"Hey Rogue!" Sting said, running up to his best friend smiling. Rogue looked up from his book and blinked in surprise. Sting was running over to him with a huge grin on his face and he was waving his arms around like crazy.
"Sting? What is it?" Rogue asked, looking at his friend in bewilderment. Sting came up to him and smiled, showing off his pearly white teeth.
"Guess what!" He said giddily. Rogue blinked, before frowningand tilting his head in confusion.
"Um... what?" He asked, his red eyes gleaming with confusion. Sting grinned almost sheepishly, and rubbed the back of his head. He was practically bursting with happiness.
"I finally did it! I asked Lucy out and she said yes! Can you believe it?!" Sting nearly shouted. Rogue's eyes widened in shock, and slight horror. Sting was looking at him expectantly, and Rogue realized that he was waiting for him to say something. Recovering quickly, he smiled at Sting, making sure his eyes showed happiness.
"Really? That's awesome! Congratulations!" Rogue said, smiling. Sting grinned and high fived Rogue.
"I can't wait!' Sting said, jumping around happily. Rogue watched him dance around, smiling softly. But his eyes held no happiness, only sadness. He was happy for Sting, but he loved Sting, and it hurt to see him in love with another. Rogue stood up and picked up his bag and book.
"The bell is going to ring soon, I'm going to head to my next class. I'll see you after school. Good luck with your date! I'm rooting for you." Rogue said. Sting blinked in surprise, before smiling.
"See yah Rogue! I'll see you later! And thanks!" Sting called, waving at Rogue. Rogue turned around and waved back, smiling. He turned around and immediately his smile fell, his eyes filling with sadness.
Slowly, the sad look in Rogue's eyes faded away, replaced with a blank look. He walked to his class with a feeling of dread in his stomach. He had a feeling, that something horrible was going to happen.
Later...
School was over and Sting was walking Lucy home, leaving Rogue to walk alone for the first time in many years. Rogue walked slowly, feeling empty. He was almost home, when he broke into a coughing fit. He covered his mouth and coughed up some blood. He doubled over and coughed heavily. He let out one last cough and when he opened his eyes, he stared at the white carnation that he'd spat out in shock.
Rogue fell to his knees and started shaking, his eyes wide. "N-No..." He whispered in horror. He had coughed up a flower. That meant... that he had the legendary Hanahaki disease.Tears came up and started to spill from his eyes and he let out a sob.
"Ahhh!" He screamed and slammed his fists into the ground. He let out more screams and tears fell.
"WHY ME!?!" Rogue screamed. "WHY?!?!?!" He let out broken sobs and wails, clutching the flower tightly. Slowly, the beautiful white carnation crumbled to ash in Rogue's hand.
-Flower meaning:White carnation - remembrance