It was the first day of February, and the school hallways were already starting to fill with red and pink decorations. The scent of chocolates and flowers hung in the air, reminders of the upcoming holiday that made many people both excited and anxious. Diane could already feel the tension in the air as the students started whispering about plans for Valentine’s Day. But for her, the upcoming holiday felt different this time. It wasn’t just a reminder of love, but of the journey she had taken over the past year. It felt like a moment in time she could either dread or embrace. And, for the first time in her life, she wasn’t afraid of it.
She was sitting at her desk, sketching absentmindedly, when a piece of paper slid across the desk to her. Diane looked up to see Aaron, his hands resting on the edge of the desk, a sheepish smile on his face.
“Got a minute?” he asked, his voice calm yet carrying that same warmth that always made her heart race.
Diane nodded, brushing her hair behind her ear. “What’s up?”
Aaron shifted on his feet, hesitating for just a moment before his eyes met hers. "Well... I was wondering if you’d want to go out with me on Valentine’s Day. I mean, I know we’ve already spent a lot of time together, but it’s Valentine’s Day, and... I thought it might be nice to do something special, just the two of us."
Diane’s heart skipped a beat. Her pulse quickened as the words processed in her mind. A date. A real date. Valentine’s Day.
It had been a long time since she had allowed herself to consider the idea of romantic love again. Even after a year with Aaron, the weight of her past still made her cautious. She’d learned to trust him, but this was different. Valentine’s Day wasn’t just another date—it was a day to celebrate love, a day where expectations ran high, and the fear of losing someone because of her own emotional baggage threatened to overwhelm her.
But then she looked at Aaron. The sincerity in his eyes, the quiet confidence in his smile—it made her want to believe in something. It made her want to say yes.
"Are you sure you want to spend it with me?" Diane asked, her voice almost a whisper. "I mean... there are a lot of other people you could be with. I don’t want you to feel like you have to."
Aaron chuckled, shaking his head as he reached for her hand across the desk. "I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else," he said, his thumb gently brushing her skin. "It’s you, Diane. That’s all I need."
Diane blinked, a blush rising to her cheeks. She tried to look away, but his gaze held her captive, and the warmth in her chest grew. It was moments like this—when she was reminded of how much Aaron cared—that made her question everything she had believed about herself. She had convinced herself for so long that love was something she shouldn’t seek, that it would only hurt others. But Aaron, he didn’t see her that way. He didn’t care about her past, only about who she was now and the future they could build together.
She nodded slowly, a small, shy smile forming on her lips. "Okay," she said, her voice soft but steady. "I’d love to."
Aaron’s face lit up, his smile widening, and Diane couldn’t help but smile back. The uncertainty she had felt earlier was slowly melting away, replaced by something brighter, something that made her chest feel lighter.
"Great!" Aaron exclaimed quietly, as though trying not to draw attention from the other students. "It’s a date, then. I’ll pick you up at seven?"
Diane nodded again, feeling her heart beat a little faster. "I’ll be ready," she replied.
---
The days leading up to Valentine’s Day felt like a whirlwind. Diane couldn’t stop thinking about it—about what she would wear, about how she would act, about how everything felt so important. But as much as she thought about the day itself, she couldn’t deny that the nervousness came with a sense of excitement. For the first time in a long while, she wasn’t dreading a significant date. Instead, she was eager to see what would happen next with Aaron, with the future they were slowly building together.
When Valentine’s Day finally arrived, Diane stood in front of her mirror, adjusting the soft sweater she had chosen to wear and running her fingers through her hair. She wanted to look nice, to feel confident, but it wasn’t about impressing Aaron—it was about doing something for herself. Taking this step with him, not as a form of duty or obligation, but because she genuinely wanted to experience this with him.
Just as she finished getting ready, the sound of the doorbell echoed through the house. Diane’s heart skipped a beat as she glanced at the clock—7:00 PM, right on time.
She took a deep breath before making her way downstairs, finding Aaron standing at the door, looking effortlessly handsome in a well-fitted jacket and jeans. He smiled the moment he saw her, and for a moment, Diane felt like she could breathe again. Everything was right in this moment.
"Wow," Aaron said, his voice filled with admiration as his eyes swept over her. "You look amazing."
Diane’s cheeks flushed, but she smiled shyly. "Thank you," she replied, feeling the warmth of his gaze on her.
Aaron stepped forward, holding out a small bouquet of flowers. "For you," he said gently.
Diane’s heart fluttered at the gesture. "You didn’t have to," she whispered, feeling the weight of his thoughtfulness.
"I wanted to," Aaron said, his smile soft and sincere. "Let’s make this a night to remember."
---
The evening was everything Diane could have hoped for. Dinner at a cozy little restaurant followed by a walk through the quiet streets lit up by soft lamplights. They talked, laughed, and shared stories about their childhoods and their dreams for the future. For the first time, Diane didn’t feel the weight of her past hanging over her. She was simply there with Aaron, enjoying the moment, allowing herself to feel loved without the guilt that had so often clouded her heart.
As they walked back to Diane’s house, Aaron stopped in front of the gate. "Thank you for tonight," he said, his voice low but full of emotion. "I’ve been waiting for this day for so long."
Diane’s heart beat in her chest, and for the first time in her life, she let herself believe that maybe, just maybe, she could have everything she ever wanted. Love, happiness, and peace.
She smiled at him, her eyes soft and full of trust. "Me too," she whispered. "I’ve been waiting too."
Aaron stepped closer, his hands gently cupping her face, and for the first time in a year, Diane allowed herself to kiss him. It was soft, tender, and full of all the promises they had yet to make.
As they pulled away, Diane rested her forehead against his, closing her eyes as a sense of contentment washed over her.
"Happy Valentine’s Day, Diane," Aaron murmured, his voice warm and steady.
"Happy Valentine’s Day, Aaron," she whispered back, her heart finally at peace.
YOU ARE READING
Fatal Strings
Mystery / Thriller"Every love she touches ends in death. But what if love is the only thing that can save her?" Diane has lived her life shadowed by tragedy. Every boy she's ever loved has met a mysterious, untimely end-from playground accidents to fatal falls. Haunt...
