Valentine’s Day

Author’s Note: This is an excerpt from Diary of a 6th Grade “C” Cup, a Growing UP Girls book.

Dear RBG:  

Yesterday was Valentine’s Day at school. I was up late filling out cards for every single person in my class. That’s the rule, so no one feels bad. We have to give a card to everyone—even the mean girls, haters, dumb boys, teasers, and yes, even frenemies. I decided to do the “turn the other cheek” thing my grandma always talks about, and I asked my mom to buy me some candy to put on each card. I taped a piece of candy to every Valentine. Although I did put the best candy on Valentines for the people I like and put the candy I don’t like on the cards for people I don’t like. But it’s still candy, right? It made me feel a little better anyway.

At the end of the day, this boy in my class, Mikey P., gave me a small box of chocolate candies in a heart-shaped box with a card. I couldn’t believe it. I didn’t know what to say. I held back a giggle and just smiled and said thank you. I’m pretty sure my face turned red. It was really nice to get something so special. I don’t think anyone else did.

He’s cute. Some of the other girls like him too. I definitely got glares from Lisa M. and Robin S. I think they’re mad he gave it to me and not them. When we were waiting for the bus on the playground, I read the card.

“To: Katie R. From: Mikey P. I like you and Missy K. from choir, but your box of candy is bigger.”

I don’t know if I like-like him that way, or any boy for that matter. I don’t know if Missy K. likes him too. I don’t know how I feel about being part of a love triangle. I saw that on TV once. Then I thought of the connection between Missy K. and me. The only girls in school with a bra both get candy from this boy? But he was a nice boy. He was kind of shy and never snapped my bra strap or laughed and pointed at me, like many of the other boys. Maybe this “bra thing” does have its advantages. Maybe it makes us both seem prettier? Nah.

But you’ll never guess what happened, RBG? Missy K. came up to me and smiled and said. “I see you got chocolates too. Now we have two things in common. Don’t worry, I’m not ready for boys yet. He’s all yours.” I told her I wasn’t either, and we both laughed. I think we’re making progress with her, RBG. I think you legal eagles call that an olive branch.

(c) Suzanne Rudd 2020