Blame Gravity

Chapter 3

Today is Valentine's Day. Ugh. 

Valentine's Day is the peak of capitalism and only a way for companies to get more money out of a holiday that has no actual history.  Not only that, but it makes you feel terrible for not having a Valentine.

Not me, though. I don't care.

I've never really thought about "love" and I've never even had a crush. Well, except for Mike Newman in first grade, but I don't think that counts. I just have more responsibilities than to run around town with some douchebag I won't even stay together with. 

In English Lit, we discuss Romeo and Juliet, which we had to read over the weekend. 

"Before we start analyzing the play, does anyone have any opinions they'd like to share?" 

James and I's hands shoot up into the sky. 

Ms. Stuart looks pleasantly surprised. I guess students don't show a lot of enthusiasm toward Shakespears dick jokes disguised as romantic tragedies.

"James?" 

James gives a long explanation about how he found it amazing and romantic and fantastic and astonishing and never-been-done-before and absolutely amazing and I cut him off because I can't take it anymore.

"I disagree," I exclaim. Everyone turns to look at me, even James. "The play is extremely unrealistic. Romeo saw Juliet for the first time, and before even talking to her, he was talking about how he wanted to marry her."

"It's fiction," James says. I roll my eyes.

"That doesn't mean it shouldn't be realistic. Love, at first sight, does not exist."

I hear gasps around me.

"Are you really that bitter?" James frowns. "That you hate the thought of people being happy?"

I try not to punch him. "The thing that people call 'love at first sight' is sexual attraction, and not at all love."

"And what do you know about love?" James grins. 

I feel my cheeks heat, but I contain myself. "That it doesn't exist," I breathe.

"I think we've gone a little off-topic here," says Ms. Stuart. "But it's great to see that you younglings can still get excited over a good play."

And with that, we analyze the play, while James and I shoot furious glances at each other. 

After class, I walk to my locker. James is next to it, again. I sigh angrily. 

"Can't you just leave me alone, Miller?" I ask. 

"I guess I can't," he grins and stuffs his hands in his pockets.

I open the locker, and I notice someone comes up to me from the other side. James opens his locker, too, in the meanwhile.

It's Mike.

"Hey, Lucy," he says. 

"Hi," I answer. 

"So, uh... Well... It's Valentine's Day, and..."

Oh, no.

"And... I've liked you since September and... Would you like to go out with me?" 

I feel my cheeks heat up, and I hear James snort behind me. I hit him on the head and turn back to Mike.

"Are you... serious?"

"Yes."

I nod, slowly. "Okay. Yes. I'll... okay, yes."