(FULL BOOK AVAILABLE IN AMAZON)The next day, as soon as her class ended, Rose Lin sat under the willow tree with her little rabbit, nibbling on a carrot. She glanced over at his shadow, but he was busy reading peacefully. Time passed, and still, he didn't leave. She went home, hoping he would be there the next day.
Mr. Vladimir was late to class.
"If he comes late, he'll keep us late, right?" Rose Lin asked the girl next to her.
"I don't know." the girl replied.
They sat in silence for a moment. Roslin took out her sketchbook to draw the willow and her crush. As she sketched, she caught the girl beside her looking at her notes.
"Doris K., your name?" Doris introduced to Rose Lin
"Rose Lin."
"Ross Lin?" Because she saw Roslin on her book.
"In Spanish we call Roslin and sounds like Rose Lin, but in English it sounds like Ross Lin. I liked writing it as Roselin but tell everyone Rose Lin"
"One day you'll find your own dictionary, won't ya?"
"You are Spanish?"
"No but my friend from Northern Abby is, that's how I knew"
They laughed and chatted about their pets. Rose Lin didn't want to waste any more time and dashed back to the willow. She waited for a long time, but he never came.
"Maybe it's not his regular spot," she whispered, feeling disappointed as she left.
At home, she talked to her dad about how he met her mom, but she still felt torn inside. The next day, after class, she headed back to the willow again, hoping he might appear. On her way, Harold ran into her.
"Where are you going?"
"Home."
"Let's go to that place where they make candles."
"What's special about them?"
"They're not in regular shapes. You'll be thrilled by how they look. The light stays forever unless a soul blows on them."
She blinked in surprise, reluctantly followed him to the store.
"Crawdell Blenkqer is a magical place for any witch or wizard. They have everything. Even if you use three artifacts a day, it will take you more than 250 winters, sir Vinzlet and Sir Miltren Galdo started using 6 per day when they were 16, it's been 20 winters now but they still have many left" announced a man at the entrance, greeting the new visitors.
Roslin ignored him, but Harold was excited to explore.
"Who are they, sir?"
"They're now well-known professors of Nelblinxton."
"Oh."
"What's your name, sweetie?"
"Harold."
"Harold, do you ever fly?"
"I don't, sir. My dad believes I must wait until I'm 15, which is understandable."
"A smart kid, well, raised. Your parents did a good job."
"They done, sir."
The man smiled.
"So, Harold, you want to explore all these objects?"
"I don't have that much kossl, sir."
"Who asked you for that? It's an offer for young boys like you—if you keep it a secret."
"Really? May I know your name, sir?"
"Alf Thewlis."
"Harold!" Roslin called.
"Coming!"
"Remember, you should never tell anyone"
"Not even my dad?"
"You can tell him but not to anyone else."
"Okay!" Harold waved with excitement.
"Bring that bag over there," Roslin ordered Harold.
She instructed him to hold it while she filled it with items from the store. Then, he spotted his classmate Cherry, the girl he had a crush on.
"Harold, get used to that. It may help you in the future for your girlfriend shopping!" Wod Ridge yelled while climbing the stairs.
"Will you make it faster?" he muttered, feeling annoyed and embarrassed in front of cherry.
Harold was terrified by Rose Lin's death stare. Like how dare he say that?
"I mean, take as long as you need; I don't care if we stay here all night!" he stammered.
"Hey, Cherry!" he acted like he noticed her when she came to him.
"This is my mom."
"This is my sister."
They chatted as Rose Lin continued her shopping. Rose Lin expressed her desire to visit the store every day, not just to buy magical objects but to experience the golden architecture and rich decorations of the humongous hall.
"Let's explore some more?"
"Well, I—"
"Okay, but we must come back tomorrow, remember?"
"I will!"
"Or else I'll tell Cherry about your favorite doll."
"I told you I'm coming!" he yelled.
She spotted a golden bracelet and thought it looked lovely, but she doubted it would suit her. They returned home to show their father the treasures they had acquired.
Ferlin announced that he had built Roslin her own room next to their house, with a window overlooking the waterfall.
She screamed and hugged her dad.
"My ears!" Harold puffed, covering his ears.
"Dad, have you seen my lily seeds Harold was holding for me?"
"I didn't take them."
"I gave them to you to hold while I was cleaning my room!"
"You kept them in your pocket." Harold added.
"Oh Lord, I washed that shirt twice! They may have germinated by now. Sorry, sweetie. We'll buy a few more at the store."
"It's okay, Dad. I'm going to Crawdell Blenkqer every day from now on."
"Every day?"
"Students aged 19-22 can access up to 10,000 items for free."
"Really?"
