A New Perspective

Her name was Rose. She was as beautiful as her name. I had known her all of my life; my days were brighter when she was around. She had changed me in a way that I could never return from. She was the light, she was the sun, she was beauty.

Why am I doing this? Let's start over.

My name's Ken. I'm a nineteen year old boy who is enjoying his senior year with his friends and getting ready to head off to college. I go to PCH: Pacific Coast High. I live in sunny California, and spend most of my days writing. I'm going to college for journalism and hope to be a professional reporter/writer one day. But for now, I spend my days writing poems and being with my few good friends around town just enjoying each other. Who knows if I'll see any of them after high school ends? I will of course miss all of them, but the one I'll miss the most is definitely Rose. She's been my neighbor since we were 8 years old. We've been practically inseparable ever since. I'm actually hanging out with her tonight, well, and everyone else. You see... the thing about Rose is that she is perfect. She's got long brown hair that falls perfectly on her shoulders; unlike most girls she doesn't even have to straighten it. She just gets out of the shower and it dries perfectly straight and shiny. I learned this when I bought her a $200 hair straightener for her 13th birthday, and she returned it. She felt so bad for not being able to accept my gift, so instead I took her out for a nice dinner at The Fishbowl, and bought her a dozen roses. She loves The Fishbowl, it's her favorite seafood restaurant.
Anyway, she's got beautiful sea-green eyes that are the color of fresh grass on a clear summer day. I found a lava lamp that was that exact color a few years ago, I never turn it off because it reminds me of her. The way she laughs could break hearts all over the world, it's the most beautiful sound I've ever heard. And just the simple task of her walking into a room can brighten everyone's mood. I've been in love with her since I met her, but can't find it in myself to tell her.

She laid her hand on the horn and refused to let go until I came out of the house.
"Let's go, fartknocker!" she yelled.
"You know, that's not exactly charming?" I said with a witty smirk.
"I don't care! I've got no one to impress. I'd like to get to this damn bonfire before Charlie eats all the damn s'mores!"
I laughed, she smiled, and drove to the beach.
We got to the beach just as the sun began to set, another beautiful California night to spend with my friends. I, as always, brought the wine because my parents allowed me to drink it. They knew I was responsible enough to handle it and that I would take care of my friends. Mary didn't like to drink, so she was always the designated driver. We were always safe when we drank, we weren't trashy. Charlie brought the s'mores, Keith brought the music, Jen brought the blankets, Dana brought the games, and Rose, as crazy as she was, brought the firecrackers. I always set up the fire since I was clearly the manliest, and that's why everyone got mad when I was late. They just don't understand it takes a while to look as good as I do... Just kidding.

"We're finally here. You can thank Ken for that." Rose announced as we walked onto the beach.
"Finally, Ken! Get this fire lit!" Dana yelled jokingly at me.
I got the bonfire lit and we all sat down on the wooden logs spread around the pit. We began to roast our marshmallows and tell stories.
"This one time, I was caught naked in the house by the pizza guy. I'm just chilling out on the couch watching TV, you know, naked... whatever. And this guy comes up behind me and is like, 'Did you order a pizza!? You didn't answer the door?!' I jumped up laughing and covered myself up. Threw him a twenty and told him to keep the change. It was seriously so funny."
Rose had everyone laughing all the time, her stories were out of this world but undeniably entertaining.

"Truth or dare time!" Keith was openly gay, and even if he wasn't I think we would all know anyway. Our school wasn't one of those where he was bullied for being homosexual, in fact, everyone kind of loved him more for it. He was one of the greatest people you will ever meet. But he was always suggesting crazy games or situations involving trannies or hookers. He was always joking but on some level I feel like maybe ... not so much.

"Okay, I'll go first! Charlie, truth or dare?" Rose always had to be first.
"...Truth." Charlie was my best guy friend. I met him right around when I met Rose, and he was definitely my bro. I love him.
"Okay, PUSS. Hmmmmm.... Is it true you once made out with Jen when she was drunk!"
Everyone started laughing and Jen's face got bright red.
"Rose!" She tried to redeem herself but to no avail. Charlie was already shouting his answer.
"Obviously, have you seen her when she's drunk!?" Everyone broke into laughter and the game continued getting more intense as the questions and dares went on.
"Ken, you haven't gotten any good ones yet." Mary was the only one who knew about my feelings for Rose. Well, everyone claimed to know I had feelings for Rose from day one, yet I guess she never noticed. Let me rephrase, Mary was the only one I told about my feelings for Rose. I had a bad feeling about what Mary was gonna ask me, but I went along with it anyway.
"Truth or dare?"
"I'll go with a dare." I felt I needed to since I hadn't done one yet. I also wanted to impress Rose a little bit.
"I dare you to show us how you really feel." No one really understood what that dare meant, but I did. My heart began to race and my head was pounding. I didn't know what to do. I guess it was a rush of adrenaline that caused me to do what I did next. I couldn't feel an inch of myself. I had no control. But I did it.


I turned to Rose and kissed her.

Yeah, I kissed her. A good, long, meaningful kiss that lasted for what seemed like forever and nothing at the same time. I looked into her eyes after I stopped and, God, I swear I could have kissed her forever.
Everyone was silent. I apologized to Rose and walked to the parking lot. I felt so bad. I didn't know what had just come over me. I had just turned a fun, innocent game into an awkward moment that could possibly ruin the best friendship I've ever had. Suddenly I heard someone running up behind me.
"Ken..." I turned around and saw Rose's beautifully confused face in the moon/fire light.
"Rose, I'm so sorry. I'm so, so sorry. That was stupid. I didn't know--" She cut me off

"I love you... Ken."

I didn't know what to do. I was paralyzed; physically and emotionally. I somehow muttered a few words out.
"What? You... what?"
Rose began to smile. "I love you Ken. And I have for years. I didn't want to ruin our friendship by telling you that. But after you did... that, I knew I wouldn't regret telling you. And I couldn't stop myself anymore. You're the best thing that's ever happened to me. I just--" This time, I cut her off. With a kiss.
I grabbed the back of her head mid sentence, and pulled her in for a passionate, romantic smooch. After I pulled away she looked so adorable; smitten. Biting her lip and slowly opening her eyes.
"I got into CCA, by the way. And I'm gonna go."
I didn't know what to say. I didn't even know that she had applied to my dream school, let alone got accepted. She wanted to be a fashion designer, and she knew I wanted to be a writer. I never would expect her to do that.
"Why did you do that?" I asked.
"I didn't want to have the slightest chance of never seeing you again. Now we'll be together."
I kissed her again, and after we were done, we returned to our perfect night of wine, s'mores, and friends.




Her name was Rose. She was as beautiful as her name. She had two children, Gabe and Sally, living in sunny California. She was an award winning designer, supporting her family and enjoying her life. She enjoyed sitting out on the porch sketching while her husband wrote lovely poems. She was the light, she was the sun, she was my wife.


And I couldn't be happier.