Rose didn't grow up too fast in her aunt's eyes, but she did feel like everyone that loved her would leave eventually. She was grateful to the Morgan family for sticking with her for so long. Since they were in kindergarten, Andrew had been her best friend, and she felt like he could be the one more than once though they were just in middle school.

Andrew would protect her from bullies or tell other boys to stop following her around. She wasn't sure how he did it, but he intimidated most of the school with just a stare! Rose admired Andrew because of that and hadn't paid much attention to others in school or around town. She knew about Neal and Ryan but didn't give Andrew's brothers a lot of attention when she did go over to their estate.

Rose did make a point to talk to their mother almost every time she went over so the woman would like her. Rose wanted to stay in the family somehow.

"Rosy!" Andrew called out as Rose was hanging out with some of her friends.

Rose beamed when she saw Andrew running towards her with something in his hand.

"What is it, Dru?" She asked, and her friends giggled around her.

Andrew's face got red as he smiled at Rose. "I was wondering if you'd go to the carnival with me! It's coming up soon!" He exclaimed, but his face got redder the more he spoke.

"I would love to!" Rose said as she knew this was the perfect time to set things in motion though she had a bad feeling about something.

---

The day was perfect for the carnival, and Rose was grateful for it. She held the giant stuffed bear that Andrew had won for her and giggled at a joke that the other had said. Things were going great on the date, and Rose couldn't believe that she had almost turned Andrew down. She glanced towards the Ferris wheel and then back to Andrew, telling him that she had to go on it no matter what!

Andrew chuckled at her excitement but nodded as he took her hands in his and led her through the crowd to the line to the ride.

A gentle wind blew leaves from trees, and they could hear many laughs and shouts throughout the county fair. The grass was still green though so many people had walked through the fairgrounds. The maintenance staff kept the place cleaned up so the landscapers could do their job sufficiently.

Rose laughed at more of what Andrew was saying though the two got nasty looks from the people in line for causing a stir. Everyone around them was quiet, but the two of them were in their little world. When they rode the ride, this feeling continued with the two, and Rose leaned her head onto Andrew's shoulder.

Andrew began to sing softly in his low baritone voice. Rose closed her eyes and enjoyed Andrew's original song. She knew it was about her, and she always enjoyed hearing it when he did sing or hum it. It made her feel special.

Things between the two of them couldn't get any better. The summer was going by fast for most of the people that she knew, but it had felt like she spent years with Andrew.

Andrew and Rose walked up a trail to a spot that overlooked the town with the sun setting soon. They talked about their futures even if they weren't planning one together because they were their people. She laughed at one of the things on his bucket list and couldn't believe he was so adamant about doing the thing!

"I love you, Rosy."

The statement made Rose freeze, and she looked at Andrew.

"D-Do you know what you're saying?" Rose stumbled on her words as she sat up, then she pulled her knees to her chest to hug them to her body. They were just in middle school. How could Andrew know that he loves her? That was just absurd.

"I know what I said. I meant it."

Rose avoided eye contact with him and swallowed the lump down in her throat. If he meant it, then did that mean she was bound to him now? Sure their summer had been amazing so far but not as impressive as admitting they loved each other.

"You can't be serious."

Andrew's smile faded as he heard Rose.

"We can't just admit to each other that we love each other. You're jumping to conclusions, Dru."

"No, I'm not, Rosy! I do love you!"

Rose scoffed then stood up, which made Andrew jump.

"I-I can't do this, Dru," Rose told him and hugged herself. "Not before high school. Please don't do this." She begged him, and Andrew's outstretched hand faltered.

"Please don't hate me..." Andrew begged her, and she sighed.

"I could never hate you, Dru, but I can't do this right now. Not before high school." Rose repeated herself, and Andrew sighed.

"Of course," Andrew mumbled. "I get it. You can go then. I'm sorry for what I said." Andrew told her, and she nodded then left him there. He looked out to the town below them and clenched his hands closed. Andrew shut his eyes and rubbed the bridge of his nose since he was sure Rose would forget about him if they stopped everything now. He was sure of it.

---

Rose looked at the menu for the food she was ordering with some friends that had gotten a table. It had been a week since she had walked away from Andrew, and she hadn't contacted him once. Rose rummaged in her pocket and knew she had enough for something but not the thing that she wanted the most. She bit her lip and jumped when someone tapped on her shoulder.

"Need some money?" Andrew asked as he held out a twenty-dollar bill to Rose.

Rose's face flushed, and Andrew's smile slipped. The process had already begun.

"A-Are you sure? You don't even know me." Rose told him, and Andrew forced a smile.

"Of course. You deserve everything that you want. Here you go." Andrew said and put the bill in her hand.

"Thank you." Rose beamed. "My name is Rose, by the way." She told him, and Andrew smiled.

"My name is Andrew," Andrew told her, and she smiled more.

"Thank you, Andrew, for the money! See you around, hopefully!" She told him, then turned towards the menu to look it over before going to the worker to order.

Andrew's smile turned into a frown as he watched Rose, but he knew better than interfering. He shook his head and went to leave. Maybe he'd get another chance? He scoffed at his hopeful thinking.

