Mathew walked through the hallway, his hands buried deep in his pockets, his gaze fixed on the ground. The noise around him was a distant hum, drowned by the loud beating of his own heart. He had spotted Lisa, the girl with a smile that could light up the dimmest room, standing near her locker with friends. Today, he promised himself, would be the day he finally gathered the courage to ask her to the Valentine's Day dance.
Mathew sat at the corner table, surrounded by half-finished art projects and the quiet murmur of focused classmates. He picked up a piece of pink construction paper, his fingers trembling slightly as he folded it into a small heart. Inside, he wrote a simple note, "Will you be my Valentine?" Beside it, he placed a chocolate heart wrapped in shiny red foil, hoping it would convey the words he struggled to say.
Mathew took a deep breath, clutching the note and chocolate close to his chest. He spotted Lisa on the swings, her hair catching the sunlight as she moved back and forth. Gathering every ounce of courage, he approached her, his heart pounding louder with each step.
"Hi, Lisa," he said, his voice barely above a whisper.
"Oh, hi Mathew!" Lisa replied, her eyes twinkling with warmth.
Mathew held out the note and chocolate, his hand shaking slightly. "I... I wanted to give you this," he stammered, his cheeks turning a deep shade of red.
Lisa took the note, her smile widening as she read it. "This is so sweet, Mathew," she said, her voice soft and sincere. "I'd love to go to the dance with you."
Mathew walked beside Lisa, his heart lighter than it had ever been. The fear that had once gripped him was now replaced with a sense of triumph and happiness. As they talked and laughed, the world around them seemed to fade away, leaving just the two of them, and the promise of a wonderful evening together.
Mathew lay on his bed, staring at the ceiling, his mind replaying the day's events. He couldn't help but smile, feeling proud of having conquered his shyness. Tomorrow would bring new challenges, but for tonight, he basked in the warmth of his small victory, dreaming of the dance and the girl who had made it all worthwhile.
