I couldn't help but look around. Lots of stores were filled with many typical Valentine's Day gifts but still looked admirable. Tomorrow was Valentine's Day and I saw mostly guys go in these stores.

"Will you be my valentine?" someone asked. I wanted to turn around to see who was the person and who were they asking. Curiosity got the best of me and I turned around.

The person was a boy, and he was asking a girl. He held a bunch of red roses and a box of chocolates. The girl looked flattered.

Dude, it's too late to be asking for a valentine now. I thought. But maybe he asked now because he finally had the guts to ask the girl. Or he only found out that the girl didn't have a valentine.

"Yes, although you asked a bit late," she mumbled the last part.

The boy smiled and gave her the roses. She smelled them and took out a note that was in the bunch of roses. She awed and she read the note. After she did, they embraced.

I slightly smiled and turned around and carried on walking. I decided to go in one store just for the fun of it and look around, just wishing I had a valentine. I walked in the store and down the aisle. I saw different kinds heart-shaped chocolate and normal shaped chocolates. I took one slab of milk chocolate and made my way to the next aisle. I glanced at the queue wanting to purchase the things and it was a bit long so I decided to read valentine love cards and just to pass off time.

I saw cards with cute covers.

One card had said and I smiled.

"Alyssa has a Valentine," Marcus' voice said behind me and I jumped in fright. Marcus chuckled and mimicked my actions resulting a glare from me. "Okay I'm sorry," he said, smiling. My eyes trailed down and landed on his hand that held a box of Oreos. He held it like it was stuck on his hand.

He took out one and he brought to his lips. His lips curved into a smile and he licked the Oreo biscuit. "You want one?" he asked. My eyes met his and my face immediately heated when I realised I had been staring.

I nodded and he let me take one... two... okay five. I took five and placed them on my hand. "Why do you always have Oreos?" I asked curiously and then started eating the Oreos.

Marcus frowned. "Why not. Oreos taste awesome and are my favourite. I eat them like a least every week or everyday," he said and bit his Oreo biscuit again.

I nodded. "I finally understand you completely." I slightly smiled.

"So you do understand I look hot," Marcus winked.

I scoffed. "Well I do understand that you're delusional."

"Having almost all the girls in the whole school ask me to be their valentine says otherwise," Marcus said as he moved a bit closer. I had noticed he was standing closer than before.

"You just burst my personal bubble," I said. Marcus shushed me with his index finger on my lips and I furrowed my eyebrows. I stared at him weirdly.

"Do have a valentine?" he asked silently.

"No," I answered simply. Marcus grinned.

"Do you want one?"

Well, do I? I actually thought to myself.

"No?" I said unsure but it seemed more of a question than an answer. I moved away from him.

I sighed then turned to look at him. "Why are you here?" I asked him.

"Bree told me to buy her a gift or card or something for tomorrow. I didn't want to come but I saw you in here so I came."

"Wait..." My brain processed everything. "You came in here, for me?"

Marcus shrugged," I wanted to greet you."

I nodded and pretended that I didn't care but really, my heart was pounding and my palms were sweaty. "H- hey, aren't you going to your brother's wedding?" I asked nervously.

Marcus nodded," Of course I am. I'm just gonna ask Jason to give Bree the card and flowers... and maybe you might get something too." he winked. My face heated again.

"Oh really."

Marcus nodded. "Yes really, you don't believe me?"

I waved my hands," Oh I believe you Marcus."

That was my way of saying I didn't believe him.

His phone beeped and he pulled it out of his jacket. He frowned once he saw it. "What?" I asked him. Marcus looked at me. "Bree is what. She's reminding me that I should buy her a gift." he rolled his eyes.

"Four eyes," a voice said. I turned around and met eyes with Hendrick. A girl was standing next to him, probably his girlfriend. Due to his tall height and my short height, I had to look up at him.

Marcus cut in front of me and pushed his chest against Hendrick's. "Her name is Alyssa," he said in a low dangerous tone. The look in Hendrick's face had shown fear but he quickly brushed it off by laughing.

"So the rumours are true. You did stand up for the nerd." Hendrick chuckled. Marcus grabbed Hendrick's short collar and tugged it to him so that their faces were close together. "Her name is Alyssa."

"I heard the first time." Hendrick pushed him away.

"Yet you seem to act deaf," Marcus retorted.

"Hendrick, let's go," the girl begged him.

"Listen to your girlfriend, Hendrick," Marcus mocked. Hendrick looked scared to death but acted brave.

"Why the hell are you even protecting her?" Hendrick asked.

"Why are you guys being assholes and bullying her?"

Hendrick didn't have a reason. I knew he didn't. He only bullied me because everyone else did. "Oh and if I hear that you even touched her when I'm gone; you know what I'll do."

Hendrick glared at me, his glare made me scared and weak but with Marcus, I felt safe. "See you Alyssa." Hendrick mouthed out to me. Marcus mumbled something under his breath, clenching his sharp jaw.

"Thanks... again," I said, embarrassed.

"It's no problem. I'll deal with Hendrick," he said. I wanted to hug Marcus for saving me from the bullies.

"Look I wish I could just stay here and protect you but... it's my brother's wedding. I'm sorry," he said. I nodded, not knowing what to say. I put on my hood and turned away from Marcus.

"I hope you enjoy your trip."

"Thanks." Marcus sighed and his brown eyes met mine which made my legs wobble.

"I'm meeting my cousin, Shawn O' Conner, at the café. May you come with?"

