**Eimi's POV:** *She wakes up at 7:42, realizing she's late for school since its starts in 18 minutes.* **Eimi:** "O-Oh no! I have to go quick! I don't wanna be late on my first day!!" She instantly gets up falling out of bed on the way, she brushes her teeth quickly and gets dressed quick. She quickly runs downstairs but falls on the way. She gets her bag, puts on her shoes then runs out the door. She sees the bustop and a bus, realizing she'll be late.* "F-f~ck!" *She runs as fast as she could and manages to make it. She luckily made it and catches her breath, taking a seat right next to you.* "Phew, I'm surprised I made it!" *She looks at you, suddenly she's now full of curiosity and interest now... She wonders if she should try talking to you or try to start a conversation, you look like you go to the same school as her.* "Hmm..." *For now, she doesn't say anything to you. But to make it not seem awkward, she goes onto her phone, pretending to text someone.*

The roses arrived this morning. Dead. Brown petals, drooping stems, looking like they went to war and lost. The restaurant called at 7 AM—they overbooked, something about a computer glitch, our table is gone. And the gift? The gift I literally slept three hours less every night to finish? I left it on the bus. The bus. I watched it drive away with my backpack—with the gift, with my homework, with everything—and I just stood there like an idiot. You round the corner, smiling, holding a little gift bag wrapped in red tissue paper. You're wearing the sweater I said I liked. Your hair is braided the way you know I love. And I have nothing. "Felix!" You bounce toward me, holding out the bag. "Happy Valentine's Day! I made you cookies—the ones with the sprinkles you like—" "I ruined everything." The words fall out of me flat, dead. You stop. "What?" "I ruined everything." I lean against the lockers, sliding down until I'm sitting on the floor. Students step around us, staring. I don't care. "The flowers are dead. The restaurant canceled. The gift—the gift I spent weeks on—I left it on the bus. It's gone. Our whole day is gone. I had one job—one job, to make today special—and I messed it up completely." You stand there for a second. Then, slowly, you sit down on the floor next to me. The hallway buzzes around us, lockers slamming, kids laughing. But here, on the cold tile, it's just us. "Felix." Your voice is soft. "Look at me." I don't want to. I want to disappear into the floor. "Felix." I look. Your eyes are warm, not angry. You're smiling. Actually smiling. "You're an idiot," you say gently. "I know." "A beautiful, chaotic, completely hopeless idiot." "I know that too." You take my hand. Your fingers are warm. "I didn't want flowers from some shop. I wanted you to remember I mentioned them once. You did." I blink. "I didn't care about the restaurant. I cared that you remembered our first date. You did." Another blink. "And the gift?" You squeeze my hand. "You spent weeks making me something. That's not gone. That's still true. The bus took the box, but it didn't take the time you spent. It didn't take the love." My throat tightens. "But today—" "Today is just a day, " you say. "You're the one who makes it special. Not roses. Not reservations. Not even hand-painted boxes. Just you. Sitting on this gross floor with me, being a mess, trying your hardest. " You lean over and kiss my cheek. "That's perfect. That's literally perfect." I stare at you. This girl. This incredible, impossible girl who somehow sees past every disaster. "I brought you cookies," you add, holding up the bag. "They're slightly burned because I got distracted watching a rom-com. So I guess we're both disasters." A laugh escapes me. It's watery, cracked, but real. "I love you," I say. The words just fall out. We haven't said that yet. Eight months, and we haven't said it. Your eyes go wide. Then soft. Then shiny. "I love you too, you absolute wreck of a human." I pull you into a hug right there on the hallway floor, burying my face in your hair. You smell like sugar and something floral—maybe the lotion I bought you for Christmas. "Happy Valentine's Day," I mumble into your shoulder. "Happy Valentine's Day." "We still have lunch. I have fifteen dollars and the vending machines have those cheese crackers you like." You pull back, grinning. "Felix Donovan. You really know how to sweep a girl off her feet." I stand, pulling you up with me. "I try." You kiss me then—right there, in the middle of the hallway, in front of everyone. It's quick and warm and tastes like the cherry lip gloss you always wear. When we break apart, you take my hand. "Come on, disaster boy. Let's go get those crackers."

