The Third Wheel

Valentine's Day Special

Thank you to all the people who've read this, all the support means a lot to me, it's almost hit 50k reads wow, thank you all once again. So this is long overdue but hey I managed to post it! The sequel is coming soon, don't worry. Make sure you unarchive/add it to your library this so you'll know when I post it. This is pretty long...like 3.9k words long lol hope you enjoy it :D

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"So Emily do you have any plans for tomorrow?" Alex whispered to Emily so our teacher didn't hear him.

I didn't hear her response only a quiet giggle which prompted me to roll my eyes at them - partly due to my jealousy of how cute the moment was and also because no one had even bothered to ask me anything. As much as I tried to play it off about how unfazed I was about how insignificant tomorrow would be for me, it still hurt a little. I mean who wouldn't like someone to go out of their way to do something sweet for you...even if it's just for one day. Either way, it was just going to be another regular day for me but filled with more hearts and mushy posts all over my social media feed.

It was once again that lovely time of the year where people decide to be overly affectionate with their significant others and perform small or grand gestures as a sign of their love. Like a lot of people tomorrow, I would be spending my Valentine's Day single and alone but at least I'd finally be able to start that new show I keep forgetting to watch.

"So I'll meet you there at 5 pm tomorrow, okay?"

"Can't wait!" Emily replied before meeting up with me to walk back to our lockers.



The school was buzzed with overly excited teenagers, guys giving each other bro fist bumps because they finally gathered the courage to ask their crushes out just in time for the big V-Day. The ground off-the-shoulder with sticky notes, candy wrappers and just about all the most predictable gifts you could expect from a high school student. I honestly still don't get why tomorrow is such a big deal to people. If you love somebody, you should go out of your way to treat your significant other on days other than Valentine's Day.

I on the other hand planned on treating myself - I bought an unhealthy amount of my favourite chocolate bars, two new books and a new bottle of perfume that smelt heavenly. Thankfully my parents would be out for the whole weekend; my dad made reservations at Belmont, a fancy five-star hotel that had one of the best spas and restaurants and in the state. I have the whole house to myself, meaning the TV in the living room will be the perfect spot for my Netflix binging session.

I made small talk with Emily throughout the duration of our five-minute walk.

"So what did Alex ask you during English?"

"He's taking me out for Valentine's Day, something about ice skating and he said the rest was a surprise. What about you, any special plans for tomorrow?" She asked as she wiggled her eyebrows.

"That sounds nice and my plans don't involve anyone else but myself." I laughed trying not to make things awkward.

"Well good for you, I hope you have fun."

We arrived at our lockers and as I opened mine to put some of my books away a small pastel blue envelope fell out and landed softly on the floor. Hm, I wonder who put it there.

"Oh, what is this I see." Emily cooed as she hastily picked up the letter before I had a chance. Right as she was about to open it, I quickly snatched the envelope from her.

"Hey hey hey, watch it, missy. As you can see it is addressed to me not you." I laughed, rolling my eyes as I finally had a chance to properly inspect the envelope.

I wondered who could have sent this to me, I gently opened the letter and began to read its content:

To Melanie,

I have been planning to do this but I never really got the courage to actually carry it out. I think you're a really cool person and I'd really like to get to know you more. I know this seems a bit out of the blue but I hope you take a chance on this. If you want to meet me, I'll be waiting at the swings at the Cherryfield Park at 4 pm. I'll understand if you don't show up but I really hope you do.

Have a great Valentine's Day,

From a Friend :)

P.s. Hope you enjoy the little treat, I hear it's your favourite.



At the bottom of the envelope lay a bite size bar of Twix. That was one of my favourite chocolate bars! That's actually really sweet of whoever this person was. I'm actually starting to reconsider this thing. I handed Emily the letter to read so I could also get her opinion. Should I even go? For all I know it could just be a stupid prank. Once Emily had finished reading she let out a very annoying high pitched squeal.

"Oh Mel, this is the cutest thing I've seen today!" she said as she pulled me into a tight bear hug. "You're going to see this person right? I mean, who would go through this lengths for nothing. Personally, I think you should hear them out and if you're still not into you can just leave."

