Not Your Cutie Girlfriend, Oh No

⌜ *ﾟ:*:✼✿ – The name correction was meant as a joke, but as it turns out, Rosetta is the type to takes these things seriously. How unexpected! Laney stifles her laughter to keep her from further embarrassment. She reminds her of someone dear to her. “ You don’t have to worry about that, Rosetta. Honest! Please feel free to call me Laney now, too. ” ⌟

⌜ *ﾟ:*:✼✿ – Laney sits near the stairway so she can start eating. Standing around doesn’t count as break! And Laney is positive Rosetta could use a break herself. “ You hadn’t? That’s not very good! Resting is just as important as working. Come on, sit with me. ” The blonde pats the area beside her and hopes she doesn’t mind sitting here. ⌟

⌜ *ﾟ:*:✼✿ – The way Rosetta easily flusters up further reminds Laney of her closest friend. This makes her laugh softly and she can’t hide it any longer, “ You know, you remind me of a friend of mine! She doesn’t like resting too much too even if she needs it. ” And you both get embarrassed so easily, he he. That last part she keeps to herself, for now~ ⌟ 

      【❧】~ Rosetta was never the type to just go with the flow, always feeling compelled to go against the grain and live her own way. If she didn’t feel she needed a rest, or didn’t want to take one, then there was a high chance it wasn’t going to happen, regardless of whether it’d be good for her or not. But much like with certain other sweet and sunshine-y influences in her life, Rosetta finds it hard to say no in the face of Laney’s kindness. Damn... she was getting soft.

      “...Fine, fine. I’ll sit. Just for a little while, though.” Smoothing out her skirt, Rosetta seats herself next to Laney. The scent of the grilled cheese fills the area they sat in, and the blonde can feel her stomach threatening to growl again. 

Even if Rosetta said no, Vivi wouldn’t have taken it. She’d find a way. Lucky for her, her niece was smart enough to know this– or was enticed by the prospect of sushi… either worked.

“Oh, child, you have much to learn. Don’t let school eat you up, you’re meant to enjoy high school, not feel drowned by it.” Although she admired her dedication, she wished she let loose more. Live a little. Vivi had her own share of high school difficulties, but not to the point it became much of a burden to her. “If anyone threatens to give you detention, I’ll personally handle it~ I can be very persuasive you know.”

That aside, they better get going now if they wanted to eat all the sushi~! “Come now, dear. The sushi won’t come to us. Do you have other things to do?”

       【❧】~ “What?” She balks incredulously. Sure, she focused a lot on her work and responsibilities, but did it really look like she was having no fun? “Auntie, please, I’m enjoying my school life just fine. I partied with a few friends other day, y’know. Does that sound like something a girl drowned by her schoolwork would do? Psh, no.”

       Of course, she didn’t enjoy that party at all except for a few select moments. Most of it had been spent shaking her head at the antics of the other students, and snarking with the salt mine that was Jamie. But Aunt Vivi didn’t have to know that. Didn’t need to know the specifics of the party, either, even though she was sure her aunt probably wouldn’t take any action even if she did know.

“You don’t need to look for me, Rose, I got this!” The response was confident, but that didn’t mean she was correct.

“Sandwich King! Does that work for you?” Sandwiches were one of the few foods Selphy could truly enjoy, they were simple and easy to eat.

        【❧】~ “And I’m the Queen of Sheba.” She quips sarcastically, not buying Selphy’s words for a second. The girl was smart, but when it came to most common sense things and well, herself, boy could she be a mess. “But fine, whatever you say. Just don’t complain to me when you faint from starvation.”

        She says, but it was no secret to either of them that Rosetta would jump at the first chance to help her friend if it was needed.

Finally having a club president brought Emiko great joy. Not only that, the club leader was competent and just as hard-working as everyone else, if not more so. The environment was very important to her as well, as she believed mother nature held the aura for all living things. 

“I’m nearly done myself” Emiko replied, looking over the area. “Where to next?” She was determined to prove herself to her club president.

       【❧】~ After dropping some half full potato chip bags -- what even? -- into her garbage bag, she sets it down, dusting her gloved hands as she looks around the area. From what she could tell, the grassy area outside of the school had been pretty cleaned out. Of course, there could always be a few things that they missed... they’ll have to do another sweep later, but for now...

