Tell Her

2

It's Valentine's day again, and I could not, for the life of me, understand why people would only declare their love and unyielding feelings every 14th of February. It could be any day at school, or during weekends when they can ask the people they like on a date.

They say it's because of the day of cupid. It's the day of love. It's the day where you shoot your shot and possibly get to be loved in return.

Is that really how it works? I'd say that's full of nonsense. It's very superficial and was made purely out of creativity from infatuation.

If you really love someone you tell them anytime of the day, anywhere it may be. It doesn't have to be on Valentine's day or at school where people can see your declaration of love like it's some sort of part of a show.

"So," Billy starts, "Nop was telling us he has a surprise for you tonight, do you know what that could be?" He asked, leaning his arms on the table and towering above me.

I sighed, I just can't get a peaceful time to eat in this place. "I told you so many times, I'm not dating Nop, we're just friends."

They hollered laughing, incredulous. I figured as much, someone is feeding them lies behind my back.

"Becky, if you're not dating Nop then why do you reject everyone? That boy from class 3 literally flooded your locker with love letters. That dude is a poet, man!" He continues, pestering me about these people who declared their love interests for me since this morning.

All these love letters ended up in a trash bin now. But I kept the chocolates and flowers because my mother loves them.

This isn't even the first time this happened, and right on every Valentine's day and White day.

And yet, I don't get it.

Why not approach me after class when I don't look busy?

Or when I'm resting in between cheer practice.

Why wait for this day? Why was it necessary for everyone to see and show off?

I rolled my eyes, the superficiality of this act is glaring, I can see it even with my eyes close.

I sighed, swallowing the last few bites of my sandwich. Here goes whatever.

"That's because I'm already dating someone."

The loud cheering from these guys should have concern me if I wasn't too distracted with Irin's reaction. She was looking at me as if I've gone crazy.

It's easy to lie to these boys, but it's another thing with my best friend.

I took a deep breath and fixed my school uniform. It's the first day of freshmen year and I want to make a good impression.

Not because I want to be liked by everyone.

But I want to be seen for who I am, not my face, not my family name, nor the things I can offer.

But who I am as a person.

Middle school has been full of pretentious friends and ostentatious display of wealth and connections. I've had enough of it and moving schools is the only way to make it happen.

The next 3 years of high school is going to be different.

It's a new start.

"Ah, crap!" The loud, thudding sound from one of the bathroom cubicles almost made me jump out of my skin. I was pretty sure I was alone when I got here.