Trust

✍ Team

I hated Valentines Day.

It was nothing more then a cheap ploy by companies to make people spend more money  on things they didn't need. Year after year, the student council in my school set up booths selling roses and chocolates. Our halls were decked with red balloons and love hearts, the scent of flowers wafting through the rooms. Loved-up couples would spend the day  whispering sweet nothings into each others' ears and proclaiming their undying love- which was ironic since many of them broke up a month later.

 "Oh c'mon, Poppy. Stop being a Grinch. Valentines' Day is wonderful!" March clasped her hands in front of her chest dreamily. "I love Valentines' Day."

 I slammed my locker door shut and locked it. "Firstly, the Grinch stole Christmas. I'm not stealing Valentines' Day." I zipped up my bag, balancing a couple of biology textbooks on my arm. "Secondly, I do like Valentines' Day." I grinned at the sceptical eyebrow March raised. "I like the chocolates that go on sale on February 15th." March's green eyes narrowed and she opened her mouth to protest but I quickly went on speaking, "And thirdly, aren't you meant to be meeting lover boy outside the Art Room in about three minutes?"

 March glanced at her watch. "Yeah." Her eyes lit up at the mention of her long-term boyfriend, Russell. "He's got this whole thing planned out for the two of us after school. I'm so excited that I can't wait. He texted me first thing this morning and it was the sweetest thing ever. He said-"

 I held out my hand to stop the rapid flow of words coming out of my best friend's mouth. "Whoa. Too much details already. Just go meet your boyfriend."

 March ran a hand through her orange hair, pouting. "I wish you would be enthusiastic about Valentines' Day. It's a wonderful holiday."

 "Ems…" I groaned. March sighed.

 "You're hopeless," she said, shaking her head so her curls bounced around her oval face. "See you at recess?"

 I nodded. "I've got English before that so I guarantee I'll be coming out with a small box of chocolates and don't worry, I'll save the caramel and marshmallow ones for you." I winked knowingly at the pretty ginger-haired girl in front of me.

 March grinned. "You're so lucky to have Ms Sloan as your teacher. She's the best."

 "If you mean bribing her students, then yeah, she's the best," I laughed. "See you later, Ems."

 *****

 "Happy Valentines' Day, everyone!" Ms Sloan beamed brightly at the class. A few hoots and wolf-whistles came from various parts of the classroom as students settled into their seats.

 "Hey Ms Sloan, have you got a hot date tonight?" one of the boys sitting on the right side of the room hollered.

 A shy smile worked its way onto the petite South-African teacher's face. "Well, as a matter of fact, I do. His name is Webb and he's an architect."

 Cheers erupted from all parts of the classroom and despite my feelings about Valentines' Day and love in general, I found myself joining in with everyone else anyway. A bright pink blush stained Ms Sloan's cheeks and it was several minutes before she could calm everyone down.

 "Anyway, I wanted to announce to the class a new homework assignment." She waited for the groans to pass before continuing, "In honour of Valentines' Day, I want you guys to pick a famous love story- any love story- and work in pairs to create a visual presentation of it. It can be anything- from a music video to edible models to role play. I just want this presentation to be fun and original." Ms Sloan smiled. It was clear that she was excited about this task.

 About a dozen voices started up at once, claiming each other's partners. I sat silently, contemplating all the most tragic love stories I could think of on the spot: Anthony and Cleopatra, Romeo and Juliet...

 "Wait! But there's a catch!" Ms Sloan had to raise her voice above everyone else's. The voices subsided to dull murmurs. A mischievous twinkle entered Ms Sloan's hazel eyes and my heart dropped almost instantly.

 This wasn't going to be good.

 "I've chosen your partners for you," she announced.

 The reaction was immediate. My classmates were horrified and so was I. This time, I joined them in voicing my protests.

 "Please, guys, you're already in the last year of high school. Stop acting like children and more like the responsible, mature adults I know you all are," Ms Sloan said. There was a seriousness in both her tone and facial expression that made us all pipe down. The class fell silent as Ms Sloan picked up a piece of paper and began reading out names.

 "Aurora Sanders with Tyler Wilson."

 I watched as a blonde girl with glasses stood up and walked over to another guy's table. They barely looked at each other and when Tyler finally glared at Aurora, she flipped him off. There was a soft wave of suppressed laughter. Aurora and Tyler were famous around school for hating each other's guts. I wondered what Ms Sloan had been thinking, putting those two together. They were more likely to end up murdering each other then to get any work done.

 "Chase Edwards and Pia Sullivan."

 My head shot up.

Oh no.

You have got to be kidding me.

 Who in the world was Chase Edwards?