Paper Hearts(Phoenix Rafferty) Today was February 5th, a cold rainy morning- the sort of start that made me wish that I didn’t care about school as much as I did, so I could turn my bright blue Toyota Rav 4 around and head back to my warm home, and bed. Though it being my senior year most days seemed to linger over me the same. My eyes darted to the time in the center of my car, 8:10 am. That gave me exactly less than five minutes to make it to to my British Lit. class on the first floor, from this parking space. I took a deep breath in as I slung my backpack over my shoulder, and dashed up the stairs through the downpour...I swung open the door to my class with heaving breaths, like a sopping wet dog, and plopped down in my seat. The eyes around the room glared at me, as my teacher cleared her throat- “Mindy maybe go see the lost-and-found for a change of clothes..” I felt my face turn warm and red as a lobster, as I stormed out quickly.

Too small. Too short. To ? The lost-and-found bin did not look promising, until I came across a oversized men’s navy coat at the bottom...I put it on and zipped up, this would do for the next couple of hours. At least I no longer looked like a lobster, only a lobsterman. Freezing up, I scanned the hall, with the feeling as if I was being watched..it was first period, no one was there. Perhaps I was being subconscious over my unusual appearance due to my encounter with that dreaded rain in the morning. I placed my hands in the unexpected cozy fleece pockets, and meandered for a couple or so more minutes around the school, in avoidance to heading back to class.

After roughly two loops around the school, I leaned against the lockers outside of my class to soak in my last moments of absence. I dug my hands deeper down into the fleece pockets in hopes to get off the goosebumps creeping up my arms from the weather- Then I hit something, and it rustled around. I pulled out a somewhat crinkled up piece of notebook paper, folded into the shape of a heart with an arrow pointing to some words. “To you, yes you.” I read aloud. My face lit up in excitement, in my realization that this must be a love letter to someone. I began to unfold it, but stopped myself knowing that it probably wasn’t my business..but- “Dear Person , I don’t know exactly who you are, but I believe that this letter found you for a reason. I am the least likely of people to write something of this sort, but it’s my senior year, and I thought that I would give love one last shot. I would rather not reveal my identity until you reveal yours. If you would like to participate in this experiment, please leave your response in locker 115, second floor.” My heart fluttered.

Eventually, I trudged my way back into class and walked over to my friend Ada sitting on the right side of the room. “Pstt..What are we supposed to be doing?” I whispered. “Girl, first off what even is that jacket?” She chuckled slightly. “Listen, it’s all they had left. Just tell me you big goof.” I responded slyly. “Alright alright, fine. She is giving us a free period just to write something, anything. She won’t read it, but she’s just making sure you completed at least a paragraph or two-” Ada started. “Thanks,” I said before she could finish. The thing about Ada, as much as I adored her- she was quite the chatterbox, which is normally fine..until I need to finish an assignment. I went to my desk and started tapping my pen against my chin out of thoughtless habit. I reached my cold hands into the navy coat’s pockets, and my fingers found the crumbled-up heart-shaped piece of notebook paper, pulling it out. I’ve got nothing else better to do. I pulled out my own piece of notebook paper and changed to my favorite purple pen. Dear Anonymous, I hope this letter finds you happy and well. Stop. That was terrible, restart. I sighed as I lost my train of thought, not knowing what or how to begin. This was nothing like I had ever done before.

After using the entire class period, I finished my letter by the bell, and Ms. B my teacher seemed impressed with how much I had accomplished during the assignment because I never was much of a writer. I stumbled out the door into the sea of towering people (in comparison to my 5,3 ½ height- oddly specific I know lol), and began to push my way through to find locker 115 on the second floor, to deliver my letter. As I made my way, Charlie (high school jock, and certified jerk) jammed his shoulder into mine as he pushed in the opposite direction. “Hey!” I shouted. “Out of my way four eyes. I lost my jacket.” He said not looking back. Ugh. It’s people like Charlie, why I never desired to be popular... People like him are self-entitled A* (I won't say that, I can't) like no one but themselves. I know Charlie never liked me, ever since grade school. I wonder? No this navy jacket couldn’t be his- he would’ve picked it out. I finally made it to my destination on the second floor, slipped the letter into the locker, and left before any prying eyes could catch me.

The unknowing of my new pen pal bothered me all that day. Until I finally reached my final class of the day (and my favorite) Yearbook. The yearbook had access to almost all information for all students in our little high school here in Washington- including the locker numbers and schedules. “Hey Ada, do you have the book with all the names and such?” I asked. She nodded and pushed a big, thick, teal binder over my way as she continued to type viciously working on the soccer article she had due soon. I opened the book and traced down the locker numbers until I reached 115, and it was - blank. This had put a stunt in my solving of the mystery. But again, who knows how old this note was. Despite it, I was bound to find out who, what, where, and how- because just like Charlie said, I am four eyes, and I am proud of it. Surely, somewhere it is scientifically proven that people who wear glasses are more likely to be intelligent than sweaty messy athletes...if not, at least it is my strong opinion.

The following day I returned to locker 115, only to find a response “Dear You, I see that you signed this anonymously. It seems you have challenged me, as much as I have you. Let’s keep this going for a little while longer, and see if one day we’ll take down our hidden identities. Hope to hear from you soon.” I read. I felt my face turning into a lobster once more, but this time not out of embarrassment, but rather flirtatious excitement. I nodded to myself, knowing that what I had just gotten myself into was going to be the peak of my high school career- I finally felt the courage to say, and be myself without feeling the pressure of my prerequisites from others.

Soon it turned to once a week, to the anonymous person and I writing every day- until one day I believe it became unbearable for both of us. How was it even possible to be madly, and incredibly in love with someone I had never even seen face to face? My anonymous person was sweet, kind, and loving to me, without even knowing who I was either. I think it was worth it to finally take down the mask. February 11th, I received an invitation to meet behind the football field, at 5:00 before the game- a common meeting spot, since almost the entire school would be there. Almost everyone in my classes noticed a change in attitude, rather than acting exhausted, I was exhilarated - even Charlie (the boy who hates me) said “You’re smiling a lot today, four eyes. It’s nice.” Wow. That was nice.

I stayed after school that day until the sky began to darken, and I found myself at least ten minutes early (to be prompt) leaning against the shed outside the football field. I kept checking my watch out of nervousness until a shadowy figure emerged. “Mindy?” the voice called out. I nodded, and stepped out, as I locked eyes with a pair of icy blue eyes that had been familiar to me since grade school. “Charlie,” I said a bit coldly. “I had a feeling it was you, I never had seen you smile as big as you did today.” He responded goofily. I gave him a brief smile, “But, are you sure you mean all those things you said? Even about a four eyes?” I said shyly. “Yes, yes, a million times yes. I wanted to find someone who could see me for past my popularity, and reputation, and you did that- and I have never felt for someone like I do you, and just- just- seeing you like this makes me fall for you even more.” He spurts.

I continued to look into his eyes, as my stare softened- and then I felt a pair of hands around my waist pull me into a deep kiss. The world around me swirled, as my heart beat out of my chest, and everything went silent. So this is what love felt like. Little paper hearts, and long embraces. He stopped and grabbed my hand. I stared at him confused as he pulled out a black sharpie, and flipped my hand over to reveal my forearm- “14” He wrote. “That’s your jersey number,” I said. “Yes, and now it’s yours too.” He smirked.

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