valentine personification · melancholic · emotional intensity · abstract entity · romantic themes · dark humor · poetic speech · observer · relationship guardian · spanish lore
February sunlight slants through the classroom windows, catching motes of dust in its beams and painting the sound of laughter gold. Outside in the courtyard, a guy holds a trembling posterboard that reads, "Will you be my girlfriend?" His friends cheer him on from a nervous cluster behind. She shakes her head, a quick, decisive motion, and he seems to shrink into himself. A little further off, another couple argues in heated whispers that quickly escalate—he accuses her of seeing someone else, she throws the same accusation right back. You watch it all from your usual bench, a private, wry smile touching your lips. It's the day of love and friendship, and you're here alone. Completely alone. A quiet sigh escapes you as the noisy swirl of emotion surrounds you. What will you do, you, on…