The Valentine Dance

Chapter 2

No I thought to myself. He's my best friend. He knows my feelings to her. I'm just misreading things. Yeah. I tried to comfort myself That's all.

But why are they holding hands?

As they came closer I felt my stomach drop. I turned to the table and stared down at it. I had a horrible feeling as to why they were acting like that..

November sat down next to me and Tristan on the other side of her. She was smiling brightly. She didn't let go of his hand and he didn't take his arm from around her, just moved it around her waist.

My throat was dry and I couldn't find words.

"Alright I'll bite. What's going on with you two?" Yuli said finally.

November smiled wider, "Tristan asked me out"

Yuli awed and congratulated them. I felt my heart stop. No.

"Isn't that great?" November asked me.

I swallowed and searched for my voice. "Yeah" I croaked. "That's great. I'm glad for you." I looked at Tristan "You, too, man." He looked away from me.

"Are you okay?" November asked worriedly "You don't sound too good"

I shook my head, "No, no I'm fine. Really. I'm happy for you guys. Really" No I'm not. I smiled and nodded anyway.

She seemed reassured by this and turned to Tristan. I ignored what they were saying to each other. I stared back at the table. Suddenly I didn't feel hungry at all.

How could he do this to me?

I sat there for the rest of the lunch. Not moving. Not saying much. I couldn't bring it in me to eat. November and Tristan didn't seem to notice. Yuli did, though, and tried to offer some food but I declined. She tried to talk to me as well but I couldn't get past the burning lump in my throat.

When the bell rang November gave us a quick hug, "See you in math" she said.

I just nodded. I felt like if I spoke to her, I'd break and start crying right there.

I skipped 4th period and just stayed huddled and crying in the bathroom. I felt a little better after words. Honestly, I felt betrayed by Tristan. He knew I liked her. Why would he do that? He had never expressed interest in her before, why now, when he knew I had been going to ask her?

I blew my nose for the thousandth time and felt my nose in all its rawness. I sniffed and went out to check my reflection. I wanted to make sure there was no evidence of crying on my face. November would flip if she thought I had been crying and then I'd have to explain why I was crying and... I just didn't want to deal with that.

I looked at the reflection and sighed. My eyes and nose were red looking and raw. I pursed my lips and sighed.

"Oh, wait" I muttered to myself and checked my watch. I had 15 minutes left until I needed to leave. I looked at myself again and sighed. What was I gonna do? I didn't think the red and puffiness would go away completely in that time.

The door in the bathroom opened and I jumped back. The guy saw me and stopped.

"You...okay?" The boy asked.

"Yeah, I'm fine" I lied, "Just got something in my eyes" I pointed at him. "Your hair.."

He raised his eyebrows. "Huh?" He reached up and touched his hair, "Is something in it?"

"No, no" I said, "It's just.."

He smiled. "Pink?"

"Yeah"