! Except it wasn’t, for her beauty shone from her and into his eyes. He was certain it was her even from this distance. There was an awkward mix of joy and terror as the thought of seeing her both made him want to draw nearer and run away in defeat.

If she saw him, or any of them, then the surprise would be ruined as the guilt of the food fight would stain his heart another day while the hope of her love would float away. There was no way they were getting in there unseen, this team wasn’t exactly the most stealthy in the world. Josiah needed advice, he scrambled to his feet and ran back to the group. Joshua and Daniel’s conversation had since ended. They rejoined the group to help finish the review of events with the other three. Josiah arrived just as the conversation was wrapping up.

“Alright, I think I get it.” said Dorshea.

“Great. So, you on the team then?” asked Trystan.

“Yeah, it’s for a good cause,” replied Dorshea.

The others (except for Josiah) took a vote to confirm her spot on the team, everyone voted to bring her on.

“Guys!” yelled Josiah.

“Hey Josiah, we’re taking a vote. Is Dorshea on the team or not?” asked Daniel.

“Not that your vote would make a difference at this point,” said Rebekah jokingly.

“What? Who’s Dorshea?” asked Josiah.

“Hi!” said Dorshea.

“Ok yeah, she’s in!” said Josiah whose standard for letting someone new on the team was apparently only that they could introduce themselves.

“It’s unanimous,” declared Joshua, “welcome to the team.”

“We have a problem!” said Josiah before Dorshea could tham them, “Rosaline is there.”

“That’s impossible,” said Trystan, “the NBA isn’t a place for people like her.”

“Yeah, this place is way too corrupt. She must’ve just looked like her.” said Joshua.

“No, it’s her and I know it.” affirmed Josiah.

“Rosaline is the girl you like, right?” asked Dorshea.

“Yes,” replied everyone minus Josiah who was still too tense.

After much pleading, Joshua reluctantly went with Josiah to confirm his sighting.

“What?!” exclaimed Joshua.

“I know!” said Josiah, “Why is Rosaline there?”

“No, not her,” said Joshua, “What’s Ezra doing there?”

“What?!” exclaimed Trystan, “Give me those!”

Trystan took the binoculars and looked for himself. Rebekah then wanted a view and took them from Trystan. Daniel tried to intervene, but only got himself stuck in the frenzy for the binoculars as they bounded from hand to hand. In the chaos, the binoculars somehow managed to fall right in front of Dorshea who picked them up and looked at the greenhouse.

“Oh wow! Tirzah’s in there!” she said.

“What?!” exclaimed Rebekah.

“Oh, and Ezra, Elson, Cora, Fianna, and Rebecca, they’re in there too!” said Dorshea in surprise.

“I’m right here…” said Rebekah.

“No, the other Rebecca.” said Dorshea.

“Well that won’t get confusing.” said Daniel sarcastically.

“Oh, and Gabe is there too!” said Dorshea as she tossed the binoculars back to Josiah.

“Who?” asked Josiah.

“Gabriel Nelson, you haven’t met him yet,” said Trystan.

With the impending pressure, that explanation would have to do. The plan had been compromised, everyone was eager to know why everyone was in such a place. But they also knew that their secrecy was Josiah’s top priority.

“What are we going to do?” asked Daniel, “If they see us, then the surprise is gone.”

“Yeah, especially since I’m vice president,” said Dorshea.

“There doesn’t happen to be any delivery companies for the NBA, does there?” asked Daniel who was quite sure the answer to that was no.

“Here’s what we’re going to do,” said Trystan, “The plan may need to be fixed up a bit. But look at us, we’re adaptable. We made it up here on a closed road without anyone knowing whether by sewer or by surface. We’ll go in with stealth, and we’ll go in with swiftness. Who’s with me?”

There was a shout of support.

“Great!” said Trystan before turning to Joshua, “Alright, what’s the plan?”

“You’re asking me?” said Joshua, “You’re the one who made the rallying speech.”

“Yes, and now I’m volunteering you to make the plan,” said Trystan.

“That’s not how volunteering works,” said Joshua.

“Sure it is. And besides, you're the team leader.”

“I thought Josiah was the team leader.”

“He is, but I think he’s a bit lovestruck.”

“But I’m not second in command, that’s you. You’re his best friend.”

“Just make the plan already!” ordered Dorshea.

“Fine,” said Joshua, “We get in the last place they’d expect: the front door. Dorshea goes first and heads to the auditorium to distract as many of the other students as possible. The rest of us make our way to the Juliet Rose. If anyone begins to recognize the group, one of us splits from the rest to distract them. The order of splitting up will be: Daniel, me, and then Trystan. We then quickly buy the flower and get out of there the same way we got in.”

The plan was good, everyone agreed to their roles as they prepared to descend the hill to the greenhouse. Joshua remembered that they were still missing one vital role.

“And we’ll need someone to keep an eye out, to give us a warning in case someone recognizes us. Rebekah, can you… Rebekah?”

She was gone.

“Rebekah?” asked Dorshea.

Everyone looked for Rebekah, but she was not there.

“That’s strange,” said Daniel, “she was here a minute ago.”

Josiah remembered the spy suit and Rebekah’s urge to move on without Ezra, he lifted the binoculars and looked.

“Oh no,” Josiah said.

“What’s oh no?” asked Trystan.

“She’s going in alone.” replied Josiah.

“But she doesn’t know the new plan,” said Dorshea.

“Exactly, we have to stop her before she gets inside!” exclaimed Josiah.

Everyone agreed. Those who had backpacks took theirs as they charged down the hill. Joshua waited for Josiah as the two stood overlooking the greenhouse.

“By the way,” began Josiah, “what's so bad about this Botany place?”

“They have a reputation for blackmail.” replied Joshua.

“Anything in particular?”

“I don’t know, the whispers are vague, the rumors are blurry, but they all tell the same story. All I know is that the sooner we’re out, the better.”

And with that, Joshua left in pursuit of the rest of the team leaving only Josiah who was deep in thought. Something was wrong. Rosaline shouldn’t be in a place like that. She was above that. Josiah wondered what she could be doing there only to remember that he was about to enter the very same place.

______________________________________________________________________________

Rebekah was not a shadow in the night, she was the night. The last glimmer of evening twilight was gone, now her black spy suit would be truly invisible. The shimmer of stars had ceased as a blanket of clouds concealed their light. The only way Rebekah could navigate was by following the light coming from the greenhouse itself.

As for her friends, they followed in the hopes of reuniting the team. But Rebekah was fast, especially since she was packed light while the others had to haul Daniel’s weapons collection. The greenhouse wasn’t far from the overlook point, but it was a steep descent which made for a rather climactic chase through the trees and boulders.

She arrived. There were several guards at each door that led within. And since this was a legal heist, Rebekah decided to bypass the use of front and side doors instead of attacking the guards who stood watch there. Looking upward, Rebekah saw her way in, through the glass roof. She scaled the side of the building with ease, evading the attention of the guests littered inside.

