Mysterious Rose by Summer Cheng

Chapter 2 Another Rose?

    Two days later, Marinette arrives at school.  She goes to her locker and gathers her books. She goes and sits at her desk. She looks at her desk in surprise.  Wait, a minute, what is this?  She looks at the item closer.  She sees it is another rose!  She looks around the classroom. She sees everyone else is in their seats as usual.  She feels a bit lonesome without Alya to sit next to her.  

   Stacey arrives to class just five minutes before class starts. She sits down next to Marinette. She does not say a word to her. She only smiles. She hands a note to her. 

         This is what the note says, Wow, Marinette that is a nice flower you have there! Who gave it to you?   Do you have a boyfriend?  Marinette reads the note and shakes her head. 

        She whispers into Stacey's ear, "I don't have a boyfriend.  No surprise there because no boys like me.  None have and none ever will for that matter.  As to who the rose is from I have no idea.  Just like the one I got two days ago there is note with it." 

    Stacey smiles.  "Wow, Marinette!  It seems some one has a crush on you!" she whispers.   

  Marinette whispers back,  "Are you kidding me?  Guys don't crush on me!"

   Stacey just shakes her head. She thinks, Marinette totally has someone crushing on her.  Why else would a boy give her a rose like this?

  Time skip to after school brought to you by Tikki's Best Cookies and Sabine's Handmade Aprons...

 Marinette walks home. She is glad that no one stops to talk to her. She does not feel much up for a conversation anyway.  She arrives home safely and goes straight to her room. She works on her homework.

  Adrien waits to walk Marinette home.  When he does see her he ask Chloe about it. She only shrugs her shoulders and leaves. 

Stacey notices.  She answers,  "Sorry, Adrien!  Marinette already left!"   

 "Oh, thanks for telling me," Adrien says.  He appears to be disappointed. He heads home. All the while he thinks, why didn't  Marinette wait up for me?  Does she really hate me?  Is Luka right, do I really stand no chances with her? 

     Meanwhile, Marinette finishes her homework and places the second rose into the vase. She changes the water out. She looks at both roses in amazement. She thinks, who is that leaves the flowers?  

   Marinette's  POV: 
     Does someone really have a crush on me?  If so, then who is it?  Why does he never leave a note?  I mean it is like he wants me to not know his identity. Why?  I mean what could he have to hide?  It is not like he is a criminal.  I seriously, can not figure out why all the mystery anyway?  Maybe, he just leaves the roses to cheer me up, since I am sad.

    Narrator's POV:

    Adrien arrives home. He goes to his room. He does his homework. Then he sighs, with his head in his lap.  He thinks, maybe I should give up. Maybe, I should just let Luka win!  Maybe, I should just let her go because she will never love me.  Should I really, do this or should I fight for her?

Adrien's POV: 
   Marinette, I wish I could tell you how I feel.  I am not ready.  I don't think I ever will be. I am sorry.  Maybe, you deserve someone better than me.  Perhaps, you want to be with someone else anyway. Someone like Luka who plays the guitar, and he is not afraid to speak up about how he feels.  I just want you to be happy.  I  wish I could have been here for you, and Nino when Alya died.  I mean, what kind of horrible friend am I?  I should have pushed harder to return home sooner.   I can't say, I blame her for not wanting to speak to me, or see me again.  what should I do?   I feel so conflicted as to what to do.  I would ask dad for advice, but he has enough problems as it is anyway.  I mean my father lost his wife, and he never got over it.