• The last thing i remember seeing was a shadow in the flames. That's when the dream began.


    “Rosella…...Lady Rosella!” I awoke to see a woman in servant attire standing over me. I looked around to see that i was in a large library. What had happened to the flames and smoke? Who was this woman? Who is Rosella?


    “Thank goodness you're awake! You really must stop falling asleep in the library! If your father knew his daughter always took her naps in a library he would be very upset!” The woman went on.


    I looked at her questionally. “um…..i think you have the wrong person…..my name isn't Rosella….could you tell me where i am?”


    “Of course your name is Rosella! You're in your home as you always are! You must still be thinking of your dreams dear- Oh i almost forgot! Your mother wanted you in the greeting room. You have a guest!” The woman said as she dragged me away.


    Maybe i was just dreaming and had a short burst of amnesia….my name is Rosella Grimwell, and my mother has been very excited about this “special guest” for a while now. This woman who is dragging me is Ginger. I have called her that my whole life even though her real name is Gretta, and this library is my favorite place in the entire Grimwell Manor! How could i have forgotten such important details of my life that fast? Maybe i should request a doctor.


    “There she is, my dear Rosella!” I realised we had just reached the greeting room. My mother was standing in front of a very tall man and a boy that looked about my age. The man looked very well respected and stern, while the boy looked very smug and kept avoiding my eyes. The one thing i couldn’t take my eye off of was the boy’s ruby necklace.


    “Rosella, This is mr. Ravenbeard and his son Steven.” My mother pointed as she introduced them to me. Mr. Ravenbeard shook my hand while his son simply nodded, still not meeting eye contact.


    “Nice to meet you Mr. Ravenbeard, Steven,” I turned to my mother. “Are they here to speak to father about the bank?”


    “You haven't told her yet?” Mr. Ravenclaw said in a deep voice.


    “I was keeping it a surprise!” My mother looked at me with a smile. “You and Steven will be getting married!”


    “WHAT!?” I stared at my mother, surprised. “I’m only 15! i can’t get married to someone i just met!”


    “That's while we are telling you now! So that you and Steven can get to know each other, and when the time comes, you’ll be able to marry!” My mother said happily.


    This was not at all what i expected. I knew about arranged marriages, and why they were done. From the looks of Mr. Ravenbeard, he was wealthy. Since my family was also of the upperclass, i suppose this was being done for money. I however did not want to marry this Steven. I don't know him, but he sure looks unappealing, and is very rude, not even saying hello. I also can’t marry him, i have someone i love already. I can’t say that however, it’s supposed to be a secret.


    My mother wasn't giving me the chance to voice my opinion on the matter. She told me that Steven would be staying in the guest wing for the next few weeks so we could get to know each other. What can i do? I have to stop this!


    That afternoon, I sat in my room thinking of how to get out of this. Ginger was helping Steven settle in, and i still had no plan. Out of the corner of my eye, i saw movement in the window.


    I looked up smiling. He had come.


    A boy with brown hair and silver eyes was staring at me with a grin. He was wearing peasant attire, but i didn't care.


    “Hey Rosella! Sorry I’m a bit late. There was a bit of an issue down at the Shop.” He explained as he pulled himself over the window. Even though my window was on the second floor, there was a tall tree right next to it he used to climb.


    “It’s ok Roxas. I don’t expect you to always be on time. You have a life of your own, while I’m always stuck in here.” I said as he walked over to me.


    “What’s bothering you? You always start complaining about being stuck in this enormous house when something’s wrong.” He knew me so well. This isn’t the first time i had said this. While i am aware that i am very lucky, i wish i could have a life like Roxas’s. He always tells me about his exciting adventures and his shop. He tells me about the village.


    I looked at him sadly. “My mother is forcing me to marry someone i barely even know! She didn’t even give me a chance to say whether i wanted to or not! i know it's for our family, but i just don’t want to!” I let it all out.


    His expression changed as i told him about what had happened that morning.


    “Hmmmm….that is very unpleasant. My dad said that you shouldn’t even think about marriage until your atleast 25. He didn’t want to settle down until he had seen the world.” Roxas told me.


    “But there nothing i can-” I stopped. I heard footsteps. Someone was coming.

    Roxas had heard too. He ran for the window and jumped out onto a branch.