Once on top of the building, Rebekah used a combination of her tools to remove one of the glass panels. Fastening the rope to herself, she surveyed the flamboyant crowd of flower-buyers. There it was, the rose she was looking for, the rose she had come for. “For Josiah and for the team” were her final thoughts before descending into the aroma of flora.

Meanwhile, the rest of the team scurried down the shrouded slope. Josiah and Joshua had since caught up with the rest of the team as they helped with Daniel’s weapons before it was too late. Unfortunately for them, it was already too late. They neared the soft glow of the greenhouse as darker clouds began to set in.

Trystan reached the bottom of the hill first, then Joshua arrived followed by Josiah. After this, Dorshea finished her tumble down the hill as she was in high heels. And finally, Daniel emerged from the thickets, hauling the army’s worth of equipment. Josiah noticed that there was a small, concrete building behind the greenhouse, and furthermore, how convenient it was that there were no guards, doors, or security cameras on the backside of the building. This was odd, but not the strangest thing he had witnessed in the past few days.

“No!” said Trystan, “She’s already inside.”

“If she gets caught, it’s over for all of us,” said Joshua.

Upon hearing this, Josiah was convinced that if this were the case, he would personally go in and buy the flower even if that meant bulldozing every person in his way. While that may not be polite, it was the only solution Josiah could think of. That was - of course - assuming that Rebekah would be caught which was highly likely.

“I have a question,” asked Dorshea who was still recovering from the horrid high heels, “what happens if Rebekah gets caught and why is that a bad thing?”

Everyone looked at her as if the answer were obvious.

“They have a strict ‘members only’ policy which means only the people in their circle can buy the flowers,” said Trystan. “And if they catch her, they’ll kick her out.”

“Yes, but why do you all make them sound like the bad guys?” asked Dorshea.

“Because they plant seeds of evil wherever they go, and you’re never sure what they’re potting next,” said Joshua.

Nobody appreciated the pun.

“Because the NBA is fake, it just covers up all the blackmail stuff they do,” said Daniel.

“Actually,” began Josiah, “how are we sure it’s that bad? I mean, the flowers look too nice for this place to be as evil as you say it is.”

“Never said it was an ugly cover up,” said Daniel, “they’re very thorough.”

“Ok, enough about the flower freaks,” said Josiah, “if we move quickly and quietly, we get Rebekah out of there before anyone finds out and we’ll still have time for the rose.”

“You mean this rose?” asked Rebekah.

Everyone spun around in shock. How on Earth had she done it? The guards, the security, the endless eyes peering the perimeter, it was an impossible task. Every gadget, trinket, and toy couldn’t have done it. There Rebekah stood wielding the rose as it glimmered in the light humming from the greenhouse.

And oh how beautiful of a rose it was, Josiah noted. Its beauty looked as if it would never wither or decay. It was meant to stay, it was deemed it that way. How magnificent of a specimen this was, Josiah could see it, yes he could see it in front of him. Presenting the rose to his true love in a glorious fashion as her stunned and speechless beauty stood before him.

“Lady Paul!” cried Dorshea, “What were you doing?!”

“Getting the rose?” Rebekah asked, rather confused.

“You could’ve ruined the whole mission!” exclaimed Trystan.

“Thanks for trusting me,” said Rebekah sarcastically.

“Well, she did get the flower,” said Daniel, “so… I guess we’re done here.”

Now that the initial shock of the moment was over, everyone thought it was rather impressive how Rebekah pulled off the legal heist on her own. And while certain individuals (Daniel) were slightly disappointed that they wouldn’t be using their poison-less needle, they acknowledged that the mission was over. Everyone readied themselves to leave, but Joshua saw something as Rebekah was handing the rose to Josiah.

“Hold on,” said Joshua as he moved closer to where Rebekah was to inspect the rose.

He stared at its every feature for a rather long time. Rebekah was wondering what had become of her once valiant friend who had gone from organizing legal heists to having a staring contest with a flower. She gave him the rose as he continued to study it. At last, he had reached a conclusion.

“Hold on,” said Joshua, “this is… made of plastic!”

“What?!” exclaimed Josiah whose whole fantasy world began to collapse in on itself.

Everyone turned in astonishment, surely Rebekah had been scammed unlike anyone on the face of the planet has ever been scammed.

“I demand a refund!” proclaimed Daniel in the midst of the chaos.

“How much did you pay for it?!” asked Dorshea.

“I didn’t,” answered Rebekah.

At this, everyone was even more alarmed. The whole point of having a legal heist was for the heist to be legal.

“You stole it?!” demanded Trystan.

“I still want a refund!” exclaimed Daniel.

“Pretty sure you forfeit the refund if you steal it,” said Joshua.

“Where’d you get it?!” asked Dorshea.

“Over there,” said Rebekah as she pointed through the glass.

They all went to the glass panel Rebekah pointed to and looked where she directed them. The sight that met their gaze was a truly shocking one. In a corner of the greenhouse hung two signs, the larger one on top of the other.

NATIONAL BOTANY ASSOCIATION SOUVENIR SHOP

FREE ARTIFICIAL ROSE SAMPLES (provided for by EverLeaf Bouquet)

“A gift shop?!” asked Joshua, “You stole a free sample from a gift shop?!”

“I know!” answered Rebekah, “Wasn’t it thrilling?”

“You can’t steal something that’s free!” said Joshua.

“Sure you can, and they’ll never trace it back to me,” said Rebekah who was still in the espionage mood, “and besides, you said this was going to be a legal heist. So we can’t steal anything that has a price tag on it and it still be legal.”

“We were just going to buy the flower,” said Joshua.

“Well where’s the heist in that?!” asked Rebekah.

“Because they have that weird members only rule!” answered Joshua.

“So you didn’t get the Juliet Rose?” asked Josiah.

“Listen kid, in my book, a rose is a rose,” answered Rebekah.

This was only a minor setback. The bouquet contest was far from over and their location hadn’t been revealed. Joshua handed the rose back to Rebekah, there was still a chance, hope for Josiah to get the Juliet Rose. While Josiah normally would have been frustrated with the matter at hand, he was too focused at obtaining the grace of the one he held dear to veer from his task.

“We can still get inside,” said Josiah.

“Still?” asked Dorshea.

“Yes,” began Josiah, “Trystan and I are both taking British Literature which means we can blend with the snobbery with ease.”

“I’m taking it too,” said Joshua.

“You are?” asked Josiah, “I haven’t seen you in class before.”

“That you know of…” replied Joshua.

“So, basically the plan we just came up with?” asked Trystan.

“You guys just made a plan?” asked Josiah.

“Yeah,” said Daniel, “while you were in Rosaline Land.”

Everyone suppressed a giggle except for Rebekah who was still rather cross with her team having rejected the rose.

“Seriously?!” asked Josiah who was beginning to realize the extent of his daydreaming problem in recent days.

“Seriously,” said Dorshea, “here, I’ll run you through the details of the plan.”

