THE ROSE PROJECT

Welcome back to Rosewood Academy 🌹

The days after Kai became partners with Eli felt strangely different.

Not because the school had changed.

The halls were still crowded every morning. The classrooms were still filled with noise before lessons began. Students still rushed through the corridors carrying books, drinks, and unfinished homework.

Rosewood Academy was still the same.

But somehow, Kai was not.

Before, he had walked through the school as if he was only passing through.

Now, he had someone who looked for him.

Someone who saved him a seat.

Someone who asked him how his day was and actually waited for the answer.

It was a small change.

But sometimes, small things were the beginning of something much bigger.

The morning bell rang, and Kai entered the classroom.

He expected to see Eli already sitting at his desk.

He was right.

Eli was writing something in his notebook, his eyebrows slightly pulled together in concentration.

Kai stopped for a moment.

He did not know why he had started noticing these little things.

The way Eli tapped his pen when he was thinking.

The way he quietly hummed when he was focused.

The way he smiled whenever someone needed help.

Kai quickly looked away before Eli noticed.

Unfortunately, Eli noticed everything.

“You were staring.”

Kai froze.

“I was not.”

Eli closed his notebook.

“You were.”

“I was just walking.”

“While standing still?”

Kai had no answer.

Eli laughed.

It was becoming a familiar sound.

And Kai hated to admit it, but he liked hearing it.

“Did you bring the project ideas?” Eli asked.

Kai placed his notebook on the desk.

“Yes.”

Eli opened it.

Inside were several sketches.

A small garden.

Flowers arranged around a wooden board.

A place where students could leave written messages.

Eli looked surprised.

“You drew all this?”

Kai nodded.

“You said we needed something that represents growth.”

Eli smiled.

“I didn’t know you were good at drawing.”

“I’m not.”

“You are.”

Kai looked away.

“You say that about everything.”

“Because you don’t believe in yourself enough.”

Kai became quiet.

That sentence stayed with him.

Because it felt true.

After class, they went to the school garden to start preparing.

The garden was one of Kai’s favorite places in the academy.

It was peaceful compared to the busy classrooms.

The flowers moved gently with the wind, and sunlight passed through the leaves, creating patterns on the ground.

Eli looked around.

“I understand why you like this place.”

Kai looked at him.

“You do?”

“Yes.”

Eli smiled.

“It feels like you.”

Kai frowned.

“What does that mean?”

“You’re quiet, but there’s more happening than people notice.”

Kai did not know what to say.

Eli had a way of saying things that made him feel seen.

Not watched.

Not judged.

Seen.

They began working on the garden display.

At first, it was awkward.

Kai was used to doing things alone.

Eli was used to talking while working.

“You’re putting that flower too far apart.”

Kai looked up.

“It needs space to grow.”

Eli paused.

Then smiled.

“That actually makes sense.”

“You sound surprised.”

“I am.”

Kai gave him a look.

“You’re rude.”

“I’m honest.”

Kai shook his head.

But he was smiling.

As the days passed, the rose project became something more than just a school assignment.

It became their place.

After classes, they would meet there.

Sometimes they worked.

Sometimes they just talked.

They talked about their favorite books.

Their childhood memories.

Things they wanted to do in the future.

Things they were afraid of.

One afternoon, Eli noticed Kai looking at the roses.

“You always look at them like they’re telling you something.”

Kai smiled slightly.

“Maybe they are.”

“What are they saying?”

Kai thought for a moment.

“That it’s okay to be different.”

Eli looked at him.

“Because roses aren’t always red?”

Kai nodded.

“Exactly.”

Eli picked up a white rose.

“Then maybe people are like flowers too.”

Kai looked at him.

“What do you mean?”

“Everyone expects people to be a certain way.”

Eli looked at the flower.

“But nobody questions a flower for having a different color.”

A quiet moment passed.

“Maybe people deserve the same kindness.”

Kai looked at Eli.

And for the first time, he wondered what kind of person Eli was beneath all that kindness.

Because Eli always gave understanding to everyone else.

But did anyone understand him?

The next week, the project began attracting attention.

Students started asking about their idea.

“Can we really leave messages here?”

“Are these roses real?”

“Who came up with this?”

Eli always smiled and explained.

Kai usually stayed quiet.

But something was changing.

People were starting to notice him too.

Not because he was loud.

Not because he tried to stand out.

But because he created something meaningful.

One afternoon, while they were arranging decorations, a girl from their class approached them.

Her name was Mina.

She was friendly and well-liked by everyone.

“Eli, can I ask you something?”

Eli turned.

“Sure.”

She looked at the project.

“This is really beautiful. I didn’t know you were so creative.”

Eli smiled.

“Thanks.”

Mina looked at Kai.

“You helped too, right?”

Kai nodded.

“Yes.”

“That’s nice.”

She smiled before walking away.

Kai watched her leave.

For some reason, he felt strange.

He did not understand why.

It was not anger.

It was not sadness.

Just a small uncomfortable feeling.

“You’re quiet.”

Kai looked at Eli.

“I’m always quiet.”

“Not like this.”

Kai looked back at the roses.

“I’m fine.”

Eli smiled.

“You always say that.”

“Because I am.”

“Maybe.”

Eli returned to the flowers.

“But you don’t have to hide everything.”

Kai looked at him.

How did Eli always know?

That night, Kai received a message.

[Chatroom]

Eli:

Thank you for today.

Kai:

For what?

Eli:

The project.

Kai:

You don’t have to thank me.

Eli:

I want to.

Kai:

Why?

Eli:

Because I think this is the first time I’ve enjoyed a school project.

Kai smiled at his phone.

Kai:

You’re strange.

Eli:

I know.

Kai:

But…

Eli:

But?

Kai:

It’s not a bad thing.

Eli did not reply immediately.

For some reason, Kai wondered if he had surprised him.

Then:

Eli:

I’ll take that as a compliment.

Kai placed his phone beside him.

Looking at the ceiling, he realized something.

The garden project was supposed to be about flowers.

About growth.

About dreams.

But somehow…

he felt like he was the one growing.

The roses were still small.

The project was still unfinished.

Their story was only beginning.

But some things did not need to be rushed.

Flowers did not bloom because someone demanded it.

They bloomed when they were ready.

And maybe hearts were the same.

To be continued…

🌹

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