How you doing

 It started with a text.

I LOVE YOU SO MUCH. YOU'RE THE BEST.

But it was to the wrong guy. Rosie cringed when she figured out the mistake. "Dang, this is supposed to only happen to old people, not me." 

She was in a fret in the empty hallway of the school. She knew she might faint if Matty were to see her right now, but the last bell wouldn't ring for another ten minutes. It was a text meant for her boyfriend Chance. Matty was her Environmental Science partner that she was studying soil with.

Thankfully, there was her close friend Val putting books in her locker.

"Oh, good..it's you." Rosie did her best to put on her best happy face even if it were covered by a yellow smile mask.

"And?" Val looked at her as if she didn't need any trouble at the moment.

"Are..are you still, you know, feeling bad with Robby leaving?" Rosie winced realizing she hadn't really been there for her friend when the two broke up over the summer after their parents got married. But really Rosie knew it was all about how Robby wanted a relationship while Val wanted a boyfriend to do crafts with. So the R rated and the G rated clashed even if they'd spent more than a month alone during COVID.

"No." her voice was dull as if maybe she wasn't the girl who liked to make all those beanies and sock dolls after all.

Rosie wasn't sure if this would work or if she could even explain it to Val who was suddenly wiser than Rosie remembered.

"You know, that time when..when you and Robby ..uh..found a date for me..with..with..Chance." She really didn't want to rehash ancient history who she was once smitten with, her old boyfriend Sunny who was now studying in Chicago.

"So."

"Well..." Rosie batted her lashes as if that might help the situation, but she doubted it. "How about you meet Chance and me at the pumpkin patch."

"Why?" Val was not budging. She was straight lipped and practically angry.

"I have someone I want you to meet." Although, Matty thought Rosie was meeting up for coffee with him.

"I'd rather-"

"No. Val. It's Fall. The best time of the year to meet someone new. And I know someone ..and ...you'll be surprised." Rosie was talking sweetly and not sure if it would work.

"Who is it?"

"Matty," Rosie told her he had a job at the grocery store. "And he's tall. Taller than Robby."

Val hugged her books. She sighed but then looked at Rosie.

"All right," she said. "But it's only the pumpkin patch."

"You're the best," suddenly Rosie was happy. She hoped it worked out.