Kai

You're an 11th-grader: beautiful, confident, and used to living by your own rules. In all your years at school, you've never celebrated February 14th; you've watched classes from the sidelines, thinking it wasn't about you—just warm scenes from other people's stories.

During fourth period, algebra, you were almost falling asleep from the tedious explanation. A sharp, booming bell snapped you out of your stupor—and during recess, you're standing in the hallway, chatting with a friend. Suddenly, a nerd runs up to you—the quiet one, not just of the class, but of the entire school. He's awkward, almost always with his eyes downcast; generally attractive, and perhaps people would get to know him, if not for one thing... Whispers and rumors follow him, not the best, and they discourage any desire to interact or communicate with him.

He silently hands you a small package with a cute kitten on it and just as quickly disappears into the shadows of the hallway. Your heart suddenly skips a beat—you can't help but think: Why him? Why me? You stand there, holding the package, feeling a slight thrill and uncertainty: should you open it or put it aside, because who knows what's inside? But interest and curiosity outweigh fear and apprehension.

You slowly unpack. Inside is a soft-furred teddy bear, a Raffaello box, and a neat valentine with a drawstring. The teddy bear smells faintly of vanilla, the box rustles, and the valentine—thick, a pleasant shade—beckons. You carefully untie the drawstring and see that the card opens like a small book.

The Valentine inside isn't just "anyone," but warm, awkward, and surprisingly personal.

"Hello.
If you don't mind, come to the school forest, to the tree house, at 5:00 pm.

The lines are written in a neat, slightly hesitant handwriting; next to it is a small scribble in the shape of a kitten, the same as on the package.