Isidore Kouris. I’d seen her on the other side of the classroom. Sun perfectly hitting her and reflecting off her curly raven hair. She looked like a dream. She always did. We’d been friends since freshman, somewhat. She was the one I’d look for in each classroom each year. I remember in junior year we’d been lab partners; I came to school looking forward to our conversations each day. Today was the last day of senior year, before we all parted ways. How selfish was it to want to grasp a dream forever? My hand touched the desk as I looked outside to see the sun glistening on the cherry blossoms. Feeling it hit my skin. Maybe if I could shine like the sun... just for moment a dream could be real. My feet hit the floor as I walked across the classroom. “Hey Isidore”

“Hey Jova” Her smile bright, cheeks a little pink. Her friend at her side smiled.

I felt my heart leap. “I just was wondering if we could exchange numbers, since you're going to LSU. Right?”

“Yea... I am. I’d love to exchange numbers; I was a little bummed that we may never speak again actually.” She admitted face reddening, she looked... nervous.

“Yeah... I was too. Maybe we could try to hangout sometime?” I tried to sound as calm as possible. Hoping the years of hoping weren’t seeping through me.

“I’d love too” She said with a smile.

We’d started off as blooming flowers her and I. Slow and tedious, watered each day. Learning how to take care of it, learning how the petals grow but not forgetting how you planted the root. I learned she wanted to major in Forensic Science and move to Australia for a bit one day. But I never forgot how her nose crinkled when she laughed, her smile revealing her gums when she’d laugh exceptionally hard. How vague she’d get when sad, but I’d listen, I’d wait for her to speak. Because to know I could offer some sort of sunlight to help her brighten was enough.

Oh, Isidore Kouris I am falling in love with you as you flourished.

College had started, just as we’d started dating. Everyone adored her. Or perhaps I was to focused on her to notice anyone else, assuming everyone else would look at what I’ve got inside my pot over their gardens. How couldn’t they?

It was Halloween, Isidore was insistent on going out with friends for it. I didn’t understand. How could she want to be with others when I offered so much. I let her, though, understanding her needs. Her wants. I loved Isidore.

Isidore was so beautiful. She was perfect. My beautiful love. Her laugh a song to my ears. She’d grown into something beautiful. I liked to think I had helped, my beautiful flower.

Isidore and I fought today; we’ve been fighting more recently. She went away for a couple weeks for winter break. Up to her dads in North Carolina, I wasn’t able too. I worried our time away from each other hurt us.

A flower can only grow with its gardener, right? Who would water it, tend to it, take care of it. Cut off the dead bits. Make sure it remained beautiful even when compared to gardens full of flowers because who needed multiple when you had one beautiful flower? A flower is nothing without that who planted it. Right?

The stars were out, shining on my car. I leaned against the hood outside Isidore’s apartment. Waiting for her. I wanted to go out for dinner. She’d said her had plans with her friends, but I knew she was smart. She loved me. She wanted to make me happy just as I her. Which was why I wanted to be with her. Tonight. It’d been a while since our last fight.

“Jova...?” She said slowly as she walked outside, heels clicking the cement pavement with a clink that reminded me of a clock ticking. “What are you doing here, Nani and the others are gonna be here soon” She wrapped her arms around herself... frowning. Standing a couple feet away.

“You look beautiful.” A smile playing at my lips, I push from my car, walking to her. “Aren’t you happy to see me? I missed you.” Gaze on her as I made my way to her. My everything. Excited to show her the restaurant I intended to take us to, she’d love it. Full of greens. It was the first restaurant we’d ever gone to after dating. The sun had burnt me that day, unlike this cold night.

“Jova, I told you I’m busy tonight. Were on break also, we shouldn’t even be talking.” Concern slipping in her tone, she was so sweet. Always worrying. Always thinking. She took a step back arms dropping from around her as she reached for a handle by the stairs.

I shook my head with a small smile tugging at the corner of my lip. Reaching a handout for her arm. She just needed to come with me, and it’d all be better. “Yeah, well, I want to be with you-”

“Jova, you’re not listening.” She burst, hand hitting my own suddenly. I paused. Staring at her, lips straightening. Staring expectantly at her as she went on. “You need to focus on yourself; I can’t do this Jova. Leave me alone.” My jaw clenched. Eyes following as she suddenly swerved past me, avoiding getting close. Heading for her friend's car. That’d just pulled up. I ran after her. We needed to speak, I needed to get her alone, to talk. I could get her to understand.

“Isidore! Can’t we just talk! Stop running away!” I called after her, heart aching as she ripped the door open to her friend's car. I rushed behind her. In a hurry.

“NO, LEAVE ME ALONE” She pressed again before slamming the door behind her.

I stood there staring at the car as it drove off, displeased. How could someone you poured so much time into not want the same? How was it not enough? I listened plenty. I made sure I was there for her. I make sure to always have time for her. She is everything. How can she not flourish when I give her all my resources. There is no garden. Not for me. What use are others for when I have her? I need to keep her alive. Even if she seems to be wilting with time.