Dorshea began with the full overview and moved onto everyone’s original specific roles with Trystan and Daniel listening. Meanwhile, Joshua stood looking in the greenhouse while still maintaining his secrecy.

“So you’re just going to waltz in there, huh?” asked Rebekah.

“It’s a bit more complicated than that, but yes,” answered Joshua.

“Too bad you didn’t dress for the occasion.”

“What are you talking about, these suits are specifically tailored for us, and Dorshea’s dress seems to match the general look.”

“Yeah, no. You’re missing the most important part about fashion, accessories!”

“Rebekah, I don’t know what you’re-”

“It’ll be great, and since I’m opening a fashion line, you guys will be my first test subjects.”

“I’ve already told you, we’re not trying out your new fashion line.”

“Please, plus you owe me for disregarding the rose.”

“Ugh… there isn’t a point in arguing, is there?”

“Nope!”

“Fine.”

And with that Rebekah hurried back to the group just as the conversation was over. She reached for her backpack as she dug through some of Daniel’s weapons. She pulled out several monocles, bow ties, and top hats. How exactly she fit all of that in her backpack I do not know. But regardless, she began eyeing up her fellow teammates with the intent of giving them all a proper disguise.

“We already have disguises,” said Trystan.

“Yes,” said Rebekah, “but they’re not very good.”

Everyone looked at the collection laid before them. Rebekah motioned for them each to take one. Trystan looked doubtfully at Joshua who only gave a reluctant nod.

“I call dibs on the monocle!” said Trystan.

“I guess I’ll take the top hat,” said Josiah.

“No way, our disguises are good enough already,” said Daniel.

Now normally, Daniel’s disguise would have been considered more than proper had they been to a fine eating establishment. But they were not at a fine eating establishment, they were drawing near to the heart of snobbery and status. And while Daniel was borrowing Trystan’s posh jacket, his jeans could end up exposing them. But he was insistent on abstaining.

“I guess that leaves me with the bow tie,” said Joshua.

“What do I get?” asked Dorshea.

“You already look refined,” said Rebekah, “you don’t need one of these.”

“Oh, so we aren’t refined, huh?” asked Daniel who was calmly offended.

“Says the guy who was literally crawling in a sewer!” responded Rebekah.

“I wore a hazmat suit! That’s both sanitary, and refined!” said Daniel.

“Yeah,” said Rebekah, “refined uranium!”

“Stop!” ordered Josiah, “Remember what we came for: the rose.”

“We already have the rose!” protested Rebekah.

“Not that rose,” said Josiah, “I appreciate the thought, but we’re here for the Juliet Rose.”

“About that,” said Joshua, “did you ever check to see how much it cost?”

“If we wait much longer, it’ll be too late,” said Trystan, who hadn’t heard Joshua.

“It’s settled then,” said Josiah, “we go now.”

Everyone agreed as they each took their places. The legal heist had begun… again.

______________________________________________________________________________

Dorshea had gone in first, she managed to pass security without any problems, as Rebekah had predicted. She made her way to the second building where she would create some sort of a distraction. Now that he thought of it, Josiah didn’t know what exactly that distraction would entail, hopefully Dorshea knew what she was doing.

But it was too late to question the plan, it was already in motion. Hesitation could jeopardize everything they had been working for. Not that the past few days had been much work, but it had been a great deal of planning for everyone else and a great deal of worrying for Josiah which was something out of character for him.

Rebekah gave the four disguised, distinguished gentlemen the signal, they moved out. Josiah took the lead with Trystan right beside him to Josiah’s left. Daniel followed close behind both of them to Josiah’s right, and Joshua lingered somewhat near Trystan's left. They moved out of their cover and filed in with the stream of guests entering the glass palace. Josiah had never been to a place like this before. And while he would have assumed that either Joshua or Daniel had more experience in the field of legal heists, he valued Trystan’s input.

“It’s important how you carry yourself here,” said Trystan.

“It can’t be that important,” Josiah replied.

“Yes, and the last time you said that, I ended up with mashed potatoes in my socks.”

“Well when you put it that way-” began Josiah.

“Wait,” ordered Trystan, “act distinguished.”

“I am distinguished,” said Josiah.

“Exactly.”

They arrived at the entrance, security was rather intensive for a greenhouse. But if what Josiah had been told was one tenth correct, then it seemed fitting. As for acting distinguished, Josiah didn’t actually have much experience in that. He had been through airport security a few times, but this was different to say the least.

“Hold on,” said one of the security officers, “may I see your invitation?”

The question was less a question and more a passive command.

“Uh…” was all that Josiah could utter.

“We didn’t bring ours,” finished Trystan, who was as caught off guard as Josiah was.

“This is highly irregular,” said the officer, “who are you?”

“Uh…” began Josiah.

“I believe what he means to say is that we are here under special request, our invitation is most likely to show up at late notice,” said Joshua.

“Again, highly irregular,” said the officer with a hint of suspicion.

“Are not all premier class guests and their valets the recipients of irregular invitations?” contered Joshua.

“Premier class guests?” asked the surprised officer, “My apologies sir, please come in.”

“That is alright,” said Joshua reassuringly, “we can’t be too tight on security these days.”

And just like that, they were in. How Dorshea entered, Josiah did not know. But then again, security wasn’t stopping anyone else for an identification check. Perhaps it was just how suspicious the group looked. But to be more accurate, it was almost certainly the worried smear on Josiah’s complexion that he hadn’t the ability to rub off.

Any thoughts reflecting on the greenhouse’s magnificence were doubled when inside. The stars and moon were being blanketed by the impending clouds that cast a gloomy glare on the surrounding scenery. But inside, the light danced from petal to petal. ‘Ornate’ didn’t begin to describe the atmosphere, speaking of which, was filled with the fragrance of the choir of endless bouquets. It was the second most beautiful thing Josiah had ever seen, and it was a miracle that they even were allowed inside.

“How’d he do that?” asked Josiah.

“He takes British literature, legend has it that he spent too much time in front of refined novels to the point where now he occasionally sounds like… that,” said Trystan.

“He’s in British literature with us?”

“Yep, he’s been informally knighted and everything.”

“How come I’ve never seen him?” asked Josiah.

“Oh you have,” said Trystan, “you’ve just been too busy daydreaming about Rosaline.”

“I have not,” protested Josiah.

“Whatever you say… oh and by the way, do you remember what book we’re on?”

“Hmm… hold on… give me a minute… ok, maybe you have a point.”

As the four made their way to their destination, they each noticed a rather large - and rather loud - crowd of attendees in the secondary building, the building where Dorshea’s distraction was to take place. Josiah was too focused to notice any details, and none of the others wanted to lose him as he was moving rather quickly, so they passed the entrance to the second building with little time to spare a glance inside. After all, they were short on time, or at least they felt like they were.

“Anyway,” said Trystan, who was changing the topic for Josiah’s sake, “do you know exactly where you’re taking us?”

“Oh,” said a relieved Josiah, “yeah, it’s just up ahead, it’s got its own display table in the middle of the exhibit and everything.”

