Chapter 4
A Rose Before Sunrise
Before dawn, Bria sneaks into the garden to leave a rose for her secret friend. She waits anxiously, worrying about being discovered by her stern father. To her delight, Shaniya appears under the willow tree. The girls share their love of poetry and promise to keep writing and meeting. As the sky brightens, Bria hears her father stirring, ending their secret meeting. The chapter closes with Bria’s heart full of hope and anticipation for what their friendship may bring.
The world was still and soft when Bria slipped from her bed. She tiptoed past her father’s door, shoes in hand, careful not to wake a single board in the hallway. The sky beyond her window was a gentle blue-grey, hinting at morning. Her heart thumped with excitement and nerves as she crept toward the back garden, clutching a single pink rose pressed close to her chest.
Dew dampened Bria’s toes as she hurried across the grass. The willow tree stood watchful and quiet, its branches swaying ever so slightly in the early breeze. Bria knelt at the hollow, placed the perfect rose inside, and whispered, “Please let my friend be brave, too.”
She tucked herself behind the sprawling trunk, knees hugged to her chest, and waited. Time felt like honey—slow and sticky. Birds began their dawn songs. Bria’s mind wandered: Would her friend actually come? Would they be kind? What would she say if she got caught? Each question flickered in her chest, making it hard to stay still.
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