1127 Words

Chapter Two, Broken Valentine

Just before lunch Becker snuck into the locker room to place a large pink heart-shaped box of chocolate and a red rose inside Jess' locker. As he opened it he got a large surprise.

A big bouquet of red roses stared at him. It was unexpected but he smiled. They had to be for him, though he thought it was a bit of a strange gift for a man. Still, it was Jess. She could give him anything and he'd cherish it.

He looked around the room; it was empty, so he peeked at the card.

It was a shock.

"These remind me of you, but you are far lovelier. I know we shouldn't express our love openly, but I can't help it. I need you to know how much I love you. Forgive me. You Know Who."

Becker stared at the note. One phase stung him: "We shouldn't express our love." It did not sound unrequited.

He stood there, in a daze, staring at that phrase.

He heard the door open and then the sound of familiar humming. "There you are," said Jess. "I was looking…" she stopped as she saw the flowers in his hand. "Becker! They're lovely!"

"They aren't from me."

"What?" she asked, confused. "They aren't?"

He shoved them at her and moved away. "No."

She read the card and her eyes bulged out. "Yikes. I guess my secret admirer strikes again."

"Is it a secret?"

"What?"

Becker stomped up close. "Is it a secret, Jess? It sounds like you know him."

"I told you before, I have no idea who he is."

Becker scoffed. He angrily paced back and forth. Then he hit a locker and she jumped.

"Becker, honey…are you…upset?"

He spun around. "Am I upset?" he yelled. "Are you for real?"

Jess shook her head. "I don't know him!"

He angrily stormed up to her and yanked the note from her hands. "It says 'our love,' Jess! That's not one-sided!"

Jess opened her mouth in shock. "You think…Becker, are you seriously suggesting that I'm cheating on you?"

Becker stared at her. He said nothing.

"Becker! You are suggesting it!"

"It's kind of hard not to think it after that note, Jess."

Jess gasped. Her eyes filled with tears. She set the roses on a bench and slammed her locker. "I don't believe you!" She stormed out of the locker room.

Becker stood still, staring at the trouble making roses sitting beside the Valentines he hadn't even given to her.

"Best Valentine's Day ever," he muttered bitterly. "Right."

Lunch was awkward. Jess sat with Abby and Connor.

"Where's your boyfriend?" asked Connor. "You know, the guy usually stuck to your face?"

Jess didn't answer. She stabbed pieces of lettuce angrily with her fork.

Abby groaned. "Did the idiot forget Valentine's Day?"

Jess frowned. "No. At least, I'm not sure. I don't think so. We haven't gotten that far."

"Then what's wrong?" asked Abby.

Jess dropped her fork. "The idiot accused me of cheating!"

Connor's mouth dropped open with surprise.

Abby instantly angered. "He did what?"

"He found a Valentine card someone had left me then there were roses in my locker," she babbled, "and he asked me who it was and I said I didn't know and then Becker…said I was cheating…" she collapsed into tears.

"I'll kill him," said Abby.

"No. It's Valentine's Day," said Jess, wiping her tears. "Let me."

Abby laughed.

At that moment, Becker walked in.

"You have some explaining to do," said Connor.

"Me?" asked Becker.

"Yes," said Abby.

Becker's voice went up in pitch. "She's the one with the secret romance!"

"Oh my God!" screamed Jess. "I am not! Do you really believe that?"

Becker shrugged. "I've seen the evidence."

"Let me see it," said Connor.

"Yeah, show them," said Becker.

"I can't. I threw the card away. I don't what happened to the roses."

Becker scoffed. "You probably destroyed them; you know…getting rid of the evidence."

"You're an ass!" cried Jess, picking up her tray and stomping off to put it away.

"Becker," said Abby. "Jess is the sweetest, most honest person I've ever known."

Becker crossed his arms and huffed.

"Did you see anything she sent another bloke?" asked Connor.

"No."

"That's because there isn't anything to find," said Jess, stomping back.

Becker looked at her. "How did he get into your locker?"

Jess shrugged. "I don't know."

"You know how I got in?" asked Becker. "You gave me the combination."

Connor winced.

"That's right, Becker, I gave you and my secret lover my locker combination. I overlooked the fact that you might run into each other getting into it or discover each other's secret love poems."

"Becker, you send her love poems?" asked Connor.

"Shut up," said Becker rudely. "Jess, how did he get it if you didn't give it to him?"

"I don't know! Maybe he hacked into the system where the records are stored!"

"Why would someone go to that trouble?" asked Becker. "He's gone out of his way to show you how he feels. Why would he do that if he didn't expect you to react positively?"

"Becker…" began Abby cautiously.

"I don't know why!" yelled Jess. "Maybe it's because he's a man and all men are insane!" She stomped out.

The canteen was still.

Becker stared where Jess had been. He felt a slight blow to his side. He turned to see Abby standing there. "Ow," he said.

"You deserved it," she said. "You're a jerk!"

"I can't help being angry, Abigail."

"Jess wouldn't cheat. Someone may be pursuing her but I guarantee you that she doesn't return his feelings."

Becker sighed.

"And you're way out of line," Abby continued. "You're hurting her!"

Becker looked at Abby. "Connor would react the same way."

Connor chuckled. "No, you don't, dude," he said. "I wouldn't have ambushed her and not given her a chance to explain."

"I don't think she can explain," said Abby. "I think she's as clueless as you are, Becker."

Becker didn't answer.

Abby shook her head. "Maybe you should get a hold of your anger and ask yourself if the Jess you know and love would do that to you. You know her the best, right?"

"I thought I did," said Becker. He sighed. "What if…I don't? What if…I was wrong? What if she doesn't' love me? I can't lose her."

Connor laughed. "Yeah, well, you're going about it the wrong way if you want to keep her. Accusations, distrust and yelling don't usually endear people to someone."

Abby chuckled. "He's right. Stop letting your fear and imagination run wild."

Connor nodded.

Becker frowned. He sighed and left the canteen.

"What an idiot," said Connor. Abby agreed.

End of Chapter Two