"That is a good point which I will consider but is this actually happening- ow!" I rubbed the sore area on my arm as I scowled at Emily.

"Sorry I thought you were going to say, 'pinch me I must be dreaming'."

"You watch way too much tv." I laughed.



This school day couldn't have gone any longer. Time seemed to have moved ten times slower after reading that letter. Throughout the day I was on edge, everyone turned into my prime suspect. I tried to notice any slight changes in how people around me behaved but nothing! Whoever this person is either a really good at acting or probably avoided me throughout today.

I waved Emily goodbye as I stepped into my car and drove home. My drive was silent and filled with the deafening sound of my thoughts. The playground my anonymous companion told me about was a place I visited very frequently. Usually when I wanted to paint or be alone with my thoughts but I occasionally volunteered to work with the girl scouts who had meetings there.



"Mum! Dad! I'm back from school." I called out as I stepped into the kitchen to get a snack. There was a sticky note placed on the fridge, ignoring it I opened the fridge and brought out a chocolate bar and began to munch on it. I guess my parents had already left for their trip, well at least I wouldn't have to deal with my mother badgering me about how today went. My suspicion was confirmed as I read the note they left for me.

The school closed early today so I had about an hour and a half before I was due to meet my anonymous friend at the park. My options were unlimited but I narrowed it down to two choices: I could do some homework or watch an episode of my favourite show. The latter was obviously chosen because I didn't have the mental endurance at the moment so why not enjoy myself a little, plus it would help make me feel less anxious.



"No Chuck, you and Blair were made to be together." Fifteen minutes passed three and I was curled up on my bed watching a very emotional episode of Gossip Girl. My room lights were dim, the only source of light was provided from my laptop screen. Reluctantly, I had to shut my laptop down and change into a different outfit for this evening. I took a brisk ten-minute shower before slipping into my new outfit. It wasn't anything that screamed notice me but it looked good enough for the occasion. I wore my favourite pair of black ripped jeans and a loose light blue off-the-shoulder top pairing it with my black Vans.

I usually go out makeup free and today wasn't really an exception. It's not like I was a makeup guru but my skills were far from amazing so I didn't want to go through the trouble only to not like it. I collected my purse and was on my way.

The park wasn't too far from my house, so getting there didn't really take too much time. As I made my way towards the swings I noticed the park looked a lot more full than usual. There were numerous couples laughing, hugging, kissing and looking all happy and in love. There were kids running around with their friends all filled with youth and innocence. I smiled at how everyone seemed to be happy and having a good time. The park always managed to calm me down no matter how sad I felt.

The swings became more visible as I walked towards it and somehow it felt like something like this had happened to me already. The figure was standing with their back facing me but from what I could see it was a guy, who was pretty tall. He had a full head of curly chocolate brown hair. His hands placed firmly in his pockets as he anxiously swayed from side to side, anticipating my arrival.

"Um...hello there," I said shyly prompting him to turn around. At first, he looked surprised only to be replaced by a warm smile seconds later. He looked really attractive, maybe coming here may not have been the worst idea after all.

His arms extended towards me in an attempt to shake my arms, "Hey, I'm really glad you came." As expected he was pretty tall, 6'1 being my rough estimate and there was me barely reaching 5'3. His body was lean with his arms looked quite toned, like he worked out but not too much.

"I know you probably want an explanation for all of this and I promise you will get one but first of all would you like to join me for some hot chocolate? There's a little food truck down this path." He suggested but I only nod and follow his lead.

His face looked familiar but I couldn't place a finger on exactly where I knew him from. The first five minutes were silent and a little awkward as expected but we soon discovered a topic of common interest, football and it took off from there.

"How can you think that AMAZING goal by Hazard wasn't so great." We were having a very serious argument about how spectacular a goal was by one of my favourite football players. Sadly, I learnt that we didn't support the same team. Our talk went on for what felt like hours but in reality only ten minutes had passed. As we talked, I noticed the way the light reflected off his hair to produce honey coloured highlights, his eyes a deep brown colour that I couldn't help but stare at. It was amazing how someone like him even noticed me, let alone went through unmeasurable lengths to meet me.