Valentine's Day

“You’re gonna be busy soon, huh?” said Cali when we started packing our stuff.

“Why is that?”

“Well, it’s almost Valentine’s day and I bet people will gather around you to listen to your advice.”

The idea of Valentine’s day drawing near made my already tired brain collapsed. The most important event among students will be next week.

“You should really collect some fee from them, y’know?”  interrupted Rigo. My brothers entered the classroom and sat on one of the vacant chairs.

“Hurry packing up, Lin Lin. I need to catch a new show today,” said Jiro. He shoved down my pencil case to my bag and helped me put on my backpack.

We always went home together, unless the twins made a mistake that day and needed to stay late for their punishment.

My brothers walked down the corridors sneakily, always looking over their shoulders, and got startled easily with the slightest touch.

“AAAH!” Jiro yelped when I touched his shoulder.

“You two…” I started talking in an accusing tone. “Who’s the teacher you’re running away from?”

I know my brothers too well not to know that they’ve done something wrong again today. Plus, they usually act like this when they’re running away from someone.

“We’re not!” Rigo denied. He looked over his shoulder to see if there’s someone who heard him.

Cali was also at my side eating her favorite fish chips. She’s already used to seeing this, as well.

My brothers didn’t let their guard down until we reached the school gate. When they passed the final hurdle, they high-fived each other and sighed.

“I knew I’d catch you if I wait here, you little poltergeists!” Said a deep voice beside us.

Jiro and Rigo slowly turned their heads towards that direction. “Hello, Teacher Melvin.” Their voices slightly faltering.

“We’re just seeing off our sister. We’re about to head back after,” lied Rigo. He gave me his and Jiro’s bags. “We asked her to take our bags with her. That’s why we brought it.”

“Really…” Their teacher walked slowly towards them, but every step he took felt so heavy, and I saw my brothers trembled every time he got closer.

“Good luck, brothers!” I said cheerfully. Cali who was still eating her fish chips just waved her hand.

On our way home, Cali and I stopped at a small store where we usually had snacks. It’s like a humbled-down convenience store.  I bought two sandwiches and a fruit juice.

“Here.” I gave a sandwich and juice to Cali. Sometimes I bought her food if I noticed that she was not given an allowance that day.

“It’s fine. I already have a snack,” she said, showing me the fish chips she was eating.

“Hey, stop eating that. At least have a proper snack, you always eat those fish chips.” I was already starting to worry for her health. I understood that it was a cheaper alternative but sometimes she even ate fish chips during mealtime.

“You feel bad for me, Lin Lin?” She reached for the sandwich and juice on the table. She tilted her head downwards and took a bite of the sandwich. “That you know… We’re poor.”

“I genuinely care for your wellbeing. But I would be lying if I’d say your situation didn’t cross my mind.” As much as I don’t want her to feel bad, I still don’t like lying to people who are close to me. I guess I made the right answer. I thought she would get angry and say ‘I don’t need your pity’ like the novels I’ve read.

“Thanks!” She said. Cali sipped the juice I’ve given her. “If we get older, I’ll buy lots of food and things that you’ll like.”

“That’s what I’m going to say. Nothing comes for free. Plus, you might have a higher chance of finding a good job than me. You’re really good at school,” I said.

I slept feeling relieved that Cali didn’t take my help the wrong way. A lot of people do, and sometimes, I get it. But I usually don’t.

“Better sleep early. I have a ton of clients waiting for me tomorrow.” I murmured. “Curse you, Valentine’s…”

My day started chaotic. The moment I stepped in our classroom, my desk drowned with students waiting for me— some were my friends and some were people I had never seen before.

“The more my feelings grow, the more I wanna bother her. Why won’t she like me?” said the guy with a frivolous hairstyle. He said it in a poetic way with his hand clenched to his chest as if suffering from a heartbreak. “She’s the only person I annoy. How come she wouldn’t appreciate my effort?”

I wanted to tell him that he already said the reason. But one should always ask important questions, “I’m sorry to interrupt when you’re having a moment, but who are you?”

“Huh? Aren’t you the love expert of grade five? Who I am isn’t important.” He answered, and continued to blabber about his crush again until the bell rang for the first period.

This was the time that I felt glad to hear the first period bell.

I hated lunchtime and recess when Valentine’s day is around the corner, it might look joyous with lots of people in the classroom but when you’re the center of attention, it becomes exhausting.

“Should I give her chocolates or donuts?”

“Isn’t it too soon to ask her on a date?”

“I’m so nervous to give him my homemade cupcakes.”

“Maybe you can third-wheel so that I won’t feel as nervous.”

“Any tips on how to woo a girl?”

That was their usual problems. Just like that, I bid goodbye to my precious lunchtime. I didn’t even got a chance to eat.

Psst…

I looked around and saw Cali signaling me to come closer. I moved my chair towards her, “Yeah?”

“Eat this fast, before our teacher comes.” She gave me something wrapped in a banana peel. “I prepared that this morning.”

I unwrapped the peel hastily. It has a piece of fried chicken and rice. “Isn’t it for you?” I felt guilty taking food from her, I planned on declining her offer but it would have sounded so wrong. Aside from that, if I were in her shoes, I don’t want to be on the receiving end all the time.

“Thanks, Cal! You’re the best.” I winked at her and returned to my seat.