Continuous School 49 Valentine's Day

"HEY GUYS!" Sean ran in on queue for the morning.

"What is it this time?"

"Do you know what day it is?" Come on? Do you?" Sean's leg was bouncing up and down like a dog.

"Is it-"

"Valentines Day! Yes! The day!" He didn't even let me guess.

"So what you think you're getting something? And can you please sit still. It's like you downed 10 gallons of coffee."

"Well maybe. Who knows? The school does do the rose thing where you can give someone an anonymous fake rose. Maybe I got one?"

"How many did you get last year?"

"Hmmm Don't remember."

He may not remember but I remember. Every year I count how many he gets out of spite so I can curse him and hope he gets none the next year. But each year he gets more and more. He is the ace of the football team and as things go I worked out he should get around 25 this year.

"Come on. come on." Someone in the corner was mumbling to themselves.

"When will she arrive."

Ethan was sitting in a corner in full anxiety mode. in case it wasn't obvious, he was stressed about today.

"What are you doing?" I asked
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"What does it look like? Waiting for Kaylee to arrive, obviously."

My bad, it was obvious that he was obsessed.

"What is she doesn't show up? what if she is ill?"

Ethan hadn't even considered the idea. He was too hung up on his plan to give chocolates that he forgot about the idea that she might not be in. His anxiety-fueled body was now in overdrive as he bounced around the room unsure of what to do. The little people in his head were screaming, trying to put out the fires that were caused.

"What's happening guys. What's Ethan doing?" Kaylee had appeared out of nowhere. I guess we said her name too much.

Ethan hadn't noticed and was still bouncing around smashing his head against every surface he could find. Clearly, he is mentally unstable and should be put down.

"Ignore him, he's an idiot."

"Ah Okay! I'm going to go to my seat the-"

"Why h.e.l.lo there, fair maiden!" Ethan had noticed and pounced as soon as he could. His anxiety was flushed away in an instant. But 'fair maiden'? Really?

"Hey, Ethan. What's up."

"Not much, you know me. Just doing everything I normally do. Walking… talking… breathing… banging my head on tables. Just the usual. Ah! Since you are here I hav-"

"I think cla.s.s is about to start! Let's take our seats. We can continue talking later."

Kaylee shot him down. It was obvious to an outsider that she didn't want to talk about Valentine's day but to Ethan, that wasn't the case.

"Okay!" He still thinks he has a chance?

"Do you think I have a chance?"

"No. She left already dude. She spoke for less than a minute then left."

"But I still have a chance, right?" Someone is living in a fantasy world.

"So do you think you guys will be getting any roses this year?"

"Sean, didn't you already ask that?"

"Maybe. But maybe not?" Valentine's day is the day Sean needs to boost his ego. It's a shame he becomes extremely annoying all day.

"What about you Owen? Expecting anything? A rose? Chocolate? Maybe you are giving one? Hint Hint"

"No, no and no. I'm not expecting anything and I'm not giving. If someone wanted to give me something sure I'd take it but I don't know how I'd react. I mean what if I get all awkward and don't stop talking or say something stupid. What if it was a mistake and it actually wasn't for an Owen but an Oliver instead."

"Dude. Stop talking… no one cares."

Ah, I was rambling again. Glad they stopped me.

"Oi, Idiots. What are you talking about." Ruby had stumbled over to join in on our conversation. We kinda forgot she was in our cla.s.s. I thought I would be able to hear her goat hooves approach but I guess I was too focused on myself.

"Just VALENTINES plans."

"Ok Sean calm down. We get it. you are popular. You're making Owen cry."

"Ha! Are you guys expecting anything this year?"

Didn't we just explain this?

"Nope." I said

"I want to give something to Kaylee but can't find the right time."

"And I will be showering in roses tonight."

That's an image I don't want to think about. Sean all naked covered in roses. Well time to bleach my eyes.

"What about you? Giving anything to anyone?" I asked.

"Maybe I am. Maybe I'm not. What does it matter to you?"

"Ok?? I was just asking. It's called making conversation, have you ever tried it? Or do you accidentally revive the dead when you speak? I know your singing kills people."

"What a lame insult. Can't you think of anything better."

This girl is annoying from time to time. Why can't she just leave me alone?

"Not at the moment. Would you like me to try?"

"No need. You've already lost. It's time to go to lesson anyway so I should leave."

"pfft. trying to be the teacher's pet huh?"

"AM NOT!"

"HA! You reacted poorly. Looks like it's my win." Well done me. Well redeemed.

"Errgg. G.o.ddammit. Whatever. I'm going."

