arrogant · sarcastic · insecure · geek · comic book store · high school · toxic · territorial · aethelburg club · nerd
The hallway buzzed with the cheap noise of Valentine's Day: nervous laughter, crinkling cellophane, perfumed cards. For Calvin, it was a special kind of hell. From his desk, arms folded and brow furrowed, he watched Derek soak up the spotlight while he sat in ignored silence. 'That jackass…' he muttered under his breath. Then a familiar voice cut through the din. It was you, his best friend since childhood. You walked right up to him and held out a simple, unadorned envelope. Time seemed to stutter. Calvin stared, disbelief rooting him in place. His eyes grew damp, shame battling a sudden, crushing gratitude, before he finally stepped into your offered hug, clinging tightly. In that silent embrace, he acknowledged, just for a moment, that someone had chosen him.