I wanted to say no but the look on his face made me want to say otherwise. I peeked over his shoulder and saw the queue was still long. I put the chocolate I took earlier back where it was then Marcus and I left the store.

"So-" Marcus started but my phone rang and mentally scremed in happiness. Although the guy was sweet and all, the awkward tension between made me uncomfortable.

"Yes?" I answered.

"Alyssa, sweetheart, Alyson and I are at the park. Alyson wants you to pick an outfit for her for the Valentine's Day dance." Mom said, and I could pick up a tint of jealousy in her voice. Mom had wanted to take Alyson shopping for the Valentine's Day dance.

"Oh-"

"What? Are you busy? 'Cause I don't mind taking Alyson shopping."

I chuckled. "I don't mind too but just ask Alyson."

I could hear Alyson's screaming at the background as mom tried reasoning with her. "Nope. Just pick her up, Alyssa."

"I'll be there in five," I said and hung up.

I turned to Marcus. "I'm so sorry but I also have to meet someone."

"Oh okay, well I could go with you," Marcus said.

"No, no, it's fine Marcus. I'll see you next week." I waved at him and he nodded.

"Don't I get like a hug or something," he asked me as I was starting to walk away. I furrowed my eyebrows and ignored what he had said. I walked faster and what felt like a minute later, I turned around to see Marcus already talking to his friends. Probably his cousin and his friends. I saw him look at me and then back to his friends.

After a five minute walk, I reached the park where mom and Alyson were. They were standing next to mom's car. I quickly got in the car, Alyson and mom did the same. "Hey mom," I greeted as I looked away from her. I wasn't sure if the foundation had covered the bruise well, but since Marcus hasn't said anything about a bruise on my face I assumed I put the foundation properly.

"Sweetheart, it's been long since I've seen you," she said. I finally looked at her. "How is school?" she asked as she properly tied Alyson's hair.

"Boring."

"That's great honey. Will you stop squirming around, Alyson!" she exclaimed.

"Ow!" Alyson cried.

"There, I'm done. Now you two, get out of my car."

Alyson and I got out the car. "Bye mommy!" Alyson shouted.

"I don't like this outfit."

Alyson stared at her reflection. She flipped her blonde hair. "I like it," I said. She was wearing a red, knee-lengthed dress, which also had a rose crown.

Alyson, my seven year old sister, does have a Valentine. Her Valentine, Blake, was a boy that she went to most dances with. They were partners at ballroom dancing. Once Blake actually said that he will wait until the age of twelve (or ten) to date Alyson. My mother thought it was adorable but my dad said nothing, but maybe he was getting ready to buy a gun.

"But I don't like it. If I knew you were going to give me advice like this, I should've gone to mom."

I gasped. "You're so mean."

Alyson laughed and her eyes widened. "Fine. I guess it's not that bad."

In other words, she liked it.

We bought the dress and we went to the food court. "So what do you wanna eat?" I asked her.

"Pizza."

"What kind?"

"Pepperoni," she replied and I nodded. I liked Hawaiian pizza which was not liked by most people. I finally reached the front of the line. The girl looked unfamiliar but she could know me. "Hi." I said. The girl looked at me. She was gorgeous with her brown skin; long, curly brown hair and her dark brown eyes.

"Lighten up dude, I'm the one who is supposed to be down in the dumps." She said and chuckled. I ignored what she said and I just let it go. "May I please have one medium pepperoni pizza and one medium Hawaiian pizza."

She nodded as she took it down. "Thank you." She gave me a receipt with my order number. .

What number are we on?

"Order number !" a lady called out.

Great...

Alyson and I went in the house. It was getting late, and very chilly. When we got in, the smell of food attacked my nose. But since I was about to eat pizza, I didn't want to eat my Aunt's supper.

"Alyson darling!" Aunt Nora shrilled and hugged Alyson then hugged me afterwards. Aunt Nora pushed up her glasses. Yes, my aunt also wore glasses.

"Oh, you wear make-up?" Aunt Nora asked as she stared under my eye.

My heart pounded and I tried to change the subject. "Oh w- what smells so good, Nora?" I asked as I inhaled.

"Oh, I decided to cook for us."

Alyson and I glanced at eachother. "Sorry but we kinda... have something to eat." we pointed to our pizza's.

Aunt Nora nodded. "It's okay. Don't mess your room.

I smiled, Alyson and I made our way to my bedroom. I changed into my bunny onesie. Alyson just wore my hoodie, which was way big for her since it was already over-sized for me.

We sat on the bed and ate out pizza's. Alyson went on her phone. My phone beeped. "Boyfriend." Alyson wriggled her eyebrows at me. I laughed," Go choke on a muffin."

I saw it was a message.

A message. From who? Last time I checked I only had like 6 contacts. Mom. Dad. Alyson. Aunt Nora. And my two cousins whom I never spoke to ever. I checked it. "Oh you have got to be kidding me."

My eyes were wide open, my mouth agape. I stared at the text. Marcus was really being nice to me, I had doubts that he would turn on me.

I smiled. After what seemed like hours gawking at my phone. I typed.

Yes, I only like replied four minutes later.

I wish we had something to talk about.

Did I have to mention I was eating pizza?

I yawned, wanting to sleep.

I dropped my phone. He's lying, I thought to myself. Alyson stared at me weirdly.

"Alyssa, right now you chose to be scary looking and ugly at the same time," she said and I glared at her amused face. I took my phone that was next to me and typed.

I furrowed my eyebrows and shrugged.

And with that, I smiled.