@minoriii @rosetti-stone

「 The weekends fast approached and with Halloween over, so were the different sales and promos that came along with it! There were a few stores that went out of their way to extend it for the weekends and that was all Georgia needed to know before asking a few friends out. Taking out her phone, she punched in a few keys and threw out an invite to two girls she’s been meaning to ask out for a nice day out. They certainly weren’t pigs, but who doesn’t love a discounted buffet?」

       Pulling her phone towards her, Rosetta opens up the messages to see one sent from Georgia. Even through text she could feel the other girl’s enthusiasm, hear her voice even, and with a fond smile, she responds.

[ To: Power Tough Girls ]: i’ve got some homework i need to finish, but i’m down! i’m gonna need a SERIOUS break from this crap, anyway   [ To: Power Tough Girls ]: stats sucks (╯°□°)╯︵ ┻━┻

Skye had felt cold stares on him all day, surrounded by whispers of another girl who had become infatuated with him crying once he had turned his attention to another girl.

Normally, people would say what they thought of Skye in whispers and then move on with their lives. It never bothered him much, although these opinions were harder to avoid in a school setting.

What he didn’t expect, was for anyone to confront him about it. By one of the most headstrong classmates he had, no less. He doubted this would work like the charm he was hoping for, but he went for a couple of classic lines of his.

“What can I say?” Skye got up from his desk, not maintaining the eye contact. “Its not my fault women tend to get a little jealous~”

      【❧】~ Her eyes narrow when she hears his unsurprisingly nonchalant response, the girl straightening back up and moving over to stand in his way. He wasn’t going to get away that easily. “Yeah, but it wouldn’t happen as much if you didn’t flirt with every girl under the sun.” An exaggeration, maybe, but from what she’s seen and heard, it might as well have been the case. 

       She takes a step towards him, poking a finger into his chest. “You’re playing with their emotions.” Another poke, followed by one punctuating each of her words for emphasis. “It’s irresponsible. Cruel. And it has to stop.”

Rosetta did look like she needed a little break. It wasn’t like she was ruffled or looking unkempt, or anything of the like. Lest just always got the impression she was working like a candle, bright and admirable. But it always felt like she was burning at both ends, even if she didn’t come off tired. Maybe he read into things too much, but he just wanted the best for her. She deserved more times where she could just soften and let things go with the flow. Sliding his phone back into his bag, he chuckled gently into his fist. 

“No catch, I believe. Okay, wait. Maybe one.” He held up the orange juice like a torch, leading them out of the darkness. Waving it once, then twice again to make sure she had her eyes on it, he nodded. “Careful now, okay? Here, catch!”

Delicately tossing it out the window, he watched as it made its mark. “That’s the only catch I can come up with for sure, haha.” 

Ah. Of course. She never had time to go with the flow if she was always the one who went against it. Lest expected as much and wanted to respect that aspect of hers. Rolling with the punches, he waved it off like it was no big deal. “Don’t worry about it then! Maybe we can have a snack some other time.” 

He leaned on the windowsill, wondering why she had to spike her words with equal amounts of honey and spice. With his cheek resting precariously on his palm, he responded wholeheartedly. “Aw, don’t worry about me, Rosetta. Your worker bee has been working in full. He just thought the Queen Bee deserved a little rest, is all.” 

“Do you happen to need a hand? Since I’ve freed my hands of the sacred orange juice, I’d be happy to lend you one,” Lest sifted a hand through his hair to get it out of his face. Humming under his breath, he contemplated on how awkward it was to continue talking like this through the window. Then, his metaphorical lightbulb clicked on. Ah. That would do it. “Hmmmm… In fact, I was thinking I needed a change of pace. A little scenery swap might help.” 

Posing himself smoothly against the windowsill, he shifted the screen open and hoisted himself up. “Hup! Careful now!” Lest leapt out the window, elegantly acing his landing. It was no big deal, really. Just needed that change of environment! Dusting himself off casually, as though he hadn’t done much at all, Lest grinned at her in amusement. “Now… What were we saying?”

