The Thorns of a Rose- A tale of two broken souls

[vanillakisses39]

Ch 1- The New Girl in Town

She was but only 17 when she moved into Mineral Town. She took up residence in a tight, dumpy apartment near the Poultry Farm and quickly began working for Dough at the inn. Her name was Rose, but she called herself "Thorn."
Rick was only 18 at the time when Thorn moved in. Hew was dating Karen and was still working on the poultry farm to support his mother and sister. His father had left a few years before and they hadn't seen him since. Rick stood strong and though he was emotionally scarred, he managed to move on with his life.
They first collided with each other one day as Thorn walked home from work. She had halted at the poultry farm and was gazing at the chickens from a rickety fence. Rick was about to walk Karen home when he noticed the girl. She was tall with silky blonde hair that dropped to her shoulders. Her skin was extremely pale, but her large eyes were dark and mysterious. Those same mysterious eyes suddenly flickered up and noticed the couple staring at her. She sprinted away from the fence with a scared expression on her face and into the dumpy apartment. Rick was a bit confused and wanted to follow the girl, but Karen was still standing right next to him and was urging to leave.
"That girl was strange, hm?" Karen retorted as they walked to the marketplace. Rick only nodded in agreement.

K, well, I'm kinda new and this is a fanfic I've been working on. Thought I'd share it with you all. Comments? The 2nd chapter will be put up later.

[Butterscotch]

Oh! Does Karen have a rival for Rick?

[vanillakisses39]

That is for me to know and you to find out.... -eyes dart-

Psh, what the heck.
Yup.

[Limegreen Queen]

I like it! Anything with Karen has to rock!

[vanillakisses39]

Ch 2- Who is this girl?

Rick began to notice Thorn as she walked home every day from the inn. Every once in a while, she'd lean up against the gate and gaze at the chickens before starting home again.
"Popori" Rick asked one day as the two fed the chickens "Do you know who... who that one girl is who always stops to at the chickens?"
"Uh-huh" she nodded, her pink hair bouncing up and down. "Ann told me her name is Thorn. Her real name's Rose, but she hates being called that. She came from a city not far from here." Popori paused to throw some chicken feed on the ground. "That's all I really know. If you wanna find out more about her, ask Ann. They're close friends, so I here."
Rick took this into consideration and one day journeyed up to the inn. There was peppy little Ann, sweeping the floor. Rick spotted Thorn as she walked into the kitchen with a plate of dishes.
"Ann!" Rick called as he paced toward the red-hed.
"Rick!" she squealed back, embracing him in a hug. "I haven't seen you in ages! You're probably so wrapped up these days with Karen and the poultry farm, hm? How's the family?" Ann asked once she had let go.
"She's fine. Hey..." he began. "Do you know anything about Thorn?" he then asked in a near whisper. Ann gave Rick a dirty look.
"I'm suprised you haven't heard more about her. God only knows she's the center of all gossip for this town. Are you here too to get dirt on the poor girl?!"
"N-no!" Rick stammered. "I haven't heard any of the gossip! Its just...she's so mysterious, and I kinda want to know more about her," he managed to spit out.
Ann pulled up a chair. "Sit," she ordered. Rick slowly took a seat next to Ann and she began.
"Thorn came to the inn a few weeks ago looking for a job. At first glance, she looked as if she had just been spit out from a grave-yard. She was sickly pale and skinny with bruises all over, and she had a huge scar across her chest. Dad wanted her to visit the clinic, but she claimed to be fine," Ann shuffled in her seat a bit before continuing. "Out of pity my Dad gave her the job. She prooved to be an excellent worker though. I quickly befriended her and found out that once you get back the shy layer, she can be extremely ougoing and funny! Since a few weeks ago, she's ganined a little weight and some color, but she still looks deadly sick. My Dad's been acting like a father to her and is trying tho get her to move here now. He wories about her" Ann stopped and pursed her lips. "Even when she smiles though" Ann said quietly, almost in a whisper. "She looks as if she's hiding a terrible, heart-breaking secret." Ann looked Rick in the eyes and nearly whispered, "She's a broken soul Rick, like you."

[Skeep]

o= -wants to read more-

[Kyattsuai]

Aye aye, very nice! I can't wait to read more <3 <3 <3

[vanillakisses39]

Aww, shucks.
Thank you!

[Herfefiny]

it's over? awwwww! it was really good though! I can't wait for more! XD

[vanillakisses39]

Soon enough, my dear.
Maybe tomorrow?
I have to sign off in about two seconds.
But thank you all for the comments.

<33

[vanillakisses39]

Ch 3 - And Introduction

"Thank you..." Rick replied sincerely before pushing in his chair and leaving. He slowly trudged over to the market while thinking over the story Ann had told. Why is she so mysterious? Rick asked himself as he kicked a pebble. And why is she so quiet? As he shuffled into the bustling market, he quietly wondered, "Why is she a broken soul?"

With one deep breath, Rick rapped on the beat-up door of Thorn's small apartment. "Room 12" he muttered. "This should be it..." he heard footsteps and had just enough time to adjust his glasses before Thorn opened the door.
"H-hi!" Rick stammered nervously as he held up a boquet of flowers in one hand, a basket of eggs in the other. "I know it's kinda late, but welcome to Mineral Town! M-my name's Rick, these are for you..." He thrusted the gifts into her pale arms. "We live at the poultry farm. If you ever want to drop by, you're always welcomed." Finally, Rick stopped his rambling and took a peak at the apartment from behind Thorn. In the background, Rick could see a small, uncomfortable bed with worn out blue covers, a table with one tiny chair, a dirty rug, and a rusty stove. Not much, Rick felt sorry for the poor girl.
"Thank you..." Thorn said smiling as she gently put both gifts on the scratched up table. "You don't know how much this means." As far as Rick could tell, her smile was warm and sincere. He couldn't help but beam back.
"Um...well, I have to get going," he said quietly.
"Nice meeting you, Rick" Thorn said in a shy voice. Once she had closed the creaky door, Rick sighed.
"Why am I so caught up with her?" he mumbled under his breath before beginning home.

[Jenny]

Please continue

[Herfefiny]

yay! more. i luuuuuuuuuuv it!
Continue please!

[Kyattsuai]

Awwwww <3 So sweet <3 <3

[vanillakisses39]

Chapter 4- Digging Deeper into Thorn

Weeks passes and spring progressed into summer. Thorn would occasionally stop by the poultry farm and Rick would always run out to chat with her. Ann had been right- once pass the layer of shyness, Thorn was an extremely outgoing person. Soon even Popori and Lillia would come out to chat with Rick's new friend.
One day as Thorn and Rick were talking across the fence, she said, "Guess what?"
"Mmm...what?" Rick played along.
"I'm moving into the inn with Ann and Doug!" she exclaimed while her face lit up.
Rick's eyes grew the size of spotlights before he blinked quite rapidly. "Wh-What?"
"Doug finally convinced me to stay in one of his coziest rooms! In exchange, I'm working for him full-time, but he's also supplying me with 3 meals and a small paycheck. I couldn't say no, it was to much to give up."
"T-That's great!" Rick lied. Thorn had grown on him, and he didn't want to lose his close friend.
"You're lying" Thorn frowned, reading his face. "How come?" She tweaked her head to the side a bit.
"I'll just miss talking with you..." Rick sulked, not able to look Thorn in the eye.
"Don't worry" She tweaked her head once again so she met Rick's eyes. "I promise to come visit often."
"And I'll do the same." Rick stated. He began to hold out his arms for a hug, but Thorn seemed to recline and looked ready to flinch. Instead, Rick held out his hand and the two shook.