Wanting You (Book 1)

V-Day

Astrid's POV

February was the month of love, and the special day, Valentine's Day, was vastly approaching. All the girls anticipated the day to show off. It was always a competition of who received the largest bouquet of flowers, the biggest box of chocolates, the cutest poems and love notes, and who received the grandest kiss.

Of course, Annalise and Trent were adored for moments like those. He always wowed her with the perfect gifts and best gestures, each year more extravagant than the other, and as we were all now seniors, everyone was looking forward to the last gesture from the two.

Annalise always gave Trent nice gifts, too. Weekend spa passes, a Rolex, and even a tropical getaway in her family's private jet one time. He loved the lifestyle she provided, and she loved his attention and efforts.

~

On the other hand, I had nothing going on for me in the love department and never did. I had no idea how Butterfly-awakening it must feel like to receive a box of chocolates or a bunch of roses from someone who liked me or admired me. I usually lowered my head in the hallways as I walked by, and the other girls were opening their lockers to their pretty surprises.

~

I wanted that. Even if it was only once, I wanted that feeling, but I knew it wasn't going to happen. Who liked me?

~

"Today is such a blur," Keri said as we grabbed lunch in the cafeteria and headed over to a table.

"What's up?" I asked her, taking a seat.

"Mr. Lopez is his usual difficult self, and Mr. London just gave me a last-minute assignment to make up for my grades."

"That's nice of him."

"I'm beginning to drown in school work, homework, assignments, and studies. I can barely catch a break! Senior year was supposed to be some sort of freedom year."

"Common misconception. It's actually one of the most difficult years. It's the year to align everything for your future, bring your grades up, college, extracurriculars, grades and grades, and grades again," I explained.

"Ugghhh. Don't rub it in," Keri groaned as she ran a hand down her face.

"Looking forward to tomorrow?" I asked her, changing the topic at hand.

"What's happening tomorrow..oh, Valentine's Day?"

"Yep."

"Nope, I'm not looking forward to that. My hopes be high, and then they drop whenever I open my locker and find a big empty box of nothing. No chocolates, no roses, no notes. Nada! I have zero admirers at this school. Why?"

"We don't socialize with the opposite s*x. You and I.. that's all it has been."

"Now, that's just sad. We're going out sad, Astrid."

"I don't see it that way."

"But I do. We have no memories to visit, no stories to tell about a boy, and our first kiss."

"I know."

~

We finished lunch and headed to the remainder of classes we had day.

~

The next morning, February 14th, the hallways of the school were basically as sea of red. Girls screamed and squealed in delight and happiness when they got their roses and flowers and gifts from their boyfriends and admirers. Lips were locked everywhere I turned, and all I wanted to do was to get to class. This behavior wasn't allowed in the classrooms.

~

Mr. London had us assigned into four groups, pinning me as one of the group leaders. We were to construct a fictional family tree and life, giving each character his and her role.

"I'm usually the group leader, I can not believe Mr. London appointed you," Jessica Freeman said from through gritted teeth as she stared daggers in my direction.

"Then perhaps you should take that up with Mr. London himself," I responded to her.

"I wouldn't do that, but I would like to know what he was thinking appointing you over me," she said back.

"Okay, Jessica. You've always been the leader. Perhaps it's time someone else gets a chance at being so,"Josh Bryan defended me.

"Thank you," I said to him as Jessica recoiled.

"Great. Now, can we discuss the assignment at hand?"

"Of course."

We started on our fictional family tree and life, coming up with ways to make the project as creative and realistic as possible. We all needed a good grade as it was going to count for the finals.

~

After Socials class, I had a free period and I decided to spend it in a quiet corner, reading one of my favorite romance novels.

Almost through the first chapter, I heard soft laughter in the form of giggles coming from the other room. Curiosity got the better of me when the laughter grew louder. Closing my book, I got up and went to peek.

Slowly, I opened the door, concealing myself enough to stay out of eyeshot but enough to have myself a peek.

I noticed the hair. No doubt it was Annalise, and she was with someone. "Trent," I mumbled to myself but as the figure picked her up off of the table and planted a kiss on her lips, I saw that it wasn't Trent!

I couldn't believe my eyes. I blinked again to have a clearer look. It wasn't Trent!

"I got you something," he told her.

"What is it?" she asked him. He then retrieved a small gift box from one of his back pockets and handed it to her. Her eyes lit up as she opened it and took out a necklace.

"Happy Valentine's Day, baby," he told her.

"Thank you. I like it," she responded.

"As much as you like me?" he asked.

"Hmm. Let me show you," she answered and she kissed him again. She moaned as his lips went to her neck and his hand went underneath her skirt. She slide down his body and he turned her backwards onto a desk right before positioning himself behind her. She arched her back, pulling her hair out of the way and he used that moment to secure the necklace around her neck.

Then more things started happening and I averted my eyes and myself from looking on again.

~

School was out and there was a crowd in the parking lot. Trent had made his grand gesture for Annalise who came out of the building looking all surprise and happy.

Keri and I looked on from the sidelines. We watched as he handed her the biggest bunch of roses I've seen today and the largest box of chocolates in different shapes and sizes. He then got down on a knee and everyone gasped, including me.

"He isn't going to do what I think he's going to do?" Keri questioned.

"He better not," I answered softly more so to myself.

He pulled out a box and everyone else pulled out their cellphones, recording the moment.

He popped the box open and a ring was inside of it.

"Say yes!" someone shouted from the crowd. Annalise blinked back tears.

"Relax, it's not what you all think," Trent said to the crowd. "It's a promise ring because I want to promise you, my beautiful girlfriend, no matter what or where life takes us, even in opposite directions, I'll be there for you. I love you," he finished and slipped the ring onto Annalise's index finger.

"I love you too," Annalise said and I scoffed aloud. I couldn't believe her. She didn't love him and I wanted to tell everyone else about what I saw but I knew I couldn't do that. It wasn't my place.

"I've seen enough. And I've forgotten my math book in my locker. I'll be right back," I told Astrid and made a beeline towards the building and for my locker.

I opened it.

A rose fell out and a box of chocolates was there. Underneath, a note:

Happy Valentine's Day

From Your Secret Admirer.