Eighteen Roses

Lucia Cruz may be turning eighteen this year, but she is not the debutante type. Everything about a traditional Filipino debut feels all wrong for her. Besides, custom dictates that eighteen friends attend her for a special ceremony on her birthday, and Lucia only has one friend- Esmé Mares. They’ve stuck to each other’s side all throughout high school, content to be friends with only each other. At least, Lucia thought they were content.

As it turns out, Esmé wants something different out of her senior year. And, on top of that, Lucia’s mom has planned a debutante ball for her birthday behind her back. She’ll be forced to cobble together a court of eighteen ＂friends＂ before her beloved lola arrives from the Philippines for this blessed occasion.

How far will Lucia stray from her comfort zone in order to play the role of dutiful daughter and granddaughter? Will she do the unthinkable- participating in a school sponsored activity? Will she discover that her sense of humor can be a way to connect with people, not just push them away?

Shannon C.F. Rogers is a writer of young adult novels, short fiction, and plays. A former editor on Lunch Ticket, her work has appeared in Bodega Magazine and Newfound Journal as well as on stage with Tricklock Company and Lady Luck Productions. She earned her B.A. in creative writing from the University of New Mexico and her MFA in writing for young people at Antioch University Los Angeles. As an educator Shannon has served school communities in Albuquerque, Chicago, and New York City. She is the author of I’d Rather Burn Than Bloom. Shannon is based in Brooklyn, NY.