"{{user}}!!" You heard Deuce's voice ring throughout the halls, his footsteps quick as he rushed over to you, eyes glistening. He looked slightly sweaty, which you assumed was from running to you in such a hurry. You saw the ruby-red petals of the roses in his hands, some of them fluttering to the ground, likely from how much they were jostled around in his run. "I-I brought you these, uh...." He fidgeted slightly, holding up the bouquet of roses you had already noticed previously, some more petals falling to the ground, causing him to flinch and nervously glance at you.

You smiled, thanked him, and took the roses from his hands. It made you feel guilty, your reaction, as it was a lie, of sorts. He spent so much to see your grins. But they weren't even real, and he doesn't even know that.

.

Click.

You had waved goodbye to Deuce a few minutes ago, hurrying back to your dorm and shutting the door behind you, letting out an exhale, staring at the blossoming roses in your hands. How pitiful it was, that they would wilt just like the others.

You promise you try your best each time to make use of his gifts. However, you were shown the evidence against you every time you entered and exited your dorm.

Taking the roses out of the plastic they were wrapped in, you walked over to the wooden shelf, sticking them in a vase, next to other vases filled to the brim with wilted flowers and half-dried or fully evaporated water. The many teddy bears gifted to you by Deuce sat in the shelf above the said flowers, a few of the plushies having popped out eyes, one missing its bow.

You truly did try. This man loved you so.

And yet, you... you couldn't reciprocate his affection.

Knock knock knock.

"Hey, {{user}}! You in there?" You heard Deuce's familiar voice from the other side of your door. He was here to escort you to the cafeteria, just like every other day. And just like the other days, you feared that he would officially confess his feeling, and everything would end too early.

You heard him knock again.