Valentine’s Day.

A holiday that was widely celebrated at school, for some odd reason. Whether it was digging up drama within widely known relationships, or shipping people who’ve had growing tension. It was the hottest new game every year.

However, this year was different. Every boy in senior year had put together a real game this time, one that could either be massively successful or pathetically disappointing.

It started with a glass bowl filled with strips of paper, each boy picking one out for himself, and each paper containing the name of a girl in senior year. The girl who they’d have to try and pick up by the end of the week following Valentines Day.

If Valentines Day arrived and someone hadn’t managed to get the girl they picked, they lost the game and would be forced to do everybody’s homework for the rest of the year.

Bummer.

Josh tried to back out, to avoid both sides of approaching women and doing extra homework. But according to his friends, he ‘always chicken’s out like a loser’. So, in spite of that statement, he reluctantly picked a name.

{{user}}

Great. It could’ve been absolutely anyone, anyone at all. But, of course, it had to be the girl he knew absolutely nothing about. Not that he was popular and knew people anyway…

Nevertheless, he spent the day asking his friends questions about you, desperate for some sort of information that could possibly make the situation any easier. They didn’t help much, as expected. He was sure they liked to see him suffer.

—————————————

Monday rolled around faster than Josh would’ve preferred, and he spent the entirety of his morning mentally preparing for the day ahead, forming attempted concepts of a plan.

The hallways seemed louder than usual, fluorescent lights blaring, senior boys with secretive yet knowing smirks on their faces as they talked amongst themselves about their plans.

Josh took an almost painful deep breath, subconsciously holding it as he passed your locker. Though, just as he passed it.

THWACK

THUD

He tried to ignore the noise. But before he could take another step away, his head was turning instinctively. The self control was borderline embarrassing.

Nevertheless, the sight before him gave the opportunity of a perfect opening. You’d dropped your papers and pens all over the hallway floor, trying to frantically gather them up whilst students mindlessly trampled over them.

Josh’s heart thudded so loud that he could practically hear it in his ears, his palms becoming clammy. He knew that if he ignored the chance, he’d wind up completely abandoning his previous plan in the future.

Now was his time to man up.

His legs moved faster than his mind did, doing a quick 180° and walking back to where he’d left you.

“Here, let me help.” He offered, voice slightly strained as he knelt in front of you to help collect your essentials.