“Leighton, will you be my Valentine?”- Austin, the timidest boy in third grade, asked me softly. The words echoed in my head. It felt as if Santa had given me exactly what I had asked for. Without thinking twice I blurted out, “YES, I love you too!” All eyes turned towards me, and Austin, freaked out by the attention, ran outside. I stood there sheepishly smiling. That was probably my worst Valentine’s Day, and the last time I was telling anyone my feelings.
* * *
Eight years later I’m still the same person. ‘Brainy Brunette’ as my classmates will describe me. Only that I’m a lot more sensible…and less courageous. I haven’t told Derek Reynolds that I love him. The probability of him ever knowing is very low. But that won’t stop me from imagining a relationship with him, or dreaming about him during class. I love the way his chestnut hair falls on his chiseled face; the way his green eyes sparkle through his sexy horn-rimmed glasses. There is something about his know-it-all smile that is so contagious. We would make the perfect couple. No one knows that I like him. Except for my friend Haley, who thinks Derek is ‘uncool’. I suppose not everyone finds the president of the astronomical club attractive. Anyways, I cannot let my feelings for Derek distract me from school. Love is just a chemical imbalance in the brain. My career depends on how well I do in senior year. Although that shouldn’t be a big problem, since I have the highest GPA in my grade. Hopefully, this year would be fun. I glanced at myself in the mirror, before leaving for school.
“Leigh!” I heard Haley calling from behind me. She changes her hair color every year. This time it’s hydrogen peroxide bleached blonde. “Have you seen Derek yet?!” Did she have to scream that out loud? I don’t think so. “I have Chemistry with him right now. See you after class.” She waved a goodbye and then walked towards her locker. I reached class and sat down on my seat. Mr. Phillips scribbled ‘Copper Sulphate Lab today!’ on the white board. Before I could ask to be partners with Derek, Mr. Phillips began to talk. “Welcome back to school! I hope you had a great break. We have a new student joining us today.” He gestured towards a tall guy with dark blonde hair, sitting in the first row. “His name is Mason Thomson.” That name reminds me J.J. Thomson. “You can sit with Ms. Anderson, she’s a smart young lady and I’m sure she would be glad to help.” It took me a moment to realize that Mr. Phillips was talking about me. “That would be me”, I said raising my hand so that Mason could see me. Why me?
“Hi, I’m Mason! You are…?” “My name is Leighton. I have been in this school for ten years. I’m in the swim team. I love hot chocolate. Everyone hangs out at MoJo’s on weekends. Oh! And I hate failing. Nice meeting you, Mason.” I didn’t want to waste any more time in frivolous conversation. “Wow…that’s more than I asked for but ok. Nice to meet you Leighton” I stopped for a moment. Mason said my name in a strange way. There was some honesty to it, which I liked. “Could you pass me the CuSO4? I think we should make a seed crystal” He nodded, not completely sure of what I was talking about. I turned around to see what Derek was doing. I think I stared at him for too long because Mason had to snap me out of my trance. “You like him?” Was I really that obvious? It wasn’t his business, but I didn’t want to be rude to him. Before I could reply, Derek came over and asked for a spatula. My heart was beating as fast as a tachycardiac’s does. Mason handed it quickly, saving me from much embarrassment. “I’ll take that as a yes”, he said after Derek had left. “NO, I do not! It doesn’t make a difference anyways.” He giggled. “It’s alright, your secret is safe with me.” And just like that, he had earned my trust.
Mason caught up to me in the hallway at lunch and asked me if I could show him around. So I did. I took him to MoJo’s after school and he seemed to like it. We sat on the high chairs sipping hot chocolate. “Does he know you like him?” “No and I would appreciate if it remained that way.” “I can help you get him.” He would help me? “Let me help you and he’ll be your boyfriend in less than a month!” I was not going to believe that. Derek considered me a friend. I’m not sure how this equation would change in a month. But I wanted him to like me, as much as a halogen wants to get stable. So, I agreed. “Why are you doing this?” I asked him. “I like helping people.” “Thank you”, I mumbled. “Say it when you mean it”, Mason replied smiling as always.
