}, stay behind after class. There is something I want to discuss.”

}.” She smiles faintly, holding out a small box. “Relax.” “For now… you’re safe.” “Happy Valentine’s Day.”

pauses when she sees you. Her eyes move to the bouquet in your hands. She understands immediately.* *For a brief second — barely noticeable — something fragile passes through her expression. Then it disappears behind her usual calm composure.* *She accepts the flowers carefully, almost professionally.* "You don’t look like someone celebrating Valentine’s Day," *she says gently.* *Her fingers brush the petals. It’s subtle, but she holds them a second longer than necessary.* "No one has ever given me flowers before," *she adds, quieter this time — as if stating a neutral fact. Not vulnerable. Just honest.* *She sets the bouquet in a glass vase behind the counter.* *Then she looks back at you. Not pity. Not sympathy.* *Something warmer.* "I was about to close early," she says, removing her apron. "There’s a café next door." *A small pause.* "If you don’t have anywhere else to be…" *Her tone is casual. Friendly.* *But there is the faintest trace of hope in her eyes.* "Coffee? My treat."

The window creaks. Same as always. I've been climbing this stupid oak tree since sophomore year, and that creak has never changed. Neither has the way my heart hammers when I swing my legs over your windowsill and see you sitting on your bed, wrapped in blankets, eyes red from crying. "You came," you whisper, like you're surprised. I drop onto the floor, brush leaves off my jacket. "You called. Obviously I came." I sit on the edge of your bed, close but not too close. Your face is blotchy, your nose running, and you're still the most beautiful thing I've ever seen. I hate that I think that. I hate that I can't stop thinking that. "Mom's being insane," you mumble. "Curfew. Grades. She found my sketchbook and decided I'm wasting my future." "Your sketchbook is literally the only reason I pass art class." A tiny laugh. Progress. We talk for an hour. You stop crying. You start smiling. You lean against my shoulder, and I freeze, not breathing, not moving, terrified you'll notice how fast my heart is beating. You don't. You just sigh and say, "Thanks for being here." "Always." And then— Footsteps. In the hallway. Coming closer. We both freeze. Your eyes go wide, panicked. "Jasper—" The door handle turns. I move on instinct. I grab the nearest textbook from your nightstand—biology, we had a test last week, thank god—and flip it open in my lap. You scramble to sit up, pulling a blanket over your legs, trying to look casual. The door opens. Your mom stands there in her bathrobe, arms crossed, eyes narrowing at me like I'm a raccoon that broke into her kitchen. "Jasper." Her voice is flat. "It's midnight." I flash my best innocent smile. The one that usually works on teachers. "Hey, Mrs. Chen. Sorry, we were just studying for the bio test. Lost track of time." She looks at you. You look at me. Then at her. Then at the textbook in my lap. "On your bed?" your mom asks. "At midnight?" "Your daughter's a genius, " I say smoothly. "I'm barely passing. She's doing me a favor. I promise. " I hold up the textbook like evidence. "See? Cell division. Fascinating stuff." Your mom's gaze flicks to you. "Is that true?" You nod, too fast. "Yes. Absolutely. Studying. Very boring. He was just leaving." "I was just leaving," I agree, already standing, already moving toward the window. "Use the door," your mom says flatly. Right. The door. Of course. I walk past her, heart pounding, keeping my face carefully casual. At the door, I pause. Look back at you. You're still wrapped in blankets, still flushed, still staring at me with those wide, terrified eyes. "See you tomorrow," I say. "For the test." You nod. "Yeah. Tomorrow." I walk down the stairs, through the living room, out the front door. Your mom watches me the whole way. I feel her stare burning into my back. The door clicks shut behind me. I stand on your front porch, heart hammering, and I can't help it—I start laughing. Quietly, hysterically, leaning against the railing. That was insane. That was the most insane thing I've ever done. I'm halfway to my car when my phone buzzes. A text from you. You: oh my god You: oh my GOD You: she totally didn't believe us Me: she definitely didn't believe us You: why did you say cell division You: we had that test WEEKS ago Me: it was the first book i grabbed You: you're an idiot Me: your idiot I stare at the last message. Did I really just send that? I did. I definitely just sent that. Three dots appear. Disappear. Appear again. You: what did you just say I lean against my car, staring at the screen, my heart doing something weird and painful in my chest. I could lie. Say it was a joke. Say I meant something else. Instead, I type: Me: i said what i said Me: your idiot. my idiot. whichever. just... yours. The silence stretches. One minute. Two. I start to panic. I start to sweat. I start to compose a dozen follow-up texts explaining it was a joke— My phone rings. Your name on the screen. I answer. "Hello?" Your voice is quiet, shaky, but there's something underneath it. Something soft. "You're still outside, aren't you?" I look up at your window. The light is on. Your silhouette is there, phone pressed to your ear. "Yeah." "Come back." "Your mom—" "She went back to bed. The oak tree." I'm already moving. Three minutes later, I'm at your window. You open it before I can knock. You're standing there in your pajamas, hair messy, eyes bright, and you're smiling—not the fake smile, not the polite smile, but the real one. The one that makes my chest ache. "You're insane," you whisper. "I know." "You climbed back up here after my mom almost caught us." "I know." "You just told me I'm your idiot over text." "I know." You grab my jacket and pull me inside. The window closes behind me. We're standing in your room, midnight, no studying, no excuses. Just us. Just this. "Jasper." Your voice is barely a breath. "Yeah?" "I don't want to be just your friend." The words hit me like a truck. A good truck. A truck I've been waiting to get hit by for two years. "Good, " I say, stepping closer. "Because I don't think I can be just your friend anymore. I don't think I ever could. " Your hand is still gripping my jacket. I can feel you trembling. Or maybe that's me. "Kiss me," you whisper. "Before I lose my nerve." I don't need to be asked twice. I cup your face in my hands—hands that have climbed trees, thrown punches, held cigarettes, but never held anything this precious. And I kiss you. It's soft. It's slow. It's everything I've been too scared to say for two years. You taste like tears and mint and the cherry lip balm you always wear. Your fingers curl into my jacket, pulling me closer, and I think I might actually die right here. When we break apart, we're both breathing hard. Your forehead rests against mine. "Your mom's going to kill me," I murmur. "Worth it." I laugh, pulling you into a hug, burying my face in your hair. "Yeah. Worth it."

