11. Valentine's Day

Fear.

It's something I never planned to feel on this day.

The days went so fast that all of a sudden it was February 14th. On this day, I usually received tons of gifts and love letters that I most times didn't care about and when I had someone, I'd get them something. I was the center of attraction so it was mostly my day though.

I'd tried to text Valentine but I was too scared to reveal anything. We weren't really close so I knew he wouldn't be able to read me, unless I slipped. I knew I'd slip though, that's why I didn't bother. But I wanted to know what he was thinking.

I'd remembered once when I was asking him what he thought about Valentine's day and he just shrugged. He said he didn't care much and just looked at it as the day of his birthday and nothing more. And he didn't even look excited for his birthday.

Anyway, I woke up all excited only to stand in front of my school's building a few hours later in total despair. I was petrified.

My friends had wished me good luck when they saw that I wouldn't budge, and I wished myself that too.

"I should call him," I mumbled.

"Call who?"

I almost felt my spirit leaving my body in fear. I turned swiftly to look into the eyes of the subject of my worries.

He was all smiles–which was rare- and acted friendly towards me.

"Hi," I squeaked.

"Maria," he greeted. "You look worried."

"No, I'm not- "

"Is it because today's Valentine's day?" He continued. "Are you waiting for a guy?"

I looked down. "Something like that."

"Oh. That's cool."

I couldn't see his facial expression but I bet he wouldn't believe it if I said he was the one I was waiting for. But I couldn't exactly do that openly. Only if he accepts me of course. If.

"Want to go inside?" He asked. "There you can wait for whoever you're waiting for inside."

"Okay."

I followed him inside, eyes all over his back. He had a nice body from what I could, can't lie.

"So who's the guy?" Valentine asked out of the blue, making me stop what I was doing. "The guy you're waiting for."

There weren't many people in the hallway so we didn't get too much attention.

"Oh, him," I breathed.

Yeah, I was very nervous. More nervous as I couldn't read his expression. His face was blank. Was he interested or just asking out of his niceness?

"Do you want to go somewhere quiet?" I blurted before we could reach his locker.

He looked surprised. "Uh... I'm supposed to wait for the person that gave me that letter- "

"You'll meet her later," I said, nerves everywhere.

I needed to get it all over with.

"Okay," he said slowly, following me this time as I led him to the art room, which was empty like I'd hoped.

He didn't protest or question me while I told him to follow me until we were all alone.

"So... I have something- "

"- something to tell you," I finished, exchanging a look of confusion with him.

"Ladies first."

I took a deep breath. I internally told myself to hurry up as I opened my bag to bring out the rose flower that I wrapped carefully and the boxes that contained chocolates and a necklace that I got him as a birthday gift... There was more, but...

"What's that?"

I chuckled nervously as he leaned forward. "Your Valentine's gift. And a birthday gift."

"Maria- "

I raised a hand to stop him. "I have something to say and I don't want any interruptions please."

He nodded, expression still unreadable to me.

I sighed. "I'm the one who wrote the letter and so what I have in my hands are my gifts to you, both for Valentine and your birthday." I paused. "Basically, I like you. I've liked you for the longest time and I'd like you to be my Valentine and to like me back, too. If you want."

I closed my eyes as I finished my confession. I felt a bit relieved that I'd let it all out. It didn't necessarily make me happy though.

"I like you too," I heard Valentine whisper.

My eyes snapped open as I gaped at him. I could read his expression now. It wasn't blank now, and it looked so sincere and...

"Are you joking? Is it because you don't want to hurt my feelings? Is that why you're saying this?"

He laughed a bit. "I've never been the type to pretend, Maria. If I didn't like you back, I wouldn't have hid it."

I couldn't say anything. I was still in shock.

"I didn't know you were the one who wrote the letter," he commented. "That's crazy. You, Chad, said you liked me a couple of times but I never believed it. I do now."

"Not like you have a choice."

He laughed, eyes gleaming. "I didn't get you a present, just flowers," he said, bringing out a bouquet of roses- I don't know how that fit in his bag to be honest. "I'm sorry."

"It's okay," I whispered.

"I'd just planned to confess and then let it all go. Didn't think you'd confess. I think I owe you a gift."

"Yeah, you do," I said as we walked closer to each other.

His eyes were piercing into mine and he didn't move away as I raised a hand to touch his cheek.

"Can I hug you or something?" I asked.

"Drop those things first," he answered and I did as he said.

So, we hugged. It was warm, and just so wonderful. He smelled wonderful and I felt comfortable and safe in his arms. I was excited that I was able to hold him after a while of liking him. It was crazy how my fear just disappeared quickly.

"I have some things to say," he began as we pulled away from each other.

"We'll talk after we hold hands and you accept my gifts," I said, and he nodded.

"Thank you. I'll get you one later today, for sure."

I shrugged. I already got what I wanted but I wouldn't fight him over what he wanted to do for me.

"So do you want to date then?" I asked, bringing out my hand in front of him.

"Of course. That's the point."

He reached out and entangled our fingers.

I admired his long fingers and how pretty they were. His palm was smooth and showed no signs of hard labor. I liked that.

"This is nice," I grinned as our eyes met.

He squeezed my hand softly as his smile widened. "You're right. It is."