Seven: V Day

At the end of Valentine's day, all the letters were distributed to their recipients. Most kids received at least one. Everyone made a pact with their best friends that they would send each other something.

Theo got a whole bowl to himself. The committee even let him bring home the bowl as a bonus because his letters couldn't fit the largest envelope that was available. He was cheered along the corridor holding the large bowl in his hand.

She wondered if he'll even bother to read them later because there were so many.

Surprisingly, she got four letters herself. She tucked them into her backpack to read them later after dinner when she usually spends the rest of the day alone in her room.

Lee was already gone to rehearsal, she didn't even get the chance to see him that day. She wondered if he got letters too.

"I got 10 letters, I haven't opened them yet, how about you?" he said on the phone.

"I got 4 ... that's 4 more than I thought I'd ever get," she chuckled.

"Really? I thought you'd get more than that ... but I guess seniors are forbidden to send you anything," he laughed lightly.

"What makes you say that?"

"Because your brother doesn't allow any of his friends to date you ... I thought you knew that?"

It was the first time she ever heard of such a thing, "Really? I didn't know that ... did you hear him say that?"

"Not directly, but I heard seniors talked about it at the boys’ room sometimes."

"Hmm ... I really didn't know that ... well, he's got a lot of letters, and his girlfriend is in his room right now going over them together," she giggled.

Lee laughed, "She wouldn't want him to reply to any of them I suppose."

"Yeah ... so are you doing rehearsal again tomorrow?"

"Yeah, every day until the tournament ... I'm sorry you can't be there ... but ... uhmm ... I have practice on Saturday night at the studio, I was wondering if you'd like to come?"

Saturday night sounds like a date, not that she would know anything about it. It can also be a friendly hangout and it would be good for a change because she never goes anywhere on Saturday nights except for movies with Janice and Max had started going to clubs with his girlfriend lately.

"Sure," she said.

"Really? You'd come?"

"Yes, where is it? I'll ask Max to drop me off."

"No, I'll pick you up, text me your address ... we'll go together."

It really did sound like a date, she was grinning, "Okay."

"TJ ... my only wish for my 17th birthday is to lose my virginity with you ... it's gonna be on the 17th of March ... call me if you're interested."

The girl actually gave him her phone number. He furrowed his brows and threw the paper in the trash bin.

"TJ ... I will wait for you at the girls’ bathroom by the chemistry class at 1 PM tomorrow ... I want to give you something really special. I hope you'll come."

Remember to avoid the bathroom by the chemistry class tomorrow, he thought to himself.

"I think I've never fallen so hard for someone before you TJ, what I'd give to be Peyton Brown right now ... I hope she gets hit by a car, she doesn't deserve you."

"Jesus," he muttered to himself and threw the paper in the bin.

"TJ you're the hottest boy I've ever met, I just want to lick you up from head to toe and I would ..."

He crumpled the paper into a ball without finished reading it. They all sounded more or like the same. He sighed deeply.

Being the 'hottest' guy in high school was never something he intended to be. People seem to find him more attractive than other boys, it was flattering but exhausting at the same time. Girls seemed to see him as a sex craze teenager who would stick his penis to anyone that comes his way, it was degrading.

He really didn't feel like reading all the letters, some of the stuff written in them was so dirty he felt violated because he didn't even know who these girls were but apparently they've been fantasizing about having sex with him.

It was an image that came with his status for being Mr. Popular, but the truth is, he didn't even lose his own virginity until he was 17 to a girl before Peyton who was not a virgin at the time.

He let out a long exhale and rubbed his face. He took the pink envelope with glitter on it. When he opened it, it was longer than any of the other letters in the pile. That particular letter caught his attention. It was different. It was personal and it made him sound like a cruel person.

He stared at it for a while. He read it again and again. He folded it and put it back into the envelope. It was the only letter he kept from all the others. He wanted to throw the rest of the pile away but he had to find the one from Peyton. He rummaged through it again.

"Theo ... you're the best boyfriend I have ever had. I want to keep you forever. Love, P."

She wasn't much of a romantic but she wanted them to participate in the event. Most likely so she could post his note on I*******m to show everyone that she has a boyfriend who professes his love to her time and time again. It was all about appearance for Peyton, and the sex was fine too.

He laid on his bed and thought about that letter again. It was most intriguing. It made him want to know who had sent it. He was most curious because not a lot of people call him Theo. He may have an idea who it was, but can it be?

"Happy Valentine's Day Bitch!! I hope you'll get a boyfriend soon. If you don't ... which I'm sure you will ... you know who loves you most! I'll always be there for you, you know who this is. I love you to death!"

Jan ... oh no, she didn't write anything for her. She didn't think Jan was going to send her anything. She'll just text her back and tell her how much she was her bitch too.

"Hey, Hazel ... just want you to know I think your new style is awesome but you've always been awesome. Happy Valentine's day from a secret admirer."

That one sounds suspiciously like Jan disguised as a secret admirer.

"Hazel ... you're a hottie ... call me (phone number)"

She laughed. She's never been called a hottie before. Might be some douchebag trying to get hooked up with random girls. He probably had sent it to every girl at school.

"I want to be in your daydream with you."

That one made her smile. She wondered who it was. She tucked it in her diary and wrote a note under it. With what Theo said to her the day before, could it be?