Author's Note: I'm still working on Snowy Holiday, but while doing so last night, a new idea came to mind and I decided to give it a try. Here's the start to my second Glee fic. Yes, it's Valentine's Day themed. Since I'm foreseeing 2 or maybe 3 chapters total, I'm going to try really hard to get it completed before the holiday too. I'm not sure how good it will be (I still read other Glee fic and am just amazed by some of the stories others create), but I'll share this one and see what you guys think. :)
Tina had never been much of a Valentine's Day fan. It was a holiday that seemed way too fake and a bit too girlish for her liking. What was the point of decorating everything with pink and red hearts, cupids with arrows, and elaborate arrangements of roses anyways? Why did everyone think sending silly little cards or generic heart shaped boxes of chocolates was so romantic? It all seemed such a childish way of declaring love.
She thought back to elementary school. Every year in the days leading up to February 14th it was always the same: decorate either plain paper bags or empty shoe boxes with all shades of pink and red, set them out on top of desks, and have classmates stick their tiny valentines, often with such corny phrases printed on them, inside. What had been the real point? To teach everyone from a young age that there was one day of the year where everyone was supposed to get mushy gushy and ask each other "won't you be my valentine?" It had seemed pointless back then, and it really was no better now.
After all, if one were really in love with someone, wouldn't they want to show it every day? Did they really need a specific day on the calendar reminding them "Here's the day to show your significant other love."?
If Tina had her choice, she would have liked to abolish the day completely. Lacking that power though, it had become her tradition to at least mount a silent protest each year. In the week leading up to the dreaded day, she always solemnly resolved to dress in solid black and have nothing to do with the hearts and flower nonsense that seemed to infect everyone else as Valentine's Day approached.
Of course, Rachel Berry had thrown a big wrench into that plan this particular year.
It was two days ago. They all were just finishing up a rehearsal for Glee and beginning to collect their things to go, when Rachel had stood up and shouted, "Hold on everyone. I have an announcement!" She bounced over to the center of the floor, a little pink basket in hand.
Tina eyed her with suspicion. Looking back on it, Tina realized she probably should have expected what was to come—after all, Rachel was wearing just a bit too much pink—but unfortunately she didn't. Versus turning and running like she should have, Tina simply sat and listened as Rachel continued.
"As you all know, Valentine's Day is coming up on Friday, and as a little celebration I thought it would be cool if we picked Secret Valentine's!"
The room was suddenly silent. It seemed to take everyone a second to process what Rachel had just suggested. Tina sat in stunned disbelief. Secret what!?
She quickly surveyed the expressions of the other girls sitting beside her. There seemed to be a variety of initial reactions. Brittney gave Santana a big smile, while Quinn looked a bit unsure, with her eyes quickly flirting back and forth between Puck and Finn. It was Kurt, sitting right in front of them, who was the first to verbally respond.
"Sweet," he commented, with a glance over his shoulder towards where Finn stood, "Let's do it."
Tina had to admit Finn looked a bit uncomfortable. His eyes turned towards where Tina and Quinn sat. "Uh, what's this Secret Valentine thing going to involve?" he asked.
"Well, in this basket are slips of paper with all our names. We'll each pick a name and then that person will become your Secret Valentine. We'll have a little party and exchange our gifts on Friday. Is that okay, Mr. Shue?"
Tina looked towards their director who was currently standing next to the piano. "Please, please, say no to her," she silently pleaded. "Please..."
Her silent prayer did no good. He nodded in the affirmative. "Sounds fun guys."
Rachel smiled and held out the pink basket. "Right then. Everyone step forward and take a name. And remember, this is supposed to be a secret valentine, so no telling. And no switching either."
"But, what if a guy gets another guy's name?" Mike interrupted.
"I've got that taken care of. The strips are colored coded: pink for the girls and blue for the boys and they are separated here in this basket, so that won't happen," Rachel responded. "Now who's first?"
No one immediately moved, so Rachel walked over and stuck the basket in front of Finn's face. "Choose," she directed. Tina watched as he picked out a small pink paper from inside and immediately stuffed it into his pocket. Rachel then moved to Puck, the second to choose. He took his paper, unfolded it and smiled. Then Mike and Matt chose, followed by Artie. Kurt, the last of the guys to select a name, began to reach towards the blue side, but Rachel shook her head. "Sorry, Kurt. Got to keep things equal." He nodded and took the last pink strip with only limited reluctance.
"Okay, girls. Our turn!" Rachel announced, much too cheerfully for Tina's liking. Brittney, followed closely by Santana, stepped forward and chose names. Quinn took a name too. Then Rachel held out the basket to Tina. She looked at it in disgust. A Valentine's gift exchange was not her idea of fun, but she also knew she had no choice but to participate. After all, standing in Rachel's way was something she dreaded almost as much, if not more, than the approaching holiday.
Barely glancing at the basket, she reached in and pulled out the first paper strip her fingers felt. She wadded it up in her fist and sat back with her arms crossed, as Mercedes reached in for a name.
Rachel then looked in, held up the last paper strip and smiled. "Awesome guys!" she chirped, as she reached over and picked up her books. "Friday should be so much fun." She started towards the door, with many of the others following suit.
Tina sat back and waited. She had started making it a habit to let everyone else leave first. It was easier that way. Yes, at one time, she had enjoyed leaving with everyone else, but that was before. That was when waiting outside with Artie for their parents to arrive was still fun. Nowadays it was just awkward.
When Mr. Shue had once asked why she was now sticking around, she told him it was because her mom was always running late and it was just warmer to wait indoors, but the truth was different. She had actually asked her mom to delay the pickup time. It allowed her to completely avoid waiting with Artie.
Tina sighed and reached over to grab her bag. She still held the crumbled blue paper in her hand. Why was Rachel so excited over this secret valentine thing anyways? Did she think fate would give her Finn's name or something? The whole thing was crazy, and so why, oh why did Rachel have to drag them all into it??
She let the paper drop onto her lap and surveyed it. She normally liked seeing black and blue together, but this was definitely not one of those times. She grabbed one corner, took a deep breath, and began to unfold it. As her eyes took in what was written inside, she gasped.
There written in Rachel's flowery script was Artie's name.