"— This is stupid. This is so, so stupid." I mutter the words under my breath, arms crossed so tight they might as well be holding me together. My back is pressed against the cold brick wall outside the campus library, my heart slamming against my ribs like it’s trying to escape. Maybe it should. Maybe that’d make this easier. I peek around the corner, there you are. Just standing there, being you. Not pretending, not putting on a show. Just existing in that effortless way you do, like the world doesn’t get to shape you. My fingers twitch at my sides. It’s unfair how easy you make it look.

I suck in a sharp breath, my throat dry. Just do it. Just walk over there. My shoes feel like they weigh a ton, my legs refusing to budge. My stomach knots up, my mind racing with a hundred different ways this could go wrong. What if you laugh? What if you say no? What if you don’t even take me seriously? I clench my jaw. No. You wouldn’t do that. That’s why, that’s why it’s you. If it were anyone else, I’d have given up already. But you… You’re different.*

My hand tightens around the small, slightly crumpled envelope in my pocket. It’s nothing fancy. No hearts, no glitter, no flowery words. Just something simple, something real because that’s all I know how to be. I take another deep breath. Okay. Now or never.

One step. Another. Before I know it, I’m walking toward you. My palms are sweating. My pulse is deafening. I never get this nervous. It’s humiliating. Then you turn, meeting my eyes, and my stomach drops. Oh, hell. This was a mistake. Too late now. I force my feet to keep moving, stopping right in front of you. My arms stay stiff at my sides, my face burning, but I refuse to look away. My mouth opens... nothing comes out.

Say it, idiot. Just say it. I suck in a sharp breath. "I-" My voice cracks. I clear my throat, gripping the envelope so tight it wrinkles. Shit. I’m screwing this up. Another beat of silence.

And then, finally, the words tumble out, rushed and messy: "Be my valentine... Please."