There was a moment of somewhat silence - at least from the team - as if considering how far they had come. Indeed, progress had been made for all, but Josiah in particular felt a sense of accomplishment as he neared his goal, as he neared his love. At this point, he was driven by nothing but feeling.

“How sure are you about that, specifically about its price?” asked Joshua from behind.

“I’m very sure,” said Josiah, “it’s just up ahead, you see it yet?”

“Yeah,” began Joshua, “I see it, but the price-”

Suddenly, a kid came crashing over an adjacent table and fell to a halt in front of the team. With him, A flurry of files and folded papers followed as they decorated the floor as a wobbly vase pondered whether it too should grace the floor with its fall. Daniel helped make up its mind by steadying it before it plummeted to its doom.

As for the kid, he was obviously overcome with the sudden sensation that is commonly referred to as regret. He clearly hadn’t accidentally dived over that table, after all, who on Earth accidentally dives over tables in that fashion? He scrambled to his feet despite the papers underneath saying otherwise. Shaking off the pain, he introduced himself, but not before Daniel beat him to it.

“Gabe?!” asked a shocked Daniel, “What are you doing here?”

So this was the Gabe that was mentioned on the hill. Josiah hadn’t officially met him before and while he loved a good introduction, they were almost at their goal. That said, the Juliet Rose wasn’t going anywhere, and that stunt certainly captured Josiah’s attention enough to render a proper introduction.

“You ok?” asked Josiah.

“Yeah,” said Gabe, “that breeze must have tossed me across the table like that.”

As far as lies go, this one was pretty terrible.

“That’s a bit of a stretch,” said Joshua.

“These are stretchy times,” replied Gabe.

Nobody quite knew what to say. But give them a break, when was the last time you had to have a conversation under such circumstances? They all helped Gabe recover the vanquished files as apologies were sent forth to those who were nearby and a more specific one was issued to the woman who’s bouquet was on display at the table (the one that almost shattered itself upon the floor).

“So,” began a more collected Gabe, “what brings you here?”

“Hold on,” objected Daniel, “we asked you that first.”

“Yeah, what brings you and… that, here?” asked Trystan in reference table tackling.

“Oh,” said Gabe, “you know me, huge botany… enjoyer? So, what brings you here?”

This question took the rest by surprise. By squeezing an answer out of Gabe, they too had to squeeze an answer out of themselves. It would be most improper if they didn’t. And since they were at the NBA - chiefest of those who call themselves proper - they had to come up with an answer. Josiah panicked as he scrambled to find an answer for this kid he’d just met.

“We’re here because of… Daniel?” said Josiah,

This wasn’t an absolute, complete lie. After all, Daniel had been a key member in staging this entire event. That said, Josiah still felt bad for throwing the metaphorical spotlight on a fellow friend.

“Oh yeah,” said Daniel, “and why was that again?”

There was a moment where everyone silently tried to fragment a story together.

“Oh you remember,” said Trystan, “you really wanted… this petal!”

Trystan swooped to the ground and picked up a lone flower petal. Granted, this wasn’t the best cover story, in fact many would say it was the worst. But nobody could think of anything better, so they rolled with it, though not without objection.

“That’s the best you could come up with?” Daniel whispered.

“Just play along,” whispered Trystan.

“How am I supposed to play along with that? Why would anyone even want an old flower petal in the first place?” asked Daniel, who realized that he was now speaking at typical conversational volume, not ideal in the present circumstance.

“Didn’t you say it’d be a wonderful addition to your collection?” asked an improvising Joshua, who’s stories weren’t as high in quality in comparison to a non-improvising Joshua.

There comes a time where one must do what they must, and now was that time.

“Yes,” said Daniel, as he received the petal, “a wonderful addition to my collection.”

Gabe looked rather confused, but then again, he had just dived head first over a table just to introduce himself, so there was no judging. Everyone stood eager to see if Gabe would buy the poorly crafted story. They were each certain of their failure as it was the worst story this planet has seen in a long time. But to their utmost surprise, this happened.

“Cool,” said Gabe, “well I got to go now. Bye, nice meeting you!”

And as rapidly as he appeared, he left. They were all stunned beyond belief that the crazy cover story ended up working, or at least it worked enough to preserve Josiah’s surprise.

“Well that was weird,” said Daniel.

“Agreed,” said Trystan.

“Come on,” said Josiah, “we need to go.”

And so they did. They arrived where Josiah said the Juliet Rose was to be. The man there - who had been speaking to someone else earlier - turned to greet the rather young buyers. At last, after weeks of worrying and planning, Josiah was finally here.

“May I help you?” asked the man.

For a moment, Josiah expected someone else to answer. He waited for Trystan or Joshua or Daniel or anyone else he had met for that matter, but nobody answered. Josiah looked around only to see the other three standing behind him, waiting for Josiah to give the answer.

“Me?” asked Josiah.

“Yes, you,” said the man.

Josiah turned around for a second, surely someone else would handle this. But no, he was met with three faces that each said something along the lines of ‘you got this, man’ which made Josiah rather confident. After all the crazy adventures he had been on in recent times - from food fight, to secret meetings, legal heists, and more - Josiah had done it all just for the chance to work up the nerve to even talk to the one he held dear.

“Well,” began Josiah, “I’m here to buy a flower.”

“You seem a little young to be buying such a fine product,” said the man.

“And you seem a little old to be selling flowers,” said Joshua.

The other three shot Joshua a not so thrilled look. Launching insults wasn’t exactly the best way to get what one wanted. But before any of the three could say something, the man erupted in a roaring - but somehow formal sounding - laughter.

“You sure do know the language around here,” said the man. “And who am I kidding, I’ve seen all sorts of strange individuals come here in my day. In fact, I just finished talking to a young lady. That said, you’re the first your age to be in the business of buying around here.”

“That’s… great,” said Josiah, who couldn’t think of a response to what just happened.

“Anyway,” said the man, “what flower, or flowers, may I interest you in? And if I may ask, why would a young lad like you be in need of a flower?”

“Because,” said Trystan, motioning to Daniel, “it would be a wonderful addition to his-”

Daniel gave a smiling Trystan an irritated look, who stopped before he could finish the now running joke. This was Josiah’s legal heist, it would be Josiah who negotiated.

“I’m here because I met this girl. And I want to talk to her, but then something happened, and now I can’t, not without a gift or something like that. I also feel a bit responsible for what happened. And these three here are my friends, they’ve been helping me on what to get her.”

That was surprisingly honest. As all of you will know, most people tend never to release their innermost thoughts to total strangers. But Josiah was unique, and he was determined. Now it was the man’s turn to have no idea how to respond to such an awkward statement.

“That’s… great,” said the man. “So, what flower do you want?”

The time was now.

“I want the Juliet Rose,” said Josiah.

The man was confused, visibly so, but the request made him laugh.

