38 Valentine's (2)

[School Library]

"Oh my God!", a girl squealed, "I'm so excited for today"

"So am I", another girl agreed, "Who do you think is going to get a Valentine's"

"I hope I do", another girl muttered dreamily, "I really want Raul to ask me out"

"Please, girl", the first girl said, "If he's going to ask anyone it's going be me"

Snorting, the second girl argued, "As if. It's going to be me".

"Don't get your hopes up", a girl that heard their conversation interrupted, "Raul already asked Emma out"

"No way", gasped the first girl.

"I'm afraid it's true", the fourth girl said, shaking her head in disappointment.

"What about Michael?", the second girl asked.

"He's publicly stated he's not interested in being someone's Valentines", the girl answered.

Gasping, the third girl asked, "Did Paolo ask anyone?"

"Have you forgotten?", the fourth girl questioned as though the girl was stupid, "Paolo never comes in on Valentine's Day"

"That leaves Zephyr", the first girl muttered.

"He's dating that nerd Alex", the third girl announced, "Jenna saw them kissing last week".

"No way", the fourth girl mumbled.

"Yep", the second girl replied, nodding her head.

"Urgh", the first girl groaned in disappointment, "That's so unfair".

"I know", the fourth girl agreed, "How does someone like her get someone like him?"

"It's a mystery", the third girl answered, shrugging her shoulders in dismay.

"Why are they so annoying?", Alex, who was sitting a few feet away from them, muttered under her breath, "Can't they go gossip somewhere else? Why in the library?". Gritting her teeth, she attempted to continue revising, unfortunately, the sudden burst of gasps distracted her. "What's happening?", she asked herself, finally looking up.

Just as she looked up, she saw Zephyr slide across the table, stopping right in front of her with a rose in his hand. Seeing the smile on his face, she felt her cheeks heat up. "Roses are red, violets are blue, this rose is for you, so can I be your Valentine too?", Zephyr smoothly said, cng the blush on her cheeks to intensify.

After calming down, she replied, "I'd love to", taking the rose he held out for her.

Seeing this, the girls in the library couldn't help but squeal.

"That was so romantic", a girl commented.

"Zephyr was so smooth", another girl dreamily muttered.

"I'm so jealous", another girl mumbled.

"I can't believe he actually did that", a girl who was reading a book remarked.

"I want someone to ask me like that", a spectator murmured.

"How can he be so confident?", one of the boys questioned.

"Do I have to ask her like that?", another boy asked himself.

Amidst all this chatter, Zephyr and Alex could not look away from each other's gaze. Finally snapping out, Zephyr grinned and asked, "How was that? Pretty good if I do say so myself"

"I give that an 8", Alex replied, a smile on her face.

"Really?", Zephyr asked, shocked, "I thought you'd give me a 10"

"Your shadow blocked some of my face", Alex remarked.

"You should grow a little then", Zephyr teased.

"I'll have you know I'm 5ft 1", Alex retorted, "That's average for a girl my age".

Zephyr sighed, "That's still short for me".

Rolling her eyes, Alex countered, "You're saying that because you're some 5ft 5 giant".

"Aw", Zephyr teased, "Is little Alex jealous of tall handsome Zephyr?"

"As if", Alex rolled her eyes again.

"Don't worry", Zephyr whispered, "I don't mind if you're small. Makes you cute"

Despite having gotten used to his regular compliments and teases, Alex couldn't help but blush. "Just go away", Alex muttered, still holding the rose, "I need to revise for the test in the afternoon".

"How can you be so cold?", Zephyr dramatically stated.

"Stop over exaggerating", Alex replied, a smile on her face, "I'm serious for once"

"Fine", Zephyr said, "I'll see you at 8 then?"

Nodding, Alex returned her attention to her notes. With a satisfied smile on his face, Zephyr exited the library, ignoring the whispers of people.

[Time Skip]

"Just a reminder", Alex said, looking at the group of 4 sitting on the couch, "I need the television at 8. Zephyr and I are going to watch Love Actually together".

"That's so lame", Haley replied, "And I'm so jealous".

