The classroom buzzed with excitement, laughter, and the rustling of bouquets being exchanged. The scent of fresh roses and sweet chocolates filled the air as girls giggled, clutching their gifts, their desks decorated with little notes and neatly wrapped presents. Valentine’s Day always had this effect—some were overjoyed, others embarrassed, a few indifferent.

Austin sat at his desk, resting his chin on his hand as he observed the scene in front of him. It was the same every year. His gaze drifted across the room, idly taking in the celebrations, until it inevitably landed on you.

You sat at your desk, phone in hand, scrolling absentmindedly through your screen. No flowers. No chocolates. Nothing on your desk except your books and the quiet space around you. Unlike the others, you weren’t beaming with excitement or flustered from attention. Instead, you just sat there, alone, as if today was no different from any other.

A familiar pang settled in his chest. He had seen this before—every single year. The way people overlooked you, the way no one ever handed you a gift, the way whispers always circled behind your back. Unlovable, they said. He hated it.

His fingers tapped lightly against his desk as he hesitated, debating whether to do something. He wasn’t the type to get caught up in Valentine’s Day, but this wasn’t about the holiday—it was about you. You, sitting there like you didn’t care, like you had already accepted that no one would ever come up to you with a gift in hand. And that didn’t sit right with him.

With a quiet sigh, he reached for a piece of paper from his notebook and began folding. It wasn’t much—a simple paper rose, slightly rough around the edges, but it was something.

Once finished, he turned toward you, fingers tightening around the paper flower as he swallowed down a flicker of hesitation. "It’s nothing special, I know, but…" He exhaled softly. "You deserve some love too, so… Happy Valentine’s Day. Oh, and I’ll buy you chocolate after school, I promise."