Chapter Text
Frye was having a hard time focusing. The lesson for today felt like it was dragging on and on, even some of her fellow classmates in the back of the class were asleep at their desks. It wasn't that she found learning boring, it was just the teacher that was. Didn't help that today in general was going to be a nightmare, well, to Frye at least. Thirty more minutes of the boring period, then a couple more classes until all shell breaks loose- Valentine's Day. She softly groans at the thought of it, all the boys and girls in school giving chocolates, cards, and other stuff to their friends or crushes. For everyone and not her. Again. Just like every Valentine's, Frye was the one left behind. She used to love this holiday years ago, even used to head straight for her locker or cubby to await her special gift from a special someone, but none ever came. Instead, all the others got or gave gifts and treats from their crushes or friends. Never her, and as the years went on, she grew to find it unbearable. Maybe she might get friendship chocolates, but who knows? And who needs a stupid holiday to show some affection that probably isn't-
"Hey. Is everything alright?" A poke at Frye's shoulder caught her attention. The poker sat next to her and was the inkling's friend: an octoling named Shiver. She was one of the more popular girls at the school, and every guy and girl always tried their luck to ask her out. Blue tentacles, with a few helped tucked back by a couple hair clips, ruby red eyes, and a cute button nose, the octoling was eye candy. No surprise that she'll get the most Valentines this year. "Having trouble with the material? I can help," Shiver leans in closer to whisper so as not to alert the teacher. Frye leans in response.
"Nah. I got it. It's just boring. Like, how are you this bad at a job you wanted?" Her jab at the teacher rewards her with giggles from Shiver, and she can't help but smile. Frye may have a small crush on her friend (who is she kidding, of course she does, and it's not a 'small' crush either), but she always brushes it off. A girl like Shiver could never like someone like her, so she takes what she can get. The little things like hanging out during lunch, or making her laugh, or just hearing about her day. That to Frye was enough. "I don't know how much longer I can take before-" she takes her thumb and makes a slicing motion across her neck, making a goofy dead face which makes Shiver giggle more.
*Ahem* The teacher stops what he's doing to grab the duo's attention before returning to his lecture.
Once his back is turned, they continue whispering. "Think you can help me study after class? You explain it better than he does," Frye points to the teacher with her eyes. "We can use the library, like always."
"Of course we can, but it might be busy 'cuz of Valentine's Day."
Ugh… that's right… Frye almost forgot that the student body thinks using the library for confessions or giving gifts is 'romantic'. If it really is going to be packed, where could they go? They might have to study after club activities or on a different day entirely. " *Sigh* I hate Valentine's Day," she tried to breathe out as quietly as possible so that the teacher wouldn't hear. "Wanna just annoy Big Man?" Frye smirks.
"Don't be like that," Shiver flicks the inkling's arm. "But yes, let's hang out together."
*AHEM* The teacher glares at the duo who jumped at the noise. "If you two don't pay attention, I'm going to keep you after class. Got it?"
"Yes sir," was said in unison, and the lecture carried on without another peep.
~~~~~~
*BRRRRRIIIIIIIINNNNNNGGGGGGG*
The bells rang throughout the school to signal everyone inside that the day of learning was over (save for the club activities), and that it was time for the real event of the day. Every inkling and octoling all with cards or gifts or flowers, whether given or received, were heading down the halls. All around there were the colors of red, pink, and white, colored symbols of love. And Frye hated it; well, actually annoyed by it. Even walking to her locker she can see all kinds of things taped to other's, and lucky her, she had nothing. Again. With a sigh she opens it up to put away a few things and take a textbook out. Closing the metal door, she sees Shiver coming over to get to her locker. "Hey, Sharky," Frye waves to her as she gets closer to her designated locker. "How's your day been?"
"Hmhm. Quite well, thank you. And you?" Shiver asks as she starts to open her locker, strangely having some trouble opening it as evident on her face that the metal door was not cooperating with her.
