Work Text:
As if sitting down in a classroom for eight hours a day five days a week wasn’t counterproductive enough, the week of Valentine’s Day was an absolute nightmare for Sandrone. It was all everyone talked about. Her classmates’ increased chatter would disturb her attempts at reading or napping. All that time could be spent on studying instead. Maybe if others tried to do the same, they could at least look less stupid. Even her fellow students at her club slacked off during the week. To her dismay, the awaited day was on Friday. An entire week went to the trash.
On Thursday, she was much snappier than usual. While trying to focus on her practice book, her deskmate woke up from her nap that had lasted through the entire morning lessons. Sandrone never understood how Columbina was able to sleep through such commotion for hours on end. Yet it was also appreciated with how much she liked teasing the beige haired girl. The aloof girl looked around, seemingly still not completely awake. Sandrone heard the boys behind them whisper about what kind of chocolate they thought she would enjoy. A girl from the other side ranted to her friend about how it was unfair that the indifferent Columbina had her crush’s attention. Sandrone sighed and tried to focus back on her problem.
‘’What are they talking about, Sandrone?’’ came the voice of her actual problem.
‘’Valentine’s Day.’’
‘’What is Valentine’s Day?’’
Sandrone wanted to deadpan at how Columbina didn’t know when it was all people talked about. But then again, Columbina usually slept for almost the entire day and didn’t even properly listen to people as they spoke to her. ‘’It’s a day celebrated annually on fourteenth of February when lovers express their affection to one another with gifts and dates.’’ She didn’t want to bother with this conversation.
‘’Then why are those who are single also talk about it?’’
‘’People also take it as a chance to confess to their crush, usually by giving them chocolate.’’
‘’What kind of chocolate?’’
What was the meaning behind this conversation? Out of all the people who would jump at the opportunity to talk about it, Columbina was bothering someone who actually wanted to work once again. The girl tried her best to keep her voice low as she read her problem once more while speaking. ‘’Some people buy it whereas some make it. Whatever flavor their crush likes. It’s up to you.’’
‘’I see,’’ the girl put her head back on her desk, facing away from Sandrone, ‘’What kind of chocolate should I give her…’’
For a moment, Sandrone felt as if her heart was sinking. A sharp, suffocating sensation was present in her chest, one she had never felt before. She didn’t want to believe the cause was Columbina’s words. It had to be some kind of illness. She didn’t care about her classmate enough to get jealous about who she had a crush on. They weren’t even friends, no matter what the other said. Sandrone did not and could not care. Columbina could give chocolates to whoever she wanted and it would actually be good if she got a girlfriend. She would bother Sandrone less and the latter could give her undivided attention to her studies. In fact, she would cheer for the black haired girl in her romance.
Unable to focus on her practice book, Sandrone went on a walk to get some fresh air. When she came back, Columbina had already fallen asleep again.
────୨ৎ────
Who was the girl Columbina crushed on? It had to be the tall, handsome girl in their class that all the girls revolved around. She was well-mannered too, Sandrone had seen them talk a couple times and her deskmate had paid much more attention to their conversation much more than with her other classmates. She could make a good partner indeed. She could offer a protection the beige haired girl wouldn’t be able to. The opposite of Sandrone.
Or maybe the popular transfer student who befriended Columbina. The blonde girl’s kindness and charm had earned everyone’s respect. She found her to be somewhat fake, in a way she couldn’t really explain nor would care to. Nevertheless, Columbina could have someone reassuring by her side if it was her. The opposite of Sandrone. Her anxiety even drifted off to the girl from the theater club. Dramatic and elegant, she was entertaining. Sandrone had known her since elementary school albeit never being close. She could make Columbina laugh and have fun carelessly. The opposite of Sandrone.
The options came to a halt alongside her pacing around the kitchen. Whoever it was, she was certain it wasn’t her. Sandrone wasn’t even nice to Columbina. When finally awake, she didn’t understand why the black haired girl wanted to spend her time teasing her deskmate instead of socializing with others she could get along better with. It was ridiculous to even imagine being given chocolates considering how unpleasant she was.
As she took out the flour and eggs, she wanted to think their time spent together meant something. She wished she could put down her defenses and allow Columbina to see a soft side she could like. Her body moved against her will to ready the bowl. Quickly shaking off the previous hope, the young girl told herself it was only for all the times her classmate had looked after her: walking her home, waiting for her at the library, bringing Sandrone coffee during exams… It was ‘‘galentines’’ as the girls in their class called it. Not romantic, it couldn’t be.
She didn’t have the time or energy for a relationship anyway. With how beautiful Columbina was, she was sure to get lots of chocolate, her deskmate wouldn’t stand out. Sandrone got called pretty or even cute as well, but her personality kept any potential admirers away. Her earlier thoughts were just an intrusive result of pent up stress. She was not jealous. All she needed was to drink some green tea and enjoy her book. Calming down would solve everything.
Too busy in her mind, Sandrone’s eyes widened when she saw the heart shaped chocolates she had subconsciously made. She undid the shape for classic round ones instead.
────୨ৎ────
The class was mostly empty ten minutes before the first bell rang, the students slowly filling the small space. With the chocolates under her desk - in a plain white bag that could be mistaken for anything else - Sandrone bit on her lip nervously.
She regretted not telling Columbina about ‘‘galentines’’ as she sighed about how Columbina rightfully wouldn’t believe her. Just as she was about to throw the gift into the trash, Columbina sat down next to her. She had a red bow in her hair rather than her usual magenta one. Sandrone muttered a greeting in return as her classmate put a pink bag on her desk.
An anxiety she had not felt in a long while overcame her all of a sudden. She knew she was going to be misunderstood and embarrass herself. There was no chance of Columbina ever returning her feelings just like how there was no such thing as platonic gift giving on a romantic day. As the black haired girl took off her jacket and turned to her after placing it behind, Sandrone tried to suppress her pain.
‘’I… I’m rooting for-’’
‘’These are for you, dear Sandrone.’’
The girl felt her eyes widen and brows furrow. It had to be a joke.
‘’What?’’
‘’These are the Valentine’s Day chocolates I made for you. They are caramel flavored, as you like it. Happy Valentine’s Day, my dear.’’
Columbina smiled at her warmly, her usual teasing absent as if trying to see a more honest side of Sandrone. Did she think they were already in a relationship?
‘’Columbina, this isn’t funny. You should give chocolates to your girlfriend or your crush, not to your… friend.’’
The smile was replaced with confusion. After staring at her for a short while, her deskmate took her hand in hers. Sandrone tried to pull it back but was stopped when Columbina started speaking.
‘’What do you mean, Sandrone? I thought you were my girlfriend all along… Who else would I make chocolates for?’’
For once, the beige haired girl could not reply. In fact, she did not want to refute her words at all. When Columbina kept looking at her with expectant yet gentle eyes, she slowly took out the bag from under her desk, handing it to her with a shyness she wasn’t used to.
With her smile present once more, she leaned for a hug. Sandrone glared at the boys behind them sulking over their lost chance. Unbeknownst to her, Columbina was doing the same to the girl group watching from the front.
‘’You are so cute when you blush, my love. I think I won’t sleep today just to hold hands. What kind of date should we have after school?’’