deep blue eyes // Antoine Griezmann

Chapter 26 - Valentines

For the next weeks, things are great with all the guys, but especially Griezmann. I've been talking with him a lot, just joking and having little conversations. I mean, that's the same with Foden, too, but that's not because I like him, like it is with Antoine, but it's the other way around. I've actually thought it's kind of a shame that I don't like Foden. I mean, he's handsome, smart, funny, and a generally good guy, and he likes me, but there's only one problem with him, and it's that he's not Antoine Griezmann.

I don't know what it is about Antoine, but he will always be my crush. He's perfection, and I don't think another guy will ever measure up to the standards that Antoine has set, when it comes to boys I like.

It's because he's perfect, and he's all I've ever wanted.

As Valentine's Day nears, especially, my thoughts are on Antoine pretty much all the time. And I mean even more all the time than usually. Like, I mean, all. The. Time.

I know he won't give me a Valentine or anything, especially because that's kind of cheesy and people usually don't do that anymore, but I can still have my silly little fantasies, right? Why not?

Soon, Valentine's Day comes, and other than I few people wearing a little more pink and red, things go as they normally would. Until the end of the day, though, when I'm at my locker after Health class, our last class.

I find four cards on the top shelf of my locker, next to the vent. This is extremely surprising to me, actually. I wasn't expecting anyone to care that much about me to give me letters.

The first one is a plain white envelope with a pink heart sticker holding it closed. I flip it over to see the words written, 'From P.F.' on the back. I think for a few seconds of who 'P.F.' is, then think of Foden. Duh, obviously it's Foden. Well, that might be interesting to read later, I guess.

I pick up the next one, which is a frilly homemade heart. It's very nice, and whoever did it must be very talented. When I flip it over to see the name, I'm surprised and not at the same time to see Elizabeth's full name. I'm not surprised because I should've known this was her- she's super good at arts and crafts, including these types. I am surprised because honestly, I almost never hang out with her anymore, and I thought we both just kind of assumed, without talking about it, that we're not really friends anymore. I mean, of course, no hard feelings about it.

The next one is a box of chocolates with a letter tucked into it. The envelope is white again, but it's sealed by tape and there's no writing on the outside of it.

Then I take out the last one, which is a small, pink envelope that looks pleasant enough. I turn it over a few times, looking for a name, then finally find it on the back, in the bottom right corner, and I can't believe my eyes. In small, messy handwriting, it reads 'from Antoine, to Sage'. He, out of all of these people, was the only one to write my name on it to. And he gave me a Valentine! Antoine!!!!! He gave me one!!!

I grin at it, and I can't wait to open it, so I practically run home. Once in my room, I take out the four letters again, deciding to open them in the order that I took them out of the locker, as to save the best for last.

So first, I open Foden's. It reads:

Sage,

Well, you already know I like you, so I'm sure you're not too surprised to get this. I know it's cheesy, but I couldn't pass up this opportunity of Valentine's Day.
I just wanted to tell you how much I appreciate and care about you as a friend, and this is sort of a letter from all us guys, because although they took no part in writing this, everything I've said here I know by past conversations with them that they would completely agree.
First, I just wanted to say that I really appreciate you deciding to hang out with us. I know it's kind of funny, because you're obviously the only girl, but you bring us all together. You have charm, and a great sense of humor that never fails to make someone laugh. You have the same great interest as us- football, which I think really makes you fit in. You're overall such a great friend to us, and I trust you so much.
We love that tomboy, rough-around-the-edges part of you, which makes you really fit in with us, but there's another side of you that we enjoy, too. Sometimes you can just be quieter, more caring, and more gentle. You really show you care about everyone there. Even Henderson. And sometimes, I think you're kind of there to remind us that we're friends, and that arguing doesn't pay any good.
We love your spunk, too, though. You tease everyone, and I love the pranks you sometimes play on us. It never fails to make us laugh. 
I think I love you so much for this reason only, put as simply and possible: You've got a tough skin, and a soft heart.
I hope you know how much we all enjoy your company and your friendship, Sage, because you really mean a lot to us.
Now, this is not a letter asking you out or to the dance or anything, because for one, I know you wouldn't accept, which is okay. I respect that. But the bigger reason is that there's someone else I know that I think might be thinking of taking you to the dance. And I think you would much rather accept that invitation by him.

Either way, though, I hope you appreciate this letter as much as I appreciate you as a person,
Phil Foden

Of course, I started crying halfway through reading this. It's so kind of him to write this, to tell me how much I'm appreciated, when often I doubt anyone appreciates me at all. I wish I could hug him right now, and tell him how much this means to me, because this has really honestly touched me a lot.

I sigh, wiping my eyes, then grab the next letter, from Elizabeth. For some reason, I'm a little nervous to open this heart and see what she has written inside. I don't know why, though.

It reads in her beautiful script:

Dear Sage,

I miss you SO MUCH. I know there was some crap with you and Rachel, but Tori and Rachel have sort of decided to ditch me, and you've been hanging around the football guys, so I've been kind of lonely. I value our friendship and you're a really awesome person, so I don't want out friendship to fall away.

I understand that the guys are your friends now, but I was wondering if maybe we could be friends again, too, because I miss you. Do you want to have some fun at the dance tonight?

Because I think that'd be super fun!

Love,
Elizabeth

I stare at this, having no idea any of this had happened. I feel bad... I didn't know I was doing that to Elizabeth. I decide that I'll have to text her, telling her I'm sorry, and that I'd love to go hang out together at the dance.

Then I open the next letter, and it has somewhat of a curious message.

To Sage Prefect.

I think you're super hot, sporty, beautiful, pretty. You glow. Seeing you everyday in the hallways joking with your friends makes my day, every day. You probably don't even know who I am, & i'm sort of too much of a coward to just, like, ask u out. you prob already have a boyyfriend n-e-way, bc ur so hot. well have a good valentines day ig with ur football boyfriend or whatever.

love, me

This one greatly confuses me. The fact that there's someone that doesn't even know me that likes me isn't too weird to me- I mean, that was how I was with Griezmann for a pretty long time... But I'm not exactly sure if I want to meet him, considering the way through the letter his grammar got worse and worse. Well, at least I got chocolate, I guess. But I'm still busy chasing after Antoine.

Speaking of Antoine, I throw that letter aside and I grab his as quick as I can, then tear it open. It reads on light pink construction paper, in black gel pen:

Dear Sage,

First, Happy Valentine's Day!

I am sure you are aware of the Valentine's Day dance tonight at the school. I don't know if you already plans for it, but I have any idea for it.

I'd love to go with you to it, if you'd like to. I'll be at your house at 7:00 P.M. this evening, unless you can't do that, and you can just text me and tell me you can't, and I wont take any offense, obviously. If you don't, though, I'll be at your house at 7:00 in my Civic.

I look forward to hanging out, dancing, laughing, and talking with you tonight, if everything goes as planned.

I always love spending time with you.

Love,

Antoine

I can't believe this. This is wonderful. I hold onto the letter as tight as I can, pressing it to my chest.

And, in my excitement, I leap out of my bed, throwing the letter aside, and start digging through my closet, looking for what to wear- the best way to please Antoine, and to make him think I'm pretty.

I can't believe this is happening. I would have never thought this, and I still have no idea why he'd do this, because obviously it's too good to be true for him to like me back!

In my excitement about Antoine's note, I forget all about sending Elizabeth a quick text back about the dance.