#SquadGoals

The Day After

"I think the whole thing is a load of crap."

I swing my legs around the chair, rest my chin in my hands, and raise my eyebrows.
"How so?" I ask Iko. He shrugs.
"Cutout hearts, stupid pink tinsel, candy grams...it's basically designed to annoy people. Well, everyone who's not  in a relationship. Which is most of us." Iko rants on. I hear footsteps behind me.
"Is Iko going on his 'why the Valentine's Day party is the stupidest thing ever' rant. Again?" Alayah laughs.
"Nothing has really changed, so there's nothing stopping me," Iko says. I stifle a laugh.
"What're you laughing at, A?" He says, seemingly offended. Alayah walks next to me and pats me on the head.
"You see, Iko, some people are in relationships. You see, Avery here has a cute little sucker all for herself." I push Alayahs hand away.
"Shut up, Alayah. It's not even official yet," I groan. Even though I act annoyed, I'm actually really enjoying her teasing about Rilee and I.
"Hun, he got you Converse. He's perfect for you," Alayah says.
"True. And his cheekbones though," Iko adds. I roll my eyes.
"They could cut a b-"
The bell rings.
"Perfect timing! Let's head to class, shall we?" I say hurriedly.
"I'm heading to Dr. Ming's, God help us all,"
Iko says.
"That's something Riley would say," Alayah says, "I haven't seen her in awhile? Anyone know where she is?" I bring my eyes to the floor, looking at my shoes. I feel a pang of sadness. I wonder if she'll ever come back? I think. She couldn't be that mad?
Alayah coughs. I look up.
"You have any idea, A?" I shake my head.
"I don't know. But Iko, if it makes you feel any better, I'll buy you a candy gram," I say. Alayah lets out a big laugh, but Iko scrunched up his face.
"It's funny for you, but not for me," he says. Alayah and I both leave the classroom. I hear Iko still talking as we walk out, his voice fading:
"Y'know, it's pretty great being single. You don't have to share a Netflix account or waste money on gifts! It pretty great, guys."

All around me, girls screech and boys high five in excitement of getting asked out to the Valentine's Day day. I keep my books to my chest and avoid all conversation.
"Oh my God! I can't believe he asked you out!"
"Dude, she said yes?"
Frankly, I tend to weigh on Iko's side in all of this. I can't help but feel bad for the people who don't have highschool relationships. I mean, will most of these even last? I think of Rilee, and shove that motion out of my mind.

I look to my left and see Aislinn along with her sister Shea and Sierra and...Riley?! I'm taken aback by this, stopping mid-footstep. This is followed by at least a handful of annoyed teens shoving me and letting out not-so-quiet sigh, purposefully showing me their annoyance. I mutter out apologies, continuing to walk, but not taking my eyes of Riley. She tosses her rosey hair over her shoulder, as she always does, and smiles. And she laughs. This doesn't necessarily make me feel jealous, but it does make me feel confused.
Why is she hanging out with Aislinn?
Did she laugh that hard when she was with me?
What do they have that we don't?

As I walk away, I hear Riley say excitedly, "Xavier asked me out!" followed by the three other girls screeching in excitement and congratulation. Aislinn embraces Riley and oozes about how hot he looks after physical Ed., and how they'll be super cute together.

Shouldn't that have been me?