CHAPTER 10

VALENTINE'S DAY

LLOYD'S POV:

The day had finally come. Valentine's Day. I saw a lot of festivities going on in the house once I woke up. The ninja plan to take their ladies out for dinner. There's no way my parents would let me take anyone out to dinner without having a chaperone there. I was finally finished with the card I spent all afternoon making Zelda. I placed it in my bag as I started gathering my school things. Even though it's a holiday, it first mean that we can't goof off and waste the day away with love. I went over to the bed and started putting my shoes on. I heard footsteps coming towards my room. This time I walked over and opened it myself to make sure it wasn't Nick and his ridiculous tricks. Instead, it was Brad. His hair was nice and combed. It was also flat. In all the days I've known Brad, I've never seen Brad make sure his hair was nice and ready.

His smile was nervous as he waved at me. "Hey, Lloyd. Do I look okay?"

"In all my life, I've never seen you wear your hair in any different way before."

"Does it look bad? Oh, I knew it was a bad idea to do anything to the top of my head."

"Come on, Brad, it doesn't matter how you look. I mean, you look great, but girls aren't interested in how guys look. They only think about how the guy cares about them. Dressing the part is good. That lets the girl know that you at least have a little class."

"Thanks, Lloyd, but I don't think I can go out there alone. Can you help me out? I mean, don't be anywhere in sight to where Staci can see you. Just be somewhere close. Can you do that for me?"

"Sure thing. Just tell me where you want me to be."

"Okay. See you in the car."

Once I finished with all my daily morning routines, I climbed into the car and made my way to school. I made sure that I had Zelda`s gift in my bag. Once we got to school, Brad dragged me out of the car. Right after my mom told us to have a great day, and also calling me sweetie pie, we made our way towards the side of the building. We both saw Staci talking to a few of her friends.

"There she is," Brad said, "Staci Johnson. How amazing she is!"

"Well, she seems like the perfect person for you," I said.

"I don't know if I can do this, Lloyd. What if I mess up?"

"Don't worry, Brad. I believe in you and I'm sure that Staci will as well. Once you go up and giver her the gifts you got her. Now go on."

Brad took a deep breath and walked over to Staci. I stood on the side of the building, waiting to see what he would do. I started hearing them talk. "Hey, Staci. I'm sure you know me, but we don't really talk a lot to each other."

"Hey, Brad," Staci said, "It's always good to see you. Yeah, I know we don't really talk a lot. You can thank my friends for that. They keep telling me that your still a bad boy, but I don't believe them. Word has it that you've changed from your evil ways."

"Yeah, it's true. I have."

"Well, next time I see you and I'm with friends, make sure you let them know about that. I don't want them spreading around the rumor that your still evil."

"I'll make sure of that next time. By the way, there's something that I wanna give you."

"What is it, Brad?"

Brad held up the teddy bear and card in front of her. "Happy Valentine's Day."

Staci gasped. "Brad, you made these for me? That's really sweet of you." She opened the card and read it aloud. "You'll always be perfect to me. Wow, Brad, you barely know me, but you know what to say that's true to your heart. I really appreciate this. Thank you."

"Sure thing, Staci. Anytime."

"Hey, my dad's wanting to take me to play mini golf next weekend. Do you wanna come along?"

"Of course I would. I hope you don't mind if I could bring a friend or two."

"Sure. The more, the merrier."

"Staci, come one," one of Staci`s friends called out, "We don't have all day to wait on you."

"I better get going, Brad," Staci said, "You know how impatient my friend Tammy can get."

"Yeah, I know," Brad said.

"Well, I guess I'll see you later. I can't wait for you and your friends to come play mini golf with me."

"I can't wait, either. See you later, Staci."

"See you later, Brad."

Staci ran off. Brad came back over to me. "I suppose you heard our conversation, considering that you've been standing here the whole time."

"She liked the card and all," Lloyd said, "Why did you agree to go mini golfing with her?"

"I don't know. She asked me and I just couldn't refuse. It made me think that I wanted to go mini golfing with her. I don't know what to do. I can't just walk up to her and tell her I changed my mind. That would be evil, and I don't do that anymore."

"Don't worry, Brad. I'll be there with you every step of the way."

"Yeah, I kind of told her that I would bring along a couple of friends. Do you know of anybody that you could bring along?"

"Well, I can't bring Nick. He doesn't wanna be anywhere near you."

"What about your cousin Monica?"

"How did you know Monica was my cousin?"

"Uh, she tells everybody that she's Headmaster Wu`s daughter. I think we all know that by now."

"I don't know. Monica's not the type of person to play golf. Plus, she's taking dance class and lessons are mostly on Saturdays."

"There has to be someone you know. What about that girl that lives next door to you guys?"

"You mean Zelda Allyman? No way, Brad. We can't bring her along."

"Come on, Lloyd, I know you have a crush on her. I also know that you made a card for her and its inside your backpack as we speak. I'm pretty sure you haven't asked her to go anywhere with you before."

"No, I haven't."

"Then this is your chance, Lloyd. Now go out there and ask her."

"I really don't think this is a good idea, Brad. What if she says no?"

"Lloyd, you didn't give up on me, so I'm not gonna give up on you." He plucked a flower from a nearby bush. "Here, give this to her. Don't be too nervous. I know you can do this. Just go out there and do your best."

"Alright, I'll do it." I took a deep breath. "I'm gonna do it."

"That's the spirit."

I spotted Zelda over by the picnic tables. She was sitting there all alone while staring at all the other girls that were receiving Valentine gifts from their special someone. This was the perfect moment. I know it. I walked up to her, holding out the card and flower. I smiled goofily. "Happy Valentine's Day, Zelda."

"Oh, Lloyd, what a beautiful flower and such a well decorated card," Zelda said, "You have really made this the best Valentine's Day I've ever had."

"I'm glad I made it great."

Zelda opened the card and read it aloud. "You shall always be special to me in my heart. Oh, Lloyd, you have really made my day."

"I'm glad, and I plan to make it an even better day."

"Oh, really. Do you have any other gifts?"

"Well, I was wondering if you would like to come mini golfing with me and a couple of friends. Will you come along with us?"

"I would love to join you and your friends in mini golfing. When are we going?"

"Next Saturday. I hope you don't mind."

"Oh, not at all." The bell rang inside the school. "Oh, I better get to class. I hope to see you again, Lloyd. Happy Valentine's Day."

"Same to you, Zelda." I walked back over to Brad. "It's official. I asked Zelda to come along and she accepted."

"Great, so it's a double date," Brad said.

"You never said anything about a date. You just told me to ask her."

"Never mind, Lloyd. Let's just get to class."

Brad and I ran inside the school. At least the day of love is officially over for me. Now the only thing on my list is my birthday. The day that's all about me.

WELL, THERE YOU GO. THAT'S MY ONE AND ONLY VALENTINE'S SPECIAL. LOOKS LIKE BRAD AND LLOYD HAVE DATES. ALTHOUGH, I WOULDN'T CALL IT A DATE. I WONDER WHAT NICK THINKS ABOUT ALL THIS.

WELL, I DON'T HAVE ANYTHING TO TALK ABOUT.

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