Chapter 1: Valentine's Day

I didn’t feel like getting up—I was too lazy to go to school. It was already seven in the morning, and I hadn’t even started getting ready. I don’t know, I just felt so unmotivated today.

I’m only in second year high school, but here I am, already being lazy. It’s not that I hate studying—my quiz and exam scores are always high, and I consistently do well in recitations and projects too. But sometimes, laziness just gets the better of me.

"Ugh, so tiring," I muttered to myself, finally deciding to get out of bed. I grabbed my towel and headed to the bathroom to take a shower.

I let out a deep sigh, in the end, I’m still going to school anyway.

"Dear, Athena."

That was Aunt Rosa’s voice, my mom’s sister who raised me ever since my mom passed away.

I was about to take a shower, but that didn’t happen. I was holding a bucket of water when I heard her enter my room. What could she possibly need?

"Yes, Auntie? I’m in the bathroom. Is there something you need?" I called out from inside. I even heard her laugh at what I said.

"Someone sent flowers and chocolates for you," she said, which completely shocked me.

Flowers? Chocolates? Who could they be from? I don’t have any suitors, and definitely no boyfriend.

"Do you have a boyfriend now? Oh my, Athena, your mom would rise from her grave if she found out you have a boyfriend," Auntie continued, joking around. She really knows how to tease, what if what she said actually came true? I hope not, and besides, that's not even on my mind right now.

"Auntie, I don’t have a boyfriend, you know I’m all about studying first, right? Besides, are you sure my name is on them?" I asked, lowering the bucket I was holding.

"Yes, it says Athena Sandoval. You might’ve forgotten your own name," she replied, making me laugh. "Even though my eyes aren’t what they used to be, I can still read small letters. I didn’t make a mistake reading that,” she continued.

"Alright, thank you, Auntie. Are you leaving?" I asked, giving in since what she said was true.

"Yes, I’m heading to work now. You can check downstairs after you’re done. And make sure you eat before you leave. I’m going now, take care, okay?"

"Yes, you too, Auntie." And I heard the door close. Suddenly, I couldn’t help but wonder, who would be interested in sending me flowers and chocolates? Could it be another prank from someone?

Out of curiosity, I finished my shower in less than ten minutes. Normally, it takes me around 20-30 minutes to shower, but today I was quick—probably because of the flowers and chocolates from someone I didn’t even know.

After I got dressed, I quickly went downstairs and headed to the living room. And there, I saw a bouquet of tulips and two boxes of chocolates.

Oh my God, how does he know that tulips are my favorite flowers?

"To: Athena Sandoval, From: Mr. Z. These flowers symbolize your sweetest and brightest smile the first time I saw you. I hope you like it, my Athena."

I was stunned after reading the small note. I don’t know why, but my heart was pounding in a way I’ve never felt before. And I’ve never felt this way in my whole life.

Mr. Z? Who is this? Do I even know him?

I walked into school in a daze. This was the effect on me after reading that note. It wouldn’t leave my mind no matter what I did.

"Happy Valentine's Day, Miss Rhea."

"Happy Valentine's Day, Zandra."

"Happy Valentine's Day, everyone."

Those were the kinds of phrases I heard around me. To be honest, they were kind of painful to hear, but I just ignored them and continued walking.

It was Valentine’s Day, after all—everyone seemed to be in love, but there were some like me who were bitter and without a partner. But no matter what, we all kept going with our lives.

"Hey! Athena Sandoval."

I stopped walking and turned toward the direction of the voice. It was my friend’s voice. This crazy girl actually said my full name.

Vanessa Agustin, my friend since childhood up to now.

"Are you okay? I’ve been calling you for a while, but you weren’t even listening," she said, her voice mixed with a bit of irritation. I shook my head in response and sighed, which made her even more confused.

"Do I know a guy whose name starts with the letter Z?" I asked. She didn’t answer right away, but she seemed to think about it.

"As far as I know, no. Why do you ask? Did someone send you a letter or, I don’t know, a death threat?" she replied, but I immediately hit her on the shoulder for saying that. This girl is crazy! I really don’t know why I’m still friends with her.

I ignored her and continued walking again.

"Hey, I’m just joking! You’re so serious," she said as she caught up with me, slinging her arm around my shoulder. "What’s going on? Why did you ask about that?" she asked curiously.

"Someone sent me flowers and chocolates earlier from a guy I don’t even know," I replied, causing her to stop in her tracks.

"Who sent them?" she asked, surprised.

"I don’t know either, it just says Mr. Z on the note," I answered.

"Are you sure the flowers and chocolates were really for you?"

"Is there another Athena Sandoval around our place? Isn’t it just me?"

"You’re right, I guess," she agreed. Ugh, this girl is really crazy. "But who could it be? I mean, there are guys who introduce themselves to you, but as far as I can remember, I haven’t met anyone whose name starts with Z. Could it be a schoolmate, or someone from another school?" she added.

"That seems unlikely to happen, but whatever, I’ll meet him eventually," I replied as we headed to our classroom.

When we entered, everyone was busy, each doing their part for the event later, while others were swooning over the flowers and chocolates they received. I just shook my head and walked over to my table.

"Oh? Who’s this from?"

Oh my gosh, another bouquet.