2. "So hold on another day cause love is on its way. You'll find it's gonna be okay cause love is on its way" - Love is on its Way

As weeks passed, Joe started losing hope about getting to date Stella. Everyday it was the same: at school she would talk about the previous events with Van Dyke, in the hallway she was seen holding hands with him before kissing each other good-bye and going to class, and she even ditched them at lunch to eat with him. Eventually Kevin and Nick got tired and left whenever the topic came up again. They considered Macy lucky since she was at an out-of-the-state volleyball tournament until the week of February 14, spared. Joe was loyal to her, no matter how hard the news hit him. When she did stay for lunch, going on about Van Dyke, he would pretend to be listening. Instead, he got lost into her brown eyes, smiling to himself. 'If she only knew what I felt,' he thought, as he saw them pass by his locker hand-in-hand. He didn't care how many times his brothers told him to move on, he wasn't letting go of her even though he has no chance. He was loyal to her like a golden retriever puppy is to their owner.

Valentine's Day has come in Horace Mantis on a Friday. Friends and couples greeted each other with chocolate, roses, cards, and stuffed animals. Macy snunk up behind Kevin after school at his locker, tapping him on the shoulder and holding out a bear with chocolate in its paws.

"Happy Valentine's Day Kevin," she gushed, hoping her cheeks were not pink. She smiled as Kevin grinned at her present, hugging it closely.

"Aw, thanks Macy," he replied, before opening his locker and giving her a paper mache rose made by him. She grinned and hugged him. Nick smiled as he saw Macy smile, a little jealous of Kevin. His thoughts were interrupted when he heard Joe banging his head on his locker. Kevin and Macy took notice and stared at him.

"Joe, are you okay," Macy asked, "I know Stella and Van Dyke are together now since you told me the story once I came back, but maybe you'll get lucky. It is Valentine's Day."

"How," he asked, voice muffled, "Today's supposed to be a happy day-"

"And it is," Kevin interrupted. Joe stuck his head out and glared at him. "Sorry, continue."

"Anyways, it is a happy day, but I just can't get into the mood."

"Then why is there a single red rose sticking out with a card for Stella," Nick observed.

Joe took it out, knowing there's no use hiding it now that they know. "I was planning to give them to her, but I haven't seen her all day. Well except math, but she didn't feeling like talking."

Macy frowned and asked, "You haven't noticed at all?"

Joe cocked his head to the side in confusion. "What do you mean?"

It was Macy's turn to be confused. "She didn't call you guys last night?"

"No, we didn't get any phone calls," Nick stated.

"Is she okay," Kevin asked.

"....No," Macy confessed, "Van Dyke called her last night. He told her it wasn't working out because of his football practice and her stylist job. He wanted be friends, she just hung up and became undone. They..... broke up. It's a shame though, she really loved him. Until last night. Then again, I was wondering why he didn't ask her to the dance tonight."

Joe became alert and immediately asked her: "Where is Stella now?"

Stella looked out from her room's balcony as the wind blew through her hair and plaid skirt. The afternoon sun shone down brightly, not one cloud in sight. She reached out for the tissue box but only found herself with an empty box, like her heart.

"Where's Romeo when you need him," she sighed, to no one in particular.

"I don't know about you, but here's a Joseph coming at you." She turned around, finding Joe hoisting himself up over the rail with a rose and card in hand. She smiled as she saw a box of tissues with him too, along with a tub of chocolate ice cream and spoons.

"How do you always know when I'm down," Stella asked, Joe handing her a tissue and spoon.

"I don't know," he answered, handing her a spoon. "Instinct I guess. But this time, Macy told us. I ran out of the school as fast as I could to the house, took out the ice cream tub and plastic spoons, tripped while going upstairs, grabbed the tissue box, went back down, Nick handed me the rose and card that I left at school, and ran all the way down here to comfort you on the devastating Valentine's Day." He took a deep breath, Stella smiling sadly.

"I can't believe this happened on Valentine's Day," she said, "You must of have a very good day."

"Not really. I had...... a lot on my mind for the past month. I gotta ask you something, Stella."

"Sure, Joe. What is it?"

He took a spoonful of ice cream and stuck it in his mouth, swallowed, then said: "Remember that day when Great Morning USA came to our house, but my voice was hoarse since I got sick?"

"Well, yeah. I was really mad because you didn't tell me the truth in the first place."

"Do you remember the conversation about our...... relationship together? And how it would be possible for us to have feelings for each other, but it was too risky to try?" Stella nodded her head as she took another scoop of ice cream.

"What do you think could happen if, say we really got together?" Joe looked at Stella as she pondered at his question.

"I guess we could be happy and agree if it doesn't work out, we'll go back to being friends," she spoke, smiling. He nodded, then held out the rose and card.

"Happy Valentine's Day," he smiled. She took it, opening it and reading what it said:

"....Until the stars have blinked their last, wherever on this Earth you walk, he will arouse, excite, inspire, my Valentine, my one dark fire.

Stella, hold on to your heart. One day, you'll find the right person because love is on its way just for you. Happy Valentine's Day from Joe."

"Aw, Joe. That's so sweet and romantic of you," she commented smelling the rose. He held his arms out for a hug and they hugged. After a few minutes, they let go and Joe went over to the tree.

"I wish I could stick around, but I gotta get ready for tonight's dance," Joe mentioned, "Are you still gonna come with us? We're just gonna perform one song then enjoy the night."

"Sure, why not," Stella answered. "Meet you guys 8:00 at the gym."

"Cool." Joe waved goodbye, then climbed down slowly. Unfortunately, he lost his footing and fell. Stella quickly looked down and yelled, "Joe are you okay."

"I'm okay. See you later Stel. Ow."

Took me 5 hours to write. Not kidding. Expect chapter 3 either tomorrow or somewhere this week. R&R