Lost in memories of her beautiful, colorful past, Rose's reverie was suddenly broken by a strange noise. Startled, she looked around anxiously, thinking someone was watching. But she quickly realized it was just her stomach rumbling. Rose smiled wryly to herself and placed a hand on her belly, feeling the pangs of hunger. She realized then that she hadn't eaten in a long time; sadness and loneliness had completely stifled her appetite. "My body seems to be reminding me that I'm still alive, even if I've forgotten," she thought to herself as she tried to stand. She took one last look at the river and the setting sun, which was beginning to disappear completely, and then decided it was time to leave the tree and find something to eat before nightfall. Clasping her hands together so as not to touch anything, Rose went to the shop to buy food. When she entered, she saw two students, and Rose remembered her friend Molly. Rose looked at the mark on her hand, and a hint of sadness crossed her face. "We were too!" she said.
Two years ago...
The day before the graduation exam...
After school ended and everyone was ready for tomorrow! After school hours,
Rose and her friend Molly went to the store as usual. Rose and Molly were talking about her preparations for tomorrow's exam. Molly asked, "What's wrong, Rose? Are you scared?" Rose replied, "Of course I'm scared." Molly responded sarcastically, "Wow, you're scared after studying so hard?" Rose replied, "Well, even so, I'm still scared. What about you, Molly?" Molly answered, "I'm not scared. Why should I be? They're just exams, as usual." Rose was surprised and paused for a moment at Molly's response, thinking to herself, "How I envy you, Molly! Even graduation exams don't affect you." After Rose paused for a moment, Molly went ahead to the store. Molly turned to Rose and said, "Rose, hurry up!" Rose replied, "Yes!" and ran a little... Rose and Molly bought what they needed from the store, then each went home. Rose arrived home and went inside. Her mother greeted her and said, "Rose, my dear, how are you?" Rose answered, "I'm fine, Mom, but where's Dad?" Her mother replied, "Your father went to the grocery store." Rose said, "Okay." Her mother replied, "Rose, rest in your room. I'll get the food and call you." Rose said, "Okay, Mom." Rose went to her room to freshen up, and after preparing the food, her mother called, "Rose, Rose, come here." Rose came to the table to eat. Her mother and father were sitting. Rose approached and sat at the table and said, "How are you, Dad?" Her father replied, "I'm fine. How about you? Are you afraid of tomorrow?" Rose answered, "Yes, I'm afraid." Her parents smiled, and her father said, "It's okay, Rose. That's normal, but you have to overcome your fear and improve your answer." Her mother said, "Yes, Rose, don't let fear affect you." Rose answered enthusiastically, "Yes! I'll do my best!" They all laughed and finished their meal. Then Rose kissed her parents and said, "Mom, Dad, goodnight." Her parents replied, "Goodnight to you too, Rose." Rose got ready for tomorrow and went to sleep.
Morning came, and Rose woke up scared because she had a nightmare!