Hello everybody. I was going to do a valentine's one-shot like my other ones, where Derek and Chloe are older. But I changed my mind. In this one, the four of them are in the first grade (I know Derek and Simon are a grade ahead, but this makes it easier.) Sorry it's late. AU/AH
Disclaimer: I do not own The Darkest Powers
"Okay everyone," Ms. Winters said, "remember that tomorrow is Valentine's Day. You can bring your cards and treats and pass them out to all your friends."
"Yay!" the class cheered.
"As a class treat, everybody can grab their things and wait on the playground for their buses."
The entire class erupted in cheers as everyone stuffed papers into their bags and ran out the door, flooding the halls before they finally made it outside. Taking my time,I packed my backpack and stood up. Walking over to the wall of hooks, I grabbed my coat. Pulling my arm through the sleeve, I pushed out my hat and mittens, which I had put there for safe-keeping. Zipping my jacket and putting on my hat and mittens, I walked back to my desk and picked up my backpack. As I walked to the door, I looked back into the room and looked at all the Valentine's decorations. The walls were covered in red hearts, pink paper chains hung from the ceiling. Sighing, I turned back to the now empty hall and walked out, making my way outside with the others.
Walking outside, I looked for my friends. Seeing Liz and Rae on the swings, I hurried over and grabbed the empty one before somebody else got there. Sitting down, I listened to my friends' conversation.
"I can't wait until tomorrow!" Liz said excitedly.
"Yeah, me too," Rae said.
"Maybe Brady will get you a valentine," Liz said.
"Maybe," Rae said, trying to hide her smile.
"How about you, Chloe?" Rae asked.
"What about me?" I asked.
"Who are you hoping to get a valentine from?" Rae asked.
"I don't know," I said, looking at my lap. "I guess I don't really care if anybody gets me one."
"Well, I want a lot," Liz yelled, pumping her swing until she was almost over the top.
As Liz and Rae continued their conversation, I blocked them out. I really didn't care if anybody got me a valentine. I really didn't like Valentine's Day this year. Every Valentine's Day, me and my mother would bake heart-shaped cookies and make Valentine's cards for everybody. But not this year. This year I didn't have anybody to bake cookies with. My mother had died in the beginning of January. This being the middle of February, I still have trouble with it. I probably could have asked my dad to make cookies with me, but since my mother died, he had been going away more. My aunt would have done it, but it wouldn't have been the same. It would never be the same.
I would have made a Valentine's card for everybody like I did last year, but I didn't want any reminders. Though I didn't especially want any cards from the class, I knew I would get some. Probably from the whole class. But it wouldn't be because I was there friend. It would be because they felt sorry for me. Ever since the class found out, they had treated me differently. They didn't treat me bad. They acted like I was fragile and they expected me to break at any moment. I was sick of it. I didn't like being treated like that.
Looking around the playground, I watched the class building snowmen while there was still snow and then knocking them down. Other kids were throwing snowballs. Looking at one of the forts, I watched Simon ducked a snowball that his sister, Tori, threw at him. Gathering up more snow, he chucked a ball back at her, hitting her square in the face. I laughed to myself as Tori ran at Simon, who fled and was running away. As they ran passed the far wall, they passed their brother Derek. Seeing him, my smile fell. He was sitting against the wall, his legs crossed underneath him as he looked down at the book he was reading. Every day, he was always in the same spot, reading a book instead of playing with any of the other kids, even Simon.
"Chloe?"
Looking over at Rae and Liz, I said, "What?"
"I asked you what you were looking at," Liz said.
"Oh," I said. "Just Derek."
"Why?" Rae asked, her face scrunching up is distaste.
"I was just wondering why he always sits by himself," I said.
"Because he has no friends," Rae said.
"That's not true," I said.
"Yes it is. He never plays with anyone. And nobody ever plays with him. I wouldn't be surprised if nobody gives him a card tomorrow," Rae said.
Mad that Rae had said that, I stood up and picked up my backpack. Swinging it on my shoulder, I stormed off towards Derek. When I got to him, I just stood in front of him, not knowing what to say. Noticing the shadow over his page, he looked up at me.
"Hi," I said, smiling.
