In my hand I held a precious lavender card that spilled out my heart in words. The card could be the beginning of a new world opening my eyes or the destruction of passion hidden away in my heart. It was the day of confession where all single students hoped their crushes were their secret admirers delivering them a meaningful gift. Valentine’s Day was brimming alive at my high school, but at that moment, I felt it was the end for me.

I did not know what got into me, but I decided to confess to my crush. My very first confession. So I made a simple lavender card rather than the typical red and pink hues because I personally didn’t like bright colors. The lavender card concealed my deepest secret that no one probably would had expected.

I sat at my desk, hiding the card in my lap, hoping for her arrival. Rylie usually came to class late, strolling in indifferently as the teacher took attendance. But hopefully today she would be coming to class.

My breath stopped when I caught her entering the classroom. Her short hair was as always well kept complimenting her handsome features. Her hazel eyes intimidated me as they met my gaze. She smiled at me for the first time, making my heart flutter against my chest.

What did that smile mean? Was it just a friendly smile or was it more than that? I quickly broke away eye contact, blushing furiously as I stared down at my card.

I planned to give her the card after homeroom because she always was the last one out. But I suddenly felt terrified wondering if I was going to make the biggest mistake in my life. Confess and suffer with unrequited love or confess hoping all my dreams come true?

The card was suddenly snatched away from my lap in a split second. I looked up startled, feeling fear crawl into me as I faced the cold blue eyes of my bully Daniel.

He sneered at me, playing with the card in his hands. I was outraged yet frightened at the same time that he would read the card.

“Look what we have here,” he began in a nasty tone. “Emi Lin is in love with someone!”

I turned bright red. “Give that back to me,” I demanded in the loudest voice I had ever used in the room. Several students turned to stare at us.

“What are you going to do?” Daniel asked mockingly. “Do Kung fu on me?”

My eyes welled up with tears feeling a swarm of rage and helplessness. This was not the first time Daniel picked on me, and no one had ever bothered to stop him.

“You better give that card back to her,” a voice scowled. Rylie slammed her chair into her desk with annoyance and walked hastily toward us.

My heart suddenly stopped for a moment. It felt like everything was happening way too fast, and I did not know how to react. Here was my crush defending me from a jerk who was holding her card.

“Mind your own business, dyke,” Daniel sneered at her.

Rylie glared angrily at him. “It becomes my business when you take something not yours. Stop being a racist prick.”

“Racist?” Daniel asked, somehow unaware of his xenophobic insults. “I’m not racist.”

“Then why do you keep picking on her? Everyone already knows you’re a racist asshole.”

Daniel glared at Rylie for her accusation. He dropped the card on my desk and walked away muttering ‘lesbian’ under his breath.

Rylie winced at him for being a homophobe. Her anger dissolved from her face as she turned to look at me.

Her handsome face softened as she spoke to me. “Are you all right?”

Tears uncontrollably streamed down my cheeks. All I could feel was embarrassment and frustration for being bullied.

“Don’t cry,” Rylie said softly as she slightly bent down to pat my shoulder. “If he ever bothers you again, just let me know. I’ll kick his ass.”

I wiped my tears with my sleeve, smiling.

“Umm…” I pushed the card toward her direction. “The card was for you…”

I held my breath as my heart pounded.

Rylie widened her eyes, blushing, as she picked up her card. She read the card slowly, reading every single line I wrote. A smile appeared on her lips.