My Hallway Crush

Chapter 13

Almost a month has passed since Nate had become friends with Melody and the twins. He had also been taking Chris's advice and has been leaving hints for Melody, but they were too subtle that she hasn't been picking them up. But throughout this whole time Chris has also been helping him prepare for the day he has been dreading he most: Valentine's Day. And that day is tomorrow.

Some members of the student council are finishing up decorating the hallways with red and pink hearts and tinsel. Teenagers from all classes are feeling butterflies dancing in their stomachs as they work hard perfecting their love letters to the very last detail, hoping with every inch of their body that their crush would accept their confession. Nate is one of those students.

Nate is at his locker grabbing some notebooks at textbooks. He doesn't notice Morgan and the twins walking towards him. He jumps a little when he sees them, the nerves are eating him inside out.

"How are you feeling, Romeo?" Morgan teases, poking his now red cheek.

"Nervous." Nate replies. He pulls the confession out of his bag to read over again. His heart bangs aggressively against his ribs, wanting to get out. The butterflies tickle his insides.

"I think it's perfect," Eloy comments, trying to make Nate feel more at ease. But it doesn't work.

"You just say that because you wrote most of it. Silly English major." Chris says with a snicker. Her comment was in Spanish so only Eloy understood.

Morgan rubs his black to calm his nerves down a bit. "Go hand in the letter." She says in a reassuring voice.

Something none of Nate's friends knows is that he also wrote a letter for Morgan. A platonic love letter, because she also means a lot to him.

They have been best friends since elementary school. She has been Nate's only friend for so many years. She helped him every time he struggled with chemistry; he and his family always welcomed her into their house whenever she needed a break from hers; she would defend him whenever he got in trouble when they were younger; he offered to take the role of the baron for Morgan's quinceañera*. Nate feels like it would be rude if he doesn't let her know how much she means to him. She is like another sister to him.

A table has been set by the student council for students to submit their love letters. It's been up all week and tomorrow they will go to each class during homeroom to deliver the letters.

One of the two people at the table greets Nate with a warm smile. "Is their name and class on the letter?" She asks him.

Nate shyly nods as he gives them the two letters.

The other student's eyes widen a bit when he sees the second letter. "Wow, aren't you a player?" He jokes.

Nate giggles nervously. He doesn't feel the need to correct the boy. He just gives them the letters and goes off to his next class.

*quinceañeras are when latina girls celebrate turning fifteen years old. It's a kind of debutante party. And the baron is like their boyfriend who should dance with the birthday girl.