Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day. Also known as Singles' Awareness Day. Every year, I've dreaded this one day, the day that everyone seemed to be laughing at me because I was the one alone. Before, I would've woken up, grabbed a cigarette, and destroyed my lungs some more, just to relieve myself from the stress this day would bring. But not this year. I wouldn't be picking up a cancer stick today. I wouldn't be staying inside all day with my head under a pillow, trying to block out all of the laughs, giggles, and lovey-dovey comments that seeped into my room from outside. I wouldn't be alone today.

After getting dressed quickly, I ran out of my room and down the hall, a smile on my face. I was a foot away from the front door when someone called my name. "Andy?" I stopped immediately and turned around slowly. "Yeah?" My father stood there, watching me intently. "Where are you going? You hate going out on this day…" I bit the inside of my lip before answering, "I just… thought I'd go see Vincent for a bit…" My father's eyes narrowed as I spoke. "Oh really?" he asked bitterly, "That pretty boy that you seem to be so drawn to lately?" I felt the rage inside me build up, but I didn't let it show through. "Yeah, the boy that actually cares about me," I said calmly. He clenched his fists at his sides and took a deep breath. "I can't believe my son is gay…. This is a disgrace to our family," he said. I glared at him, trying not to let him get to me too much. "I'm not gay, Dad. I'm bi. And I'm a disgrace to the family? You're the one that raised me." I spun on my heel and opened the door. "Andrew Thomas Jay!" he yelled behind me, "This is not my fault!" "So are you just gonna' blame Mom again?" I asked quietly, turning my head to glance at him as I finished, "She's not here, Dad. If you're going to blame someone, pick someone that was actually around as I grew up." Before he could say anything else, I ran out the door, slamming it shut behind me.

I ran to Vincent's house as fast as I could, the cold air burning my lungs. I finally reached his door and was about to knock when I saw a small slip of paper taped onto the door. 'Come in, Andy. I have something for you.' I gulped as I opened the door and stepped in quietly. The place was dark since the windows were covered and not a single light was on, but the path of candles lining the hall was enough for me to see the trail of red and pink rose petals littering the floor as I followed them into the bedroom. As I stepped in, soft violin music met my ears. The room was covered in rose petals, paper hearts, and candles, the gentle tone of the light causing the room to have a calm air to it. The bed was embraced by a ruby red blanket, white roses scattered all over it. I smiled to myself as I took everything in. How long had he worked on this? Everything was so perfect.

"Do you like it?" I jumped at the sound of his voice but turned to him with a smile. "It's wonderful," I said. Vincent smiled and walked over to me, kissing me lightly before holding up a large tray of food. "Sit down, love," he said softly, causing shivers to run up my spine. I blushed lightly as I sat on the edge of the bed, picking up one of the roses and twirling it in my fingers. He sat beside me, the tray sitting across his lap. I looked down at all the things he'd made. "What is all of this?" I asked, not recognizing any of it but the chocolate covered strawberries. He smiled and said, "It would take forever to name all of it. These are all sorts of things I've learned to cook over the years. This one is famous in Japan, and this one in Hawaii, and this one in France—it's my favorite." As he spoke, he pointed to all of the different things, a glazed look in his eyes.

"You really love food, don't you?" I asked when he was done. He laughed, nodding as he put the tray behind us. "Yes, I suppose I do," he said. Then he turned to me, leaning closer and grasping my chin gently in his hand. "But I love you more." And with that, he closed the almost-nonexistent gap between us. I let my eyes slip closed as I wrapped my arms around his neck, bringing him even closer to me. He tasted vaguely of chocolate but mostly of just… him. Vincent had his own special taste, and it was definitely my drug. I found myself wanting it more and more every day.

He finally pulled away, my lungs relieved but my heart saddened. He smiled at me, his eyes staring into mine with a look that I knew was for me and me alone. I smiled back, my heart racing with glee. "Yes," he said in a whisper, "I definitely love you more." I laughed and placed my head in the crook of his neck, wrapping my arms around his waist as his arms found their way around my shoulders, holding me there. "That's good," I said softly, noticing the shiver that went through him as my breath tickled his skin, "because I love you way more than the food ever could." He laughed again and stroked my back, kissing the top of my head. "We should eat," he whispered into my ear. "Hnn," I mumbled, "it can wait a bit longer." He shook slightly with a silent chuckle as he nodded. "I guess you're right…."