“Ha, wouldn’t we all? Well you’re in the wrong place my friend, the Jiliet Rose is over there,” said the man, motioning to another part of the greenhouse, “it’s being sold to the highest bidder. You sure that’s the one you wanted?”

“Definitely,” said Josiah, “why?”

“Why, it’s only a multi million dollar purchase!” laughed the man.

“WHAT?!” exclaimed Josiah.

“Indeed, I do believe that the price could range from five to fifteen million, that is, the real Juliet Roses out there,” said the man.

“Top notch,” said Daniel.

“Hey friend,” said Joshua in a whisper, “remember those times I asked you about its price? Did it ever occur to you to perhaps check the price before buying it?!”

“That would have been a good idea, yes,” said Josiah.

“Great, just checking,” said Joshua.

There was a cheer of celebration coming from the other room, but Josiah was too distraught to pay any attention to it. The entire plan was crashing down around him, he had to think quickly, though that was rather hard to do.

“Maybe we could just get another flower that looks similar to it,” suggested Daniel.

It wasn’t what Josiah had planned for, but then again, neither was the price tag of the Juliet Rose. Yes, this would have to work, but before it could, Trystan intervened.

“This is outrageous, it’s unfair! How can you possibly charge so much for a single flower? Seriously, it’s just a plant.”

“Yes, right over here, these four,” said the man.

They all turned only to see security heading their way. It was a setup, and they all knew it. The man at the table had turned on Josiah’s noble task, he had signaled security (right after Josiah requested for the Juliet Rose).

“Is there a problem?” asked one of the officers.

“Yes, I am not sure these four belong here,” said the man. “These two have failed to comply with proper dress code, this one’s trying to buy the most expensive flower here, and this one is talking in a fake British accent.”

“Preposterous!” exclaimed Joshua.

“I take it that these four are uninvited guests,” said the man.

The security officer pondered this. Josiah certainly didn’t know what he was doing. Trystan and Daniel were both just shy of meeting the dress code (with Trystan missing a dress coat and Daniel wearing an old pair of jeans). And Joshua was speaking in a semi-British, somewhat believable accent.

“I’ll need to see your invitation,” said the officer.

Joshua responded, “I do remember our passage into this fine facility was due to us being premier class guests. Also, wasn't our invitation a late notice? You yourself stated this was an irregular case”

“Too irregular,” said the officer as he lifted his tablet for the rest to see, “your invitation should have registered by now, if you’re telling the truth. And the list of invitations shows no new updates which makes you a liar.”

“Oh…” said Trystan, “he got you.”

“I noticed,” said Joshua.

“May you escort these premier class guests to the exit?” asked the man sarcastically.

“With pleasure,” said the officer as he motioned to the other guards.

______________________________________________________________________________

Being kicked out was less comfortable than expected. That said, Josiah probably shouldn’t have been expecting the most hospitable of departures. They were all taken to a back door (which Josiah had thought didn’t exist) and thrown out, right around the place where they re-met with Rebekah.

Once the four were undoubtedly outside of the building, the officer slammed the door. It blended with the rest of the gray building and would be unrecognizable had Josiah not known to look for it there. As the four got up, they heard a slow clap, it was Rebekah.

“Bravo,” she said sarcastically, “that was way better than my idea.”

“I hate those dress codes,” said Daniel, “who says jeans and a t-shirt aren't formal?!”

“No time to discuss!” said Joshua, “we need to regroup and adjust the plan.”

“Oh yes,” said Rebekah, “let’s pretend your plan was better.”

“My plan would have worked too,” said Joshua, turning to Josiah, “if someone checked the price of the flower that he was buying!”

“Oops,” said Josiah.

Dear reader, do not think that just because Josiah emitted a casual ‘oops’ meant that all was well within him. No, on the inside, he was about as panicked as a squirrel surrounded by cats, really hungry cats. The one way for him to work up enough courage had been blocked, and there was no alternative route that Josiah could think of. Meanwhile, the argument raged on while a stunned Josiah stood Juliet Rose-less (that sounded weird).

“Oh, so now you admit my plan worked?” Asked Rebekah.

“Yes, you were most successful in stealing something free,” said Joshua.

“Seriously, I wear jeans to steakhouses, and steakhouses are fancy!” Declared Daniel.

“Then why’d you have to do it your way?” Asked Rebekah.

“Because you took a plastic rose, not the Juliet Rose!” Said Joshua.

“And a jacket?” Asked Daniel, “What if they were holding this thing in July? Then everyone would be all sweaty!”

“Who cares?!” Asked Rebekah, “They’re literally both roses, why’s one the holy grail of the greenhouse and the other supposed to be a free sample, they don’t look too different!”

“I don’t know,” said Joshua, “I don’t make the rules here, what we need to do is find a way to get back in there and finish the legal heist.”

“Uh, guys?” Asked Trystan.

“They banned you from buying anything there, are you saying the heist shouldn’t be legal anymore?” Asked Rebekah.

“Of course it’s going to be legal,” said Joshua, “we’ll just ambush one of they guys in there and make him willingly hand a flower to us… ok maybe that’s not legal.”

“Guys?” Asked Trystan again.

“See look, you’re clueless at this sort of thing,” said Rebekah, “I bet half of your reputation as the school secret agent is fake!”

“I’ll have you know it’s only forty seven percent fake!” Exclaimed Joshua, “Give or take a little bit every now and then.”

“Seriously guys!” Said Trystan.

“What?!” Asked Rebekah and Joshua.

They all turned to face where Trystan was. There, standing in front of them all was Dorshea. And in her hands was the last thing anyone expected, a Juliet Rose. Needless to say, this encouraged a great deal of bewilderment.

“Dorshea?!” Asked Josiah, “How? When? What happened?”

“Ask those two,” said Dorshea, pointing to Joshua and Rebekah, “so entertaining.”

The greatest looks of glee did not appear on the two of their faces.

“No, I mean how’d you get the Juliet Rose?” Asked Josiah.

“I thought you were asking how she survived the dress code police,” Said Daniel.

“Oh yeah, this. Turns out they were having a botany trivia session in the other room, and I won! And the best part is that the grand prize was this trophy, and this flower too, something about it being worth millions of dollars, I don’t buy it though.”

“They were telling the truth,” said Trystan, looking at the flower, “that’s the flower we came for and it actually is worth millions of dollars.”

“Crikey,” said Dorshea, “that’s top notch, and for a trivia game too.”

“That’s what I just said,” Daniel noted.

“Can I have it?” Asked Josiah eagerly.

“Sure,” said Dorshea, “I really only wanted the trophy anyway, wait until the Botany Club sees this!”

“Seriously?” Asked Josiah.

“Yeah,” said Dorshea, “It’s just a flower, it won’t last long since it’s been cut. And I don’t exactly know what to do with it.”

Dorshea walked over to Josiah to give him the flower, it felt like she was taking forever, though in reality she was walking at a normal speed.

“Sorry for trashing your plan,” said Joshua.

“Sorry for calling you clueless,” said Rebekah, “even though I was right.”

