FLETCHER

It was Valentine's Day and I walked into the A.N.T Farm with an armful of roses and a box of chocolates. As predicted by every other Ant in the room, I walked over to Chyna and handed her the gifts. Chyna smiled kindly and thanked me but it was clear that she still didn't have any feelings for me – to my secret relief.

As I was thinking, I suddenly worked up the courage to walk over to Olive and ask her something. "Would you like to come over to my house tonight, Olive? My parents aren't going to be home for a week – they're on holiday – but you can ask your parents before coming if you want," I added hurriedly, knowing what a stickler for safety Olive was.

Olive seemed startled. Then she said with a faint smile, "My parents aren't home either, they're visiting old university friends in England, so I don't need their permission or anything. And yes, I'd love to come."

I felt as if there was a rollercoaster in my stomach. Olive was coming to my place!

OLIVE

Fletcher asked me to his place! I couldn't believe it. But I was sure it was nothing big. I had to calm down and stop freaking out whenever something like this happened to me.

That afternoon I went home and got changed. At first I wore an overly fancy outfit, but deciding it was too showy for just a night with my friend and a bit desperate, I changed into a eau-de-nil shirt and floral skirt.

I headed over to Fletcher's house. For a few minutes I just stood at the door, too nervous to knock. Finally I took a deep breath and timidly knocked on the door, hesitating.

FLETCHER

Three gentle taps. That was all. And I just knew that it was Olive. I hurried to the door and swung it open, and there stood Olive, looking as pure and beautiful as an angel. She was fiddling with her fingers, not quite knowing what to say. Finally I said, my voice breaking, "Hi."

She seemed relieved that I had said something. "Hi," she said in reply. "Can I... come in?"

"Oh!" I felt so stupid. "Of course. I can't leave you on the doorstep, can I? Ha... ha..." Cursing myself, I led Olive into the living room (which I had cleaned just for the occasion) and offered her something to eat. She politely declined.

"Um... would you... like to..." I gestured towards the sofa awkwardly. Thankfully Olive understood and smiled at me before sitting on the sofa. She looked at me as I said down about a metre away from her, on the other side of the sofa.

"So, what have you got planned for tonight?" she asked me.

"Uh – I..." I picked up the movie I had chosen, one that I thought would suit the occasion: A Cinderella Story. Olive let out a pleased exclamation at my choice. "I read about that movie on Wikipedia – 'A Cinderella Story is a 2004 American teen, romantic comedy film...'" She blushed as she realised she was babbling and bit her lip embarrassedly.

I started the DVD and sat back down on the sofa. As we watched the movie, Olive unconsciously got closer and closer to me until her head was resting on my shoulder and her legs were curled up on the sofa. I awkwardly cleared me throat and Olive blinked and blushed.

OLIVE

I quickly leapt away from Fletcher and he snatched up the remote and turned the movie off. I stood up, knowing that my face was bright red. Tucking a stray strand of hair behind my ear, I stood up.

"Thanks for... tonight," I said, my words sounding hollow and empty. I abruptly turned around to leave, speed walking toward the door. I opened the door and was about to step out when Fletcher rushed up to me and grabbed my wrist.

Electricity buzzed through my entire body at his touch. By his wide-eyed look, I could tell that he felt it too. "Wait," he said, his voice cracking. "I have to tell you something... it's really, really important..."

My heart began to race. "Tell me," I said carefully. "I'll listen."

"I – I..." Fletcher bit his lip uncertainly. "That is, I really... I mean, I always have, but I just... I... I..." Then he shook his head, letting my arm drop. "I can't do it. I'm sorry. But just wait until I'm ready, I know I will be soon."

A sudden, unexplainable anger flared up inside me. "How can you be... so... shallow?" I exploded. "You invite me over to your place on Valentine's Day, watch a movie with me, and then you just leave me hanging? You're just so––"

Unable to continue, I rushed out of the house with tears lining my eyelashes. I didn't turn around until I reached home.