The rest of the year passed in the blink of an eye. When it was time for Christmas, I was actually excited to get those precious needed weeks off school. Usually I was sad when school ended, but it turned out middle school work was a whole lot harder than elementary. Subjects like English and history came easy to me; I enjoyed reading books and learning about the world. Maths however was another story. I had to really think about it and found doing so utterly dull. I was excited to relax and watch TV and pig out on chocolate with Christian. Unfortunately, I only got to do that with Christian for a week. After that, he flew out to see his grandparents for the holidays. I was disappointed but my mom and dad said that Christmas should be 'family time' anyways. I was annoyed when they said that. To me, Christian was my family. I couldn't be too angry though; I finally got a cell phone and I absolutely adored it. It was a lilac flip one, similar to a few of my classmates I'd seen. I had been asking for one for quite a while, but my parents kept saying I didn't need one. I played on it all day and night, which annoyed them to no end. I received a message one day that said 'hi Ana, I got a new phone too,' and I grinned, instantly knowing who it was. Christian and I messaged each other that whole holiday and I was thrilled when I saw him again at school.

In January I turned twelve and went bowling with the boys. In February, Valentine's Day came around again and this time, I felt nervous. I was older. Seventh grade was on the horizon and Valentines Day's meant something now. It was a big occasion. A declaration of crushes and dates and I like you's. Elliot told me that he and Kate were going to watch a movie. He'd got Carrick to give him money for pink roses and an expensive necklace that Kate had liked when they went shopping. Adam was dating this girl from his class called Millie. He was taking her for a meal, and he'd got her a big box of chocolates. I fretted about what I was going to give Christian. A card didn't seem like it was going to cut it this year. I wanted to give him more. I wanted to go somewhere with him, but I didn't know how he'd respond. Would it constitute as a date? I wasn't sure…

My mom took me to the mall the day before and we looked around for a while. I didn't see anything special, but my mom picked up some aftershave for my dad.

"Why don't you just get him some chocolate?" she said, as we left the fourth store.

"Chocolate isn't special," I said in distaste.

I could tell from her tone that she was getting a little annoyed. We'd been out for hours and I just couldn't find anything I knew he'd truly like. He was quite specific with the things he enjoyed but the problem was, he already had everything. After we stopped for burgers, I decided that I wouldn't get him something for the sake of it. I'd already made my Valentine's Day card and I knew that would mean more to him than any present.

On the bus the next morning, Christian patted the empty seat next to him. He always did this even though I always chose to sit there. Who else would I rather sit by? In his hand was a pink envelope and a small neatly wrapped box. I opened my card and it was lovely. He'd stuck a picture of us on the front. It was from the night of his first solo piano concert and I had always loved that picture. We were both smiling widely and he'd drew some little hearts around it. I gave him mine in return. I'd attempted to draw a picture of the both of us and it had actually turned out pretty good. Maybe art would be my new venture. He grinned and we hugged each-other. Inside the little box, there were a pair of real silver heart shaped hoops. I almost squealed at how pretty they were. Encrusted little crystals studded around them and caught the light. Immediately taking out my current ones, I replaced them with the hoops and Christian told me how nice they looked.

At lunch, I watched as Kate paraded around with the flowers Elliot had gotten her. All the girls were jealous; they wanted boyfriends that bought them roses. When Christian went up to get his food, Brody pulled me aside and reached in his pocket for a small white envelope and a small box, similar to the size of Christian's.

"Are these for me?" I asked, dumbfounded.

He nodded and blushed. I'd never seen him blush before. I didn't know what to say. I hadn't gotten him anything of course. He was just my friend. Did this mean he liked me that way? I got embarrassed thinking about it.

"It's okay that you didn't get me anything, I didn't expect you to," he said kindly. He had big blue eyes and I couldn't deny that he was pretty. "I just wanted you to know I like you," he smiled.

I smiled back and sat down. Inside the box was a bracelet. It had little silver stars around it and I thought it was beautiful. When Christian came back with his food, he stared at the card and bracelet. Brody took that as a chance to make himself scare.

"Going to play football," he smiled. "See you later guys."

Christian sat down, still staring.

"Who gave you those?" He asked, though it was pretty obvious.

"Brody," I told him.

He huffed and started swirling his food around, eating none of it.

"Do you like him?" He asked after a few tense moments.

"Yeah, but not in that way," I said honestly. "He's just my friend."

"But he wants you to be his girlfriend," he said, looking straight at me.

I shrugged, not knowing what I was supposed to say.

He stared at his food some more and it was obvious he was in a mood. It occurred to me then that Christian was jealous. I shouldn't have felt a thrill rise up in me, but I did. Just a little. It was like when I'd been jealous of Holly. Now it was Christian's turn to see how it felt.

I let him simmer for a few moments but then I thought about the card and the hoops and his smile. I lost my resolve and reached out for his hand, putting him out of his misery.

"I don't like him Christian. I like you," I said.

He looked at me and I watched the expression in his eyes change from anger to happiness to uncertainty and shyness. All three were beautiful.

"I like you too," he said quietly.

That was settled then. We both liked each-other and nobody else.

Simple.

I should have known things would never be just that simple.