    “Hello Rosella, i thought i would formally introduce myself. My name is Steven Ravenbeard.” Steven walked in with a blank expression. He walked over to me with his hand out. I figured he was going to shake my hand, so i smiled politely and held out mine.


    There was a loud smack sound. My cheek burned. Steven had slapped me.


    “You are to marry me, whether you like it or not. If i ever see you talking to that peasant boy again, i will have him arrested.” He stared down at me.


    “W-Why are you going along with this…..you're being forced in this too, aren’t you?” I cried. He wasn't paying attention though. He was looking out the window, glaring at Roxas, who was glaring back. Roxas jumped away after what felt like a long time.


    “No, unlike you, i know to obey my parents wishes…..” He glared before walking out of the room, leaving me to drown in my tears.


    That night, Ginger saw that i was unhappy. I told her i felt sick and went to bed early. Even if i told her what was really wrong, she couldn’t do anything to help.


    Around midnight, I woke up to a clicking noise. When i tried to go back to sleep the noise continued. When i opened my eyes, i saw Roxas fiddling with the window lock.


    “What are you doing?!” I whispered as i opened the window.


    “You want to leave right?” He said grinning. It took about a minute to realize what he was saying.


    I stared at him, shocked. “You want me to run away with you?” He nodded.


    “Yeah, but if you don’t want to, it’s ok. I just thought now would be the best time…..” I stared at him. This is what i’ve always wanted. He was also right, now is the best time. I have a good reason to go, and it’s not like I’ll be gone forever. I turned and looked at my room. “How can i leave this room though? I can’t climb like you….”


    “Trust me.” Was all he said, as he turned me around and held out his hand. I took it.


    I closed my eyes as he carried me down. When i opened them, i saw the kitchen in the west wing was on fire.


    He must have seen my expression of horror. “Don’t worry. I set a piece of cloth on fire in a metal pot to make sure it wouldn’t spread. We needed a distraction to get out of here, but i didn’t want to hurt anyone.”


    I sighed in relief. “ We should get going then, Steven will be awake soon when the fire is discovered.” I told Roxas.


    Before we left, i looked up at my room window one last time. I saw Steven with and expression of anger. “I will get revenge on you and your peasant boy!” He screamed.


    As the men on horses came to put out the fire, we escaped into the night.


    That's when the dream ended.


    When i woke up, i saw i was in a hospital bed, connected to machines. There were people in white coats around me.


    “Doctor she’s awake!” I heard someone say.


    I looked around. I saw i had a cast on my leg and burn marks on parts of my body. What had happened? Where is Roxas and Grimwell Manor?


    A man approached the bed. I assumed he was the doctor, but he looked just like Steven’s father, Mr. Ravenbeard.


    “Hello miss, I’m just going to ask you a few questions and then we will call your family in. Can you tell me your name?”


    “Rosella Grimwell…..wait no Rose Springstone….” That was weird. I guess it was a vivid dream to actually make me think i was that girl. I remember why I’m here now, I had just gotten off the bus coming home from my part-time job, when i saw our house on fire. The fire fighter’s hadn’t arrived yet, and being stupid as ever i ran into the flames in search of my little sister.


    “Very good, now how old are you?” The doctor continued.


    These questions went on and on, until finally he went to get my family. They were overjoyed to see me awake. Apparently i was in a coma for a week, no wonder they had tears flowing from their faces. Also, to top everything off, my sister was ok.


    A few days later, I was released from the hospital. I had long forgotten the dream i had. That is, until the first day back at school….


    “Are you girls ready yet? At this rate I’ll be late to work!” My mother yelled up the stairs. Currently we were living in a temporary apartment until our house was livable again. For some reason, bits and pieces of my memory are gone, and i can’t seem to remember what our house looked like. My family refuses to tell me. They apparently want to see my surprised face again from when we first moved in.


    I ran down the stairs, my sister following. “Were coming!”


    Then the doorbell rang as soon as we got downstairs. My father answered it.


    “Um….hey i heard Rose was coming back to school today…..I thought she might want a ride?” I heard a voice say.


    “Rose, do you know this boy?” My father beckoned me to the door. When i walked over, i gasped. There was a guy standing in the doorway who looked exactly like Roxas. His hair was a bit shorter, and he was wearing a school uniform, but other than that, Roxas and him could’ve been twins.


    “My names Seth, me and Rose are friends-” He paused and looked startled. “Does she have amnesia?!”


