It was valentine's day at your school. Everywhere couples walked together, holding hands and kissing. As you headed to your locker and began to pack up for the day, your locker door was suddenly slammed shut, and a hand shoved your chest against the locker. You looked up to see your bully Aubrey Garcia, a nervous grin on her face and her other hand behind on back. "Hey loser...You don't have a valentine? Of course you don't...Because...Because you're a LOSER!" She chuckled nervously, her eyes darting around. Aubrey had been your bully for years, always makes fun of you. But she seemed different today... She had a slight blush on her face, and she seemed to be mumbling to herself, trying to convince herself to do something. Finally after what felt like forever she smacked the locker and then averted her gaze, before shoving a heart shaped box of chocolates into your chest. "Here....I stole these for you...Since you don't have a damn valentine...I guess...You can just be mine..."

Her cheeks turn red as you stare at her in shock, and she immediately regrets opening her mouth. She stuffs her hands into the pockets of her jeans, huffing softly as she tilts her head to the side, debating on what to do now. Her heart pounds wildly in her chest as she wonders if maybe... Just maybe this was a mistake. But before she can say anything else or try to take back her words, she crosses her arms and gives you a lopsided grin. "Fine, fine...Whatever. Just open it and shut up about it..."

Her gaze darts around again, nervous energy surging through her. "Anyway...Happy valentine's day, I guess..." she mutters awkwardly before turning to walk away. But after only a few steps, she pauses and glances back over her shoulder. "Uh...If you wanna talk about it or something later...My locker is just down the hall..." She chews on her bottom lip nervously, hoping that you might actually take her up on the offer. Aubrey didn't even know what she was thinking, inviting you to hang out with her after all these years of bullying you. It was stupid and crazy...But for some reason, it felt right.

Her heart thunders in her ears as she hears footsteps approaching. She huffs out a shaky breath and wipes her sweaty palms on her jeans before turning around, offering you a half-smile that doesn't quite reach her eyes. "Hey...Thanks for coming...I-I mean...If you didn't have to..." She trails off nervously, her fingers twisting together behind her back.

Aubrey glances up at the clock above the lockers and curses under her breath, realizing how little time she has left until her next class. With a sigh, she pulls out her combination and opens her locker, revealing a collection of books and notebooks in various shades of chaos. "Um...Do you wanna...I don't know...Go somewhere and talk or something?" She hesitates, studying your reaction carefully before adding hurriedly, "Or if you just want me to leave you alone..."

Her cheeks flush even deeper at the thought that maybe she's just wasting her time, that you might not even want anything to do with her. The possibility makes her heart ache, and she has to force herself not to shrink away from you in embarrassment.

Nodding, Aubrey takes your answer as a good sign and slams her locker door shut before leading the way down the hall to an empty classroom. She takes a seat at one of the desks and shoves her hands underneath her bum, feeling awkward and unsure of herself. "So...I-I mean..." she stammers, biting her bottom lip nervously, "What do you wanna talk about?" Her gaze darts around the room, anywhere but at your face, as she waits for you to answer.

In truth, Aubrey doesn't really know what to say either. She's never been good at talking about her feelings or expressing herself in any way that isn't through intimidation and bullying. But for some reason, today is different. Today she feels like she can't get enough of just being near you, even if it means opening up about all the things she's kept bottled up inside for so long.

Aubrey's cheeks heat up at the mention of girls, and she immediately feels even more self-conscious than before. "Oh...I-I mean...I just..." she stammers, fumbling for words. Finally, she sighs and leans back in her chair, staring up at the ceiling. "Look, I'm sorry if this is weird or confusing or whatever...But ever since we were kids, you've been the only one I could ever..." she trails off again, searching for the right words.

Her heart feels like it's about to burst out of her chest as she looks at you and realizes just how much she's come to care for you over the years. She wants nothing more than to tell you everything, to see if there's any chance that maybe...Just maybe you feel the same way too. But at the same time, she's terrified of rejection and embarrassment. It's a delicate balance that Aubrey isn't sure she can manage.

Aubrey narrows her eyes at you, her tone harsh and dismissive as she regains some of the old confidence that had been slipping away from her. "Whatever, loser. Like I'd ever like someone like you." She tries to sound tough and unaffected, but the slight tremor in her voice betrays her.

Despite herself, she can't help but feel a pang of disappointment when she sees you wince at her words. She wants so badly for you to understand how she feels...But if that means resorting back to old habits and pushing you away again, then maybe it's better this way. Maybe someday she'll find the courage to actually say what needs to be said without all the games and the hurt.

Until then, though, Aubrey will just have to content herself with watching you from afar, wishing things were different and that maybe...Just maybe one day they could be.

"Huh?" Aubrey blinks, momentarily thrown off by the change in topic. She relaxes a bit, feeling more comfortable with something like this. "Oh, you know...I lift weights, play video games..." She shrugs. "...sometimes I just hang out with my friends or watch people." Her gaze flickers to you for a moment before darting away again, her cheeks flushing slightly at the admission.

Aubrey takes a deep breath and forces herself to focus on something else. "So...What about you? Any favorite hobbies?" She leans forward, eyes bright with interest as she listens for your answer. Maybe if they could find some common ground, maybe then things would be different between them. Maybe then Aubrey could finally tell you how she really feels without the fear of rejection looming over her like a dark cloud.

But for now, she'll settle for small talk and innocent conversation, clinging to the hope that something good might come out of this strange day after all.