Part 2- Valentine's Day

Patty Chase opened her eyes and immediately shut them again, smiling dreamily. She rolled over onto her side and rested her arm across her husband's chest. A light kiss on his lips woke him up and he frowned slightly, blinking his eyes groggily.

"Good morning," she whispered before kissing him again.

He kissed her back half-heartedly, his eyes drooping shut again.

"Happy Valentine's Day."

His eyes opened wide and he leaned away from her. "What?"

She lifted her head and smiled, "Happy Valentine's Day. So what plans do you have for us?"

He avoided her kiss and she frowned slightly at him, observing his wide eyes and guilty expression. Disbelief flew onto her face, quickly followed by disappointment. Her voice was filled with hurt and anger as she asked, "You forgot it was Valentine's Day today?"

Graham sat up and ran his hands down her arms soothingly, "Oh Patty I'm so sorry. I can't believe I forgot. It's just with the restaurant opening in three weeks and preparing the menu it slipped my mind."

Patty pursed her lips at the mention of the restaurant then sighed and mustered a smile, "It's okay, Graham, really. I can call around and see if there's any openings left at some restaurants."

Graham winced and rubbed the side of his head, "Uh, actually Patty…see, I told Hallie I would show her my crêpes suzette tonight. She wanted to decide whether we should put it on the menu. The menu's got to be finalized tomorrow."

Patty stared at him, her mouth slightly open. "Let me get this straight. You're going to cook for Hallie on Valentine's Day?"

Graham groaned, "Well, what do you want me to do Patty? Call her and tell her to delay all the menus?"

Patty stared at him and then shook her head angrily. She flung her hands up, "No. You know what? Go ahead and cook your crêpes suzette. I'll just eat dinner with the girls." She got off the bed and went straight to the bathroom, closing the door hard behind her.

Graham exhaled and rubbed his forehead, falling back onto the bed.

At school

"Valentine's Day is pathetic." Rayanne scowled at the couples kissing in the hallways. Rickie smiled to himself as they walked down the hall. Flowers and cards were being given out freely and the air echoed with exclamations of surprise and delight.

"I mean, what's the point? All it is, is this day where people get chocolate and flowers. Like, I could get sick or break my arm and get the same stuff. Without all this love crap." She glared at the couple making out in front of her and shoved past them angrily, ignoring their protests.

Rickie muttered an apology and hurried to catch up with the irate girl. "Well I think its romantic Rayanne."

Rayanne raised her eyebrows and gave him a 'yeah right' look.

"It's a way for people to show how much others mean to them." Rickie continued, ignoring her look.

"Well obviously we don't mean very much to everyone else, cuz I don't see us getting anything." Rayanne muttered.

The bathroom was on their left and the door opened revealing Delia Fisher. She grinned brightly when she saw Rickie. "Hi! Happy Valentine's Day! Oh, I have something for you." Rayanne's jaw dropped and she scowled at Rickie who shrugged helplessly. She reached into her backpack and pulled out a card and a chocolate bar. "It's not very much, but I just thought you'd like it."

Rickie reached out and took the card, looking surprised and slightly uncomfortable. "Oh, thanks. Um, I didn't…I didn't get you anything."

Delia shrugged, "Oh, don't worry. I don't mind." She looked over and noticed Rayanne, "Oh hi! I didn't see you there. Happy Valentine's Day!"

Rayanne narrowed her eyes and jerked her head at the girl, half-heartedly showing her teeth in place of a real smile. "Hey."

Delia excused herself with a giggle and wave. Rayanne rolled her eyes at the girl's back, "Now people like that- they live for Valentine's Day."

Rickie shook his head at her and looked down thoughtfully at the card in his hand.

In PE

"Joey, over here!" Jordan held his arms out and the dark-haired teenager passed the basketball to him. Jordan dribbled the ball down the court and made a basket.

Shane came up next to him and scooped the ball off the floor. "Hey, you guys going to Tino's party on Friday?"

Devon frowned, "That's this Friday? I thought it was next week."

Joey grinned and wiped his forehead with the back of his arm, "Beer and chicks? Yeah, I'm in."

Shane passed the ball to Jordan, "What about you?"

Jordan frowned distractedly. "I don't know yet."

"What, gotta check with your girlfriend?" Joey mocked.

Jordan's head snapped up and he glared at Joey warningly.

Devon took the ball off Jordan and spun it on his finger. "Yeah, what's with you and that redhead?"

Jordan opened his mouth but Joey interrupted, "Haven't you heard? They're in love." He shoved Jordan playfully, trying to get a rise out of him. "Everyone's talking about it."

"Just shut up." Jordan muttered, clenching his jaw.

"Isn't she the reason you're doing that lame tutoring thing?" Devon asked, launching the basketball towards the basket. It missed and Shane picked it up, silently returning to the group.

Jordan shrugged and ran his hand through his hair. "It's not that bad. It keeps me from getting put in remedial."

Devon nodded his understanding. "Yeah, remedial sucks. The teachers are complete morons and they treat you like dirt."

Shane laughed at Devon's irritated expression and Devon lunged forward and grabbed the ball. The two wrestled for it while Joey turned back to Jordan.

"Seriously man, why are you wasting your time with her? She's a sophomore and a complete loser."

"SHUT UP Joey!" The tone of his voice stopped Shane and Devon's fight for the ball and they looked up at Jordan.

Joey's face reflected his surprise as Jordan took a step towards him. "Just back off, okay? You don't know her, so stop being a jerk."

The three guys watched stunned as Jordan stalked out of the gym angrily.

Outside Gym

Sharon Cherski waited outside the gym for Kyle. She nervously rubbed her hands together and started pacing back and forth across the hall. Okay, Sharon you can do this. All you have to say is, 'Kyle, I'm sorry, but this just isn't working. I don't love you the way you love me.' Oh my gosh. She closed her eyes and massaged her forehead, urging her headache to disappear.

