Will I ever have an update that doesn't have a spelling error? For Sanjana, the only person who is reading and reviewing this bit of self-indulgence! (This one does have a specific time frame of their Senior year of High School.)

Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day. She didn't hate it, but she didn't love it either. It fell squarely in the arena of mediocrity. She ignores the way girls and boys exchange heated looked. When she sees flowers delivered to her classmates, she works on homework. When people talk about who they are going out with or who they like, she hums in her head. She remains in this state of unawareness until she's changing in the locker room after Gym.

"Amber, did you hear that Nick sent one of those Valentine's Day bouquets to Brittany?" A girl who she thinks is named Sheila asks.

"That's so cute! I knew he liked her," Amber replies.

"The cutest guy in our class is no longer single," Sheila laments morosely.

"I don't know about that. Jimmy Neutron is a bit of a nerd, but he's cute," Amber replies without hesitation.

She hears a scoff. "Don't let Cindy Vortex hear you say that."

"Is she still hung up on him?"

Sheila laughs loudly. "Yep, and it's quite obvious he's into her too."

"Are they together?"

"Not as far as I know."

"Then I don't see a reason why I couldn't ask him out for coffee if I wanted to. Cindy Vortex doesn't own him! Besides, smart is the new sexy. He's a genius, and I bet he understands the human body if you know what I mean."

They both giggle, and Cindy slams her locker loudly and storms out the door. The words follow her like a phantom. Smart is the new sexy- I bet he understands the human body. Her chest goes tight as rage burns in her blood. Her intestines feel like they've been scrambled with razor-sharp claws.

Jimmy wasn't swoon-worthy like Nick. His head was too large for his body, with a hairdo that looked like ice cream, uncanny blue eyes, and a mischief laced smile. He was awkward, and he had a habit of blowing things up. But he was also was curious, intelligent, and brave. She'd be lying if she said she hadn't wondered what his knowledge of the human body could mean in practical application. He was damn sexy. However, this wasn't something she didn't know before, so she can't figure out why she wants to tear Amber's head from her neck.

Then she spots Jimmy standing at his locker. He's talking to Carl and Sheen. He's laughing about something. In an instant, she's blinded with sudden clarity. He was like a secret pearl held tight in her palm, and she'd thought she was the only one who knew he was precious.

But other people were figuring it out.

How could she have believed that they wouldn't? He was a catch, and he was fair game. Nothing was stopping Amber from taking him unless Cindy could overcome her pride and get there first.

She takes one step and then freezes.

She feels indecision gripping her throat. If she embarked on this path, there would be no turning back. This is a moment she has to commit to. She can think of a thousand excuses for why she shouldn't. Her parents, the unvoidable distance that their first year of college would bring. But she knows the real reason is that she loves him. Truly, deeply, fully. But that meant vulnerability, and that door was locked up tight. So, brick by brick, she builds up the fortress around her heart.

She turns back down the hallway, passing Amber as she makes her way to Jimmy. Cindy bites her lip so hard that she draws blood. In her mind, she recites a worn-out refrain.

This is for the best.