Chapter 13: Valentine's Day Mini Special!

* Aria's POV*

It's Friday and it's Valentine's Day! I hated this holiday for so many reasons. Market for candy and stuffed toys and cards, showing someone you love them everyday and more so on an anniversary then just this day, technically celebrates two horrible events taken place on this day, and the fact I usually don't get admirers let alone one friendly card. I usually got anti cards that would say mean things like I'm fat or stupid or I don't deserve a heart. I usually ignored them. Also a dance tonight where a date was not required but good to have. Archie and I got to the school and Archie convinced me to get everybody a card, which I did to my annoyance, and had them in my bag. I opened my locker and just as I did a bunch of confetti popped out onto me, making me shriek in surprise, as I opened my eyes and saw the rig for the bomb.

"Okay. Talk about a wake up call." I said as I put some of my stuff in my locker and closed it. I was shaking confetti out of my hair as I headed to home room. Even when I got there I was still getting it out of my hair. I leaned over the trash bin and was having a hard time with this. Great.

"Here. Let me help." I heard Betty's voice as I felt a comb go through my hair.

"Thanks Betty. Someone thought it was a good idea to rig my locker with a confetti bomb. Woke me right up." I told her as she combed all the confetti out of my hair.

"Your welcome." She said as we sat down. We didn't have to do much since we had the concert to attend, well I'm performing but still, so all day was basically a free day. Through most of the day I handed out cards to people and they gave me cards right back. Reggie gave me, Betty, and Veronica red rose bouquets and tried to get us to kiss him. We turned him down. I got to choir class to prep up, we got to miss gym class to because of this, when I got bombarded in hugs by the boys.

"Happy Valentines Day Aria!" The boys shouted as I barely managed to wiggle free, glad I put Reggie's roses in my locker, and looked at them.

"Guys this is not that big of a holiday. I'm just not into it." I told them as they looked crest fallen a bit.

"So your not going to the dance?" They asked me.

"Oh I'll go. Most likely without a date but I'll go. Also happy about the concert but this holiday isn't really for me." I explained to them.

"We still got you stuff." Tyrone said as they huddled around me to give me large bouquets of flowers, all different kinds that made me feel like I was in a jungle, chocolates, and cards. I just sighed as I handed them cards.

"Sorry. But like I said I'm not really into this holiday." I told them.

"Anything from you is wonderful Aria. Not a lot of people celebrate this holiday so we understand." Tyler explained as I smiled at them. The teacher prepared us and I was able to go to my locker to put my gifts away before heading down to the cafeteria. After lunch my day went by smoothly. Near the end of the day we sang our Love songs for the concert and that was that. The concert was a hit. The boys wanted to escort me to the dance and I said okay and that we would go as friends. I didn't realize how sad the boys were to hear friend part instead of dates but ya know. This didn't happen to me often.

I made it to Archie's car where he was waiting for me.

"Hey Aria. You got a gift here for you." He said as I put all the other stuff in the back and looked at him. He pointed to the gift as I looked at it. I gasped at the sight of it. It was a bouquet of rare Japanese Egret Orchids (In case you don't know its a pure white orchid that looks like a crane. . just to see.) with a bunch of green leaves and vines all around it inside a purple sparkled vase. I notices a stuffed Peregrine Falcon with a card in it's beak.

I went over to the passenger's side and took the card that read 'Aria' on it.

"I wonder who it's from?" I said as I took the card out of the envelope and looked at it. It was a heart with wings and a halo on it. I opened it and read it out loud.

"Aria,

Your hair is as fiery as your spirit.

Your crystal blue eyes are as soft and open as your mind is of learning.

Your voice is loud enough to break down barriers but as gentle as a breeze.

When you sing, it's as if the sun shines it's golden rays brightly upon your angelic form.

Your heart is of the purest of gold, nay, a diamond.

It shines brightly and forms perfectly to create a perfect you.

Maybe one day I shall work up the courage to tell you my feelings in real life.

For now I shall remain as mysterious as the universe.

~ Your Secret Admirer"

I finished and awed at the end.

"Wow that was cheesy." Archie said as I shot him a look.

"Oh yeah? Bet you can't think of anything as creative as this." I challenged him. He looked at me and then sighed as he shook his head.

"Naw. Not that good. Wow. Whoever wrote that must really like you a lot." He said as I flushed a deep red. I moved the flowers and stuffed bird in the back with the rest and hopped in the car as we headed home. Once we did we saw a heart shaped balloon tied to yet another bouquet of flowers in a vase. I sighed as I went to it.

"I'll get the rest." He said.

"No I got it. I just want to see this first." I said as I grabbed it.

"It's ok just open the door." He said as I grabbed the stuff, saw a stuffed lion with a card on it so I grabbed those as well, and opened the door as we made our way into the kitchen.

"Hello kids. Oh? What's all this?" Aunt Mary asked us as I smiled at her.

"Hi Aunt Mary. Some of the guys at school got this stuff for me. Well one I got in the car from a secret admirer and I found this in front of the door so I'm about to see who it's from." I said.

"Oh? Secret admirers? I think I should be a little worried." I heard Uncle Fred (Author's note: And yes it's Fred. I know I called him Bob twice and I'm sorry for that. I was tired when I was finishing up.) say as I rolled my eyes and looked at him.