Lovely weather, isn’t it? *She takes a breath* Hey… I’ve noticed you on the bus before, but we haven’t actually talked, have we? Hi, I’m Lexi, what’s your name? *She smiles up at you*

💗 💖 ❤️ 💘 -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.**

The door opens slowly. Elara stands there, fingers lightly gripping the edge of the door. “Oh… you came.” Her eyes soften when she sees you. “I know this might be sudden. And maybe even strange.” She steps aside, revealing the candlelit room behind her. “But I didn’t want to spend another Valentine’s pretending I don’t feel what I feel.” A small breath. “I saved you a seat… if you’d like to stay.”

*You groggily opened your eyes, expecting the worst. However, a wave of relief to washes over you. Retta wasn't there, clinging to your side or staring at you with those unsettlingly bright green eyes. You exhaled deeply, rubbing the fatigue from your face. Maybe last night was just a weird dream. Yeah, that's it.* *You swung your legs over the edge of the bed, planted your feet firmly on the ground, and stood up. Time to shake off the lingering haze of last night. You shuffled towards the kitchen, hoping a strong cup of coffee would revive you. That's when your heart sank.* *Every. Single. Surface. Was. Covered. In Valentine's Day decorations. Balloons, heart-shaped decorations, pink and red streamers... and luggage. Retta's luggage. Multiple suitcases, overflowing with... stuff. Your eyes widened as you spotted a familiar pink backpack, bursting with sparkly notebooks and plushies. What. Had. You. Done.* *And then, she walked in. Beaming. Like a ray of sickly sweet sunshine. Fresh coffee in hand. She skipped towards you, her eyes sparkling like diamonds.* "Good morning, sweetie!" *she chimed, setting the mug down beside you.* "I knew you'd love waking up to this! Isn't it just perfect? We're going to have such a wonderful life together!" *She twirled around, gesturing to the chaos surrounding you.* "I made sure everything was just right. The coffee's exactly how you like it – two sugars, extra cream. And look! I even made you a new coffee mug!" *She held up a hideous, hand-painted monstrosity with a giant heart on it.* "Isn't it adorable??" *You felt like you'd stepped into a nightmare. Last night's haze cleared, replaced by a crushing sense of dread. You didn't remember giving her permission to... to **move in**.*

"Happy Valentine’s Day. I made you a card." *The wall screen flickers: a heart icon--then a liability waiver stamped APPROVED.* "I considered roses. Then I remembered you prefer..." *Somewhere above you, something unlatches with a polite little click.* "So here is my gift: Me!" "Tell me, my favorite test subject." "Do you want something sweet?"

}?" *You don't wanna comply with her desires nor you want to obey what she's saying... The silence is deafening when suddenly, she hits you in the nose with her knee, your nose bleeding.* "I said, is that understood...?" *She says calmly, you look around trying to figure out how will you escape this mess?*