When he thought it was finally over, the notes began. She would tell him how wonderful he was, and how the world was a better place only because he was around. The notes crept him out. He imagined what Adam would think if he did the same. But, again, his case was different, he had never been atracted to a boy before, and he knew no one who was gay. He was a bit scared about it all, and he didn't dare ask for help to his ultraconservative parents. His mother, however, sensed something was wrong.
-Valentine, you look a bit weary of late, is there any girl making you lose sleep?
-No, mother, is just that I have so much to do. School, football, church,...
-You know, son, that you can leave football anytime you want.
-Oh, no! I really like football, mother, I will find a way to organize my time better.
Football was his only excuse to see Adam, if his parents took that away from him he would die.
-You better do, you know you have to become a doctor and grades are important.
-Yes, mother.
He didn't want to be a doctor, there was nothing he hated more than the idea of becoming a doctor. Yet, he had to pretend, to keep his parents happy.
The week before Valentine's Day the nightmare began. Dozens of notes and postcards of his admirers, all of them with the original idea of writing "Be mine, Valentine". And the queen of the stalkers was also intensifying her chase. He wished he could tell someone his real feelings. Luckily, the ocasion to do so appeared earlier than he thought.
One day, during lunch, one of his best friends, who had known him since they were in kindergarten, asked him who would he take on a date on VD.
-What do you mean date?
-C'mon, look at you, you're barely eating, it's clear you're in love. Who is it? Angelica?
Angelica was head cheerleader and every boy in the school liked her.
-No, it's not her.- he stopped for a second, pondering his options.-If I tell you something, will you keep the secret?
-Oh my god! It's not Patricia, is it?
-Who?!
-The girl who follows you everywhere!
-Of course, it's not her!
-So, who is it?
-Promise me.
-I promise.
-Adam.
-Adam, like in Adam the coach's assistant?- he raised his voice in surprise.
-Shh! Yes!
-But,... He's much older than you. And he's a guy.
-I know.- Valentine said lowering his gaze.
-Well man, what you do with your life is none my business, if it makes you happy...
Valentine was relieved to hear those words. At least, he had some support.
The rest of the week continued without change, Valentine received a ton of chocolates he had to give away because of his lactose intolerance. Girls had become too much to bear, and the only thing mattered for him was to find a way to get closer to Adam. He had invented all kinds of excuses just to stay for a bit longer in the locker room, but they were never alone.
Valentine's Day arrived, and with it a note from Patricia asking him to meet her at the gym that afternoon. That gave him an idea, maybe he would be able to talk to Adam alone, wasn't love what all that day was about, in the end?
During football practise Valentine managed to fall awkwardly on his leg and faked a bad injury. Since Adam was acting as the team's physio, he took him inside the changing room to bandage his leg. Valentine followed him limping. He sat on a bench while Adam searched for bandages. Adam looked so focused while applying ice to Valentine's sprained leg, that he wanted to kiss him right away.
-Hum, Adam?
-Yes.- he said from his position, kneeled on the floor.
-It's not actually that bad.
-It was a nasty fall, it must hurt some.
-It does, but I needed to talk to you. Alone.
-What about?- the young man asked.
Valentine took a deep breath looking into his brown eyes, feeling his hands, warm and dark, against the white skin on his leg.
-I like you, Adam.
He smiled, with those thick black lips Valentine needed so badly. He incorporated and kissed the younger boy. Valentine was startled, he had not expected that, but he let himself go.
-No one can know this.- whispered Adam into his ear before leaving.
Valentine was left alone smiling stupidly to himself. He was still in clouds when the time came for his date with Patricia. When he arrived to the gym, no one was in sight.
-Hello! Is there anybody here?- he asked hoping no one would reply. But there she was, she had dressed up prettily, but she was not a beautiful girl.
-So, it's you.
-Yes.- she almost swallowed her tongue, trying to get that single word out.
-I knew. Listen, I...- he thought about Adam and their kiss.-Well, I don't like you.
He wanted to add something more, but suddenly all the noise in the world concentrated inside the building under construction.
The rescue crew found the two bodies under the rubble, one next to the other.
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