"Yes. I don't know if anyone knows this, but I've never seen people my age using or visiting this place."
"Their parents must have gotten them their supplies, or maybe they have stores in every alley."
"Maybe."
"So, we're going there every day?" Harold was worried.
"Almost."
"Oh my God!"
"What are you going to do anyway?"
"Mmmm- Okay, let's explore."
"Let's dig around my room, come on, Harold!"
They dug and watered the area, and Harold dug even more. When Roslin asked why he was doing that, he explained that the waterfall's water would naturally flow through, allowing her to have her own pond.
"That's a really good idea."
"I know! Call me Mr. Genius."
"Okay, Mr. Genius!" They both laughed, had dinner, and read books late till night.
The next day, she missed class because her dad told her to skip it and go to 'Eat, Live', a famous place where you could eat anything for 1,500 kossl per person.
Cherry's mom, Trina, ran into Roslin just as she was about to take the last piece of squid. Roslin offered it to Trina, hoping she wouldn't take it.
"Take it, sweetie"
Roslin felt a bit happy.
"Where's Harold, dear?"
"He's busy eating. He's on a bet to eat the whole plate of mini food," she paused to explain, "I mean, he never finishes a mini meal."
"Oh!" Trina laughed, patting Roslin's shoulder.
Roslin spotted a golden-hair, tall guy with a girl and walked toward him, wondering if he was the willow guy. She followed them but they walked out together, and she memorized their outfits and his shoes. As she exited, the man holding the door wouldn't let her back in. She told him reasons to get in, but he is not that dumb. The young man resisted, stating she couldn't go in again, but Ferlin came along, spoke to him, and took her inside.
They returned to their town after a delightful trip and meal. All of them planned to decorate their house for "Tmenztell Hooklovrens," a festival to pray to a god for blessings which is in few moons. During this time, evil didn't roam anywhere, and people could explore freely, enjoying the golden days without attending classes.
"It's been two days; I have to go see him."
"Who?" Harold asked Roslin wondering who it was.
"The rabbit."
"Okay."
Roslin nearly got caught by Harold as she didn't realize she said that out loud. He asked if she was going to get books.
"They sell books too?"
"I saw that in this manual, they are in fourth floor."
"Okay, let's go, but we have to leave by noon."
"Why?"
"Work."
"Work?"
"Yes, I'm working there."
Roslin grabbed her list and broomstick for Crawdell Blenkqer.
"Why is no one using broomsticks?"
"Right? These people are so strange. They're not using anything."
"Is there an age limit?"
"No, I'll ask Wol."
They entered the store, and as usual, Alf Thewlis secretly gestured to Harold, pointing upward. He told Roslin to follow him.
She couldn't find her bracelet and approached a lady for help.
"Excuse me?"
"Yes?"
"Yesterday, I saw a bracelet over there, but now it's gone, and the whole section is different."
"You're here for the second time, right?"
"Yes."
"Not a single thing will be in the same position here; it changes every day to give customers a new experience. If you want a bracelet, they're on the second floor, third row."
"How do I get up?"
"Follow me." She followed Rosalia. "So, what's your name?"
"Roslin."
"Hey! My name is Rosalia."
They both smiled as their names sounding somewhat alike.
"Where are you from?"
"Northern Abby."
Rosalia opened the curtains, revealing enormous octopus' arms.
"Stand there."
"Is it an octopus?"
"Roslin. Now, come on." She didn't answer Roslin which made Roslin annoyed.
She stood on the arm, it pulled his arm as Rosalia gently slapped the arm, which stopped right at the entrance of the first floor.
Everyone looked at Roslin as she landed. Cherry approached and whispered, "Why would you embarrass yourself?"
"I don't know; a lady sent me."
Cherry slapped her head. "Is she Rosalia?"
Roslin nodded. "It's for kids," she whispered.
"God, she embarrassed me! Two guys just giggled at me."
"It's okay."
"Wait, what are you doing here? I just saw you the other day."
"I work here."
"You? A ten-year-old?"
"We just have to relocate and explore as members."
"Is there a way? It sounds amazing! I want to work here too."
"Okay, follow me."
Cherry led her to a cabin and knocked on the door.
"Miss Marla Marthini." She knocked again. "I think she's busy."
"Morning folks." Marla appeared behind them, surprising Roslin and Cherry.
"Morning, Miss Marla. My friend Roslin would like to work here too."
"Friend?"
"I mean my friend's sister." They went in.
Marla handed Roslin a document to sign, asking if she was new to town.
Roslin rushed to Harold, hugging him and announcing she had got a job there. He screamed with excitement. Then it was almost time to meet Mr. Willow.(FULL BOOK AVAILABLE IN AMAZON)