Valentine's day

Then came Valentine's Day. The day everyone gets excited and depressed. New couples are born while other hearts get broken. And then there was me, knowing clearly whom I love but not daring to even imagine doing something like giving chocolate.

But I made some anyway.

I was just gonna leave them in Mina's desk drawer after school when everybody's gone. Days were still short and the sun was setting when I came back to the empty classroom. It made me feel nostalgic and I remembered the time Mina and I reconciled after the big screw-up with her supposed 'date'. We never talked about it again and she just carried on liking him despite all that. And we were hugging, right here.

I walked over to Mina's seat and ran my hand over her desk.

So this is where Mina sits. When I think about it even when we were friends I've never come over here. It was always Mina that came over to my seat. And the seat behind - is Tasha's. But I won't think about that today.

Just as I was going to put the chocolate into the drawer, I heard some footsteps outside and it was getting closer.

Oh shit. Someone's coming.

I shoved the chocolates into the drawer quickly and looked around trying desperately to find the quickest cover. The closet and the best place was under the teacher's desk, as that was much bigger than the students' desk.

I made it just in time and crouched down under the desk as what seemed like two people entered the classroom.

It sounded like they closed the door behind them and I could sense one of them was moving towards the window - towards Mina's seat. Shit. Is this her? Is she gonna find the chocolate right now?

But then the footsteps stopped, and a girl spoke.

"Could you please come closer here?"

It was Mina

"Ok", a boy affirmed and moved towards Mina. I know this -

"Juno… thank you for turning up"

What? Mina and Juno? After school? By themselves?

"It's okay."

My heart was beating so hard.

"So when the new year starts in March… you will be at the music school right?"

"Yeah"

"Congratulations"

"Thank you"

"Juno-"

"Please don't"

Juno interrupted Mina from completing the sentence.

"But… there is something I need to say to you"

":sigh: you are being selfish"

"I know… I've always been like that"

"I didn't mind"

"Do you…. Remember?"

"I do. I knew it was you the first time I saw you"

"Then why… why didn't you say anything?"

"You didn't say anything either"

"That's because…"

"No. Don't"

"Please let me be selfish one last time"

Juno did not answer to that.

"Juno-. I… I've… I've loved you since that day"

"Well…."

There was an awkward pause. What is Mina doing?! What about Tasha? Did they break up? Juno's transferring to another school like in two weeks too. What's the meaning of all this?

"Me too"

What-?!

"Wha….what did you say just now?"

"I liked you too. I didn't forget about you"

"Why are you telling me this now…"

Mina's voice was trembling and I could picture her eyes slowly getting wet by now, overwhelmed by emotion.

"The same reason as you"

"I see…"

After another moment of silence, Mina spoke again. She's being very proactive today.

"Can I ask for something from you one last time?"

"Go ahead"

"Please hug me"

My heart beat faster and my hands were sweaty. I could hear Juno take about two steps, then they went all quiet, probably hugging.

But I didn't feel the same way as I did when I see Mina and Tasha together. I felt warm inside and a single drop of tear that rolled down my cheek wasn't that of sadness, but of relief. All I could think of was "Finally". I felt like a chapter of our lives was closing. This is the resolution we've reached together at the end of our intertwined paths.

"Thank you", Mina spoke in a soft voice.

"I thank you too"

"Good luck with everything Juno"

"Take care"

With that, I heard them let go of their hug, and Juno turned around and exited the classroom. Mina stood there silently without making a sound, and after a few minutes, she was gone too.