“Shh!” Exclaimed Daniel, “Don’t ruin the suspense.”

Dorshea gave the flower to Josiah, victory had been achieved! Everyone gave a cheer of celebration having completed a ridiculous, yet somehow noble task.

“Yeah!” Said Trystan, “We did it!”

Indeed they had, Josiah treasured the Juliet Rose like he treasured nothing before. Not because he actually cared for it, no, he would use it to win the one worth far more than this stem of petals. He could envision it, handing the delicate gift to those delicate hands. And witnessing the joy it would spark and the victory it would represent.

Examining it, Josiah checked, then double checked to see if this was more than just a sample or a plastic replica. It was a real Juliet Flower. Somehow, against all odds, they had managed to barely acquire what they came for. And with a final sense of triumph, Josiah turned to thank his friends, the ones who made this possible, the ones who-

SWOOP! Josiah jumped back. His hands, they were lighter than they just were, not by much, but it is the little differences that cause the greatest change. He looked down, fearing what was. The Juliet Rose, the Juliet Rose was gone. He quickly looked up to see what made the sound only to confirm what he dreaded the most.

A seagull! It had dive bombed the group and stole the Juliet Rose! Alas, seagulls do not have the same respect for legal heists, they prefer the illegal type. Daniel was the first to react, he scrambled for one of the backpacks that was left with Rebekah and searched for one of his weapons. Whether he pulled out a shotgun, a poison-less needle, or some other weapon, Josiah couldn’t tell. But by the time he turned to aim, it was too far away.

The Juliet Rose, an object that was once of tremendous beauty was now to be used for nesting material. After countless hours of planning, preparing, and legal heist-ing, it was over. For a moment, nobody said a word, it’s not often that hard work is so easily overturned, more so by a random seagull on a casual, yet illegal heist.

“You darn seagulls!” Exclaimed Josiah.

It was a verbalized thought that everyone was thinking. But at this point, no thought could help the situation. And with that, the gloomy clouds hanging overhead broke. Distant rumbling of thunder accompanied a steady rate of rainfall. There was no hope, no joy, no confidence, no redeeming the situation, and nothing more to be said. They lost…

The Rose: Part 5

Resolution

I - Josiah Amor - failed. I need not go into great detail of what happened next. The rain drove us from where we were, we each returned to where we came from one by one. By then, the NBA meeting was over and there was no hope of getting back in. But even if there was hope, there was no way we could have pulled off what we did. The last one to leave was Trystan, I can’t remember the rest of the order, but you could probably guess the rest of the order. “I’m sorry” was all Trystan said before I was left alone.

It was now February 14. Rather than the events of the day being a blur, it trudged on slowly like it used to. It was an interesting change in pace, but I quickly realized just how boring my day to day life was before this grand adventure, even if it wasn’t successful in the end. Lunch had come and I went to the usual table, partly because of the memories made there, and partly to avoid another chance of a food fight as the monitoring of the cafeteria had decreased.

I was joined by several of my new friends. If I remember correctly, then I was accompanied by several students, which was a first. Apparently they had heard what had happened, or at least could tell that I looked quite dejected. It was a rather large number of people, but I don’t remember much of who they were, only that they were those I had met during my adventures concerning the Juliet Rose.

The cafeteria itself - I noted - looked to be near its completion in regards to its transformation. What transformation, you ask? To that, I say the transformation from a place of eating food prepared by Lunch Lady Bertha, to a place of celebration and dancing and music and whatever else you do at dances. I would have studied the decorations, but I had company.

We didn’t talk much, but they were there, which was very thoughtful of them. While I wasn’t overly joyful, I wasn’t exactly depressed either. For me, I had tried to reach a treasure, a treasure that I so wanted. And when I didn’t get it, I took it as meaning that I wasn’t worthy or able to be with such a treasure. That said, my quietness was apparently mistaken for deep sadness. At this point, most of my thoughts dwelled upon the epic quest of food fights and legal heists. They also dwelled on the friends that helped me embark on such a quest.

Lunch is now over, as are the rest of the classes that haven’t been taken over by the dance. That leaves the dance itself before the conclusion of February 14. I didn’t see any reason why I shouldn’t have a good time there. After all, the free snacks and a potential second food fight would surely be more exciting than a math exam, no offense to math exams though.

I walked back to the cafeteria, where the dance would be held. It was not a hurried walk, and it wasn’t a very slow walk either. It was the pace one strides in when they are reminiscing over times gone by. It was now that I realized just how boring my routine had become before the grand adventure. Hold on, I do believe I already stated that, my apologies.

By chance, I saw Tirzah walking with Trystan and Daniel. After weaving my way through the crowd of eager students who were soon to become full of copious amounts of sugar in the form of cookies, cakes, cream sodas, and candy, I decided to open up a friendly conversation with the three of them. However, they beat me to it.

“Oh hey Josiah,” said Tirzah.

“Hello,” I said,

“I heard what happened,” she said, “I’m so sorry.”

“You did?” I asked.

“I told her,” said Trystan, “but I’m sure she could have figured out that something was wrong with you without my help.”

“What do you mean?” I asked.

“He means you look sad,” said Daniel.

“I’m not,” I said, “but don’t feel bad for me, I’ll be alright.”

We all walked for a bit, not saying a great deal, but certainly thinking it.

“Hold on,” said Daniel, “you said you wanted to give something to Rosaline, right?”

“Yes,” I said.

“And you’re sad now because you have nothing to give her?”

“Well, nothing that would suit her,” I replied.

“Well,” said Daniel, “you could write her a poem, women love poems.”

“He’s right!” said Trystan, “You could totally do something like that, you’re always breaking out in some seventeenth century love poetry whenever you think about her!”

“I don’t know…” said Tirzah suspiciously.

I thought about this for a moment, perhaps that was a good idea. But no, I am normally an average student when it comes to my skills in literature. And my new-found ability isn’t something that I can just turn on and off whenever I please.

“That’s a good idea,” I said, “but I don’t think I could write a love poem right now.”

“I understand,” said Tirzah, “for writing, it’s all about timing, trust me.”

And just like that, the conversation was over. No starting a grand adventure, no beginning a new chapter, and most importantly, no hope of making things right with Rosaline, things really had gone back to normal. And that was something that was more unsatisfying than expected.

I continued my way down the hall, I passed Elson and Cora and Fianna and Rebecca (the one I don’t know very well yet). Our conversation was even more brief, so I don’t feel much need to include a transcript here. It was mostly just hellos and goodbyes, but they were pleasant hellos and goodbyes, so that was nice.

I arrived at the entrance of the cafeteria, which was themed to something like that of Paris, only if Paris was located in a high school cafeteria. I must admit though, it was an impressive sight to behold considering I was just expecting balloons and some confetti. I heard Dorshea had been in charge of the decorations, she had done quite well.

But the chiefest of Dorshea’s decorative accomplishments was with the refreshments table, though that term does not do the marvel of a snack stand justice. Lunch Lady Bertha had created the finest feast of delectable edibles that were sure to be on the radar of everyone who attended, it was a sight to behold indeed.