“Ah yes, did you need any help? I’ll be happy to be there for you. 🎵”   

      【❧】~ Rosetta rushes forward to catch the drink suddenly thrown her way, the bottle refreshingly cool against her palms as she glances up at him with a scoff. “Pfft, that sounds about right, boy scout that you are.” As mocking as she may have seemed, she really did appreciate Lest’s kind and understanding nature. The guy didn’t have one malicious bone in his body. And while she didn’t mind how easygoing and agreeable he could be, she’d be lying if she said it didn’t frustrate her some. Always shrugging things off and going with the flow... if he wasn’t careful, some creep could take advantage of that.

      Straightening up, she raises her brow with a slightly offended look, free hand moving to rest on her hip. “Why, do I look like I need rest?” Rosetta knew her own body better than anyone else, and she knew her limits. She was pretty much running on fumes right now, and probably looked it, too. But that didn’t mean she wanted other people pointing it out.

      Even though she knew that Lest was right, that she did need a break, her stubbornness and pride overpower her sensibilities in the end. Her stormy waters, always fighting against calm ones like his. “That’s sweet of you, really, but I’m fine.”

      Before she can even respond to his next offer -- the answer of which would have mostly likely been no -- he suddenly hoists himself out the window, startling Rosetta a bit. Grip on her juice tightened, she reflexively takes a step back and gives him a look of incredulity before quickly regaining her bearings, head shaking as her eyes roll skyward. “You--”

     Normally she would have given some sort of snappy comeback, but his words stop her. I’ll be happy to be there for you. Simple words, sure, but the blonde couldn’t help but feel that they held a certain weight to them. It wasn’t often people said that sort of thing to her when they weren’t trying to suck up, or keep from making her angry. Her instinctual need to regard people with skepticism spurs her into trying to find some sort of angle or motive behind his intentions, but with Lest she couldn’t think of any. None that made sense, anyway. 

Chase rolled his eyes, not at her, but at how ridiculous his dad teacher could be. Although Mr. Price was one of the more respected teachers in his eyes, he did have a tendency to be a little ludicrous with his reasoning for punishment. He wasn’t as heated as Rosetta was, but he admitted it still bothered him. 

He took a bite of his salad. Eh, it was adequate at best. Who makes these? Jamie? He stifled a laugh at his own joke. 

“Sometimes it seems like he has it out for certain students. Just a thought,” he shrugged. He knew some kids in his class that he yelled at more than others. Sometimes they deserved it though. 

      【❧】~ A huff. “Not like that makes it any better. I mean, I get being annoyed by some people more than others...” Rosetta had a few people on her list, herself. “But there’s this little thing called professionalism, yeah? Treating the people you dislike worse than the others is just as bad as favoritism if you ask me.”

       The clinking of her fork against the inside of her bowl sounds out in the mostly silent restaurant, the blonde glaring down at her salad as she shifts the potato chunks around. “But enough about him--” Reddish-brown eyes shift up to glance at the boy across the table, “What about you? Heard some stuff went down between you and that some girl at the faire.”

「 Micah’s pride takes a step back upon realizing the person he bumped into was a member of the soccer club. So much for being a cool captain. He got sent out of practice early, he had to stay at the clinic for way too long and now he was stumbling all over the place. Ridiculous was definitely one word for him right now… “Oh, hey Rosetta! I guess I kind of do, huh?”」

「 “I’m fine! I’m fine! Head’s just bothering me a little… ouch.” There it was again, the sting at a spot just above his eye. For the lack of a better word, it was being a nasty bitch. He takes her offer to help him out and used that boost to get back on his feet. Moving made him feel dizzy again, but even as he twitched as the stinging continues, he still wanted to appear like he was okay.」

「 "How was practice, by the way? Sorry I had to leave you all– i’ll make up for it next practice.” He doesn’t even remember where that ball came from, let alone who kicked it towards him. As far as he’s concerned, it was just an accident anyway. The best way to get over it is to get back and be more attentive next time. Hopefully next time doesn’t involve more strays to the face.」

      【❧】~ Rosetta nods silently, hands moving to her hips as she steps back to give him some space to get his bearings. He didn’t at all seem as fine as he claimed, and Rosetta narrows her eyes at him in a critical stare. “Uh huh... don’t give me that crap, Micah. If you’re not okay, just say so.”

