Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed

"Alright."

Roseanne gave her neck a little twist, followed by a shake of her head. Surprisingly, the hair clip held fast, not showing any signs of giving up its grip.

"Hey! Your boyfriend's got quite the knack for this, seems even better than mine!" The cheerful vendor complimented.

Owen just smirked.

Roseanne tried to clarify, "He's not my-"

But the vendor didn't let her finish-

"In our hometown, a man brushing a woman's hair symbolizes growing old together, hearts forever entwined. Sadly, these days, men can be such couch potatoes. Not even a simple brush through your hair, too much to ask for them. But your boyfriend here is quite something," the vendor gave Owen a nod of approval, "learns fast and has the patience, willing to get his hands dirty."

Roseanne wanted to explain, "He's not "

The vendor cut her off, "Sweetie, you got yourself a keeper. Good men are hard to find these days."

Roseanne was defeated. Why won't anyone let her finish?

As they walked on, Owen suddenly asked, "Got it down?" "...What?"

"Doing up hair."

Roseanne was speechless.

How could she have learned without watching?

Owen: "Want me to go over it again?"

Roseanne quickly waved it

meticulous styling. A simple

"You doubt my skills?"

smile: "...I doubt my

Owen was speechless.

to end up a disaster either

shouldn't

the street until they finally caught up with Madge and

that hair clip..."

immer's hairdo, her eyes

Sweene

immediately drawn to the

sturdy too. Where'd

towards the small stand they had

another look: "Did you

Roseanne: "..."

knew it! You've never been good at doing your hair, no matter how much we tried to

"..." Mom, please stop.

it the lady selling the clips who did it

in agreement, eager to move past

standing by with

Norris followed his gaze,

Nothing there!

touched his cheek:

now, not

just thought of something funny,

Norris nudged him,