A Show of Heart

I couldn't stop replaying the whole day in my head, honestly, wondering how things had turned out the way they had; not to mention: how quickly things turned themselves around. We literally went from; not even acquaintances, to teetering on the precipice of friends, or something more. I couldn't explain all the different things swirling relentlessly through my head. My body was utterly exhausted, but my mind was wide awake; so I just lay sprawled out on the bed, waiting for sweet sedation to eventually come and claim my nerves.

I have no idea what to surprise her with; it has to be something good, something really special. But what!? I rolled over onto my side in an attempt to get more comfortable, and perhaps to increase the insufficient amount of brain power rushing in my head.

"It's no use!" I muttered with a growing frustration, "she'll probably have some freakin’ goddess masterpiece ready for me, and I'll have a halfhearted stab at a surprise."

I got up roughly from my bed, further destroying my previous endeavors to keep it neat, as the covers were thrown to the floor. Still suffering from slight nostalgia, I stumbled to the double doors, which led to the balcony, one of the perks to having your room in the higher levels. I swore quietly as I struck my toe on a planter placed stupidly in the middle of the balcony.

I really should move that damn thing… whatever, I'll do it later.

I learned all my weight against the railing, letting out a heavy sigh that sliced through the eerie silence that constantly seemed to hang in the stale air. I allowed my mind to wander from the thoughts about the surprise, yet to be planned. Instead, drifting to the girl who had caused them in the first place. My elbow slipped off the railing as I daydreamed sleepily about the girl I knew I didn't deserve.

I shook my head lethargically, trying to shake the drowsiness to no avail. If I don't get some sleep soon, I'll end up missing the whole day, and the surprise I'm supposed to give… oh well, I have all of tomorrow to come up with something. No sweat.

So I turned to go back inside, successfully stubbing my toe on the same planter once again. I limped painfully back to my bed, grumbling all the while, before collapsing forcefully onto the welcoming mattress. Sleep claiming me before my head even hit the pillow's warm embrace.

* * *

I was rudely awakened by the sound of an alarm clock blaring shrilly in my ear, which I proceeded to smash with a quick swing of my fist. However, my head jerked up from the pillow, I could feel my eyes narrow in irritation; as I heard a voice reverberate loudly off the walls of my room. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to calculate how annoyed I was.

"It looks like someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed," an empty voice drawled mockingly.

The fact that the intruder was none other than, my friend, Crunch did nothing, but increase my anger ten-fold. I could feel my eyes emit a burning hatred that could've easily burned straight through him. I would have loved to start something any other day, and smack that smug look right off his face, but today, I couldn't take the risk of getting in trouble. Grudgingly, I pushed the rage to the back of my mind, where I could call forth it's wrath some other time.

"Yeah looks like it, idiot. You know? I'm not exactly in the mood to kill you right now… but I might make an exception if you don't get out now." I snarled, my voice dripping with acid.

The intensity that spiked from me, ultimately discouraged him from starting something he knew he wouldn't be able to finish. "Humph, fine I'll go. It would've only been a waste of valuable energy anyways," he said, the sting of defeat ringing with a silent clarity. As he turned to leave, I couldn't keep a sneer of unvoiced victory from inching onto my face.

After untangling myself from the safety of my covers, I leapt into the shower, before pulling on my usual attire. I gave myself a quick look over in the mirror, accompanied by a satisfied grin, signaling my approval. I strode briskly out the door, swiftly locking it behind me. I had decided against going to the kitchen, I didn't really feel like starting a fight with my parents. Not to mention my raging anger had melted the desire to eat a lingering pile of ashes.

It didn't take me long to get to school, as I ran there. My footfalls led me in the direction of the drawing room, not because I had a shift, but because my mind had made the decision to get my picture, before planning her surprise. It seemed like a decent idea now that I actually thought about it.

I mean, firstly I'll know if she even wants a surprise, and second… maybe it could serve as inspiration, pictures can tend to do that. Anyways, I'd rather do something she wants then randomly plan some surprise. I was going to do that in the first place… heh, but not anymore!

