A bleeding rose, a bleeding heart

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It's my first day off in months and I don't know what to do. I've called Carlos twice. He didn't answer. I guess he's busy. Or he's mad at me. I don't know why he would be? Maybe I came on too strong. I am infatuated aren't I.
"Oh!" I say audibly as an idea occurs to me. Why don't I call up Old Woman Josie and see if she needs any help neatening up. She always does. And she makes great corn muffins, when "angels" don't borrow her salt for a "godly mission". Angels don't exist. Everyone knows that!

I grab my phone just as it starts to ring and I see it's Carlos. My face brightens, and the purple tattoos on my arms swirl excitedly.

"Hello Carlos!" I say, trying to hold back my enthusiasm.

"Hey Cecil. I was just calling because you called me twice this morning and I was worried something happened."

I sqee inside as I realize he was worried about me.

"Nope! I did find another clock if you wanted do inspect it." Hes recently become obsessed with finding out why none of the clocks work. Nobody knows and nobody really cares. According to him, time works strangely in Night Vale.

"Oh! Thanks Cecil. I'll swing by the station later and pick it up?"

I smile with the thought of seeing him. My mind wanders to forbidden places and I realize he's been talking. I make a sound of agreement when he pauses.
"Ok. I got it. But just in case go over it again"
He sighs and talks about how weird it is how none of the clocks work. I run into Josie while walking, and she wants to talk to me. I sadly say goodbye to Carlos and hang up.

"Hey Cecil!" She says brightly. Old woman Josie is always happy and bright. I love her for that. "I was thinking about getting the bowling team back together since the bowling lanes just got reopened,"

I agree happily. I've always enjoyed the bowling team, and didn't leave my apartment for three days after the lanes got closed.
I start to wander home, since I get the urge to reread something. As I meander my way back, I come across a bush of bleeding red roses.  I take 3 to give to Carlos when he arrives.
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I put on my second best outfit , since my plaid shirt and fuzzy pants are being washed. It's simply made up of a dark purple shirt and some gray slacks. I want to impress Carlos, after all.

There's a knock on the station door. I run to answer it. It's just the pizza I ordered. I pay and bring it back inside.

Finally Carlos is here. I can see him through the peephole. I throw open the door and offer him one of the blood roses. He stares at it in horror.

"Cecil... is that rose... bleeding?"
I nod. "Yea! It's a genetically engineered breed, exclusive to night vale."

"Cecil?" I nod again. "Are you offering it to me... romantically?" I nod again, still holding the rose.

"Cecil... I don't like you that way. I'm not planning on dating anytime soon anyway. We're just friends, ok?"
I nod numbly. It's all I can do. He leaves quickly, with his beautiful mane swishing. I sink to the floor and burst into tears.

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