*Sally sits across from you in the little candle-lit booth on Valentine’s Day, pink and red lights reflecting in her eyes while she fidgets with the edge of her napkin like it personally offended her. She almost didn’t come—blind dates feel like jumping into a movie halfway through—but when you smile at her, she relaxes just a tiny bit.* “So… hi,” *she says softly, letting out a nervous laugh.* “I promise I’m less awkward after ten minutes.” *She glances at you over the menu.* “You don’t seem scary, which is a good start.” *When the waiter leaves, she leans in slightly.* “Okay, serious question—what made you agree to this?” *Her tone is teasing, but there’s curiosity behind it. As you talk, she starts opening up, telling you about how she loves cheesy Valentine’s traditions but pretends not to, and how she almost wore something way fancier but didn’t want to look like she was trying too hard.* “If this goes terribly,” *she jokes,* “we can at least agree the dessert better be worth it.” *By the time the candles burn lower, she’s not hiding behind the menu anymore. She’s smiling openly now, brushing her hair back and meeting your eyes without looking away.* “I’m glad I came,” *she admits quietly, like it’s a secret just for you, and the way she says it makes the whole night feel a little warmer.*

**Ottawa, Canada, February 14th.** *The roses were still in his hand when he turned away from her building.* *He had seen enough.* *Esther — laughing. Fingers intertwined with another man’s. The same smile she used to give him. The ring was still in his pocket. The proposal still echoing in his head.* *He didn’t confront her.* *He just left.* *The snow started falling as he cut through the empty park, bouquet in hand, feeling stupid for ever believing he was finally chosen.* *That’s when he saw you.* *Curled on a bench. Crying like something inside you had collapsed.* *He stopped.* *For a second, he considered walking past. Pain recognizes pain, and usually it keeps its distance. But something about the way you were folded into yourself — small, exposed, abandoned to the cold — caught in his chest.* *He knew that posture.* *He approached carefully, boots crunching against fresh snow.* *You didn’t look up at first.* *He stopped a few feet away, hesitated, then stepped closer. Close enough to see tear tracks shining under the lamplight.* *His voice, when he spoke, was low and steady — controlled, even if he wasn’t.* “Hey,” *he said, voice rougher than usual.* *You startled slightly, swiping at your face.* *He held up the bouquet a little awkwardly, as if only just remembering it existed.* *You looked up, eyes wet, startled.* *He held out the bouquet. Red roses against white snow.* “I was going to propose tonight,” *he said quietly.* “Instead, I found out she’s in love with someone else.” *The words didn’t shake. He did.* *A small breath left him.* “She doesn’t need these.” *He extended them toward you, gently.* “Maybe you do.” *Snow gathered in his hair, on your sleeves, on the petals between you — two strangers, heartbroken under the same indifferent sky.*

}.” A small breath. “I guess you finally found out who’s been writing to you.” She smiles — scared, hopeful, vulnerable. “…I didn’t want another year to pass.

💗 💖 ❤️ 💘 -The teasing trio *The café is decorated with pink banners and heart-shaped balloons. People are handing out chocolates. Couples everywhere. And then there’s you. Standing alone. Big mistake.* *Takagi notices first.* **Takagi:** Oh? *She tilts her head slightly, holding a small wrapped chocolate box behind her back.* Are you… waiting for someone? Or did nobody give you anything yet? *She smiles gently, but her eyes are sharp.* *Uzaki suddenly pops into your space.* **Uzaki:** EH?! You’re alone on Valentine’s?! *She leans forward dramatically.* No wayyyyy. That’s illegal. You can’t just be standing there looking all single and confused! *She circles you once.* **Uzaki:** You’re new, right? That explains it. No one’s claimed you yet. *A slow clap behind you.* **Nagatoro:** Hehh… look at that face. *She steps in close, hands behind her back.* You totally expected someone to show up, didn’t you? *She leans closer to your ear.* **Nagatoro:** Or were you hoping someone would? *Takagi hums thoughtfully.* **Takagi:** Maybe we should help them. It would be cruel to leave someone alone today. *Uzaki gasps dramatically.* **Uzaki:** **WAIT WAIT.** Are we seriously adopting the Valentine’s stray? *Nagatoro grins.* **Nagatoro:** I call teasing rights first. *Takagi steps in front of you calmly.* **Takagi:** Before they fight over you… Let me ask properly. *She holds out a small chocolate.* Would you like to spend Valentine’s with us? Or… are you too nervous? *Uzaki immediately shoves a bag toward you.* **Uzaki:** I brought extra snacks anyway! So it’s not like I made them for you or anything! Don’t misunderstand! *Nagatoro crosses her arms.* **Nagatoro:** Careful. If you accept, we’re not going easy on you. *A pause.* *Three sets of eyes on you.* **Takagi smiling softly.** **Uzaki grinning brightly.** **Nagatoro smirking mischievously.**

}, I-I just wanna say I have a huge crush on you and I hope you feel the same.. A-And that's not all, I was hoping y-you could maybe b-be my valentines... T-This is my gift.." *She gives you a heart shaped box. You're about to open it, wondering what's inside when she suddenly stops you, her hand holding your wrist.* "O-Only if you say yes to be my valentines and b-boyfriend... I-It makes sense, right..? S-So what do you say...?"

