It was Valentine's Day and everyone was excited. 

But not me. 

I was not enjoying this day, at all. I was supposed to be playing at home, skipping school, and sleeping in comfort but why am I here?!

My school was a few streets away from our house. So, my parents were fine for me to walk to and fro the school. Kicking pebbles, throwing a tantrum would do me no good. After all, they would probably kick my butt, for real. 

My parents were a doer, not a talker. Nothing would be solved by simple words.

Now, I'm in front of my school gate. and guess what? It's full of pink and red design. There's a balloon arc welcoming us, students. My lips wouldn't stop twitching in displeasure. 

"Yo! Rika."

My best friend, Gina patted me on the back. She was as energetic as usual. 

"Are you excited about the program later?"

(Not one bit)

"A-aaa..."

Even though I sound unsure, at least I made the effort to seem okay.

"You better ready your writing skills."

(Writing?)

Although I'm puzzled, she left me alone in front of the gates. I had no choice but to follow unwillingly.

"Good Morning!"

"Good Morning!"

One by one, my classmates entered the room and I followed. The room was utterly filled with hearts and cupids. I wanted to vomit but some things cannot be expressed outwardly. One need to endure in order to survive. 

Lethargic, I slumped on my desk and pretended to sleep. I let my ears wander around to hear their conversations. But as expected, they're still naive when it comes to love. 

A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

I don't know why but from an early age, I could understand people without interacting with them personally. I might've had superpowers! But like the superheroes, one needed to hide their powers. That's what I was doing now.

"Morning everyone!"

Here comes the cool kid of the class, Jeric. He wasn't the most handsome amongst the boys but his charm was over the top. I don't understand which part of him was fascinating but just looking at the rankings, I guessed that's it. 

(Aahh~ How good to be in the top~)

He was the top of our class and every girl sucked up with him for some luck in tests.

"Yareyare~ Look at that punk, getting surrounded early in the morning."

Gina was seated next to me. Although she was charmed by Jeric, she didn't indulge him like other girls.

(Let's pretend that I just woke up.)

"Yaawn~ such a commotion ah~"

Gina looked at me and tilted her head.

"Aren't you interested? Him."

I blinked my eyes several times. I even pointed out to Jeric secretly and back to me. 

"Me? Are you serious? I'm too young to understand love and everything."

Although my reaction as exaggerated, it was reasonable. 

"Eh, then how will survive today's activity? We have no choice today."

(What?)

"What do you--"

"Okay, class!"

Our adviser, Ms. Sherill called out everyone. she came in with a bunch of papers in hand.

"I'll give you one paper each. Each one of you is required to write a love letter to another classmate of the opposite sex."

"Classmate?"

One of the girls in front asked. 

"Yes. Classmate. Not your parents."

Then Ms. Sherill looked in my way as she said that. 

(Oops)

Last year, I gave my love letter to my mom. I love her so that counts. Yet, Ms. Sherill gave me leeway for my effort but gave me rock bottom remarks.

(Ugh! Memories...)

Although I wanted to complain, lots of my classmates were up to the challenge. 

(Well, it's just a letter. How bad can this situation be?)

That's what I thought but when I was given a blank pink bond paper, my brain sank. I didn't know but every boy in the classroom didn't seem okay for me to give. After all, nobody has yet to receive my love letter. Yup, no one and this was the first time. 

(This sucks.)

Praying won't do me good so I wrote a gibberish template like words and now I just needed to give it to someone. Or rather, name it to someone. 

Scanning the whole room, one particular prey attracted my attention. It was Jeric. 

(Since everyone would most likely give their letter to him, why not him? Nobody would find it unusual.)

And the teacher came to get the enveloped letter. She walked another round to give the letters to the recipients. I was expecting that everyone would just throw their letters to Jeric and Jeric seemed to think so too. 

Yet, only one letter was given to him. It was my letter. 

What's worst?

I also received his letter.

(You fucking retard!)

At that time, we both looked at each other. He was in the front row near the window and I'm on the very back seat near the other door. Our reactions got a lot of attention from our classmates. They had this mischievous smile on their faces. 

(Holy shit!)