Usually, Fourth grade valentines day parties are full of fun and cards and candy.
But not this Valentine's day party.
Miles sat next to Haven in their usual spots in the back of the classroom. They had been best friends for two years, ever since Haven moved to Orange County. A few things had changed since she had came. For a long time, she cared about nothing but art. Then, one day she randomly droppes art and decided to care for animals after a trip to the zoo. When Miles asked, she simply replied "I got tired of art. It was time for my next "phase" as Mom calls them. She hardly even noticed..."
Not a lot had changed with Miles. He had a big part in the junior art's council play as Abu the monkey from Alladin. He loved to preform, and was the only boy who diddn't sign up for Pee-Wee football. Whenever Haven got in the mood to play dolls, Miles was always willing.
They diddn't have any other close friends; they were all eachother had.
Miles looked at Haven, eating Skittles. She wasn't like most fourth graders who gobbled them twelve at a time, she slowly savored each one, the hard outer shell gracefully giving way to an exhiliratingly tangy and flavorful center. As far as Miles was concerned, Haven was the only person who could eat sugar right.
Haven must have noticed this because she scooted her plastic chair closer to him over the primary-speckled linoleum floor. Her permanently messy brown hair, now with pink streaks for her new pop star phase, almost covered her face only leaving room for an impish grin.
"Miles?" She asked "Will you be my valentine?"
"No."
Haven was taken aback. How could he, her best friend, not want to be her Valentine? It was a disgrace!
"Why not?" She asked, unsuccessfuly holding back as much anger as she could.
Miles sighed and put his head on his desk. He knew this day would come. He had always known it about himself but...
"Haven, I'm actually gay. That means I like boys. I mean, I don't like any of these boys." He jerked his head in the direction of Craig and his valentine-of-the-day, Honor. Stacia was pouting and being jealous.
"You like boys...as in you want to marry a boy?"
"When I grow up. Look, I've always been like this. I just diddn't know the word for it. It doesn't meen I'm bad or anything, just different like you. Are we still gonna be friends?"
Haven was shocked, but Miles had always been there for her. If he was like this, then that was okay.
"You're not gonna be my valentine, but were still friends, right?"
"Miles, we're gonna be friends forever."