Paper and Flesh
I woke up, feeling giddy and excited. I glanced at my calendar as I went out the door. Valentine's Day was today. I wore a red shirt, my favorite shirt, and dark pants. I followed Henry and a certain boy out the door and to school. We were used to being all together now. I don't ever really hang out with anyone else. No matter what I do or who I am with I find it much better if I am with Vlad and Henry.
As I opened my locker I smiled lovingly at the card a have spend weeks on for Vlad. It was a blood red heart with pink lace in the inside. On the front it said in golden letters 'To Vlad from Mina'. And like I always do on anything outside of school I dotted my I's with hearts.
"I hope you haven't forgotten anyone." I heard Henry tell Vlad. I didn't chance to see who they were watching. It was gutsy for me to do this when I knew Vlad still likes Meredith. But I really wanted to. I spent so long on the dang card!
"Mina..." I spun around, slamming my locker after snipping the card in my hands.
"Yes- ouch!" I rubbed the back of my head. "I mean yes?"
Vlad laughed and I matched the color of my shirt. "To class?"
"Oh, right."
"Extra clumsy today?"
"You could say that." We were just outside of our class when I stopped him. "Vlad?"
"Yeah?" He asked, leaning next to the doorway. I was totally prepared to give him the card, but then he met my eyes and gave off a slight smile. I couldn't breathe and froze on the spot. "Mina...?" He asked softly, breaking my thoughts.
"Uh, yeah... I wanted to give you this..." I held up the card. "I just... wanted to say happy Valentine's Day." I muttered, tangling my fingers together after he plucked the card out of my grip. I held my breath in my chest as he read the words inside. 'Roses are red, violets are blue. Happy Cupid Day from me to you.' It read in my careful writing, in golden ink. I swear it must have taken me two hours to write that with how carefully I was writing it.
"Thanks Mina." When I looked up I saw a tinge of pink on his cheeks as he seemed to reread the card. I'm the one showing compassion and he is blushing?
"No... No problem. I-I just wanted to... yeah." I sighed at my lack of speaking abilities. I looked at anything but Vlad in my embarrassment. As I did I saw Mr. Otis watching us, when he saw that I caught him he looked back at his newspaper with a simple all-knowing smile on his face. What was that for? Either way I used it to my advantage.
"Uh... Mr. Otis is watching us. Let's go inside." I spoke fast in a rushed voice and hurried to my seat.
I took a deep breath and tried to stop the heat in my cheeks as I sat down in my seat next to Vlad. He blushed because I gave him a card? The thought made me giggly and I couldn't control a small chuckled. I saw Vlad turn to be questioningly. I shook my head no and he nodded.
The bright colors of the room were so bright and lovey-dovey that it made me uneasy. Mr. Otis came into the class at the same time he always does. One boy picked up and Cupid picture and held it up.
"Hey, Mr. Otis. Is today the day we start studying fairies?" Everyone laughed. I laughed out right even. Vlad did also and asked me something.
"Huh?"
"In a good mood today?"
"Yes." I nodded his smile at my reaction made my heart melt.
"Today will be a free day to work on your presentations." Mr. Otis announced, obviously not in the mood for the happiness of the holiday. I planned to partner work with Vlad but when I turned to him he was absorbed in a book of some sorts. I noticed it was the same book he was reading late that one night when I had that dream about him.
By the time class was almost over despite twenty minutes, Mr. Otis spoke out. "That doesn't look like your presentation, Mr. Tod." He moved his finger to show he was summoning Vlad forward. I felt an ounce of fear for Vlad, what did he do wrong?
He inspected the book Vlad was reading, flipped through the pages, and muttered to Vlad. Vlad returned to his seat by mine without his book. I decided I would do my project at home, it found it easier to concentrate without Vlad sitting right next to me. I doodled and drew on my notebook. I sketched drawings of vampires, and sometimes their prey, as I attempted to get drawings for my research. Yet every vampire I drew appeared to look more and more like the vampire in my dream, like a much older Vlad. I sighed and flipped the page over, starting a new one.
The bell rang and we were free to head to second hour. I waited for Vlad by the door as he talked to Mr. Otis. Yet the strange substitute gave me a look, a look to leave. Somehow I completely understood every order and request that his eyes told me. I went outside the room to wait. I saw Meredith bounce up to my cousin.
She spoke with him, he grinned and talked back. She twisted her hair and couldn't decide to watch him or the floor. Henry told her something funny, like normal, she laughed and ran her hand along his arm.
She handed him a Valentine and Henry nodded as he took it. I fumed, first she has Vlad going gaga for her and now she hits on my cousin?
I turned to sneak a peek inside as Vlad stood before Mr. Otis. I saw he was watching the same scene I just finished with. He removed a heart shape box from his backpack and tossed it away. He got her a Valentine and not me? Did he even think of getting me one? Was I not that important or noticeable to receive anything?
Before I could break my own heart at the sight of his heartbreak I rushed to my class. I ignored Henry as he tried to call to me. I hulled my bag higher on my shoulder and tried to hold in my leaking eyes.
Why does anger always fuzz out into sadness as if a punishment?
