Chapter One: Roses
Winter 2020, Rose and Kamari are walking back to Rose's car, Kamari just got his artwork featured in an art gallery for the first time in 2 years, as always Rose showed up with a single rose and a lot of energy to hype up her best friend. On the drive back to Kamari house the two would talk about childhood and make jokes, laughter slowly came to an end as they pulled into Kamari's driveway.
*Rose shuts the engine off and unbuckled her seatbelt, turning herself towards Kamari who was also unbuckling his seatbelt. Rose's eyes are watering as she looks Kamari.*
Rose: I…..I honestly can't believe you're leaving…
*Kamari looking straight ahead, he could never look at Rose whenever she cried because it breaks his heart, Rose doesn't cry in front of him often, but when she does that means she can't handle the situation, and knowing that she's crying because of him is killing him on the inside.*
Kamari: Is it really that hard to believe though?
Rose: No but, I thought that maybe….
*Kamari quickly turned his head and hugs Rose, who buries her head into his chest, tear drops starts falling off of her face on to his jackets.
Kamari: I'm sorry Rose, but I have to do this… there's nothing here for me anymore, there's no reason to stay, I just have to go…
*Rose pushes him off, the tears in her eyes went from sorrow to anger*
Rose: You're just being selfish! How can you just up and leave like that? No warning just woke up and decided *mocking Kamari* "Oh I'm just going to go and forget about everything I have here." Well good just go! Clearly There's nothing here for you!
*Engine stops*
Taxi driver: That's $24.65 Bud
*The Taxi driver looks in his rare view mirror and notices that his passenger isn't paying attention. He taps on the safety glass to get his attention.
Taxi driver: Hey! $24.65! C'mon I got places to be.
Kamari: Oh…What?....I'm sorry, here you go ...keep the change.
*Kamari self thought: It's been 4 years since that conversation with Rose, I replay it in my head every day, Maybe I miss her…. Or maybe I just feel guilty… She brought up a really good point, I did just randomly decide to just leave everything behind, my job, my family, my friends, my ...my Rose.*
Winter 2024, 4 years after leaving his hometown Kamari Walker became well known for his legendary paintings of a single rose, saying that it took one rose for his outlook on life to finally change, but with fame came consequences, he hasn't been back to his little town as often as he promised, in fact this winter he said that he'll be working on his final rose painting.
*Kamari walks into his apartment building, still a bit distracted after thinking about his old friend, he mindlessly walks to the front desk. The lady at the front desk has her eyes focused on her computer, she takes a quick glance, and smiles at the familiar face.*
Bethany: Long day Mr.Walker?
*After no response, Bethany takes her eyes off her screen, and knocks on the desk.*
Bethany: Kamari? Everything okay?
Kamari: Huh? Oh… I'm sorry, yes, long day, I just came back from the studio, and I'm just kind of-
Bethany: I keep telling you to stop working so hard on this project, it'll come to you naturally.
Kamari: *chuckles* I know…I'm trying…I'll be home for the next 2 days. Promise.
Bethany: Good! Oh before I forget I have something here for you.
Kamari: *Excited* Is it? Did… Is it finally here?
Bethany: *laughing* You and your art supplies…. Yes, just let me get the package for you.
*Bethany gets up and walks away from her computer and desk, Kamari begins to smile, he looks around the lobby he's been in and out of at least a thousand times, nothing particularly special about this lobby, he looks at a rose he drew for Bethany, that she had framed, he picks it up and turn away from the desk, as he's analyzing the sketch on the coffee stained paper, he looks up and notices a lady walking outside, he smiles, and as he was about to look down, the ladies hair caught the wind and that’s when he saw the red hair. In a panic he put down the drawing and sprinted out of the door, as he reached the sidewalk using his height to his advantage he was able to spot the lady, he begins making his way through the crowded sidewalk*
Winter 2016, Rose is walking up to Kamari's, after a long day of school without her best friend, she figured she had to see him at least once before the day is over, Kamari has been acting strange towards her the last couple of days and him missing school was definitely strange.
