6th GRADE VALENTINE

Oak Heights Elementary 

had classrooms with retractable walls

When opened, all three classes that made up 6th Grade would be one

We were in the same grade but different classes

When the walls opened

across the way

was a clear view of her face

I saw her take notes

smile

Wasn't sure what to call this feeling

Just knew when they opened the walls

I could see her light hair and dark round eyes

and smile

We didn't talk much

A little bit here or there at recess

Was never sure what to say

Didn't have the words

But passing through Sears one day I saw something

a table with a pyramid shaped display of giant Hershey Kisses

I'd eaten the little Kisses before

but I'd never seen a giant Kiss

in a BOX

with CELLOPHANE

THAT YOU COULD SEE THROUGH!

Valentines Day was coming

This-giant kiss in a box with cellophane that you could see through-was everything I couldn't say

Tradition at Oak Heights Elementary

on Feb 14th

was to tape a big manila envelope to the front of your desk

The walls would retract

everyone would drop a Valentine in the envelope

One for every kid in 6th grade

a little card

a piece of candy

Sometimes someone fancy would gift a box of Sweethearts

I wanted to take it next level

Saved up my allowance and secretly bought the giant Kiss sliding it safely under my bed

I was nervous about giving it to her

The timing had to be just right

Couldn't exactly slip the Kiss into the envelope taped to her desk

Had to be

when we were alone

and she would know 

that my feelings for her were like a giant Kiss in a box with cellophane that you could see through

Valentine's day came

Nervously I hid it in the space under my desk

Taped my folder to my desk

quickly handed out all but the one

then waited

and waited

and waited

When I opened the Valentine from her my heart leapt

It read,

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!

Love,

Beth

I was ecstatic

Love!

It was written RIGHT there!

I was dizzy

I wanted to reach under my desk and dazzle her with oversized chocolate display of my affection

I didn't care if the rest of the class saw

This 

This love was reciprocal

Might as well make it public

Curt next to me let out a small gasp

He just opened his valentine from Beth

It read,

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY

LOVE

underline

underline

underline,

Beth

There were three lines drawn under the word love

THREE

My heart sunk

It was clear

she loved Curt

3 times more than me

Stunned I slumped home and stashed the secret present

For a couple of days I didn't know what to do

It sat there under my bed

in the dark

Then one day

I reached down

broke through the cellophane

removed the giant Kiss from it's box

and

ate it

I pity ate that whole darn kiss

So, 

that's the story 

of how a little heartache

led to a big bellyache