One and Only

Chapter Sixteen - Valentine's

On Thursday morning I awoke to my phone buzzing. My hear leapt and I flew out of my bed, rummaging through my messy floor to find my phone. I hoped beyond belief that it would be Shaun. I opened the message.

Hey babe its Sebastian. Happy Valentine's Day. xo

If I was any other girl in my school I would have melted into a mindless ecstasy right there and then. I would have jumped up and down for joy. Sebastian was my Valentine.

But I wasn't. I was me. And I wanted it to be Shaun.

It was, however, my first Valentine, and although the disappointment stung all morning, it was mixed with happiness and relief. I wouldn't have to join all the girls that were so embarrassed they didn't get a Valentine that they either rejoiced in being forever alone or gave presents to each other. And Sebastian was cute.

But he wasn't Shaun.

I replied to Sebastian's text and got ready for school, wearing as much red as possible and looking as pretty as I could. It was raining outside. A light drizzle that made the whole world look magical.

Mum drove me to school early because she needed to get to work. So I waited for Sebastian to arrive for a long time. Jodi came with a rose from her boyfriend, and Hannah was given a teddy bear by Callan. Serena didn't get anything but a lollipop from David.

Right before homeroom began, Sebastian showed up with a red balloon and a card for me. Everyone cooed and gushed and I was deeply flattered, but I couldn't help thinking of Shaun.

Excitement sizzled in the air all morning. I chatted with girls about how cute their boyfriends were and tried to get some wholesome work done during class when I could. The rain grew heavier as the morning grew on. At recess, I sat with Sebastian. He gave me a heart-shaped chocolate.

"It was so nice of you," I told him, sipping my drink bottle.

He shrugged. "Don't worry about it. You're a nice girl."

A nice girl. Shaun had told me I was worth worlds beyond number.

I stared out over the school from the window at my side. The rain hammered against the window like a million tears. The distance was a blur. I thought about how strange I was reacting. Why was I so upset about being Sebastian's Valentine? And why couldn't I stop thinking about Shaun - who hadn't spoken to me since Sunday?

Suddenly my feelings were coming to light. In that moment I realize what had taken me all week to understand.

But Sebastian's voice cut off my thoughts. And it wasn't just him. It was almost everyone in the cafeteria.

"Woah!" Sebastian cried, looking towards the doors across the room. Everyone was on their feet, sighing and exclaiming their surprise.

I turned.

He was marching across the room, his brown hair drenched from the rain. Water droplets had melted through his shirt and jeans, but his eyes were still bright. In his arms he was holding a bunch of balloons, a massive bouquet of red roses, a box of chocolates and a huge teddy bear.

Shaun.

I stood up, but couldn't speak or move after that. His eyes were fixed on me as he strode towards Sebastian and I. All eyes watched him, and when they saw that I would be the one to receive everything in his arms, they stared.

Shaun put the chocolates and teddy on the table, and let the balloons fly up and around the cafeteria. People stood up on tables to get a good view as he looked me in the eye and handed me the sweet roses.

"Happy Valentine's Day, Ruby," he said in his deep voice. His blue eyes were melting and gentle. I could barely breathe. It couldn't be real. It couldn't be possible.

Girls cooed and gasped. Boys were silent. They watched eagerly.

Sebastian couldn't believe it either. He stared at Shaun with a pale face. No one had ever outdone him before.

I didn't take my eyes off Shaun. My heart swelled. It felt like it was burning and melting all at once. I wanted to tell Shaun I finally realized how I felt.

He took one step closer and opened his mouth.

"I love you."

My mouth fell open and tears pricked my eyes.

I wanted to tell him. I wanted to tell him so badly.

Everyone whooped and cheered and swooned and sighed and whispered and laughed. Sebastian sat back down and slouched.

And just as I stepped forward to fall into Shaun's arms, he turned around and left.