YA Prose: As If by Caitie
Megahn
It was almost the end of the lunch period when I saw him get up from the “guy table” across the canteen. “This is it!” I thought as he made his way over to our table. I had visions of him declaring his undying love for me in front of the whole cafeteria and, most importantly, Stacy. Oh, how I would love to see her awful face when she finally realized that Kye liked me, not her. How could a sweet, considerate guy like Kye ever fall for such a shallow twit as Stacy? I could only imagine the look on her face when he asked me to be his valentine.
But, in the middle of my image of Stacy writhing on the floor in pain, Kye took a sharp turn towards our classroom, and away from me. You see, Today is A) Valentine’s Day and B) rainy. So, our (not so) brilliant teachers decided that instead of cutting precious class time out of our day, they would move the Valentine’s Day party into the recess spot. After lunch you would go to the party in the place of an authentic recess.
I suppose you could say I was crushed when Kye didn’t even look at me on his way to the “party”. I didn’t speak for the rest of lunch. When it was time to go back to class I realized that I was the only one left at the table.
Once in the classroom, Mrs. Davis was already in the process of cleaning up the “party”. I thought I saw Kye look at me once or twice during the second part of the day. I honestly couldn’t care less. I was so mad at him; I didn’t care if he died in a hole in the middle of the Sahara Desert. I was officially over my three-year crush on him. He probably does like Stacy. It’s just as well. It’s not like I had a chance with him anyways.
Kye
“Okay, it’s now or never. Just stand up and go to the classroom!” Who am I kidding? I’ve been repeating these same words in my head all day! “Okay, just cool it.” I take a deep, cleansing breath, and all of a sudden I’m up! I also just happen to be moving! “Alright,” I said to myself “you can do this!” “Just turn right here in 3,2,1, GO!” “Okay a little abrupt, but I don’t think anyone noticed.”
You see, I’ve liked this girl since 2nd grade, when all the rest of my friends would have sold their souls for a lifetime of cootie protection. Her name is Megahn, and she is the deepest and nicest girl I have ever met, and believe me, I have met A LOT of girls! Most of the girls that I hang out with are like Stacy. Shallow and stupid. And, worst of all, a complete power hog. The only reason she likes me is because I’m popular. Megahn isn’t like that though. She sees me for me. The real Kye. That is what I really like about her.
Well, anyways, as you can probably tell, I like her tons more than I like anyone else at our school. So, since it’s Valentine’s Day, I have written all of my feelings down on paper in a note. It wasn’t easy. It’s hard just to talk about how I feel, let alone write in all down in a mushy love letter. It had to be done though. How else could I prove to her how much she means to me? I have put the note inside a little chocolate candy and the plan is to leave it on her desk.
As I walk into the classroom my palms start to sweat. I walk over to Megahn’s desk and set the candy down in the middle. Then I retreat to my desk and wait. I take out a comic book and settle down as if I’m going to read for the rest of the party. What I’m really doing is giving myself an excuse to look up every time someone walks in (which I do) and make it seem like I’m NOT waiting for someone (which I’m not so sure actually worked, but oh well).
About ten minutes later, Stacy walks in like the world should bow at the very sight of her. Uhg, she makes me sick. I looked up just in time to see her look my way and smile but I pretended like I didn’t see her so that she wouldn’t come over and talk to me. I didn’t look up for a real long time after that.
When she finally came in, I was shocked. She looked so angry! “What was her problem? Did I do something wrong?” I said to my self, wracking my brains trying to think if I could have caused this. Then, it hit me like a ton and half of green bricks. Of Course! She didn’t like me back! She thought my letter was from someone else, and was disappointed that it was me that had written her that letter.
I was devastated. My long hours of work to get that letter just right. Taking it to my sister, to make sure it was something a girl would actually want. Wasting four years of my life liking her. Wasted. Gone. Well, fine. I wasn’t planning on throwing away more time on what was obviously a hopeless case.
It wasn’t like I would have had a chance with her anyways.
Stacy
Near the end of lunch, I saw Kye stand up and head over towards our (the girls’) table. I turned back to the table and made sure I looked as good as the most popular girl in the sixth grade should. Just as I was presentable, he turned away, towards our classroom and the Valentine’s Day party. “Fine,” I thought to myself as he walked away, “go have fun now, because later, you will be mine!”
I almost laughed at the look on Megahn’s face. She was so sad! When will she understand that Kye likes me and not her? It’s not that difficult of a concept. Popular guys like popular girls, and, let’s face it, Megahn may be nice, but she was nowhere near as popular as me.
As I left the table a few minutes later, I caught a glance at Megahn’s face again. She was still pretty upset about the whole Kye not liking her thing. Ah well, let her sulk in disappointment. I was about to snag Kye, and there wasn’t any thing that could bring me down.
I walked into the classroom and saw Kye sitting at his desk reading a comic book. He took a peek at me and looked down just as I was about to come over and chat. That little look was all the confirmation I needed.
You see, Kye has been looking back at me for about two weeks and smiling. The problem is that poor Megahn thinks he’s been smiling at her. When clearly he has been admiring my beauty from afar. His little look had been one of sheer terror, which is the guy calling card for liking someone (one of the things I’ve learned over the years from my big sister).
As I headed for my desk I noticed a small candy heart on Megahn’s. I figured that someone (meaning Kye) had accidentally left it on her desk instead of mine. He must have been nervous. I picked it up and off of her desk and opened the foil wrapping. But, in the place of chocolate (which I totally didn’t need) was a note (which I totally did need). I opened it and read the content.
I felt a whole range of emotions. First there was confusion. Then I felt a whole lot of annoyance. Finally, the rage came at me like a torpedo.
HOW DARE HE WRITE THIS FOR HER!!
I crumpled the note in my hand, deciding what in the world to do with it. Finally, I concluded that the best way to keep her from reading this EVER would be to eat it. Which I did.
When Megahn came in she looked like she had been kicked in the ribs, and almost as mad as I was about that note. She sat down in a huff and her mood didn’t improve for the rest of the day. Once or twice I thought I saw Kye sneak a peek at her, but for the most part, he just focused on his work.
I was extremely proud of myself at the end of the day. I had single-handedly saved my popularity and my (future) boyfriend by destroying all hope of Kye and Megahn dating. It’s not like they would have made it anyways.
