"You must be Rose." A curly haired boy came bouncing up to where I waited.
We had just moved to America and I was still a little shaken.
"Depends who's asking." I replied, leaning back on my hands.
"I'm Phillip. I live here with my aunt." Phillip stuck out his hand. "I was told we're sharing a bedroom."
I raise an eyebrow. "Maybe, strange boy." I laughed.
"Strange? You're the stranger, silly girl." He chuckled, sitting almost on top of me. "I'm going to call you Rosie, for Rose is so very plain."
I rolled my eyes at that, shoving him away.
"So sassy for a five-year-old. I like it. We're going to be best friends."
"Doubtful." I got up and went to find grandma, leaving him behind.

"Penny for your thoughts." Phillip slides down the bed to sit beside me.
I smile lightly at him. "I was actually thinking about when we met." I sat, lying my head on his shoulder.
He wraps an arm around me, pulling me against him. "You were so feisty back then, such potential." He jokes. "But then you hit nine or ten and turned so soft."
"Hey," I hit his chest. "Liar, I'm not soft."
"Not anymore. You hit fifteen and became my Rosie again." Phillip kisses my head. "Dad just got back."
"Oh, really?" I ask, looking up. "How is Uncle Jasper?"
"Fine from what I could tell over Skype." He sighs, shrugging the shoulder I wasn't on. "He had a meeting so it wasn't a long talk."
I nod. "Understandable."
"Hey, you've been acting odd. Are you alright?" Phillip questions concern lacing his voice.
Taking a breath, I smile lightly. "I'm fine...." I trail off, glancing over at my reflection. "I see her sometimes in things I do." I confess. "Everything seems to mirror her."
"Rosie-"
"I'm scared, Lip, I don't want to be her, but I can.... I can just feel it." I get up and walk to the mirror.
"You're not like her, nor will you ever be, I promise." He joins me in the mirror, I can see the sad look on his reflection.
"How can you make such promises?" I inquire.
"Because I won't let you be her." He turns me around and pulls me into a comforting hug. "Never ever, you understand."
I nod against him, wrapping my arms around his waist.
"Let's change this image." He moves my hair, pulling it around my shoulder. "Shall we?"
I grin, nodding excitedly. "Do the honors."
"Gladly." He smirks. "I've wanted to do this for years."

****

The door opens, revealing a shocked adult. "Holy heck, what is this?!" Grandma exclaims.
I try to hide behind my cousin, but it's too late. "Hiya, Grandma." I say, smiling shyly at her.
"Hello." She turns her gaze to Phillip. "Would you like to explain this, Mister?" She questions.
I didn't think she would be this stunned about it.
He only shrugs. "Just having some fun." He touches my hair, moving it around. "I did pretty good, if I do say so myself."
"You agreed to giving him scissors?" I wish she wasn't so worked up about this.
"Yes, I did." I state, smiling. "What do you think?"
My hair which used to reach the middle of my back now touched my shoulders.
"Oh, I love it." Grandma laughs. "I was just a little shaken up about the whole scene." She shakes her head, reaching out to mess with the hair. "He did very well. Not surprising by how much he loves to cut stuff." She laughs again.
"Why thank you." Phillip mockingly bows.
"After you clean this mess come to dinner would ya?" With that Grandma leaves, shutting the door behind her.
"Well I like it." Lip kisses my cheek. "Now you don't look like her or AJ."

****

"Aunt Rosie!" Noah runs up to me, hugging my legs.
"Hey, No." I bend and pick her up. "Whatcha doing?"
"Nothing." Noah laughs, playing with the zipper on my jacket. "Can we go somewhere?"
"Like where?" I begin to walk toward the closet to grab shoes.
"Maybe the park." Noah suggests, nodding her head and giving me a cute little smile.
Slipping on shoes, I agree to go to the park. I carry her downstairs and tell them where we're going, resulting in taking Scarlett and Lip with us as well.
"Catch me, Aunt Rosie!" Noah squeals running toward the playground.
"Yeah, catch us, Mom." Scar takes off after her.
"You heard them." Lip pushes me forward. "You better hurry."
Just as I'm about to catch Noah, she does a one-handed cartwheel and escapes me.
After five more minutes, I decide to give up. "Your turn." I tag Phillip. "Run your heart out.
He looks betrayed but does it anyway.
He manages to catch Scar quickly, but Noah takes longer since she does all kinds of tricks to allude him.
Finally Noah gets tired and makes Phillip carry her to the ice cream place.

****

"Did you have fun today?" I ask, lying down beside Noah, who nods tiredly.
"A lot of fun." She rubs her eyes. "Night, night."
"Goodnight, Noah." I kiss her forehead.
"Night, N." Phillip echoes from the other side of the child, hugging her to him.
Within three seconds she was out like a light.
"You ready for the hearing tomorrow?" Phillip questions.
"I guess." I sigh. "Night."
"Goodnight, Rosie."

I don't know what this is lol. But I start school back tomorrow and I'm excited and not at the same time. -Iz