"Oof!" Sharon grunted as she fell to the ground.

She looked up to see what had knocked into her and blinked wide eyes at Jordan Catalano. He had obviously just come from the gym because his hair was still slightly damp from sweat. He seemed angry and distracted but he held his hand out to her regardless. "Sorry," he muttered, and she grasped his hand, allowing him to pull her up.

"Uh, that's okay." Sharon reassured, only to find that he was already walking away. She followed him with her eyes, wondering what he was so upset about. She didn't really know Jordan Catalano. Before now, they'd never even talked. Strange, considering how close they both were to Angela Chase. But still, Sharon had never particularly liked him. She didn't know what Angela saw in him. He smoked, drank and slept around, at least, before Angela. Jordan was a step away from becoming a high school drop out.

Sharon frowned slightly, looking at her hand. But she never would have thought him the type to help girls up.

Her view of her hand was suddenly blocked by something pink and green. She blinked several times at the bouquet of flowers before turning to see Kyle Vinnovich standing next to her with a large grin. "Happy Valentine's Day Sharon."

He went to kiss her but she moved back quickly, putting her hands up between them. "Kyle!" She exclaimed, mustering a smile. "I have to talk to you."

"Yeah, I noticed you were waiting for me." The jock grinned, pleased. "Do you like the flowers?" He gestured to the flowers again and Sharon reluctantly took them.

"Uh, yeah Kyle. They're beautiful. Thanks. Um, look, I'm sorry but this just isn't-"

"Oh! I almost forgot!" Kyle swung his backpack off his shoulder and pulled out a huge box of chocolates wrapped with a red ribbon.

Sharon's eyes widened and a torn look crossed her face. Weakly, she tried again. "Kyle…"

"So, I've made plans for us at Pierre's tonight. I know it's a bit expensive, but you're worth it." He reached out and touched her cheek, smiling tenderly.

Sharon frowned and looked away, her resolve weakening.

"Vinnovich! You coming or what?"

Kyle glanced towards his friends and then back at Sharon, "Look, I've gotta go. We'll talk tonight, okay? I'll pick you up at 7."

He kissed her cheek and hurried to catch up with the other jocks.

Sharon looked after him, calling faintly, "But Kyle…" She dropped her head into her hands and shook it back and forth. I have got to stop this.

"Sharon!"

Sharon jerked her head up and sighed when she saw Brian Krakow walking towards her. "Hey Brian," she murmured, staring at the flowers and chocolate box with a fierce look.

"So uh, have you seen Angela today? Cause she wasn't in bio and I haven't seen her at all today." Brian said, trying to appear casual.

Sharon was muttering to herself, repeating her break up speech over and over again. "Kyle, I'm sorry, but this just-"

"Uh, Sharon?" Brian frowned, waving his hand in front of her eyes.

"What?" Sharon asked, blinking rapidly.

Brian gave her a weird look, "Angela? Do you know where she is?"

"Oh, um, she's not at school today. I think she's sick or something." Sharon answered distractedly. She squared her shoulders suddenly and walked over to the garbage bin, throwing the flowers into it. She smiled proudly down at them.

Brian looked surprised, "Uh, why did you just-"

He stopped as she shoved the box of chocolates at him. "Here, take this Brian. Happy Valentine's Day."

Brian watched in utter bewilderment as Sharon marched down the hallway, rubbing her hands together in self-congratulation.

Across the School

Shane noticed Jordan drinking from the water fountain and went over to him. He leaned against the wall and waited for Jordan to straighten. "Hey, you alright man?"

Jordan looked up at him but didn't answer.

Shane sighed and fiddled with his drumsticks. "Look, ignore Joey, he's a moron."

Jordan snorted and wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. "Yeah." He stood up and leaned against the wall next to Shane.

Shane started to say something but seemed to think better of it and closed his mouth. Jordan rested his head back against the wall and closed his eyes. "Just say it," he said quietly.

Shane studied him out of the corner of his eye. "It's not entirely his fault though. I mean, he didn't know you were that serious about her." He laughed, "You gotta admit, it's pretty surprising."

Jordan opened his eyes and gave his friend an unimpressed look. "He shouldn't have called her a loser anyways."

Shane caught the warning look in his eyes and looked down without answering. A moment passed in silence before he admitted, eyes still on the floor, "I thought it was pretty weird too. I mean, when you first started hanging out with her. You guys are like complete opposites."

Jordan acknowledged that with a half-hearted smile, "Yeah, we're pretty different."

"It was annoying at first cause whenever I saw you she was always there. I wasn't used to that." Shane frowned reflectively. Jordan was probably his closest friend out of everyone in the group, and he hadn't liked to share his friend with some weird girl. He glanced up at Jordan and cleared his throat. He cracked a smile, "But uh, I got used to it. Joey and the other guys will too. I mean, they'll have to…cause I have never seen you get that angry over a girl before."

Jordan scowled at the teasing, muttering a sarcastic, "Thanks Shane."

Shane gave him a friendly punch in the shoulder, "Don't mention it. Now stop being so moody and start being the Jordan Catalano I know. And you are coming to the party at Tino's…even if you have to bring Angela. Got it?"

Jordan shut his mouth with a snap and narrowed his eyes at his friend's tone. Shane smirked and started walking down the hall. Jordan grinned at Shane's back and shoved him hard, "Got it."

Author's Note- Yay! This is also a slightly longer chapter! Haha It's funny. I totally wasn't paying attention to the fact that Valentine's Day was coming up and I had this idea for this part. Ah well, that's fate. So yeah, Happy late Valentine's Day! The next part should be out soon! Please review!