Just Good Friends

Chapter 62

~The Next Week~

JULIE's POV

On my way to first period, I pass by the student council table set up on the main floor near the front office, glancing at the bunches of colorful flowers they were selling for Valentine's Day all this week. It's pretty bustling on a Friday morning thanks to the holiday weekend. Students were lined up in the hallway waiting to buy flowers, happily chatting with their friends and talking about their plans with their boyfriends or girlfriends. It was a bit overwhelming seeing all the pink and red streamers hanging in the hallway, the balloons at the entrances, and flyers hanging up on empty walls to advertise student council's Valentine's Day activities. Especially since I'm single this year. Seeing everyone with flowers and chocolates makes me feel a bit lonely.

With a sigh, I continue walking through the noisy hall when I see Chris flirting with some random girls at his locker. My body tenses at the sight of him in his natural element. I glare at him while passing by, making sure to avoid eye contact so he doesn't notice me. I don't want any issues.

"Good morning! Would you like to send your secret crush a love note for just one dollar?" A student council member asks, appearing out of nowhere.

I shake my head in regret and discomfort. "No, sorry..."

The student council member shrugs and quickly asks the next available student as I continue my trek upstairs. Who would I send a love note to anyway? Nobody talks to me. Right as my lonely feelings wanted to make another appearance, I caught Diggy and Dana talking beside the lockers as Dana held a bouquet of flowers in her hands with a huge smile. Seeing them together makes me feel annoyed and hopeless.

DIGGY'S POV

"Happy early Valentine's Day!" Dana shouts from behind my back. I turn around and see Dana holding a bunch of single flowers in her hand, looking like a bouquet. She holds out a peach-colored flower with a huge smile on her face.

"Is this for me?" I ask a bit surprised.

"Yep."

"Uh, thanks..." I nod and fidget with the flower in my hand. "Is the cheer squad handing out roses?" I ask while gesturing to the bouquet in her hands.

"We are, but actually these are all for me from my secret admirers..." She grins and strikes a pose.

"Wow. Someone's popular."

"You know it," Dana replies with a hair flip. "So you doing anything this weekend? Got any dates planned?"

"Actually, I'm going to a friend's wedding -- my mom's friend," I reply with a nod.

"Ooh, a wedding! That sounds fun! You need a plus one?" She asks while batting her eyelashes.

"I don't think we can bring any plus ones. Invitation only... you know..."

"Boo. That's no fun."

One of the school's cheerleaders skips up to Dana and taps her on the arm, urging that the cheer squad is needed near the front office to pass out more roses. Dana nods her head as her squad member skips away.

"It looks like I'm needed elsewhere... but don't be a stranger, okay?" Dana says while looking up at me with a soft gaze before walking away. After watching her walk off, I look down at the flower in my hand for a second before placing it on the top shelf of my locker and closing it, heading to my first class of the day.

***

For Writing 101, Mrs. Lyon gave us the prompt of what we're most thankful for. She said we could include people or things since the week leading up to Valentine's Day is a week where we're supposed to express love to our spouses, friends, family, and pets. We have to write down a list of 10 things; it could be physical things like a house, food, music, or a specific place, or people like our parents, best friends, a stranger, or a celebrity. Once we're done, we have to share it with your small groups of three.