Going in, I saw Gabe and Ezra who looked happy enough to be out of the line of fire from both ships and food fights. I was one of the last inside the cafeteria dance room before an announcement was made, I found a nice little area - not too far from where I sat when I first spoke to Rosaline - and stood in anticipation.

“Welcome to the Valentine dance,” said one of the girls on a makeshift stage, “I’m Evie.”

“And I’m Ellie,” said the other girl on the stage.

I remembered seeing that Evelyn Nguyen and Ellie Gustafson would host the dance on the school paper, the school podcast, the school bulletin board, the school app, the school blimp, you get the idea. It appeared that they only had a few announcements before the fun began.

“Alright,” said Evelyn, “there are just a few rules before we begin.”

“Yes,” said Ellie, “just to make sure we don’t have a repeat of… last year.”

That was concerning.

“So,” began Evelyn, “no wrestling cake from each other, Lunch Lady Bertha has enough for everyone, yes, everyone.”

“No more than seven cups of fruit punch, looking at you freshman boys,” said Ellie.

“No shipping anyone against their will. If you do, then we’ll send a certain someone to find you who never fails in finding people this certain someone was sent for. I hope that is made very clear. And, I think that’s it, right Ellie?”

“One more thing,” said Ellie in a grave tone, “no food fights. We have teachers in disguise watching to make sure nothing too crazy happens. Don’t even try to start a food fight, it’ll never work.”

For a moment, I forgot about the food fight, which is odd considering that everything since then had been a result of that fateful day. I looked around for the disguised teachers they spoke of, but all I saw was a burrito blanket over in the corner.

“And most importantly, have fun, and let the dance begin!” concluded Evelyn.

The music started as everyone filed into their groups. These groups resembled the war between lunch tables. There were the dancers in the middle of the cafeteria, the guys too cool to dance in the darkest corner possible, the gossip girls who were attempting to make the bathroom their new base of operations (though the janitor seemed to be onto them), and the kids who don’t handle sugar all too wisely, among many other groups.

And where was I? I was in the same general place I was when the food fight ensued, a place for people who don’t really have a group to go to. After watching the scene for a moment, I decided to help myself over to the refreshments table. But I quickly realized that I ought to wait as some of the freshman boys were seemingly trying to get drunk on fruit punch. How that was possible, I don’t know, but I’m sure they’ll find a way.

There were a great many others around me who went on their merry way. Some flooded the dance floor while others hunted the refreshments table and others more wandered off to places one goes when they are forced to attend a Valentine’s Day dance. I looked around, not for any particular reason where I saw Rebekah and Joshua mid-conversation. And since I was in a relatively bold mood, I decided to stroll into whatever it was they were talking about.

“Hi,” I said, “what’s up?”

“Hey,” said Rebekah, “we’re just talking about my latest inspiration!”

“What’s that?” I asked.

“When we were at the greenhouse place thing, I noticed the dress code and thought to myself, Rebekah, this is the future of fashion,” she said in a rather cheerful tone.

“Nice,” I said.

“Yeah,” said Joshua, “and she wants me to gather test subjects.”

“I didn’t word it like that,” Rebekah protested, “but yes.”

“Ah,” I said, turning to Joshua, “well I take it you’re the best one to do that sort of thing. I bet you’re the one they were talking about during the no shipping rule.”

“Not exactly,” said Joshua, “that would be Lunch Lady Bertha. She’s the certain someone who never fails in finding people this certain someone was sent for.”

“Really…” I said in astonishment, though it made sense in retrospect, “so what are you doing here for the dance?”

“Well,” said Joshua who had lowered his voice, “I hear someone’s going to try and start another food fight, hopefully I can stop the guy before he’s successful.”

“Who?” asked Rebekah

“If my sources are right, it’s the same guy who started the last one,” said Joshua.

I recalled the time where the food fight ensued. If I remember correctly, the instigator of the food fight had been none other than Brayden Freund. His battle against Ruthie and Gontse was still a topic of discussion in the school. And I could imagine that a very small few wanted a repeat of that dreadful day of culinary catastrophe.

“But yeah, Lunch Lady Bertha has the whole shipping thing covered,” said Joshua.

“Speaking of shipping,” said Rebekah, “have you talked to Rosaline yet?”

“How?” I asked, “I blew my one chance to speak with her during the food fight and I blew my chance of making things right during the… whatever you call that thing we did.”

“A legal heist,” corrected Rebekah.

“Yes,” I said, “I can’t think of anything that would really replace the Juliet Rose, though Daniel suggested I try poetry.”

“He’s right,” said Joshua, “women love poetry.”

“I don’t know…” said Rebekah suspiciously.

“It’s a good idea - I guess - but I’m not really in a poetic mood right now,” I said.

“How?!” asked Rebekah, “You’re always bursting out in some form of poetry.”

“There is a way,” said Joshua, “find some poetry you like on the internet, then throw Rosaline’s name in there every now and then and boom, you have a love poem.”

“That’s plagiarizing though,” protested Rebekah.

“I’m not finished yet,” said Joshua, “then you cite your sources in a really tiny font so she doesn’t see it. I bet it’ll work, what do you say?”

I thought about this for a moment.

“I say it’s a terrible idea, and partially plagiarism,” said Rebekah.

“Yes, and partially plagiarism is better than totally plagiarism,” said Joshua.

“I appreciate the thought,” I said, “but it’s too late for me, even with all the legal heist help in the world. Don’t feel bad though, you all did the best you could.”

Joshua and Rebekah’s tone changed, they could tell that I was in a strange state of contemplation. I was far from joy, but to say I was sad was an understatement. It was apparent that I had returned to my normal demeanor and routine that I was locked into before this adventure - which I am ever so grateful for - started.

“So,” said Joshua, “I should probably get going.”

I could tell he was searching for a proper final remark, but he found none. But no such remark was needed. He bid us farewell and strode off to wherever one goes to start an adventure. I was still standing there with Rebekah, I had expected her to leave, but she remained for some reason I could not entirely tell.

“Did you really want to get Rosaline the Juliet Rose because you felt bad about what happened that day during lunch?” she asked.

“I guess so,” I said.

There was a brief pause.

“You’re unique,” Rebekah said.

“Is that a good thing?” I asked.

“I’d say that depends on what you do next.”

She was holding something out to me, I looked down and saw the rose. It wasn’t the Juliet Rose, but rather the plastic one she stole for free. I received it, it was just as vibrant as it was last night, there were no changes to its features.

“The thing about flowers,” began Rebekah, “is they don’t last, if you cut them anyways.”

“This one does,” I said.

“It’s fake,” said Rebekah, “or… more like it represents something.”

I listened, this was a different tone, a genuine one. Not that everyone I had encountered had been superficial, but I got the feeling that I should listen to this with more care than I would the joking and planning of days prior.

