One day before Valentine's Day, 2026...

Alix's POV:

  She sat up feeling like she needed to remember something important. 

    She sighed. It was only one day until Valentine's Day and she still was not any closer to an answer to her predicament. How was she to choose with whom to attend the dance?
   

      Where had she put the valentine she had made a long time ago?

      Why did she feel so attached to the silly thing anyway?

    She went to her closet and pulled out an outfit. She got dressed, stepped into her shoes, and did her hair. She put on the bracelet and other jewelry.

     She almost missed it as she turned to leave the room.  Stuck under the bottom corner to her dresser was the item she sought. She carefully removed it and held it in her hand.

      "Max" she read the name aloud on it.

    "Yes, I remember now I made this for him."  She thought I must give it to him. 

     She packed the card away in her bag and headed off to school. She was feeling a bit awkward as she entered the room. She sat at her usual desk. Max sat behind her. Some boy she did not remember sat across from her. A few others sat in front, beside, or behind her.

      The lesson went by fast. She smiled as she nodded her head while she wrote down the assignment.

        During the next lesson, she felt distracted thinking about the card meant for Max. She had not the foggiest idea why she had made it. Good day, why did she seem to have only partial memories returned no matter how long she longed to remember more?

          The rest of the lessons went by quickly as well. She entered the cafeteria as soon as the lunch bell rang. She saw Max sitting alone. She thought others typically joined him for lunch. Where were they today? She got a tray, put a plate, some silverware, a napkin, a glass of chocolate milk, and some food on it. 

         She wanted to join him. Did she sit with him before, she did not know.  "Hi, Max, is this s-seat taken?" She asked. "Not yet, I was saving it for you," He said.

      Alix sat down grateful she did not have to eat alone. She saw him glancing at her when he thought she was not looking. She blushed. Could Max have an interest in her? She brushed the thought aside. This was reality not some dream sequence. She finished her food and stood up.

      Without a word, Max followed her. He watched her enter the hallway. He sighed. Why couldn't he get it out already?
        

     Alix pulled the card out and turned around. She frowned when she did not see a soul. "That is strange, I thought for sure someone was there." She said aloud. Max moved from his hiding area behind the trash can in the hall.

     "Alix, you alright?"

    "Honestly, I don't know, but here you are," She said as she handed him the Valentine.

       Max took it. As he read it, he felt his face turn beet red.  Why did she still have this effect on him after all this time?  

      "Thanks, Alix, I don't have a Valentine," He said.

     "You don't, but I thought, a handsome boy like you would have already found his special Valentine and..." Alix trailed off.

     Max grabbed her arm and pulled her into the janitor's closet. He could feel her tense up. He could hear footsteps as they approached but breathed a sigh of relief as whoever it was walked past the closet.

     "Alix that is a nice jacket, and jewels you have there. He must be something special," Max teased her.

      "Don't tease me, Max, it is not as if I know him," Alix said.

          Max reached into his back pocket and held out a rose. He suddenly wondered if she would accept it. Would she even get the message if she took it?

         "What is that behind your hand?" Alix inquired. "It's nothing," Max stated. "Let me see it, boy!" Alix said. She tickled him. Max laughed and handed it over to her.

        Alix stared at the red rose. She blushed once more. "M-Max, I-I..."

             Max lifted her chin.  "M-May I?"  He stuttered suddenly aware of how close they were already.

            Alix was speechless was Max about to kiss her?

         Max stared into her eyes and felt as if nothing else mattered. Not even the possibility of getting detention for being in the janitor's closet with a pretty girl. He leaned in, but as he was about to press his lips against hers, the door was swung open. 

        "Alright out with it, you two, " The janitor said.

     "Uh, we need a minute or two alone, and the closet was the only place we could find so uh..." Max failed to explain.

     "We were hiding from the others," Alix said matter-of-factly.

      "Y-yeah, we were hiding, he, he," Max remarked.

  The janitor did not look amused, if anything he looked angry. "Don't let me catch you two making out in my closet again," He warned them. He walked off and thought goodness teens these days.

       Max realized Alix was looking at him unsure of what to say next.  He held her hand and took her to the park. Alix did not care if the bell had not signaled the close of school. She was alone with Max.  

       Once there, he let go. "Listen, Alix, I never meant to embarrass you, I don't blame you if you decide you would like nothing to do with me after this, and..." He was interrupted. Alix stood closer to him, and said, "Max, I would love to be your Valentine, so what do you say?"

       Max nodded his head. It was all he had ever wanted. Alix closed the gap between them with a kiss. Max closed his eyes as he thought, the kiss is even better than in my dreams. He held her close. He did not let go even when he heard let out a small sigh. He kissed her back. He only pulled away for some air.

        "Alix?"

   "Yes, Max?"

    Max saw the look she gave him and he just had to do it. He put a hand on her face, and muttered, "Alix if only you knew how much I love you." He kissed her again.

     Alix thought in that moment, could it be he loves me? She felt him kiss her and deepened the kiss. Then pulled away to say, "Max, I  am sorry it took me so long to remember."

       The story continues in Chapter 14

  What do you think will happen?

Until then, bye-bye, little owlets!

Summer out!