The Book of Firsts

Forty-Six

"Valentine’s Day at Corascur has been regulated from way back, even before the Rose Court was established. Too many lockers where people have tried to wedge chocolates through the ventilation slots, or girls who couldn’t walk five metres without being presented with bunches of flowers."

"This is certainly less spontaneous," I said, reading through the little form I’d found on my desk. "And rather extreme." All gifts, even cards, had to be given via the teachers, stripping away true anonymity, and would then be handed over at lunchtime.

Lania shrugged. "This year has to be very extra because of the boobytraps. We don’t know if they’re confined to the Three Kings, after all, and so all edibles have to be completely identified."

"I’m surprised they weren’t more controlling about the food at the festival, if they think poisoning is an option."

"They even considered cancelling the festival, at one point," Lania said, tucking her copy of the form into her bag. "But all the advice is these attacks are targeted, and doing something to the food at the festival would be more in the line of random poisoning."

"I’m glad they’re still so vigilant, despite nothing happening since the mystery paintbrush incident, but I’m even happier I wasn’t planning on giving anyone Valentine’s gifts."

"A good year to give it a miss," Lania agreed. "Are you doing anything special over the break next week, Mika? We’re going to Dorsey National Park for a couple of days—it’s a four-hour drive south, and will be busy because there’s hot springs and everyone runs there this time of year—but there’s some really lovely walks around Dorsey Lake."

"Wouldn’t I crowd you?"

"Sascha isn’t coming—a friend lured him to a week-long gaming session—so there’s a free seat in the car."

"Then I’d love to come. Though a week-long gaming session also sounds like fun."

"Don’t I know it. It’s how I plan to spend the rest of the week. How’s your wrist? Back to normal function?"

"I think so. I’m still being relatively careful with it—it’s been interesting training myself to use my left hand for things—and I’ll avoid doing anything intensive for a few weeks more, but I think it’s done otherwise."

I picked up the form on my desk and folded it in half, wondering how many cards or chocolates I’d get this year. But lunchtime rolled around, and there was no notification from the school app that anything was waiting for me. I had to laugh at myself for having turned all my prospects down, but still expecting gifts. Too much ego.