AMATEURS [Tenya Iida x OC]

Chapter 24 - The One When it's Valentines Day

-

A note found its way to Peri's desk during Midnight's class.

It slipped under her elbow, passed to her in such a sneaky fashion that she wasn't sure exactly who had passed it to her. To be honest, she didn't even notice it was there until she stretched, her movement knocking it loose from her desk and into her lap. Nerves coiled in her stomach, and Peri's eyes flicked up to Midnight as she hid the note up her sleeve.

Midnight either didn't notice, or didn't care. She kept discussing the graffiti styles of Europe, and launched into a discussion of Banksy with fervor, gesturing wildly at her presentation.

Peri bowed her head and unfolded the note, smoothing the paper out under her fingers. It was from Ochaco: Peri! You need to help us make Valentine's food for the boys. Please please please pleasepleasepleaseeeeeeee THANK YOU! :) Meet us by the willow after class! We're going shopping! xo Ochaco

Biting back a laugh, Peri bit her lip and shook her head in admiration. Her friend had too much pep sometimes. Folding the note up silently, Peri stowed it in her pencil case and rested her chin in her palm, sneakily chancing glances across the classroom at Ochaco. When they finally made eye contact, Peri gave her a small nod and a wink.

Ochaco did a happy dance in her desk and shot back a thumbs-up before getting back to note taking. Peri did the same, finding her mind wandering toward Valentine's Day gifts for Tenya.

-

Tenya found Peri at her locker at the end of the day.

"Hi," he grinned, popping his head over the top of her locker, accidentally scaring the bejeezus out of her.

She screeched, falling over gracelessly, smacking herself on every possible surface on the way down.

Watching the whole thing in slow motion, Tenya reached for her hand, catching only empty air in his fist. He grimaced and knelt down in front of her, face-palming. "My apologies."

Peri giggled, bursting into full, free laughter as she processed what had happened. "I'm okay," she insisted, resting her hand on Tenya's knee as she hoisted herself back up to her feet.

Tenya examined a reddening welt on her arm as Peri finished changing into her outside shoes and gathered her homework supplies. "Cafe?" he asked after pressing the lightest of kisses to her injury. He was sure it would bruise by nightfall.

"I actually have to go help the girls with something," Peri said, closing her locker and leaning up against it with her backpack in her arms. She chewed her lip and studied Tenya's face, looking for more inspiration for Valentine's Day. "Maybe we can study in your room tonight after I get back?"

Smiling, Tenya bent down and kissed Peri's cheek. Their glasses clinked together at the motion, making them both laugh. "Deal. Just let me know if you need help with anything before then, yes?"

"Of course," she giggled, gripping his hand and squeezing twice. "Walk me to the willow?" Peri swung her backpack over her shoulder with one strap.

"Of course," he echoed.

They walked and chatted, Peri gesturing animatedly with her free hand and Tenya making chopping motions with his. Cherry blossoms rained down around them, filling the air with pink snow and coating the sidewalks in crumpled petals. Tenya tried to catch one for her - for good luck - and kept failing. But it made her laugh, so he didn't really mind.

"PERI!"

They froze in the middle of the sidewalk, not realizing that they'd already made it back to Heights Alliance. The willow was just a few feet away and all of the girls from 2-A stood beneath it, shivering in their cute after-school clothes and jackets. Tsuyu waved and Momo gestured for Peri to join them.