      She sighs, expression softening. “It was fine. Everyone’s in pretty good shape, so. Seems like we have promising chances for the next game.” Her arms leave her sides and fold across her chest, brow quirking as she leans her weight to one side. “And seriously, why are you apologizing? It’s not your fault you got hit in the head. As far as I’m concerned, you don’t have to make up for anything. I’m sure the guys agree.”

      “If anything, I’m the one who needs to do the making up.” She runs a hand through her hair. “I dunno, lunch or dinner or something-- an apology for nailing you in the face.”

God, his head was being a bitch right now. For every twitch he got after listening to Rosetta’s excuse, the pain doubled. He couldn’t focus, but her words rang loud and clear to him. Excuses, excuses, excuses. “I wasn’t born yesterday, Miss Benson. Cut the crap.”

“School festival just ended and the next event is outside the school– council’s decoration team is free for the month.” Sometimes it helped to have your niece as the vice president– you know stuff. He crossed his arms and fixed a cold stare on his student, 100% determined to not let her get out of this mess without consequences. His hands were already reaching for a pen and the detention slips he keeps handy for times like these. His day is never complete without signing up for a miserable hour in detention.

But as he did, his head hurt throbbed in pain once more. His arm shot up to his head, a pained groan escaping him. Ugh, it was being a little bitch and talking just made it worse. 

“Friday– an hour… and… ugh.” He couldn’t even form a complete sentence, let alone finish giving Rosetta a detention. He felt faint. “Gah, how hard did you fucking kick that ball–!!” Mumble, mumble. Groan.

       【❧】~ Shit, so he didn’t fall for it. Was that a modicum of intelligence she sensed? Who would have thought he had the brain capacity to actually think about more than music and whatever fantastically ass-pulled reason he came up with to justify detentions? 

       “Okay, but--” He had a point there. A painfully good point, so she grapples for another reason, “--I have other clubs? President of Clean Up? This? Not to mention all the exams coming up. Studying is a thing, y’know...”

       And... crap. There it was. The notorious pen and pink slip, just waiting to be filled out and sentence her to her doom. Rosetta doesn’t even hold in her groan, knowing that no matter what she said, he wouldn’t be dissuaded from his true love: giving detention. Especially not in this pissed and irritable state he was clearly in. That, in turn, pissed her off. All she was doing was getting some extra soccer practice in-- it wasn’t like she was trying to nail him in the face! This was so unfair.

@rosetti-stone

Vivi always knew her genes were great, so when she sees her niece in Harvest Academy, she wasn’t all that surprised to know she grew up to be a splendid young lady. Nothing less from her side of the family! Her dad might be… mediocre, but at least Rosetta got the tough personality both Vivi and one of her favorite cousins shared.

With the middle of the fall semester now underway, Vivi assumed her busybody niece had her own pile of stress right now. And what kind of aunt would she be if she didn’t help the poor child out?  “Oh, Rosetta-dear~ come here for a second.”

       But on the other, the independent part of her didn’t want any help or special treatment academics wise (unless totally and completely justified, of course), and so she had to make sure she didn’t get that from Aunt Vivi.

Apparently, the idea of eating together every single day hadn’t really struck her when she said the words, but the moment they left Rosetta’s mouth, the blonde lit up like a Christmas tree and she jolted forward, bouncing in place on the couch excitedly as she grabbed at one of Rosetta’s hands with both of her own.

“Ohmigosh, Rosie Posie, that is such a good idea! Has anyone ever told you how smart you are, because you are like a really young and super duper cute, like…” She fell silent fo a solid minute, which was kind of a miracle, as she tried to come up with a female scientist “Oh! Marie Curie!”

She leaned closer,  beaming brightly as she gave her friend’s hand a squeeze.

“I’m so excited to spend lunch with you, Rosie, it’s super duper sad that we never really hang out outside the dorm–or in it, reall, but that has to change! e should go, like, shopping someday, I can even do your hair before we go! Doesn’t that sound so fun? You have such pretty hair, too, it’d look so cute in dutch braids!”