Mulling over the possible surprises, I almost ran straight into the door, but my quick instincts saved me from embarrassment. I caught myself, quickly dashing back around the corner to come up with a plan.

Ah, I forgot about the shift change. So that means that… that teacher will be in there. Damn… this is gonna be harder than I thought. I leaned against the wall absently scratching the back of my head, trying to sniff out a possible loophole to manipulate.

Wait… I got it! He always takes a ten minute “break” to go sneak off to his secret meeting place, not that you can even call it that. I mean honestly, he brags about it non-stop… there's no reason to be proud about it when numerous other people know about it.

Luckily, I didn't have to entertain those thoughts any longer; as the sound of a door opening forced my attention elsewhere. I stealthily snuck a glance around the corner, watching as the teacher turned the corner that led to the main staircase. I hugged the wall as I cautiously edged my way to the door. I slowly opened the door, gently closing it behind me after successfully getting inside.

I quickly spotted her sitting at the small table, drawing quietly. "Hey Coco. I believe you said I'd have to wait, and see what you thought of my little proposal," I said as loud as I dared, while leaning against the door I had just come through.

I watched with amusement as she looked up in shock upon hearing my voice, not realizing that I had even entered the room. I've got some mad stealth skills… heh, sweet.

Her shock left as quickly as it had came, and was replaced with a beautiful smile that, without fail, always took my breath away. I watched a sparkle dance elegantly in her light cyan eyes, one that, I swore could illuminate even the darkest depth that lay in my chest.

She gracefully rose from her chair, making her way to a table that had a picture lying patiently on the top. Her fingers gingerly picked up the drawing, before she hugged it to her chest in an attempt to hide the image she had carefully created. I tilted my head in a useless effort to catch a glimpse, but snapped it back when she scolded me in a mock-serious voice, "No peeking!"

A mischievous grin found a way to skulk onto my face as I came up with a little scheme. I took a small step towards her and inquired innocently, "who me? You know me better Coco. If I was trying to get something from you, I'd probably just… take it."

Her eyes widened in alarm, but I couldn't miss the playful twinkle that shimmered prettily in her irises. "You wouldn't dare," she scoffed with a budding smile.

The next thing she knew, I had my arms behind her petite figure. She couldn't help but say coyly, "if I didn't know better, I'd say it was me you wanted."

My breath ruffled her hair gently as I softly chuckled, before answering with a simple, and slightly cheeky, "maybe." She didn't resist as my hands caringly pried her drawing from compliant fingers.

I stepped back a little, one hand still resting around her waist. I let my eyes take in the beautiful picture she had drawn for me. I hadn't known before, just how right I had been about her having a masterpiece waiting for me. Whoa… this must've taken her all of last night to make. My eyes slowly scanned the paper, hypnotized by the beauty. All the soft, yet strangely intense hues smeared delicately over every inch of the canvas. It could have easily been cut right from the landscape it belonged to.

At that moment, I decided what I would do for her surprise. I pulled my gaze reluctantly from the stunning picture, looking into her expectant cyan eyes that deeply searched my own emerald ones. "It's amazing, I can't believe it's for me. It almost feels wrong to accept it," I said in a tender voice.

A look of complete happiness enhanced her pretty feature, and I felt her delicate touch as she gently slid her hand into mine and intertwined her fingers with mine.

"It's mine to give… and you're the only one I want to give it to. Besides," she began with a small giggle, "I've never been surprised before."

I couldn't help but smile at her happiness, knowing that I had been a part of it. But I remembered there was a limit on my time with her at the moment. "I'm going to have to go now, the teacher should be back real soon," I said, inwardly cursing at him.

I watched as she opened her mouth to protest, but I stopped her by leaning in and whispering in her ear, "don't worry, I'll be back later to get you for your surprise."

With that said, I carefully opened the door, peeking in each direction, before sending her a quick wave, disappearing to the left, picture in hand.