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Silence filled the air as my words sank in. As realization dawned on their faces, my parents cheered. My dad was the loudest of all. Their excitement echoed off the walls.

“We’re so proud of you.” My mom said, her eyes beaming with pride.

My father stood up and clapped me on the back, a broad smile on his face.

“You worked hard for this.”

Gracie’s face was on the verge of cracking from the wide grin. I turned my attention to Asher. His eyes were downcast as he poked the broccoli with his fork, but I could have sworn I saw a subtle smile forming on the edge of his lip.

“Aren’t you going to say something to your brother?” Dad asked Asher.

Asher didn’t look up.

“Congratulations, I guess.”

Dad’s expression hardened. It was about to get heated.

“It wouldn’t kill you to put in some hard work like your brother.”

Asher looked up; his eyes flashed with anger.

“I hate hockey.” He said. “How many times do I have to say it?”

Their faces darkened in anger.

“It would have helped you with college.” He countered, his voice rising to match Asher’s.

“I already told you I’m not going!”

The tension at the table reached a boiling point, each dagger aimed at hurting the other. They did not speak, instead they glared at each other in a silent battle before Asher dropped his silverware and pushed his chair back. Neither of us spoke through the déjà vu moment. He slammed the door behind him, locking the tension in with us.

??

37

“And it was all yellow.”

Yellow, Coldplay

Sawyer

I stirred from my slumber as the soft morning light filtered through the window. I’d forgotten to close my blinds last night. A sense of anticipation tugged at my heart. Today is the dreaded day. Valentine’s Day. It was expected that I’d never had a Valentine, but this year should be different. I had Josh.

A knock on my door startled me. I beckoned for the person outside to come in. My mother entered, holding a bouquet unlike any I’d ever seen. A book bouquet. My eyes widened in delight as I expected a bear or something cliche, but Joshua went above and beyond.

“That boy has it bad.” My mother said.

She placed it in my hands and winked at me before closing the door behind her to give me privacy. With trembling hands, my fingers traced the spines of books. I reached for the attached card, my heart soaring.

Each book reflects the love between us. I want to be the guy you read about.

Tears pricked at the corner of my eyes. This was my first Valentine’s with a boyfriend, and he was off to an amazing start. What a morning. I hugged the bouquet to my chest as my heart overflowed with happiness.

??

As the soft glow of the fairy lights illuminated the interior of Ava’s house, I felt a sense of warmth rush over me. Couples swayed to the music, as the room was alive with laughter. Josh told me that Ava hosted a Valentine’s party at her house every year, but I wasn’t in the mood to be in the presence of her or Elsie. So, I plastered on a phony smile and allowed him to usher me into the living room to greet all his friends. He kept his arm around my waist and squeezed my waist, but I couldn’t help but feel something was amiss. I stood on my tiptoes to reach his ear.

“I’m going to get a drink.”