In the Season 2 Finale, Rose has mixed feelings for Vanessa and Claire. Rose reluctantly and sadly throws away all photos of her and Vanessa, believing that they would never be able to see each other again. Every time she threw one away, she burst into tears, showing that she may be genuinely in love with Vanessa.
In Episode 3.20, (Getting it Out), Johnny tells Angela that Rose's birthday is the same day her mother died. Sarah had a heart attack in the operating room before Rose was even born! The doctors had to quickly deliver her by C-Section. Sarah never got to see her daughter. When Rose was born, Nathan said to Sarah's lifeless body, "Here is your daughter!" Speaking to her as if she was still alive. The entire story is heartbreaking. For this reason, Rose always tries to make her birthdays as "unbirthday" as possible, such as not wanting presents.
Vanessa's entire story arc is heartbreaking to watch. She falls in love with her best friend but due to her own Gayngst and her suffocating parents, she is forced to not see Rose anymore in any capacity. Her friendship with Kenny suffers because of this as well. She begins sort of dating a boy she has no attraction towards while watching Rose start a relationship with Genki Girl Claire Daniels, one of their classmates Rose met at a PFLAGG meeting. Her feelings of isolation come to a head when Rose is accidentally outed in episode 3.05 (which is fittingly enough titled 'Outed') and she witnesses how most of their peers (only one girl seemed displeased with the news) are genuinely happy for Rose, which stirs up envy in Vanessa for Rose and eventually sets up a huge argument with her parents.
The spinoff centered around her, "Vanessa's Story" was one giant Tear Jerker itself.
Vanessa's dad, Steven, coming to Rose for help finding his daughter. He doesn't even flinch when Rose blames his wife for Vanessa running away, and even tells Nathan "You're a better father than I am."
In the Season 3 Finale, Vanessa has returned home and sees Rose again at her birthday. Rose is so happy and relieved that they hug. Rose tells Vanessa, "I haven't stopped thinking about you for a second." Vanessa then tells Rose that she loves her, and they begin kissing passionately, but just then, Claire spots them and begins crying. Vanessa just stands silently in shock while Rose looks back and forth between Vanessa and Claire, unsure of what to say or do.
