Rose Blossom - By Renee Travis Page 0,5

grossed me out a little.

"But I can go? For real?" I asked, a little breathless, mom's eyes narrowed.

"Yes, but let's not make a habit of this, OK?" I nodded quickly and she turned and left. Dad gave me a thumbs up, leaned in and shut my door.

I have never wished I could jump up and down for joy more.

Chapter 2

As I heard the door bell ring exactly at 7:30, I placed my hands on the bathroom counter to steady myself as I felt my blood pressure lowering. Please Gods don’t let me faint in front of this boy. Taking a few deep breaths, I straightened up to examine myself in the mirror; the dark red tank top and long black gypsy skirt I'd chosen seemed to be working out pretty well, showing off my curves but not so much that mom and dad would freak out.

I had mom do my hair in one long braid and it lay against my back, restraining my curls. I heard my parents making small talk down stairs and figured I'd better hurry up if I didn’t want them to alienate Julian. I walked slowly down the stairs and, just like in so many stupid movies I adored, three pairs of eyes turned to me. Amusement, disapproval and something I didn't recognize were reflected in the colored depths looking up at me.

Julian looked wonderful in black slacks and a deep blue tight T-shirt. I couldn't believe he was taking me to the dance. As I got closer to him, his scent hit me and I trembled. It was a sweet musky rose scent that on any other boy would have just been...off. I stopped just in front of him and my mother handed me a small black purse.

"Now your cell phone, keys and....everything is in your purse. Call us if anything happens, and I mean anything," said my mother, turning with a pointed look at Julian.

"Now Bethy, leave them alone. Go and have a great time Rose," my father smiled and leaned over, kissing my cheek. I could only give him a relief-filled gaze.

I slipped on the black sandals that were against the wall near the door and felt Julian's cool hand rest against my back. It was a light touch but one that made me jump a little. He leaned past me and opened the front door and before I could blink we were standing outside, my front door shut and I felt something I hadn't felt since before I was ten years old: freedom.

I walked into the front yard and drew a deep breath into my lungs; warm air filling them and I could smell the faint odor of the rice fields burning near Biggs; a smell that was the definition of late summer. The sun was just beginning to set, splashes of pink spilling onto the gold and blue of the horizon; it was perhaps the most perfect moment of my life.

"Shall we Rose?" I heard Julian's soft voice just next to my ear, his warm breath, smelling faintly floral, brushed my cheek.

I turned swiftly and found myself inches from his face and his lips, my heart began to race and I struggled to bring it under control. Julian's eyes widened and he placed his hand on my cheek.

"Breathe my Rose blossom, calm, what's wrong... your heart..." he trailed off and dropped his hand looking away.

"You can..." I swallowed, heart under control, "hear my heartbeat?"

"Forget it, come on," Julian linked his fingers with mine and pulled me toward his truck, a large Ford F-150, black with a red stripe going from front to back and chrome trim. My dad was way into that show 'Over Hauling’, so I knew a little about cars. It was high off the ground so I had to jump a little to get into it. As I settled into the seat I noticed that it smelled just like Julian; it was exciting and soothing at the same time.

Julian got in and looked over at me, "I drive kind of fast, is that OK?"

"Oh, um yes, I guess," I shrugged; no one really went over the speed limit with me in the car. I could never understand that, cars and driving didn’t excite me...much.

Julian started the engine and he drove the roads to our high school like he owned them. The drive seemed to take seconds, he drove fast and sure of himself and the machine under his hands. Making sure I kept control of my own being,