---

Rose glared at the piece of paper in front of her. The rest of her summer had passed too fast for her liking. She had gone swimming as much as she could with her friends though they kept mentioning why she wasn't hanging out with her boyfriend. She rolled her eyes at them every time then reminded them that she didn't have one because she had never liked someone like that!

All of Rose's friends had exchanged weird looks with one another but dropped the subject after Rose's blow-up. They then brought it up once that day but Rose just ignored them then went to her classes.

Besides, everyone she loves leaves like her former friends and family.

Rose sighed as she shoved some books and papers into her backpack. The teacher had ended her class by giving them a homework packet, and she rolled her eyes. School counselors had told her that eighth grade was challenging, but it had been fine so far. Sure it was only the first day, but she knew it wouldn't be that hard!

Rose went out to the front lawn for lunch and looked up at the sky. Dark storm clouds were gathering around the town and making the small area of blue sky disappear. She frowned and looked around. All the kids were laughing, and others were studious even on the first week of school. Rose looked for friends then spotted them then walked over to them to sit down to eat.

"Heya Rose!" They said to her, and Rose made a face. Why were they calling her Rose and not Rosy? She didn't think twice about it, though, and opened her bag to pull her lunch out. At least she had an aunt who loved her enough to take her in.

"Do you think it will rain tonight?" One of the girls asked, and Rose began to listen.

"Yes, since the forecast says a storm is coming."

"A storm? Oh no! Do you think the Morgan's estate will be damaged this time?"

Rose paused in unwrapping her sandwich to the last name that they had said.

"Who're the Morgans?" Rose asked them.

The girls exchanged looks then they responded to her. "The richest family in town, Rosy. You know that since they are your best friends." They told her.

Rose blinked but nodded at that. She didn't know any of them, but she'd let them think that.

---

"We must leave!" A woman yelled as Andrew walked through the door. "This storm is more dangerous than the last ones. We have to leave at once!" The woman yelled. "Dru! Pack a bag! We are leaving. Take whatever you want!" She screamed and left Andrew's sight.

"Brother!" Andrew looked up to see Ryan trotting towards him. "Neal is helping me pack, and we are almost done!" He giggled, and Andrew nodded.

"You better pack up before mother has your head, Dru," Neal commented as he was not far behind Ryan.

"I know." Andrew groaned and took the stairs two at a time to get to his room. He glanced at his coffin and knew his mother wouldn't let him take it. It was the most comfortable one he had, though, and it was a pity that he had to leave it behind.

Andrew began to gather things around his room, like his laptop and headphones, along with other items. Andrew stopped at the frame next to the coffin and stared at the photo of him and Rose as kids. He reached out for it, then withdrew as he knew his mother made Rose forget about their whole family for her safety, but it had been too soon in his mind. He sighed, then grabbed the frame and shoved it in his bag. Andrew would remember their friendship for the both of them.

---

The last name Morgan disappeared from the town after the storm hit. The school was canceled for a week because the storm had caused the town damage, and the Morgan Estate was destroyed.

Rose had ridden her red bike around town and looked at the damage. Her aunt had told her to be careful, and she was as she rode throughout the city. Small businesses had the owners outside picking up their signs with tears going down their faces. Their whole livelihood just wiped clean because of mother nature. The church was releasing the citizens that didn't have a place to go and go over the damage done to the chapel. Rose frowned but rode on as she saw other houses had been torn to shreds by the winds and flooded.

Rose rode towards the forest but stopped as she saw the trail was gone. She saw police tape further on once she stood on her tiptoes then went to turn around but ran into someone.

"O-Oh, sorry."

"You're fine. Are you here to check out the carnage of the Morgan's Estate?" The boy asked, and Rose blinked.

"I don't know why I am here. Is this the way to the estate that was destroyed?" Rose asked, and the boy nodded.

"My name is Dimitri. I can lead you to the trail that leads to the estate." Dimitri told her, and Rose nodded.

Rose got off her bike and went to walk it, but Dimitri shook his head.

"Let's lock this thing up for you, and then I'll lead you back, promise," Dimitri told her. Rose nodded at him again, and they locked up her red bike; then she went to follow him to the trail leading to the destroyed estate.

"Did you just move here? I haven't seen you around at school." Rose said as she followed him.

"No, I'm just homeschooled for now. My mom is sending me to high school, though, so you'll see me next year." Dimitri told her, and she blinked.

"How'd you know what grade I was in?" Rose asked, and Dimitri laughed.

"I just guessed, though, you never told me your name though I told you mine," Dimitri told her, and they made it to the estate's lingering structure.

"Oh, my name is Rose. Nice to meet you, Dimitri." Rose said and held her hand out.

Dimitri smiled and took her hand in his, then kissed the top of it.

"The pleasure is mine, Rosy," Dimitri said as Rose looked at the destroyed structure in awe.

"It's strangely beautiful," Rose told him, and he hummed.

"Why are you crying?" Dimitri asked her and Rose blinked.

Rose raised her hand and felt the wetness on her fingertips. Rose glanced at Dimitri, then at the ruined estate. "I don't know."