"Hi," he said, unsure.
"Um… I –"
"Chloe!"
Looking over, I saw my dad standing over by our car. He waved at me to hurry.
"Bye," I said to Derek, rushing to my dad. Getting in the car, I glanced back at Derek. Seeing him watching me, I gave him a small wave and shut the door.
"Alright," Dad said, "I will pick you up after your meeting with the psychiatrist."
"Can I skip today?" I asked.
"Why?" he asked.
"I have a project," I said.
"For school?" he asked.
"Yeah," I said. "For school."
"Do you need any supplies?" he asked.
"No, I think I have everything," I answered.
"Alright then, you can skip today," he said.
"Thank you," I said, looking out the window.
Rushing inside, I quickly set my backpack by the door and took off my coat. Running to the dining room, I grabbed a chair and pulled it to the cabinet. Stepping up onto the chair, I still could barely reach the cabinet door, but I managed. Opening the door, I grabbed the bottom box and carefully pulled it out. Setting it on the counter, I reached up and shut the door. Picking up the box, I stepped off the chair, leaving it there until later.
Rushing to my bedroom, I immediately set the box on my bed. I quickly went back and shut my door. Running back to my bed, I pulled myself up and opened the box. Reaching inside, I pulled out red construction paper and some scissors. Cutting out a heart, I pulled out some ribbons and lace. Working for another hour on the heart, I smiled on my finished masterpiece.
"Chloe! Time for bed!" my dad called.
"Okay Dad!" I called back.
Repacking the box, I picked it up and walked back to the cabinet. After I put it back, I stepped off the chair and pulled it back to the dining room. Running back to my room, I picked up the valentine and rushed to my backpack. Gently placing it inside, I walked back to my room, changed into my pajamas, and crawled into bed, where I lay awaiting the day.
Sitting nervously in my seat, I waited for Ms. Winters to announce it time to exchange valentines. I had only made one valentine, and I was really nervous to give it. I didn't know what he would say.
"Alright, class," Ms. Winters said, "You may now give out your valentines."
As the entire class got up and started passing out their cards, I stayed in my seat. Looking towards the back row of desks, I saw Derek sitting in his desk, reading. His desk was empty of valentines. Taking a deep breath, I stood up, determined. Walking passed the other kids, I made my way to Derek's desk. When I got there, however, my determination sunk. When he looked up, I blushed and started stammering, "I…um… wanted to…um… give you…"
Taking a deep breath, I set the valentine on his desk and rushed back to mine before he could say anything. Sitting in my seat, I didn't dare to look back at Derek.
"Okay, everyone," Ms. Winters said, "Let's go outside for the rest of the day."
As everyone grabbed their valentines and ran outside, I shoved mine into my bag and rushed outside before Derek could talk to me. When I got outside, I went to the corner of the playground and I sat down. Burying my head in my arms, I hoped Derek wouldn't find me.
After sitting me a while, I heard footsteps coming towards me. Not moving, I waited for them to get closer. They stopped next to me. The owner of the footsteps waited for a second and then sat down next to me. Peeking out of the corner of my eye, I saw Derek looking down at his hands. Sensing me watching, he looked over at me.
Blushing, I looked down at my shoes. I heard something crinkling. Looking up, I saw Derek holding something out for me. Reaching out, I grabbed it. Holding it in front of me, I saw that is was a valentine's card. It was a simple heart. Smiling, I looked up at him. He was looking at his hands again. Opening my mouth to talk, I heard my name called. Like yesterday, my dad was standing next to the car, waving me over.
As I stood up, so did Derek. Putting my backpack over my shoulder, I started to walk to the car. Stopping, I rushed back to Derek. Kissing him on the cheek, I said, "Thank you." And I meant it. While every other Valentine I got might have been because they felt sorry for me, I knew Derek's was different. It wasn't because he felt sorry for me. it was because he wanted to give me one.
Turning back around, I ran to the car. This time, when I waved to Derek, he gave a small wave back. Sitting in my seat, I looked out the window.
"Did you have a good Valentine's day?" Dad asked.
Smiling, I said, "Yeah. Yeah I did."
Okay, so I have a question for everyone. What is the next holiday?