(no subject)
“Chi, get up here please."
Chi was having the worst day ever, and she attributed to the big 13 attached to her calendar; it was a Friday. So far, her candidate had lost the election, her friend Miya’s camera had broken, and she had learned that there was no opportunity or room for her to join the poetry society. Chi tried to control herself as she approached her teacher’s desk. Nervously, she asked,
“Yes, Miss Jayn?” The young woman with kind green eyes and a bright smile responded by pulling out a paper dribbling wet, red ink. It encircled a certain word.
“There.” She said matter-of-factly, “What do you have to say for yourself?
The word “f-king” was highlighted, commented on, and scratched out so many times that the impact that Chi was trying to inflict on the paper was multiplied 10,000 times. Chi’s face turned from pale (from visiting the teacher) to a bright lollipop red. Chi hiccupped,
“Uh. I mean. You see I- well, you know. I just um. Sorry.” Chi hung her head without a decent excuse. Miss Jayn smiled and picked up Chi’s chin.
“Don’t worry about it. You’re new here, so you didn’t know the rules. You’ll just know better next time, okay?” Chi nodded, pushing back the tears of confusion. Miss Jayn smiled.
“Okay, it’s time for your next class. Have a better day.” With that, the blonde turned around and started erasing the chalkboard, ending the conversation.
Chi didn’t know what to do with herself. She had had such a bad day so far, she didn’t know how much more disappointments she could take. Maybe today really wouldn’t be a good day to give him the card. No, no. Today would be fine. Today will be fine. Chi was sure of it.
She had everything perfectly planned out. When he came into school this morning, he would have found a red rose with a note attached, reading,
“You know what this rose is for
Love, affection, you and me, mon amore
A daring hint like this, it’s hard to ignore
So meet me by the corkboard, five before four.”
Chi had carefully planned out the meeting. She knew that his basketball practices started at four, so it would be an easy hit and run tactic. She peered around the corner; it was 15 before the hour. In her hand she held another rose with another note. She started to move towards the hooded trashcan next to their appointed meeting spot to drop off the rose, when she felt and hand come around her mouth. A girl’s voice whispered in her ear,
“Where do you think you’re going with that prickly as love rose?” Chi felt the blood rise to her ears. She whipped around to find Hotaru standing behind her giggling. She pointed at the rose and redundantly asked,
“So who’s that for?” Chi smirked,
“It’s for someone very important, that’s who.” She smiled deviously, as Hotaru read the note.
“So you’ve found the corkboard
But I’m not here- I couldn’t afford
So here’s your just reward
After practice, I’ll come forward”
Hotaru felt a sweat drop dribble from the back of her head to her neck.
“Uhh… that’s terrible.” She laughed, trying to lighten the mood. Chi sighed, knowing that this wasn’t the best of ideas. She looked up at the clock which read 3:50 in blazing black letters. She snatched up her rose, and placed it under the corkboard. She then hid in the girl’s bathroom, which was conveniently stationed just around the corner from the gym’s corkboard. Hotaru sighed and shook her head and walked away.
While Chi was standing just outside of the girl’s bathroom, a hand placed on her shoulder. Chi turned to see Linda standing behind her. Chi’s face brightened.
“Oh, hi Linda, how are you?” Linda giggled. “Obviously better than you. Did you know that you’re blushing and trembling? It’s pretty cute. Who is it?” Chi’s smile faded. Linda laughed,
“Oh come on, Chi, you can tell me.” Chi shook her head.
“Maybe after basketball practice.” Linda smiled.
“Sure, I’ll be there anyways. See you in an hour!” She winked and walked away. Chi smiled after her, and turned to see a boy in a basketball uniform walking away with her red rose; he had gotten it.
4:59. It was one minute before practice was over, and the cheerleaders and basketball players were making the best of it. Mako was in the back shooting pictures while Linda sat in the bleachers. The whistle blew; time was out.
Snapshot. Chi saw her rose on his bag.
And Mako approaches him.
Linda wears a face as if she knows what’s going on.
A red card is exchanged.
Mako runs out of the room.
Linda laughs after her.
Chi tears up.
Gene runs after Mako.
Chi drops her Valentine on his bag.
And sulks away in despair.
-Chi