I thought that would be the end of Collin. That if I avoided him enough he would give up. But I greatly underestimated my opponent! I believe Collin's persistence only grew. I could only fathom why he would try so hard . It was almost a joke. He was beginning to give me headaches. I couldn't concentrate as well as I usually did. I genuinely became grumpy and a grouch from lack of sleep and lack of effort. I about gave up trying to avoid him anymore. So my next step was to ignore him. I didn't run away when I saw him but just kept walking or doing whatever it was I was doing when he found me. That effort went wasted as he did not get discouraged but more encouraged. He would talk about random things that did not interest me at all. And since he was everywhere I went, my once special spots that I enjoyed for some peaceful times were no longer private. I even encountered Mr. Mraz at one of those times. I'd hoped Collin would not show up but there he was waiting for me. I looked at Mr.Mraz for help but he only chuckled and continued to walk into to a different location. 'What great help he is! ' I thought bitterly. On a different day I went to my spot expecting to see Collin but was both surprised and shocked at what I saw. Collin was not there which surprised me but what was there instead is what shocked me. Paralyzing me where I stood. I slowly approached the bench as if it was going to jump up and bite me. I slowly stretched out my hand and picked up a long stemmed white rose. Not again. I looked around me to see anyone but could not as it was a commonly deserted area. I brought the rose to my nose and inhaled it's lovely fragrance. I let the flower lighten my mood and made me smile when suddenly an idea hit me hard, so hard it made me gasp and drop the flower. 'No one one comes to this spot but Mr. Mraz and I...and now Collin.' I stood there in a daze thinking about the new discovery that just presented itself to me. I now had two options I could do. Take the rose and confront Collin, or leave the rose and follow him to see if it is him. I decided for the latter and left the rose. I pretended to be indifferent about it and continue with my homework before the next class. I munched on the last bit of my apple before getting up and headed to class. All through class I would sly look around and see if anyone was acting weird, well, weirder than normal anyway. Nothing out of the ordinary happened in class or the next. What I did find weird was Collin's behavior. He did not act any different than usual. He still tried to talk to me even when I didn't give him the time of day. The next day the same thing. Now there were two roses. I decided to pay extra attention and see if I could catch them in the act. I showed up a couple minutes earlier at school to check out the location and the two roses were still there. Then I showed up a little before lunch and nothing. The afternoon was actually busier than normal with random tests and reports being due so I didn't get to check on the location till much later. And of course there were three roses now. The fourth day I made it my mission to check all random times, especially in the afternoon. And still I could not find out who it was and there were four roses now. I decided enough was enough! I was going to confront Collin, it had to be him! With my luck however, Collin must have sense my intention because he was difficult to track down. He didn't come up to me at all which was strange and he was awfully fast when classes would end. How the tables have turned. I decided to let it go and if he came up to talk to me I would hear him out. It seems that the winner was clearly him and I would finally concede. I was in no mood to continue chasing him. Of course the were five roses now. I decided to not take them home. I picked them up and planted them upright in the ground. I knew that's not how that usually works but I wanted to see them displayed in a row. They were a lovely rose after all and I grew quite attached to them. I just didn't want to be caught carrying them again as it would bring major headaches from certain classmates since they loved to insert their opinions into matters that did not concern them. The fifth day went smoothly as Collin did not talk to me and I made no effort to pursue him.
I finally did see Collin's the following week. He was sitting on the bench next the five now withered flowers and one fresh one. I was about to exclaim when he held up a hand and pointed behind the bench. I stared at when as I understood his meaning and slowly walk behind the bench. There were three white rose bushes planted there. I looked at him all perplexed, waiting for him to speak.