Next couple of days felt like a cat-and-mouse game.

I didn't walk up to Ryan like Hannah and Sarah suggested to, neither did he come up, call or text of any future dates.

The to-and-fro banter also stopped, many were intrigued if not surprised, including teachers.

It felt like a situation of "who'll relent first". His arrogance and meddlesome behaviour had put me off and I don't know there was something I couldn't put my finger to but it didn't feel right.

In the hallways or outside school whenever we came across, Ryan had a smug, almost-secretive smile like he knew something and I gave the polite smiles reserved for strangers.

A couple of weeks later, I found a pink rose in my locker and it was a Friday. It was surprising since Ryan had been sick and away from school since past three days. Not that I was keeping tabs, but I'd overheard his fawn brigade oohing-aahing about it.

Sarah, Hannah and I were sitting in the park, them staring at each other occassionally and me with my hands in my hair trying to solve the mystery.

"Maybe he missed you!!" Hannah offered.

"You should've talked to him like I suggested." Sarah repeated.

"How did he put it without even coming to school?!" I pressed on.

"Maybe he got one of his fawn-brigade to do it!!" Hannah cooed.

"You really should call him!!" Sarah persisted.

I don't know if it was guilt or peer pressure but I called him then and there.

-Hey Ryan!!

-Hey Rose!! To what do I owe this surprise?!

-I heard you weren't keeping well. How are you feeling?

-If I knew falling sick would make you talk to me, I'd have taken ice baths daily. (Coughs)

-You should rest. Don't worry about the homework and study progress in class. I'll text you the details and lend you my notes.

-Aww Princess!! You are too kind!!

-And you are thoughtful!! You are unwell and we hadn't spoken since the date but you still had someone place the rose in my locker.

There was a moment of silence.

-Hello Ryan, are you there?!

-Did you like the rose?

-I love pink roses but I forgot to ask you, how did you know about it?!

-Knowing people is something am good at, Princess!! You should brace yourself for more gifts in the future.

After a moment of silence, I breathed, "Thank you!! I look forward to seeing you soon."

-Not as much as I, Princess!!

Hearing my words, Hannah and Sarah were silently jumping up and down but they started squealing as soon as I disconnected the call.

"Someone's looking forward to seeing someone soon!!" They both teased together and I could just blush red.

I returned home to find Pete and Roger huddled at the PC, wracking their brains over the code they'd been working on since months. The wafting smell of baking pulled me to the kitchen, where Mum smiled at me as soon as I dropped my bag outside. She was making chocolate crumble cookies.

It was a recipe handed down by her great-grandmother and she still followed it to the T. She was kneading the last batch when washing my hands I took over shaping them.

Once I was done, Mum asked me to take cookies and milk for Pete, Roger and me to the study.

"Is this incessant brain-wracking leading up to something?" I teased as I placed the tray besides the PC.

"Milk and chocolate cookies for starters!!" Pete joked.

"Anyday now, NSA will chase us to work for them once it's done, sis!! You'll see" Roger responded paying no heed away from his screen.

"Don't forget to notify them your intentions before running it!! I won't be bailing you out if you end up in jail!!" I continued teasing.

"You look really happy today, Rose. Any special reasons?" Pete observed biting into one of the cookies.

Dragging him away from Roger, I sat with Pete at the sofa, not that Roger ever eavesdropped a conversation but I didn't want to risk it. Seeing me do this, Pete became serious too.

"Say Pete, you help around with Mr. Jackson, our janitor after school hours, right?"

Pete's mother had passed away when he was five and his father was a compulsive drunk, never aware of the hour or place once alcohol was in him. Pete was brought up by kind neighbours, Sam and Sicilia among them and his too early developed self-dependence. Part-time and odd jobs here and there were keeping him and his studies afloat financially.

Mr. Jackson was almost seventy but had been around since our school was founded fifty years ago so he was never let gone. Knowing Pete's situation, he let him help with heavy work around school in exchange of weekly pocket money.

A guarded expression crept up Pete's face and he mumbled, "Mhmm".

"You remember I told you someone's been sneaking roses into my locker? Did you see any of Ryan's friends doing so yesterday?"

It was like I hit a wall with the question.

"Like I told you before I haven't." Seeing my disappointed look, Pete enquired, "What made you think it's him?"

I told him all that had happened till my phone call to Ryan today.

After a moment, Pete asked, "Do you like him?"

Wasn't that the million-dollar question?!

"I don't hate him as much as I used to." I laughed trying to make light of the question.

"Are the roses enough for you to consider him?" It was the most serious I had ever seen Pete be.

I'm not sure how I could give such a grown-up response but I said, "It's given him a good start. Anyone who pays such keen attention to what I like deserves a chance!!"

Pete nodded with happy eyes and said, "That's a good enough reason!!"

I couldn't wait to get to school come Monday. I had a reason to talk to Ryan and I wouldn't hesitate to walk up to him. Based on our texts, he'd recovered and wasn't going to miss anymore classes. It was the flu season. Hannah and Sarah both had caught it too so I walked to school alone.

School was going to be over for seniors in a couple of months. Apart from Prom, the most memorable prank was something every prankster was willingly looking forward to and teachers were dreading.

Last year's seniors had managed to seal every door, window and furniture with super-glue coated toilet paper. The students involved were never caught but it was the most expensive prank so far since cleaning and painting the surfaces had cost a bomb.

I wondered what sinister prank would take place this year!!

No sooner did I reach the school, when I saw boys outside huddled around posters laughing among themselves and pointing to sections of the poster. Girls were in groups looking at the boys, discussing among themselves and acting uneasy. I overheard one of them say, "Am so glad it's not me. I'd die of shame. Do you know who she looks like?"

Due to my participation in different clubs, I was approachable and  a known face but friendly with only a handful of people so imagine my surprise when a couple of them pointed at me and said, "Her hair color matches with Rose."

Some of them looked at me as if noticing me for the first time.

Nothing could've prepared me for the sight that awaited me in Modern High's hallways that Monday twelve years ago.

A/N: Some instances in life either make you or break you. What do you think awaited Rose?

Thoughts, opinions and views awaited.

Don't forget to vote.