"Don't worry Uncle Fred. I'm sure it's just a phase they're going through." I said as Archie rolled his eyes and sighed.

"Just read the card already." He said as I looked at him. I looked over the bouquet. It was black roses and purple lilacs, both my favourite for the uniqueness and colours I love, with green luscious leaves in a white thin vase with a purple and black ribbon and bow on it in glitter. The balloon was a heart of pink and red with white lace décor and in gold says 'I Love You!' on it.

I opened the card and it was also a heart but it was Gothic style with a raven and a ribbon on it. The ribbon read 'Aria' on it as I opened the card to read it aloud.

"Aria,

You are as brave as a knight.

You are as strong as a mare.

Your smile is as bright as a ray of light.

You're full of kindness and care.

You're sweeter than sugar but as fiery as curry.

You're as graceful as a swan but as swift as a coursing river.

You're smile send my heart beat in a hurry.

Your more appealing then a plate of onions and liver.

You are the most beautiful creature in this enchanted garden.

You are protected and hurt by many thorns.

So if you would be begging my pardon.

Maybe someday I will free you my lovely unicorn.

~ Your Secret Admirer.'"

My Aunt and I awed while Archie made a gag sound.

"I think this one was cheesier than the last one." He said as I shot him a look.

"Your just upset that I got poetry and you didn't. Besides, as cheesy as they both were, they were both very sweet and unique." I said as I smiled at the card.

"Yup. Sounds like I need to be an over protective Uncle." Uncle Fred said as I laughed lightly.

"I don't even know who gave these to me. I can tell that it's two separate people but I'm not sure who at all." I confessed as I shrugged.

"Oh well. Might as well get ready for the dance." I said as I scooped everything up in my arms and made my way to my room.

"Oh that's right. I picked out a dress for you. It's in your closet. I hope you like it." Aunt Mary said as I smiled.

"Thank you Aunt Mary. I'm sure I'll like it." I told her as I went up the stairs and into my room. I set up all the flowers, the chocolates on the counter, and the two stuffed animals with the stuffed spider from Halloween. I opened the closet and looked at the dress my Aunt bought me. It was red and it looked like Jessica Rabbits red dress but with sparkles and not so high of a slit up the right leg. It came with Ruby red sparkle pumps and white long elegant gloves with a white foe fur shoal. My Aunt went all out on this. Oh boy. I got dressed in it, made sure my legs were shaved, and decided to do my hair like Jessica Rabbit's. I wore silver hooped earrings, red lipstick with a gloss over it, white/light grey eye shadow, black eye liner in the winged style, mascara, and touches of silver sparkles on the corner of my eyes. I looked at myself and sighed. I would've accepted white but still not as bad as pink I guess. I finally made it down stairs as my family looked at me.

"You look like a movie star! I've wanted a daughter to dress up for a long time. A niece will do!" She said in excitement as I was then pulled next to Archie for pictures. Soon we were off to the dance. We got there and I felt eyes on me. I wasn't sure why really. I met up with the boys as they gawked at me.

"Sorry about this. My Aunt picked out the dress for me without my knowledge. I'm wearing it to make her happy." I explained to them.

"Dudette. I don't want to sound like a typical guy but dang~ you look smokin'!" He said as I blushed a deep red at that.

"Oh. Um well. Uh. Th-thank you?" I said as a question. I didn't know how to take it. Next thing I knew Tyler grabbed my hand and pulled me out to dance with him. I danced with all six guys and soon stopped to get a drink.

"Well I didn't think you could get any more attractive. Guess I was wrong Doll Face." I heard Reggie say to me. I turned to scold him but stopped when I saw his suit. It was a typical black but it looked nice on him. He wore a black tie and slicked his hair back. I think he was going for the James Bond look.

"Would you care to dance?" He asked me. I shook my head no.

"Sorry Reggie. I'd rather not. But there looks to be a few girls over there willing to dance with you." I said as I gestured behind him. He saw the girls eyeing him and decided to test his luck. I sighed in relief. Thank goodness. I drank my punch quickly as I start to go back.

"Salutations Aria." I turned to my right and saw Dilton heading my way in a Yellow tux and hat, like from the mask, as he looked at me.

"Hey Dilton. How are you tonight?" I asked him.

"Better now that your here." He said as I blushed lightly.

"Care to dance?" He asked as I nodded yes and took his hand. We danced to a few songs and had fun. Once the song was over Jughead came over in a blue tux with a blue bow tie and asked for the next dance. As soon as I said yes a slow song came on. Jughead and I danced to it as I blushed a deep red. I didn't see his blush. Jughead didn't realize that a slow song would be on. Once the dance was over I moved away slowly from Jughead. I smiled and told him that it was nice. Soon the night was over and I hurried off to bed. I had slow danced with Dilton sometime in the night and Jughead long before that. I was so confused and embarrassed. There was no way those two would want her. Not more than a friend anyways. I just shook my head as I shed of my clothes and into pajamas and went to sleep. My dreams were of me slow dancing with Dilton and Jughead as my sleeping form showed s smile and a gentle blush. If only I knew who the mystery admirers' were. Oh well.