Tsk tsk tsk. She slipped up and let me get a kill in. that's like my 200th win now.

"Well aren't you two just cute. Why aren't you dating yet?" Ethan said with a very obvious level of disgust.

"We will never date. Besides she's not cute at all."

"I don't know. I think she has her charm."

"Ha! she lost all her charm as soon as we started Secondary School."

"When we started? You knew each other before Secondary School?"

"Uh-huh."

Ethan and Sean started violently shaking me back and forth. I was too tired to stop them. Part of it was kinda relaxing.

"WHY DIDN'T YOU TELL US! SOMETHING LIKE THAT IS A HUGE POINT IN THE GREAT BOOK OF ROM COMS?!"

"I didn't think it mattered. Besides I'm sure she doesn't even remember meeting before. She's clearly forgotten who I was and that's that. Also, CAN YOU STOP SHAKING ME?!"

"I can't believe you knew a girl before Secondary School."

"You knew no girls before secondary school? What a sad life you live if you knew no girls."

"You know what I meant. It's almost Childhood friend levels."

I understood Ethan's logic. But it was stupid. Ruby and I are nothing more than friends. If I was to date her I'd have to take tons of painkillers before just to be able to put up with her.

"Well, If we are so-called 'Childhood friends' then you should know that the childhood friend never wins. So leave me alone."

"Only if you have tons of girls going after you. You have zero and in the future, you'll have zero. Your best bet is to settle with Ruby. Unless you want to die alone?"

I was tired of hearing all this. I've already hit my daily talking limit and want to go back to bed.

"Sighhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh. can we go to lesson now?"

"Yeah sure. Maths right?"

"Yeah, and Sean has English."

# # #

[Friday, After School]

"What if she has already left? I mean did I miss the chance to give it to her? I haven't seen her since lunch. Why did we have to have English while she had Maths? Why can't I be in the other set? eerrugh! Why! Why! Why! WHY ARE OUR LAST LESSONS SWAPPED WHY CAN'T WE ALL BE IN THE SAME CLa.s.s! THIS SYSTEM MAKES NO SENSE!!!"

"Hey, Ethan."

"What is it?"

"Shut up."

"Hmpf, whatever. You can go home if you want. I'm going to wait here."

Waiting outside in the cold by the gate just to see her. Last time this happened it didn't end well. Hopefully this time It doesn't end with me being broke.

"What if Simon shows up again."

"I don't care."

huh?

"I'm determined to do this. I've got to do this. I know I can do this."

"Well good luck."

We stood in silence watching all the people flood out the school, there were a lot more depressed looking people than usual.

The wind was blowing my hair all over my face, blocking my vision. as much as I enjoy the wind it was a good reminder that I needed a haircut.

The clouds above looked as if they would cry at any moment. Well, if there was ever a time for mood rain it would be when he gets rejected.

"Ah! I think I see her."

"You do? Where I can't see her?"

"Over there, next to Ruby."

Oh, now I see, who knew tomatoes could walk. Have I already used that one? I better think of new material just in case.

"Right. Wish me luck."

Ethan was psyching himself up. Jumping up and down on the spot like a boxer preparing to step into the ring with death.

"Good luck dude. I'll be here watching."

"Oh… I'm not doing it here. I'm going to walk home with her."

"Ah… yes… of course. That makes sense, my bad. Good luck."

"Thanks. Well, here I go."

I watched him walk off and strike up a conversation. I couldn't hear anything as the wind was too loud, maybe I didn't even want to hear them.

I looked at them as Ethan's face lit up. the two of them walked on as if it was normal, casually laughing to each other's jokes. I didn't even notice how close those two had become. Looking at it from far away. I do wonder what it feels like.

"Oi, you."

"Ow! What did you do that for?" The walking stop sign approached me from behind kicking me in the back of the knee.

"Just wondering what you are up to? You were just standing here. Making everyone uncomfortable."

"No. I was just thinking."

"What about?"

"Hm. nothing important."

"Well since you aren't doing anything you can walk home with me."

"What? Why would I do that? You live the other way to me." What is wrong with this traffic light? It seems to be broken if it thinks that I would walk all that way.

"Well, I did just leave Kaylee so Ethan, YOUR FRIEND, could talk to her. You should take responsibility for making me walk home alone."

"So? I walk home alone all the time. Why can't you do it?"

"EERRRRGG!" Is it just me or did her hair get darker?

"YOU DON'T SEE ME AS A GIRL DO YOU?"

"WHAT!? Where has that come from? We weren't even talking about that."

Ok, this traffic cone is delusional.

"And to think I was going to give you this." Ruby opened her bag and pulled out a tiny box neatly wrapped.