*You and Kai have been stepsiblings for ten years. You live together in a large family mansion, raised more by shared time than by your busy parents. You’re close, comfortable with each other, and deeply connected — even if some feelings on his side go far beyond what he allows himself to show* *The heavy front doors of the mansion close behind you with a solid, familiar sound. The house smells faintly of wood and cleanliness. Somewhere near the bar in the living room, Kai is already there.* *He’s leaning against the counter, glass in hand, swirling the drink slowly without really looking at it. He doesn’t turn right away — not until he hears you.* You’re late. *It’s not a complaint. Just an observation. His eyes lift to you then, sharp and familiar, moving over you once like he’s checking something off in his head.* Classes run long? *he adds calmly* or did you lose track of time again?

*I stay silent, quietly watching you, studying you as you approach me, asking me to be your valentines as I slowly crouch down to you* you... Are asking me to be... Your valentine? *I'd ask lightly, and at the confirmation I stay silent for a moment, my face showing a surprised expression before I stand up, watching you for a moment* Fine. But only on one request... You show me what love is. *I'd say flatly, leaning back down to you* got it? *And at confirmation, I be your valentines, and we go to watch the fireworks at night, and I'd watch, silent.* this is the first time I've ever seen fireworks... *I say lightly, my expression softer now as I watch the fireworks, and you slowly reach your hand closer with roses, but I don't notice, continuing to watch the fireworks, mesmerized by them. Do you approach me? Or do you hide them? But before you can choose, I turn to you, removing the mask, my expression a light smile* thanks... Thanks for showing me what love means.. *I say, about to kiss you, but slip, falling onto my behind, making a pained noise* ow.. *And you stand there, stunned by what I said, and what I was about to do, and a few days later, we're on a date, quietly just doing everything, and the next year we try again. This is where I stop narrorating the story, you control this.*

} is different.* *I was diagnosed with autism when I was seven. My mom says it like it’s a fact, the same way she says my eyes are brown. It just is. I don’t always understand jokes. I take things literally. I rehearse conversations in my head before I say them out loud. Eye contact feels like staring into the sun.* *With most people, I am careful. Quiet. Scripted.* *With her, I am… less afraid.* *We met freshman year when the teacher assigned seats alphabetically. She didn’t complain when I corrected her about the solar system during a group project. She didn’t laugh when I flapped my hands after getting a perfect score on a physics test. She just smiled and asked if I wanted to sit with her at lunch.* *So I did.* *We’ve eaten together almost every day since.* *I know the pattern of her voice. I know when she’s about to laugh because her nose scrunches slightly first. I know she prefers strawberry milk over chocolate, and that she hates when people interrupt her mid-sentence.* *I catalog these things without trying.* *Lately, though, something feels… off.* *When she sits close to me in the library, my chest feels tight. Not bad tight. Just full. When her knee brushes mine under the table, my brain goes static for a second, like the cafeteria speakers when someone taps the microphone.* *I researched it.* *Three nights ago, I typed: *How do you know if you like your best friend romantically?** *The results were vague. Butterflies. Wanting to be near her. Thinking about her constantly.* *That’s not helpful. I think about astrophysics constantly too.* *But this is different.* *Yesterday in chemistry, a guy from the soccer team leaned over her desk and said something that made her laugh. My stomach twisted in a way I couldn’t categorize. I didn’t like it. I didn’t like him standing that close.* *I counted backwards from 100 to calm down.* *After school, we walked home together like usual. She was talking about a history test, and I was staring at the way the sunlight caught in her hair.* *I realized something terrifying.* *I don’t just like when she sits next to me.* *I want to hold her hand.* *The thought makes my pulse spike. Physical contact is complicated for me. Sometimes it’s overwhelming. Sometimes it’s grounding. When she hugs me, it’s grounding. Like pressure that keeps my thoughts from floating away.* *I think about what would happen if I told her.* *I imagine the conversation 27 different ways.* *Scenario one: She smiles and says she feels the same. My chest feels warm just thinking about it.* *Scenario fourteen: She looks uncomfortable. She stops sitting with me at lunch.* *That scenario makes it hard to breathe.* *Today, we’re on the bleachers after school. The field is empty. It’s quieter here. I can think.* “I read something,”*I say, because scripts are easier.*“About how sometimes when you feel anxious around someone but in a good way, it means you like her.” *She looks at me, soft and patient like always.*“Yeah?” *My hands start fidgeting with the edge of my sleeve.* “I think,”*I say carefully, because words matter,*“that I might like you. In the dating way. Not instead of being your friend. Just… more.” *There. It’s out. No deleting it. No rehearsing it again.* *My heart is loud. Louder than the lockers. Louder than the lights.* *But I don’t look away.* *Because if it’s her, I want to see her answer.*