Your Forever Valentine

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It was the Friday before Valentines Day. Miranda woke up and rolled her eyes. Now being in seventh grade, she'd realized that Valentine's Day wasn't fun anymore. In elementary school, everyone would get a chance to celebrate. But now, you only got a valentine if someone liked you. Miranda got dressed and went downstairs for breakfast. She came around the corner and stepped back hiding to watch the moment in front of her. Her mother and father hugging and slow dancing to Elena's soft humming. Her father had just given her mother an arrangement of her favorite flowers, lavender and white roses. This was a monthly occurrence. She thought it was sweet. Miranda smiled hating to ruin the Kodak moment, but she was hungry.
"Good Morning, y'all"
She warmly greeted her parents. Elena turned in her husband's arms to greet their daughter.
"Morning, baby! Are you ready for school?"
"Yes ma'am."
Everyone sat down at the table and Will prayed over the food. The family ate and spoke about their weekend plans.
"Daddy, are we still going to Ben's game tomorrow?"
Miranda didn't understand or really care too much about football but she went to support Ben. From what all the girls at school say, Ben is pretty good. She was just
happy to support him, like he does when she has band concerts. She always finds in front and center with the bowtie she picked that morning. Her father nodded while taking a sip of his coffee. There was a knock on the door. William Bailey got up to answer.
"Morning Ben! Mandy, Ben's here!"
Will said from the front door. Miranda walked out of the kitchen and down the hall to see Ben at the door and his bike at the bottom of the porch steps. She ran back to the kitchen table to grab her backpack, kissed her mother and father goodbye, and ran outside to grab her bike. Both Ben's and Miranda's parents let them ride their bikes to school everyday since the start of 6th grade. The middle school was just 3 blocks away from the neighborhood. They sped off down the street to school, Ben noticed Miranda was quiet but he didn't bother her. He made a mental note to ask later. They made it to the bike rack in front of the school, Ben took out the lock they shared and wrapped it around the rack and both of their tires. He looked up at Miranda who was staring out into space. Until, he actually followed her gaze. He saw his classmates handing each other red cards and candy. He forgot tomorrow was Valentine's Day. He looked over at Miranda. He didn't think Miranda was into this something as superficial as this "holiday". It didn't even classify as one. According to her,
"Holidays are days where there's no work or school to honor someone or something."
He recalled her saying. He shook his head and walked up to Miranda.
"Miranda... Miranda...Mir-and-a? Earth to Miranda!"
Ben knew she was extra ticklish, but this was a dangerous choice. She absolutely HATED being tickled and surprisingly her small hands hurt. But it was a risk he was willing to take. Ben started reaching out when he felt a sharp sting to the top of his hand. He was met with Miranda's big brown eyes.
"Benjamin Warren! Don't even think about it."
She warned. He chuckled and rubbed his hand.
"Miranda, must you hit so hard? It my LAST resort. I had been calling you, and wouldn't answer me."
Ben whined and Miranda laughed and rolled her eyes. He started walking and turned to see her lagging far behind. Ben stopped and grabbed her hand and they walked into the school to their homeroom class.

Finally, the school day had ended. But for Miranda time seemed to move as slow as cold molasses. It was everywhere. It seemed like everyone had a Valentine but her. Of course, she appreciated the ones from her teachers, but Miranda wanted to feel special too. Miranda trudged to the bike rack to wait for Ben, since he had the key to the bike lock today. She sat and watched her peers. There were girls with little teddy bears and candy. One girl even had a single rose. That reminded her of this morning with her parents. She sighed heavily waiting for Ben. When the bell rang for dismissal, Miranda bolted out the classroom. She didn't even wait for Ben so they could walk together like usual. She just had to get out of there, she felt as if she was suffocating with all of the talk of Valentine's Day and anything else of the sorts. Ben was finishing packing up and noticed Miranda bolt out of their 7th period class. He tried to catch up with her but lost her in the crowded halls. He tried to call out to her but was muffled by all the commotion. He approached a sad eyed Miranda. Again, she was quieter than usual. He knew it wasn't the time ask her why she left him. So he unlocked the bikes and the off they road again down the street toward the neighborhood. Miranda wanted to go climb a tree and just read all alone. They finally got their respective houses and parted ways with a soft "see ya later" from Miranda. Ben watched her drag herself through her front door. Ben went and put his bike around the back of his house. He didn't like this eerily quiet and sad Miranda. He missed seeing her smile and listening to her giggle. Gosh, did he love to hear her giggle. It was unique and that's what he loved most about it. He opened his door and saw the flowers and candy his Dad left for his mother when she got home later. Seeing that gave him a great idea. He took off running upstairs to his room. He urgently looked around. In his bookshelf, under the bed, and finally he remembered he put in the drawer of his desk. There it was his saving box, his dad gave it to him when he started getting an allowance and getting paid to cut yards in the neighborhood. He grabbed two 20's, an empty backpack, and zoomed back down the stairs. His Dad was coming from the kitchen with his baby brother, Curt.
       "Woah, slow down there, man. What's the big rush?"
Ben contemplated on telling his dad his plans or not.
      "Hey dad... I was going over to the Bailey's to see if Miranda wanted to ride bikes."
He tried to keep a straight face but every time he said Miranda's name, he couldn't help but smile. His dad looked at him, shrugged his shoulders and kept walking  going back to the study.
      "Alright, well be home before the streetlights come on. Your mother left spaghetti for us to warm up in the oven. Be safe son!"
Ben walked out the front door and exhaled a breath he didn't even know he was holding. He looked across the street to Miranda's house, hoping she wouldn't look out her window and see him. He didn't want her ruining his plans. Ben grabbed his bike from the back and rode into town. Little did he know Miranda saw him riding down the street. When she walked into the house her father was in the Den watching Westerns on the tv. She snuck past him and went up to her room. She thought she wanted to read in a tree, but today really took a tole on her. She went into her backpack and took out a book. She had taken a break from her usual science fiction novels to read "the Hunchback of Notre Dame" for Language arts class. She sat on the nook in her window her dad built for her and looked out. Only, to see Ben getting on his bike. She shrugged and opened her book.

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