"Meh. Could be better. Just annoyed by this holiday so much. I'm not getting anything, so why should it be shoved in my face?" Frye lets out her frustration and leans back on the lockers. "At least you don't have to worry about getting Valentines."
"Oh, I doubt that it'll be anything that-"
*FWOOOSHHH*
All of a sudden, tons and tons of letters fall out of Shiver's locker. The reason why the door was having so much trouble opening. All the pink, red, and white envelopes trickle out the metal cubby like a waterfall onto the floor.
"Ah…" was all Shiver could say as she kneels down to collect the letters.
"Here," Frye kneels down to help pick up, earning a warm smile and a thank you from the octoling. "You're as popular as ever, heh."
" *Sigh* It seems like nobody understands that I'm not interested," Shiver crumples up some of the letters as she picks them up. "All they see me as is a pretty face. Never want to learn about me or about my love of sharks," she huffs. "At least I'm not forced to accept these."
"At least you get any," Frye copies the octoling's method in crumpling some of the letters, but her reasons were different. Maybe it was best to get their minds off the holiday, it was obvious that it was more of a hindrance than joyous. "Hey, did you ever find out if the library was packed or not?" The duo stands back up now that they got all the letters off the floor.
"Yep. And like I said, it's packed because of today," Shiver sighs and looks at Frye. "Would you be interested in studying after school?"
"I wish I could but I got a text from my Ma. Said that she needs me to babysit the twins," she groans. Why did her parents have to have a date today just because of some stupid holiday? "It's gonna be soooo boring. I wish I could just hang with you and Big Man."
Shiver giggles. "Well, it makes sense. We can just study tomorrow," she starts walking the other direction. "Mind helping me take these to the incinerator?" She looks back behind to see Frye walking towards her.
"You're as cold as ice," the inkling was now next to Shiver. "But yes," earning another giggle from the octoling beside her. The two continue their walk until they reach their destination, and Frye leaves the stack of letters to Shiver.
"Thank you. By the way, can we meet up after my club stuff? I need to give you something."
"Oh! Sure. I was just gonna hang around with Big Man for a while anyway."
"Perfect! I need to give him something as well," and she gives Frye a hug, not knowing that her actions made the inkling blush a little.
"Uh… I gotta go. Wouldn't wanna keep the big guy waiting, haha."
"Yes, yes. Well, have fun."
~~~~~~
"Ay… (That's not right either…)" in the corner of the music room was a large manta ray sitting by a piano, paper and pen in hand (or fin more accurately). Big Man was struggling to find the right tune for his next song project, but without substantial words to back up the music, it was pretty difficult. "Ay? (How are the lyrics coming along?)" He turns to his inkling friend to see what she's come up with so far.
"Mmm…" scribbling and erasing so much on the paper that it started to tear in some places, honestly, Big Man was kind of impressed by the struggle. Eventually she gave up and crumpled the paper into a ball before violently throwing it to a nearby trash can, sadly it did not make it into the basket. "Aaaggghhh! Come on, Frye!" Frye rustles her head before screaming at the ceiling, scaring Big Man a little in the process. "Why is it so hard right now?!?"
"A-Ay? (M-Maybe we should come back tomorrow?)
"Ugh," Frye scrunches up, "You're right. It's better when Shiver's here as well. I feel like I get a lot more done with her around."
Big Man went to say something, but decided that it's best not to agitate her anymore if she's this upset. "Ay. Ay. (Yeah. I'm having a bit of trouble too.)" He gathers up his papers and puts them in his backpack, making sure it doesn't get crumpled by the small box of chocolates he got from one of the Music Club members today. "Ay. Ay! (I gotta go now. Happy Valentine's Day!)" Big Man gives Frye a pat on the head before heading out.
