Josie hated February; Well, more specifically, she hated the shallowness that February brought out of people. All around her were couples- some long term, and others that would only last until the holiday was over. They surrounded her everywhere she went- holding hands as they walked between class, shared notes during a lecture, shared stolen kisses while they thought no one was looking. It seemed that everyone was happy- Hope had Landon, MG was making his yearly attempt at trying to be Lizzie's valentine, and Kaleb and Alyssa were the newest- if shortlived- couple at Salvatore. Everyone was happy, it seemed, except for Josie. It wasn't as if Josie expected to have a valentine- she had never had one, so she didn't have something to miss- but something was different about this year. As she watched MG try to woo her sister, and Hope and Landon giggling together during class and saw all of the bright reds and pinks of the valentine's day decorations around the school, she felt incredibly...lonely. Hollow, as if something was missing, but she couldn't place her finger on it. It only got worse as the Salvatore school started up its yearly tradition- magical love hearts.
The idea had been started a very long time ago by a senior student, and it had become a tradition even long after she left. Each year the students were free to write little messages on pieces of paper in the shape of a heart and to sign their sweetheart's name on the back. Then, a handful of witches were chosen to disperse the messages out to the recipients. Every year, Josie watched as everyone else received a love heart, and every year she was bypassed as they were given out. Every year, Josie focused on giving out love hearts instead of receiving them. She sent one to Lizzie, one to Hope, and one to her close friends outside of her immediate circle. To see them open her notes on valentine's day and seeing their broad smiles and bright eyes was enough for Josie; At least, she had convinced herself that it was.
So, when Valentine's day came once again, Josie sat in her fifth-period class, studying the history of french quarter witches, barely batting an eyelid as the little folded papers began to float down on the student's desks. All around her, Josie heard the unfolding of paper, tiny gasps and squeals of glee, and a chorus of gratitude as the students read their notes. She sighed, flipping the page to continue her notes when Hope approached her desk. "Hope, I'm sorry, but I'm not in the mood to hear another one of Landon's sappy love poems to you.", Josie mumbled, not bothering to look up from her textbook. Hope laughed, shaking with excitement as she set the folded note over the paragraph Josie was reading. "This isn't mine, Josie.", she explained, barely containing her enthusiasm. "This one is addressed to you." Josie's head shot up out of the textbook, failing to find words as Hope slipped the note into her hand. "Before you ask, no, it wasn't me; It wasn't Lizzie either, because she never sends any love telegrams. Which means you've caught someone's attention."
Josie sat in shock, holding the note in her hands with a dumbfounded expression on her face. She would have noticed if someone was interested in her, wouldn't she? "This has to be a mistake or some kind of cruel prank, Hope.", she reasoned, talking to herself more than she was acknowledging Hope. The former girl shrugged. "I don't know, but I'm meeting Landon right now for lunch.", she stated, patting Josie's shoulder lightly in support. "You should open it before I get back so we can be excited about it together." Hope waltzed out the door, waving goodbye before she left to find out what her boyfriend had planned for her. The other students also filed out, leaving only Josie alone in the room. Josie was grateful for this, because if the note did happen to be a prank, at least she would be spared the embarrassment of everyone seeing her cry. She unfolded the paper with the delicacy that a landmine would require, expecting hateful words or crude drawings to be revealed. Instead, she found only delicate cursive writing inside.
Josie,
You think you're so invisible, Josette, but I see the person you are inside. Meet me at the old mill tonight during the Valentine's Day dance. If you want to learn my identity, meet me there between 8 pm and midnight. I can't wait to see you beautiful.
Xoxo Your Secret Admirer.
Josie refolded the note, cupping it in her palms gently. She felt lightheaded, her heart beating faster in her chest. Someone had written her a love note- someone who wanted to meet her later that night. Josie felt torn; She was curious of who the person behind the letter was, but she couldn't shake the feeling that she was falling into a giant trap. Of all the times that someone could reveal their crush for Josie, it was a little skeptical that they happened to choose Valentine's Day to do so. Josie sighed, slipping the note into her pocket. As much as Josie wanted to believe that someone in the school had genuine feelings for her, Josie knew the probability of the letter being a prank was too high for her to feed her curiosity.
No matter how tempting it was, she had to rise above her temptations; Under no circumstances was she going to that dance.
YOU ARE READING
This Love (Calling My Name)
Фанфик"My, my, my Josie; Don't you know that it is rude not to acknowledge someone when they are talking to you?", Penelope scolded in a brash tone that succeeded in capturing Josie's full attention. "There- that's much better. Wouldn't want anyone thinki...
