As I walk the halls, I try my best to ignore all the kissing, card-giving, and overall bustle of the most commercialized holiday to ever exist. God, I fucking hate February.
As I reach my locker, my best friend sidles up next to me, a big smile on her face. "Beautiful day, isn't it?"
"There's snow covering the ground, we have a history test first period, it's freezing, and I don't wanna be here. What could possibly be 'beautiful' about any of that?" I say, turning the combination dial on my locker.
"Oh, I dunno..." Her fingers reach up to twirl her hair as she smiles mischievously.
As I open the small metal door in front of me, I'm bombarded by dozens of little envelopes pouring down to the ground in various shades of pink and red. "What the hell?" I stare at them in confusion. Then I look up to see if she's as puzzled as I am to find her holding out a single red rose to me.
"Be my valentine, Marky?" My cheeks flush slightly. I almost feel like crying.
"Of course, April..." I almost whisper. She grins and gives me a soft kiss on the cheek.
"I gotta get to homeroom." She skips down the hall, turning back quickly to add "Remember, Mark: people love you!"
I wave back as she turns the corner. I sigh and look down at the cards again, a small smile on my face.
"Yeah..."