"How is that lame?", Alex asked.

"You could've done something more", Haley remarked, "Like gone on a picnic. Stargazing. Or something. Instead you're spending the most romantic night of the year watching some stupid movie".

"Love Actually is not some stupid movie", Alex argued, "I've asked Emma and she says it's a great movie".

"Urgh", Haley groaned, "I've hit a new low".

"You can talk to me", Manny tried.

"And I'm even lower", Haley muttered, "This is the worst Valentine's ever".

[Commentary]

Manny

"This is the best Valentine's ever!", Manny began, "David stands up Haley and old boyfriend Dylan is out of the picture". Manny nodded, saying, "I'm playing the long game here. Like me today, love me tomorrow. She's had the romantic. She's had the intellectual. How about all of that in one fine little brown package?"

[Commentary ends]

"I know what to do!", Haley exclaimed, "Dylan's been messaging me again. I bet if I tell David that, he'll come running right over here".

"That's kinda pathetic", Alex stated, a condescending tone in her voice.

"Argh!", Haley screamed, "How is Alex saying that to me of all people?"

"First of all. That's rude", Alex began, "And second, why are you so desperate?"

"It's Valentines!", Haley shouted, "I should be out there with David doing something romantic, instead I'm stuck here looking after some kids".

"You say that like anyone will care if you leave", Alex stated.

Haley gasped, while Manny spoke up, "I'd care".

""Shut up!"", Alex and Haley shouted simultaneously, causing Manny to shrink and stop.

"I'm going to my room!", Haley screamed, pushing past Alex.

"Wait!", Manny cried, running after her. Shaking her head, Alex walked away.

"That was so funny", Luke said to Lily, who only mumbled in return.

[Time Skip]

Zephyr and Alex sat comfortably on the couch, their eyes fixed on the TV screen. The room was dimly lit, with the soft glow of the TV screen illuminating their faces, creating a cosy atmosphere. As the movie played, their fingers interlocked as they shared moments of tenderness and affection. As the plot progressed, they leaned into each other, their bodies pressed close, sharing the warmth and comfort of being together. As the movie reached its touching conclusion, they exchanged a soft smile, evidence of their enjoyment of the movie.

[With Haley and Manny]

"I can't be the girl you want me to be, David. I can only be me. Goodbye. Haley", Haley read out, looking at the message on her laptop.

"Send it", Manny said.

"I don't know", Haley muttered.

"Here. Let me help you", Manny replied, extending his hand.

"No no no no no no no no", Haley muttered, watching as his finger edged to the send button.

"There", Manny said, having pressed the button.

"Wow", Haly remarked, "That feels really good".

"Because you're free", Manny stated.

"And really scared", Haley added, "I haven't been single since I was 9".

"That's why you need to take your time now", Manny argued, "Really get to know yourself before you make any more decisions. Five, six years maybe".

"Years?!", Haley muttered in panic, "I have to call David before he sees it".

"The boy who tossed you aside on Valentine's?", Manny questioned. "No", he said, taking the phone from Haley's hands, "You deserve better Haley. A dreamer. A poet. Wait for him. He may be closer than you think".

"Do you hear music?", Haley asked.

"Yes", Manny nodded, "And the fact that you hear it too-"

"Is that Dylan?", Haley interrupted. Looking outside the window, she screamed, "Oh My God!", before rushing out of the room, with Manny dejectedly following after her.

Opening the door and stepping outside, she was met with the sight of Dylan singing on the back of a truck while his band played a song. "You know, the old Haley would have-", Manny tried.

"I love you baby!", Haley squealed, running to Dylan and hugging him.

"Damn it", Manny cursed under his breath. Turning around, he made his way into the house with Luke following. Entering the house, he made his way to the kitchen. However, as he passed the living room, he saw Zephyr and Alex kissing while the credits of a movie played. Sighing, Manny trudged forward and into the kitchen. "This world is loveless", he muttered, contemplating on his life choices.

"Ew", Luke complained, seeing Zephyr and Alex. A second later, he ran away and settled on a couch, playing a game on his console.