*Rose walks up to the door and knocks 3 times, she heard footsteps coming closer and closer to the door, the door opens.*
Ms. Walker: Rose! How are you?! I haven't seen you all week, come in, come in.
*Rose walks in laughing with Ms. Walker, she's always excited to see her*
Rose: *Laughing* Well you know, with school, things are kind of busy…Um is Kamari home?
Ms. Walker: Yeah he's in his room… think you can get him to take his ear phones out for a few seconds? *laughing*
Rose: You know how he is with his music haha, I'll try my best though.
*Rose walks up the steps and down the hall, she stops and smile at the sign they made when they were younger, it reads "Boys Club Unless You're Rose!", She knocks on the door 3 times, when there was no response, she jiggles the door open, Kamari's door has been broken forever but with enough dedication it can be open. Rose walks in to see that the room is as cluttered as always, papers all over, incomplete drawings, a lot of water bottles, pencils and erasers just thrown about, it looks like he's been having a long week. Rose notices that Kamari's window is open, he tends to sit on his roof when he can't generate any ideas, Rose pokes her head out and looks to the right, she taps his leg and Kamari smiles at her.*
Rose: I figured you would be out here.
Kamari: Hey Rosie
Rose: Hey! *punches his leg* Nuh uh, we agreed you'll never call me that.
*Kamari laughs and extends his hand to help Rose on to the roof.*
Rose: So are you going to finally tell me what's bothering you?
Kamari: Huh? Nothing.
*Kamari looks forward and starts playing with a strand of hair that always hangs in front of his face, Rose watches him from the corner of her eyes, then looks forward towards the street. She begins messing with the red part of her hair.*
Rose: You see, you say that, and you do that thing you do.
Kamari: That thing I do?
Rose: *chuckles* Yeah, you usually start playing with your hair when you have something heavy on your mind. So do me a favor and just tell me already.
Kamari: *Sigh* Do you ever feel like you don’t belong somewhere? And I don't mean like you don’t fit in, I mean, I just don’t feel like this is my "spot" I feel like I'm falling and I'm yet to find my place to grow.
*Rose looks at him, not surprised that he felt like this, she leaned her head onto his shoulder and hugs him, as if to ease his mind for a few seconds. Kamari hugs her back but not as tight as she was hugging him.*
Rose: I mean…Is that why?
Kamari: Hmm?
Rose: No I just thought….
Kamari: Rose no, I know what you're thinking, it's fine, I don’t know may-
*Rose's phone begins to ring, she takes it out of her pocket, and turns it over, it was her boyfriend Braith.*
Rose: Hey hon,Umm I'm actually with, Kamari right now. Think we can meet up a bit lat-
*Kamari smiles and nudges her*
Kamari: *Whispering* It's okay, go ahead.
Rose: *Whispering* Thank you, text me later?
*Kamari nods, and helps Rose back through his bedroom window, Rose made her way out the front door and start walking up the street, she looks back and waves at Kamari, Kamari smiles and waves back, he kept watching her until she was gone from his sight.*
Kamari: The fall continues I guess…
Winter 2024:
*As he gets closer to the stranger, he just stops, and watches as the lady gets swallowed up by the crowd, he turns around and walks back to his building. Kamari opens his building's door, walks past the front desk and collects his package, he gets into the elevator and takes the long ride to the tenth floor, the elevator stops at the 6th floor, Kamari leans his shoulder against the wall of the elevator, as the door opens, a lady that couldn't be taller than 5'4 steps in, and presses L to go to the lobby, she was wearing a red college hoodie with holes for her thumbs, she had blonde hair that she kept in a messy bun, except for the one curl that was perfect and hanging from the side, as she steps further into the elevator, she looks up and notices Kamari.*
