Peony on Valentines

Chapter One

The hallway is full of buzzing teenagers talking about the upcoming graduation in a few months. I am supposed to be as excited as they are but I just don't feel the positive vibes they all project. Maybe it's because I still don't know what I want to do with my life. It's like I'm waiting for something to happen without any idea of what it surely is. Somehow, a way out of this boring life? I've never thought about going to college either. No, I didn't send any application to a single university.

"What's with the long face?" Feline broke my train of thoughts as I reach my chair on our first subject which is math. She's my best friend and actually the only friend I have since I entered high school. I am not the type to socialize with people. I became distant when we moved here.

Here, in Lewington. A town I never thought existed until my parents needed a new 'environment'. Whatever that means.

Feline is one persistent bubbly girl that annoyed me to bits. When I realized I can't just ignore her, that's when I accepted her as a friend. I don't have much choice anyway.

I turned and looked at her. "Nothing." I took my backpack off and sat down. Feline is sitting at the chair behind mine and we are near the windows. She leaned in to whisper as our teacher entered the room.

"Happy birthday." I can sense the smile in her voice.  I'm surprised she actually remembered. Not even my parents greeted me. She's the first person who kept in mind this special occasion.

The day's not over yet so, maybe Tyler is yet to show up and surprise me. Tyler is my boyfriend for eight months and also a senior here in Lewington High.  Whenever there's an occasion, he would always prepare a surprise for me that leaves me breathless. He's a quarterback of our school's football team, making him famous among the female population. Not just that, he's also drool worthy with his bad boy looks.

I looked at the window as a hopeful smile appeared on my reflection. The day passed by in a blurr. As usual, Feline and I ate at the cafeteria. Plenty of girls are still giving me nasty looks. It's not new to me but it worsened when I started dating Tyler. 

Feline asked me what I wanted to do for my birthday. I shrugged. "Sleep?" And I looked at her sheepishly.

She hit me in the head and I glared at her. "What the he-?"

She cut me off. "How you just sleep your birthday out?" She exclaimed. I could see the wheels turning inside her head right now. No way in hell would she make me agree for another sleepover. Her snoring is very loud that it keeps me up all night.

"Not a sleepover idiot."  Wow! As if she read my thoughts.  Or did I say it out loud again? "I'm thinking more of movie night." Her eyes twinkled with excitement with the idea.

"It's weekday. We have class tomorrow?" I said a matter of factly.

She raised her hands exasperatedly. "Well,  what other idea do you have?  You know, where you include me in your 'celebration'?" She even emphasized the last word as she rolled her eyes.

I pursed my lips to stop myself from laughing at her antics and thought of something to cheer her up. "We could go shopping on Saturday."

Raised eyebrows and arms across her chest, she looked at me in disbelief.  I blinked a couple of times. "What?" I asked innocently.

The bell ringed, signalling the end of lunch break. Saved by the bell, I guess. I stood up and placed my tray on the tray counter. Feline groaned and followed me. As we walk in the hallway, she nudged my shoulder rather harshly. I narrowed my eyes and looked at her. She's pouting with matching puppy eyes.

I rolled my eyes. "Fine. I'll keep my word. We are going shopping on Saturday. Yay." Can you feel how excited I am?  Please note the sarcasm.

She beamed at me. "You'll enjoy, I'm sure." After patting my head, she turned to the door and entered without goodbye. Her subject is Biology while I headed to my History class. My phone suddenly vibrated from my jean's pocket.