“When the rose is still on the plant, it lives much longer, but you can’t toy with it as you want. Once you cut it, it will bring you more in a short time, but quickly dies whereas the plant lives on. I’ve always found that to be poetic.”

“What are you saying?” I asked.

“Give this to her,” she said, “you never needed that other thing, and if you did, then she doesn’t deserve you. And we all know that the food fight wasn’t your fault.”

“You just want me to give this to her, you know I can’t do that,” I said, though I didn’t believe myself one bit.

“Why not, you’ll never know what you’re missing if you don’t.”

“But-”

“Josiah, you’re the only one I know that can turn a plastic rose into a lifelong commitment, we’ve all been around you long enough to know that you have good intentions and enough self control to stop yourself from becoming… that.”

She pointed over to the free for all at the refreshments table.

“So,” I said, “you want me to give this to her, as a friend first and see what happens?”

“You think you love her,” she said, “but you hardly even know her, you need to clear up your senses before you’re ready to take any steps, forward or back. Plus, you have good friends to help you along the way, we believe in you.”

I was convinced, at last I was convinced.

“Ok then, a bit blunt, but I think I needed to hear that,” I said, “thank you.”

“You’re welcome,” said Rebekah, “and good luck.”

I left in search of Rosaline. Of course, oh of course, I had been doing everything all wrong. I made a most glorious little story up in my head that simply wasn’t true. There was no apology that needed to be offered on another’s behalf, no gift that needed to mend an imaginary wound. The only obstacle had been my own fear of failure.

I scoured the entire cafeteria, finding nothing but semi-delightful dancers, sugar-crazed freshmen, and Lunch Lady Bertha looking as intimidating as ever. At last! I found her, I found Rosaline. I must say this is the first time I haven’t dreaded conversing with her. But alas, there was a wall of grubby students dancing whatever dance dancers dance these days.

I looked, I looked, and I looked once more, but the wall was a well armored one. There seemed to be no hope of me getting through. I wasn’t going to give up, but it was clear I couldn’t get through, not without help at least. Imagine my delight when help did arrive.

One of the bright, white dance lights illuminated in my general direction, drowning out the darkness. It wasn’t centered on me, but it was enough to draw the attention of the human wall. Dorshea then announced that some activity of some sort would be occurring at some place away from where the wall was, I believe it was Evelyn and Ellie who would lead it.

I looked around and noticed Joshua directing the lights and speakers. I noticed Daniel and Tirzah help guide the crowd to where they needed to go from behind. My path was clear, I almost didn’t believe it. Everyone worked perfectly together without even knowing what was going on, unless they had help.

I looked around for said help when I saw Trystan. Immediately, it clicked. He gave a nod which seemed to tell me that I needed to get going before my window of opportunity was forever shut up. Rosaline was there, not where everyone was dancing, but just beyond. I cannot recall what she was doing there or even where ‘there’ was. You see, much of my energy was being vigorously spent trying to suppress my own doubt. And there we stood.

“Hello,” I said.

“Hey,” said Rosaline.

I tried my very hardest not to mess this up.

“So,” I said, “I remember meeting you before the food fight, are you new here?”

“Yes,” she said, “and that was definitely a memorable day.”

We both laughed, though my laughter was infinitely more nervous.

“And, well, I heard you liked roses somewhat more than food fights,” I said.

“You could say that, I suppose.”

“Hopefully this leaves a better impression then,” I said, stunned at the fact I had even finished a sentence, let alone a short conversation.

I gave her the rose. It was as a gift, no more, and no less.

“Wha- oh, thank you,” she said with a mixture of shock and joy, “how did you know?”

That was a bit of a long story, and one which I was not prepared to recount. Fortunately for me though, Rosaline began talking before I had a chance to retell the great adventure.

“I, uh- was going to give you something, but I… lost it,” said Rosaline.

“To be honest,” I said, “I was going to get you something else, but I also lost it.”

We could both tell that something rather good had just begun.

“Yo Rosaline!” called Rebecca (not to be confused with Rebekah, yes, I know, it’s somewhat confusing) from behind her, “do you think Elson can take a sixth cup of fruit punch?”

Rosaline looked back, mildly annoyed with the interruption, but also curious about what manner of game her friends had just invented.

“I had better get going,” she said, “thank you again.”

“So I’ll see you tomorrow?” I asked as she turned to leave.”

“I hope so,” said Rosaline.

And so I was left, though that empty, lonely feeling was nowhere to be found. I gave a glance to see where my friends were. Some offered smiles, while others offered a smirk and a thumbs up. Rebekah was there, as was Daniel, Joshua, Dorshea, Tirzah, and of course, Trystan.

“I can only guess you had something to do with that,” I said to Trystan.

“Well, some of them needed a little bit of persuasion,” said Trystan, “but they were all happy to help when I told them you needed help.”

“Really?” I asked, not in disbelief of their character, but in how fast it was done.

“Yeah, Trystan told us what you needed,” said Rebekah, “you did great.”

Rebekah had to raise her voice a little as the refreshments table was getting more and more heated for some reason. Then I realized something, the refreshments table!

“Joshua,” I said, “shouldn’t you be watching out for the food fight?”

“Oh,” said Joshua, “I made that up, there’s no way Brayden’s going to try that again-”

SPLASH! With a tremendous and thunderous crash came an entire bowl of fruit punch on Gontse. The music and dancing stopped as everyone paid attention to what had just happened. The memory of the epic battle between Brayden and his food army and Ruthie and Gontse’s pastry platoon reignited in everyone’s mind.

“Consider my revenge satisfied,” said Brayden as he approached in his choice of a dark, silverish grey dress vest, “for the time you foiled my plot against the Sporty Kids and the Chemistry Club. I now have a day of victory over your alliance.”

“But that day is not today!” said Ruthie.

Suddenly, dozens upon dozens of normal looking students drew food as their weapons. There were far more students here than there was last time: Rebekah, Joshua, Daniel, and Tirzah to name a few. Part of me looked forward to what they’d each do in a food fight. But before any plans could be made, I saw Rosaline as she was positioned perfectly in the line of fire. I had to help her, I simply had to, even if saving her from a food fight was cliche at this point.

“So, said Gontse, if it’s another fight you want, it’s what you’ll get.”

“I’d be disappointed any other way,” said Brayden.

I gave a quick glance to Trystan to see if maybe he had miraculously scrambled together a plan already, but much to our dismay, no plans had been formed by my friends.

“Oh boy,” said Trystan.

“Here we go again,” I said.

The End…

Author’s Note

I would like to thank the following for allowing me to use their names in my little book:

Lady Rebekah Paul

Daniel Dove

Dorshea Goh

Tirzah Hopkins

Brayden Freund

Elson Tan

Rebecca Gascho

Cora Metzger

Fianna de Pater

Rebecca Gascho

Gontse Motsheko

Ruthie Overholt

Ezra Johnson

Ellie Gustafson

Evelyn Nguyen

And Gabe Nelson

And a special thanks to Tristan, who Trystan is based off of