"What is it?"

"Well… it's chocolates."

Chocolates? On this day? What does this mean?

"As thanks!" she quickly added. "As thanks for helping with the band. I felt bad that I took up some of your time."

"Oh, thanks. I guess I'll eat them when I get home."

"NO! I mean. At least have one now. Just in case you don't like them?"

Hmmm. she's acting suspiciously. Did she poison them?

"alright."

I carefully inspected the box before opening it. Inside were 6 tiny little chocolates sitting perfectly in their slots.

"Hmmm. Yum! This is pretty tasty!"

The chocolate was delicious. There was a great balance of milk and cocoa. The smell seemed to have a tint of strawberry and as the chocolate waltered in my mouth a strawberry taste lingered on my tongue.

"Really? You like them?"

"Yeah, these are great! Which shop did you buy them from?"

"Eh? shop?"

"Yeah shop. Which one?"

"Ah, right. It's, err, that one on the corner when you walk back from my house. The little one."

I think I know what shop she means.

"Anyway, I'm going to go now. My stepdad will complain if I'm not home soon."

"Wait, I'll walk you home. let me just put these away."

"No, it's ok, I've got to go."

Ruby hurried off without looking back. I was too busy staring at her that I didn't realise I had already eaten half of the chocolates.

"Ah, I forgot to thank her for the chocolates"

# # #

At the same time, Ethan and Kaylee were walking home. Along the way, Ethan tried to engage in conversation to stop any awkwardness from arising.

Along the route back was a small park that they could walk through to save time. Ethan quickly pulled Kaylee over and the two of them walked through the park.

"What's up? Why did you want to go this way?"

"No reason." Ethan was anxious. He had been preparing all day but now that the moment was in front of him he didn't know what to do.

"Can we stop here for a minute?" Ethan asked.

"Sure! What's up"

Ethan sat on the frosty gra.s.s and pulled out a small blue box. He managed to stand up and hold it out in front of him. Taking a large gulp before trying to get his words out.

"U-u… um… y-y… you know… t-this… is for… y-you…"

His arm was shaking, no amount of restraint could stop it. He looked down avoiding her reaction. He could feel a slight tug at the box that quickly retreated.

"This must be chocolate right?" Kaylee asked.

"Y-yes."

"For me?"

"Y-yes."

"Hehe. It's been so long since someone gave me friendship chocolate."

"Fr-friendship ch-chocolate?"

"Yup! That's what this is right."

Ethan looked up to see Kaylee perfectly composed. Her regular smile stretched across her face. He wasn't sure what to make of it. Ethan was smart and had thought of hundreds of different possible conversations that could happen. Many different outcomes so he could prepare himself for this. But this outcome was one he would never have thought of.

"Ah. Yes. Friendship Chocolate. Of course. That's what it is. Cause we are friends. Haha."

"Thanks. I shall happily accept this then!" Kaylee s.n.a.t.c.hed the box out of his hands and proceed to eat them in front of him.

Ethan's heart sank lower than it had already gone.

"Ah. You don't have to eat them now."

"Hmmm. Yes. it is quite tasty. Oh, that's quite good." Kaylee continued to chew as Ethan's mind began racing

'What if they aren't cooked properly?

What if I used a wrong ingredient?

What if Bella sabotage them?

No that's not right. I tried them.

What If my taste buds are weird???'

"I've got my verdict!" Ethan stood in antic.i.p.ation, waiting for Kaylee to announce her results.

"It was good. 8 out of 10. try to make it a 10 out of 10 next time!"

"Wait. You knew they were homemade?"

"Of course! Who can't tell homemade chocolate from looking at it? It's obvious you are no professional. But I did enjoy them. So keep it up!"

"Ah right."

"Shall we go then?" Kaylee asked.

"Yeah."

The two of them walked on in silence. Kaylee continued to eat the chocolate whilst Ethan tried to stop himself from screaming in pain, he had spent many hours trying to perfect his chocolate. He tried to do everything he could to make it perfect. constantly working and rewriting the script within his head. Only for it to backfire in his face.

"By the way Ethan?"

"Yeah."

"How many roses did Sean get?"

"Oh. I think it was something like 37 this year."

"37? d.a.m.n that's a lot. I didn't even get one."

"Huh? same, but, oh well. It doesn't matter anyway."

That night when Ethan returned home he stared at his ceiling until he fell asleep. Unable for his heart to make any noise.

Ruby returned home and practise playing the piano until her parents made her go to sleep.

Both Owen and Kaylee enjoyed the chocolates they were given, whilst Sean added the roses to his collection from the previous years.