Paper Airplanes

16 years old

"It's for you! Please accept it!"

Sarah Greene is standing in front of him holding a small box of dark chocolates with her arms outstretched. He stares at the chocolates, unable to decide what to do.

Then he takes it from her hands uncertainly, "Thank you,"

She smiles, and a light blush spreads across her cheeks, "You're welcome, Will!"

Then she ducks and turns away, hiding the small smile on her face. Will stares at the chocolate in confusion. He wonders why he's suddenly getting so much chocolates during Valentines Day, when a few years ago, none of the girls would even talk to him. Did he change? If he did, he didn't notice it. 

"Never knew you were such a stud!"

He turns around and sees Alice grinning at him, wearing a baseball cap backwards on her head. 

He can't help it. He smiles back at her.

"Imagine getting chocolate from the Sarah Greene," Alice says in excitement, "Half of the boys in the school must be after your head right now. Will, you are one lucky dude!" 

She flashes him a thumbs up.

He swallows a bit. His throat feels tight. "Yeah, I guess,"

"Must be a dream come true for you, huh?" 

"I guess,"

"Come on, admit it!" She elbows him at the side playfully.

He laughs. Because it's hard for him not to laugh whenever she's around. "Okay, okay, I admit it,"

She grins, "Congratulations, Blondie. I'm happy for you!"

She flashes him another thumbs up and skips away towards the baseball field. 

Will is sixteen years old, and that's when he decides that he hates chocolates.