My Secret Valentine

Chapter 7 - Out With The Old, In With The New...

      It was crunch time. We had exactly two in a half weeks left to get everything set up. We earned enough money we managed to secure a DJ for the school's dance. Of course, all of the final pieces would be placed together the day of to finalize the theme of the party. There were going to be strobe lights, and paper-like rose petals that would shower the dance floor during slow jams. In my vision, the night would be the perfect night for us all.

      To think I would really want to attend this dance was insane, and maybe Cupid did strike me in the ass this time around. Everything happened so fast to where I hadn't gotten the chance to process all of what occurred. Regardless, I wasn't spending Valentine's Day 2022 moping alone at home, I had a date. I didn't want to refer to Alicia as a distraction considering that day was filled with grief, in a way she was the perfect diversion. I planned on that night to confess to my family the truth and hoped for the better.

      Some of the students on the committee displayed some PDAs with their partners, something I still hadn't experienced yet. Each time we worked ourselves toward kissing we were interrupted, and lately, there hasn't been another opportunity. I didn't know if I should be embarrassed since it hadn't happened yet or remain optimistic, and the last thing I wanted to do was make her uncomfortable. It was only a kiss, and it'd eventually happen – naturally. There shouldn't be any pressure.

       I couldn't make my mind up about what I was to wear at the dance either. I was stuck with the idea of either dressing feminine or masculine. Even though I had time to get myself together it almost felt as if I didn't at the same time. Time was an illusion after all.

"The signs a little crooked, Eddie," I said to him as I pulled back from the ladder. His voice trembled as he shrieked my name and I quickly came to hold the ladder steady, "Sorry," I apologized.

        To the left of me, I saw Trinity ostensibly talking to someone and I tried to focus in on them, whoever it was had on a hoodie so I couldn't see who it was exactly. As quickly as she looked in my direction, she looked away making it clear she was purposely ignoring me. I didn't show it, but, I was hurt. I knew what her actions were based on and it was because of our argument a few days ago. Neither of us tried to make amends and this was lingering on too long, so I decided to be the bigger person and initiate a conversation.

        However, I was stopped halfway when one of my peers approached me and began a conversation. She was sharing with me party details that a friend of hers was throwing and extended an invitation to me, and I accepted. I was so engaged in our conversation I had forgotten about Trinity when I did have some free time, she was already gone. I hopelessly sighed as I resumed what I was doing. I figured I could try again later.

        Bryan clarified that he needed his distance from me, so I respected his decision. For the life of me, I couldn't comprehend what changed in our dynamic. Now Trinity began to pull back, even more, and I didn't know what else to do. Maybe it was best to leave things as is and allow us to come together on our terms. We were just too out of sync for communication.

         A party was needed and a great sense of freedom for me. It wasn't like I would be attending alone, I was going to be there with friends. I didn't need Trinity or Bryan to hate a good time, and I also wasn't sure if they were even attending. They most likely were, but we weren't going as a group so I had to find a ride. Either Alicia or I could request an Uber.

         Never thought I would see the day when my friends become strangers and strangers become my friends. Life was tricky like that. However, I didn't anticipate us never making amends, we were just going through a rough patch. I was certain all of this would blow over. We had been friends for a long time.