(KRRRHHH....KRRRHHHH)
Rose's phone began to ring.
Rose: Collin...?
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Eugene: You know why I called you, right?
Tracy: Uhh nope.
Eugene: I knew you might say that, ... TRILLA.
Tracy (real name Trilla): ....
Eugene: Are you still going to feign ignorance?
Tracy: What do you want?
Eugene: Now that's more like it.
We have a lot of catching up to do, but not now. What I want you to do for me is to protect Rose at all costs and never leave her side.
Tracy: I am not a babysitter, you know?
Eugene: Well, you seem to be doing a great job at keeping watch on her. As I said, we have a lot of catching up to do.
Right now, I just want you on my side. Rose is in danger, and I know you know that.
Tracy: How did you find out about me?
Eugene: I have my ways. But I must say, you did a pretty good job at keeping yourself hidden.
Tracy: Yeah, yeah, whatever.
Eugene: You can go now.
Tracy: Tsk, don't you even think you can start bossing me around, alright? I'm not one of you men.
Eugene: We'll see about that.
Tracy: What a showoff.
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Rose: Collin...?
Hello...
Collin: ......
Collin stood silently at the other end of the call, knowing perfectly he had to figure out something to tell Rose. Things were getting out of hand, and he hated that fact.
Rose: I know you can hear me. Look, I'm sure you have a lot to deal with, and I won't ask you to tell me anything if you don't want to. I'm just curious about stuff, and to tell the truth, I feel I really do not know anything about you.
Rose decided to speak her mind as she sat at her usual spot in the cafe, staring through the window every now and then.
Rose: I am not going to speak much, but I hope you are doing ok. Take care of yourself, and, umm, see you soon.
Collin: Rose...
Call line: ----------
Collin: DAMN IT!!!
Out of anger, Collin smashed the phone on the floor.
Rose: Haa
Rose let out a sigh and sank into her chair. Just then Tracy appeared.
Tracy: Hey, what's up?
Rose: Nothing.
Tell me, what did he say?
Tracy: Nothing serious. He just asked me to play spy.
Rose: Huh?
Tracy: Hahaa, gotcha! Just kidding.
He asked me questions about you.
Tracy lied blatantly with a smile on her face as she took a seat as well.
Rose: Me?
Tracy: Yes.
If you ask me, I think he likes you.
Rose: Stop joking, Tracy. You know that's not possible.
Tracy leaned closer, now serious.
Tracy: What if it is?
Rose: What do you mean?
Tracy: You know what I mean. Tell me, do you like Eugene?
Rose: .....
Tracy: It's a simple question, Rose. Do you like the guy, yes or no?
Roe: I...I...I don't know.
Tracy: Hmmm, I think we are getting somewhere.
Rose: Look, Tracy. It doesn't matter if I like him or not. He definitely isn't and wouldn't be interested in someone like me.
Tracy: You'd think differently if you knew what I knew.
Tracy said under her breath.
Rose: What did you say?
Tracy: Maybe you're right, and perhaps I'm wrong, but I suggest you think about it and figure out your feelings.
Also, I realized you've been hanging out with Collin lately.
It's none of my business, but just be careful. I don't trust that guy.
Mom: It was weird speaking with Tracy. That was the first day we started really talking, but it felt like we had been speaking for ages.
Thinking back, it was as if Tracy came to replace Collin.
Back at my place, Tracy's words kept playing in my head.
Rose: Naaa Tracy doesn't know what she is saying. How can Eugene like me I can't believ it. It's not possible is it? Naaa...
Mom: I just went round in my room speaking, asking, and answering myself. I was in denial. But it turns out Tracy was right all along.
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Eugene: Rose!
Eugene sat in the dark on a huge chair in his living room near the fireplace, with the fire lighting up the room. He was in his black robe.
His hair was damp as he just got out of the shower, with the drops dripping on his face. He held a red rose in his hand, twisting it with his fingers.
Eugene: Hang in there.