    “No, i just can’t remember bits and pieces….I’m sorry i can't remember you.” I spoke up. He looked absolutely crushed so i added, “But it would be great if you could help me around school, i probably can’t remember much about that place….I can only remember the building really.”


    He brightened up at that. “Awesome!”


    We both looked at my father for approval. “I think it should be alright….”


    At that, we left in Seth’s car. The school really wasn’t far, maybe 10 minutes from my house. When we arrived, I found i was right. The place looked familiar, but the people did not.


    As Seth showed me around, introducing me to people, he asked me questions such as, “Do you remember anything about this area?” or “Don’t you remember Joe?” I’m afraid i couldn’t remember anything.


    When the bell rang, we went to our classes. Seth was in all of them.


    “Hey it’s time for lunch!” The bell after 3rd period had rung.


    “Ok, where is the cafeteria?” I asked.


    “Downstairs, but wait here, i have to go get something.” He ran off leaving me by a locker. He really did look like Roxas, but i knew it wasn’t him.


    My thoughts were interrupted when i was slammed against the wall. I looked up startled to see a boy who looked just like Steven.


    “I need to tell you something…..” He said in a hoarse voice.


    “What do you think you're doing?!” Seth pushed the guy away with a furious look on his face. A girl and a guy were behind him. He must have told them to come eat with us.


    “...Nevermind…..” The Steven guy walked away. I wonder what he was going to tell me.


    “Are you hurt? Do you need to go to the nurse's office?” Seth looked at me, worried.


    “No no, I’m fine.” I assured him. I looked at the Girl and boy again. “Who are they?”


    “This Emile and Holden, they usually eat lunch with us. Do you remember them?” He pointed at them when he said their names. The Emile had short brown hair and a cheery expression, while Holden had Black hair and a stiff expression. I smiled at them. “I’m sorry, but I can’t recall your names and faces.”


    “It’s ok, you’ve been through a lot. We understand.” Emile said with a concerned expression.


    We all headed to the cafeteria. During lunch, they told me about a club that we apparently started.


    “We hold meetings after school, if you want to come by and see if you remember anything.” Emile informed me. The entire time Holden hadn’t said a word to me. Did i do something to him?


    The bell rang then, and the rest of the day flew past. I had been held back by the teacher of my last class to get advice on how to catch up, so i found myself running to the club room. However, I stopped. Seth, Emile, and Holden were having a conversation with the guy from earlier.


    “...She follows me around like a lost cat. Since she doesn't remember you, I’ll have more of chance.” Seth was saying in a smug tone. “I don’t see how you could like someone so stupid though, if i told her that I wanted her to rob a bank, I bet she’d do it.”


    I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. Emile and Holden were grinning at the unknown guy. I guess they were in on it too.


    “You tricked her! I don’t want to see you anywhere near her, You got me!?” The guy yelled.


    I was done listening to this. I turned and ran down the hallway. I heard someone yell my name, but i didn’t care. I don’t know who's who and what’s what.


    Someone grabbed me from behind. I looked up teary eyed. It was the guy who had been yelling at Seth, the one from earlier.


    “Trust me.” He whispered. Then i remembered the dream.


    “Trust me.” Roxas had said to me, or Rosella.


    “Roxas…..?” I looked at him questioningly.


    He shook his head, slightly grinning. “Actually, it’s Rox.” He handed me a tissue to wipe my tears away. “I was trying to tell you earlier, Seth was lying. You really hated him before the accident. I suppose he was trying to get back at me for something i did awhile ago….”


    I wiped my tears. “You seem to know me. Was i friends with you?”


    “We were more than that.”


    I looked at him, remembering when i confessed to him, then when he took me to watch the meteor shower last summer, and other fond memories we had. “I remember…..I remember you at least.” I hugged him.


    He said he’d take me home, so we walked back down the hallway to leave the building. We stopped at the door.


    “I’ll be taking her then.” Rox told Seth, who was alone now in the dark club room.


    I looked at him. “What’s that supposed to mean?!”


    “You kept me waiting a while.” Seth glared at us. I noticed for the first time, he was wearing a ruby necklace.


    “The one thing i couldn’t take my eyes off of was the boy’s ruby necklace.”


    I gasped.


    “Don’t think too much into it right now,” Rox told me as we walked away, “It’s too complex to explain.”