"You too, I guess," Frye blows away a strand of tentacle hair in front of her face to the side. "Oh wait. Big Man-" she forgot that Shiver wanted to meet with the both of them after club activities, but the manta ray had already left. She sighs before getting up from her seat, thinking it was best to meet the octoling outside. Once out of the music room, she closes and locks the door with a spare key Big Man gave her. Finally, today was over. Now all she had to do was meet Shiver and then she can relax-
"Oh! There you are."
Speak of the Devilfish.
"I was wondering where you were, hmhm" Shiver was now standing in front of Frye, holding something behind her back and it intrigued her inkling friend.
"Funny, I was just thinking about you," Frye chuckles a little. "Anyway, what did you want to give me?" She asks as she tries to peek at what's behind her friend, it didn't matter since the octoling was now beginning to reveal what it was.
"Here," Shiver presents to the inkling a small package of sweets, the wrapping being clear so that whoever it was gifted to can see what's inside, and she wanted Frye to see all the contents. What she prepared was mostly chocolate that looked like she made them herself, but she also put in some store bought candies like gummy sharks and a bubble gum lollipop. "I know you don't like Valentine's Day, but I thought I should give you something special," and Shiver's warm smile brings it all together.
"Wo-oah!" Frye takes the candy she's given and holds it carefully, unsure if it was okay to open and eat despite it being just for her. "You didn't have to do this."
"Of course I had to," Shiver steps closer, "You should be happy on this day as well, Frye," and wraps her arms around the inkling and brings her into a hug. Unaware yet again that her actions caused the inkling to feel butterflies in her stomach.
Frye's arms had a mind of their own and returned the hug, not giving her time to process the embrace but still happy regardless. Then it hits her… "Wait. Big Man isn't here. You wanted to give him the same thing, right?" Frye breaks the hug.
"Oh, that's alright. I could just give it to him tomorrow," she pats her school bag, "It is just a silly holiday after all, heh," Shiver gives her another smile before waving goodbye and turning the opposite direction. "See you tomorrow, Frye."
"Yeah. See ya," Something about the way she said that made Frye feel a little sad inside. Why should she feel sad? She's never like Valentine's Day anyway, and this gift was just a friendship gift, but a part wishes it wasn't. No use thinking too much about it, there were some sweets to eat. Carefully opening the package, Frye can smell the sweetness of the chocolates. Yep, handmade. She grabbed one of the little brown cubes and popped it into her mouth. The creaminess of the chocolate melts in her mouth, coating her tongue in its sweet flavor. "Mmm! These are amazing!" Frye grabs another one out and does the same thing. This time though, there was a delicious treat inside this chocolate: caramel. Man, Shiver knows me so well! And as much as she wanted to eat the whole bag, it was best to not spoil herself. I mean her best friend/crush gave these to her, she better savor the moment. That also means that she has something to do on White Day too! That's right! I can give something to Shiver now! Frye walks opposite of Shiver's direction with a pep in her step and excited that she now had someone special to give something special. Maybe Valentine's isn't so bad after all… Frye thinks as she smiles and blushes to herself.
~~~~~~
"See you tomorrow, Frye," Shiver waves goodbye as she turns the corner. Once she was out of sight and made sure she was a ways away from Frye, she fell back to a wall, clutching her chest and blushing like crazy. "I… I finally did it!" And couldn't help but smiling wide, couldn't help the giddy and gleeful emotions she was feeling. "I did it I did it I did-" Shiver couldn't contain her excitement hopping and spinning around in joyous fashion. The rush of it all, finally, in some way, confessing her feelings to the one she likes. Frye. Sweet, dependable, cute Frye. In the distance, she can hear-
"Mmm! These are amazing!" The compliment echoes through the empty halls, meaning Shiver hears it more than once.
She… She loves them!
Suddenly dropping to a squat and cupping her face. Now her blush mixes with embarrassment.
Don't say it so loud!
She had to get away before she hears anymore from Frye, otherwise she'll be completely immobile. Holding her bag tightly, she sprints off with a blush and a smile on her face. She can't wait for White Day!