Special Chapter - The Love Letter (Valentine's Special)

This chapter takes place in between the storylines 'All I Could Want' & 'Paranormal Hijinks'

Pink, red, and white strings of paper hearts decorate the halls of Starlight High as happy couples, and not-so-happy single people continue on their school day.

"Can you believe it Marcus?" Ronnie laughs as he struts down the hall, "Everyone's getting all lovey dovey, personally I don't see the appeal. Do you Marcus? ....Marcus? ....MARCUS?!"

Ronnie looks toward the scrawny teen to see he's shivering like a kid without a jacket in the February winter. The reason? He's holded an opened envelope that was sealed with a heart on it and has a pink paper sticking out of it.

"N-no way," Ronnie gasps.

"Wh-wh-wh-what do I do with this?!" Marcus blushes as he hands Ronnie the love letter.

Ronnie looks down at the note.

Dear My Love,

Ronnie looks up at Marcus dumbfounded before continuing to read.

For the longest time I've had my eyes set on you, your laugh, your smile, your messy hair, it all makes my heart skip a beat.

Ronnie looks up at Marcus even more dumbfounded before continuing to read.

If you want to know who I am, stand outside of the cafeteria on the second floor when school gets out. I'll be waiting for you there. I hope you feel the same way I do.

Sincerely,

Your Secret Admirer.

"Where did you find this?!" Ronnie asks.

"In my locker," Marcus answers.

"Wait, you actually use your locker?"

"Yeah, don't you? Urgh- What do I do? I thought this type of thing only happens in the movies! Do I go?! Do I not?!"

"I mean you should probably go."

"But I don't even like anyone! At least, I think I don't but what if- argghhh!" 

As Marcus tries to hide his embarrassed face in the love letter, the two teens enter Amnestor's classroom where The Miracle Clinic is holding a meeting during study period. It's already swamped with people trying to ask the club members – Alex, Elizabeth, & Cameron – for help on 

"Listen, if you're trying to ask someone out you always gotta hit them with the 'how hard was that fall? Since someone of your beauty could only come from heaven'," Alex suggests to several of his peers who are jotting down notes.

"Hey one at a time!" Elizabeth shouts over the crowd all seeking her advice, "And no, you shouldn't ask out a girl by saying 'want to do laundry together'. It's not gonna work."

"Uh, I don't know how to divorce someone," Cameron admits, "Wait, when were you married?"

"I'm not," X says, "I just want to make sure I can divorce someone when the time comes."

As the chaos continues, Ronnie and Marcus both realize they won't be able to get proper help from anyone here. That is except for one person.

"Hey Amnestor," Ronnie remarks, "Marcus got a love letter and what should he do?!"

As those words escape from his mouth, the three other Miracle Clinic members & X stop what they're doing and begin to pester Marcus.

"You got a love letter? Good job dude!" Alex pats Marcus across the back.

"I'm jealous," Cameron admits.

"Do you know who gave it to you?" Elizabeth questions.

"Hey, if things don't work out with this stranger I'll help you with the divorce," X offers.

"Th-thanks guys but I don't know if I should go see them. What if this is just a joke?" Marcus asks.

"Well if it is, they're gonna have to answer to us as to why they decided to do that," Ronnie remarks.

"You do realize you're talking right in front of me, right?" Amnestor coughs.

"He meant we'd do something to them in Club Penguin," Elizabeth blurts out.

"Club…Penguin?" Amnestor asks.

"It's this game my little sister plays, honestly not that bad but-"

"I see, and to answer the question first posed," Amnestor comments, "I think you should go for it. High school doesn't last forever, who knows, this might become a memory you'll look on fondly?"

"I-I see…thanks Amnestor!" Marcus says, "I'll give it a try!"

_______________________________

Eventually, the last school bell rang out and most of the students exited out to enjoy the rest of their days. However, despite that, Marcus and a few others stand inside a staircase toward the second floor.

"You got this!" Alex shouts.

"If you like them back that's awesome! If not, try not to let them off too badly," Ronnie suggests.

"Uh yeah, good luck," Elizabeth says.

"Why are you still here?" Cameron asks X.

"What, I can't be a fan of a good romcom?" X comments.

Marcus is hesitant, but after the reassurance from his friends he marches up the stairs and onto the second floor where in the hallway he comes across…

"Rebecca?!" Marcus questions.

Rebecca Jenksin glances at Marcus and sees him holding the love letter in his hand. And her face turns into one of…

Abject horror.

"H-h-how did you get that?!" Rebecca goes pale.

Standing at the doorway, Ronnie, Alex, Elizabeth, & Cameron all feel the wind taken out of their sales while X can't help but start laughing. 

"Uh, it was in my locker?" Marcus remarks.

"Wait, your locker is D217?!" Rebecca questions.

"Y-yeah, I use it every day. Who did you think it was?"

"The person who's locker is next to yours."

"Wait but isn't that-..."

"....C-...Crunch," Rebecca blushes.

Hearing those words, Alex & Elizabeth join in on X's laughter from the stairway while Ronnie & Cameron do their best to shut them up so they aren't heard.

"Y-you like Crunch?" 

"YES! Who wouldn't!?" Rebecca blushes, "He's tall, got amazing hair, and is hiding a gentle side under his bad boy demeanor."

"Crunch? Gentle?!" Elizabeth wheezes in the staircase, however she stops when she realizes nobody else is laughing.

That's because they're all looking at a person who is walking up the stairs. Someone who makes their way up toward Marcus & Rebecca.

A person by the name of Crunch Backson.

"Hey lil' man," Crunch says as he sees Marcus, "You mind if I use your locker for a bit? Mine's gotten full with some letters people slid in."

Seeing Crunch, Rebecca decides to shoot her shot and blurt out, "Are you seeing anyone?!"

Crunch, looks at Rebecca, and calmly responds, "Yeah, Suzy. Who are you?"

As those words escape his mouth, not even Ronnie & Cameron can hold back the cacophony of laughter coming from the staircase. Hearing this, Rebecca's embarrassment turns to rage and the onlookers quickly have to disperse.

"Say, what were you and that strange girl talking about?" Crunch asks.

"It-it was nothing," Marcus exhales before asking, "Say Crunch, you think someone like me can find love?"

"Eh who knows," Crunch shrugs, "Love works in mysterious ways. You might have to hunt for it, you might just get it handed to you like a fresh deli sandwich, or it could come like a freight train. Regardless, I do know there's one person who loves you."

"R-really?! Who?"

Crunch points his finger into Marcus' chest as he answers, "You."

And with that, Crunch makes his way toward the exit of the school. All the while Marcus stands there, unsure of what to say.

"....me?"

Marcus is quiet before he too makes his way toward the staircase to leave the school, bringing to a close a very chaotic Valentine's Day.

Happy Valentine's Day & See You Next Chapter!~