       【❧】~ Rosetta sputters when Rachel suddenly grabs her by the hands, her normally cool composure broken by the girl’s unexpected closeness and bright cheer. What was there to be so happy about? God, she was like-- like a puppy, or something. “Alright, alright, just calm down!” At her comparison, Rosetta glowers. “...You mean the lady who ended poisoning herself with her own work? Dunno how I feel about that...”

      Concerning as that comparison was overall, she got what Rachel was trying to get at. It just, as always, comes across clumsily.

      Her cheer for something as simple as lunch was a bit annoying, and kind of frustrating, but Rosetta would be lying if she said she didn’t think there was something endearing about that bright smile of hers. “...I guess I could humor you, sometimes. God knows you need someone to keep an eye on you.”

@rosetti-stone

Lest could feel his lips lifting at the edges. “Oh, Rosetta…!” He found himself calling out to her, as his hands sought the window hatch. Pulling it open with ease, he gave a friendly wave in her direction. Since he had joined Harvest Academy a bit late in the game, Lest found himself adjusting quite fairly to the school atmosphere. And it was all due part to his peers– as they were some of the brightest, most genuine people he’d ever met. His heart always swelled at the thought of them just living life at their own pace. And somehow, they let him in and gave him the chance to do the same. 

Rosetta, the president of the Clean Up Club, was one of many that he admired. Her resilience matched her level head– and he found her diligence endearing. Though Lest mainly knew her through club work alone, he was ever the social butterfly. He just needed to catch her at the right time.

He leaned on first floor windowsill, as he coolly held up a bottle of orange juice in her line of vision.

“‘Was thinking about calling you up for a break, actually,” He gestured to his smartphone with a soft grin. “But since you’re around, do you have time to chat? It never hurts to take a breather once in a while.”

       But in the end, it was a necessary evil. If she could get accustomed to heavy workloads and huge responsibilities, she’d be that much more prepared for the ruthlessness of the adult world. 

       She had been walking past one of the buildings when she hears a familiar voice call out to her, and while Rosetta had half a mind to shut down whatever it was they wanted and continue on her way, turning to the sight of Lest’s friendly wave gives her cause to reconsider. He wasn’t someone she was all too familiar with outside of their time in the Clean Up Club, but at the very least he was a kind and helpful person. Just your average, everyday nice guy. Shutting down someone like that didn’t feel right to her... it was like kicking a puppy, almost.

       And even though she had no intentions on taking a break, she’d be lying if she said the sight of his orange juice hadn’t been the slightest bit tempting. It was a favorite of hers, and definitely the sort of pick-me-up she needed. Not to mention how perfect of a cool-down it would be for this stupidly warm day. But...

Chase didn’t really have…”friends” per se, but there were people he tolerated. Rosetta was someone he at least tolerated. He only shared a couple of classes with this girl, but unlike most, she didn’t bother him out on a whim for the sake of test tasting some of his food. She also seemed a bit less needy. Not so happy go lucky like some people in this school.

He hesitated and was a bit bemused when she invited him out to eat. No one really approached him unless they wanted something. He usually didn’t eat other people’s cooking, but she offered to pay. Salads and Soups didn’t seem like the type of place to be overly crowded unlike where he worked at, Sweet Spot. Which was a good thing for him, he wasn’t really a people person.

He just ordered a Caeser salad which he figured since it was a common menu item, they couldn’t mess it up too terribly. Chase moved his lettuce around on the plate as he listened. He finally looks up to comment. 

“His fetish? I would hardly call it that. More like reinforcing the rules,” he raised a brow, “Although, thinking on it, he did give me detention for cursing just because he can’t do it himself. He scared the shit out of me. Just wandering into the cooking classroom like it’s no big deal.”

     【❧】~ She takes a bite of her salad, snorting at Chase’s words. “Reinforcing the rules. Right. I heard he gave a student once for just being taller than him. Like, really? Who even does that?” She shakes her head, exhaling through her nostrils to calm herself a bit. No need to get so worked up about it, Rosetta. “It just... I don’t know, it really pisses me off. It’s ridiculous and unfair.”

      Resting her chin in her palm, she stabs another of the potatoes with her fork. “Well that was starting to sound pretty reasonable until you said it was ‘cause he couldn’t do it. And then it wasn’t even his class? Gods, talk about petty...”