Clementine peeked out from under her blankets at the clock on the nightstand. 9:36 Monday morning. She groaned slightly and pulled herself out of bed. Tomorrow was Valentines Day. Her least favourite day of the year. Pulling the long dark drapes open, she squinted as the warm sunshine shone in on her. She turned and searched her closet for something to wear.

After deciding on a short black skirt, a black shirt that said ‘My eyes are up here’ and black and pink striped stockings, Clementine made her way to the kitchen for breakfast. She saw her brother standing at the counter eating a bowl of cereal, dribbling milk down his chin as he ate. Rolling her eyes at the mess she had to live with, she reached in to the pantry for chocolate pop tarts.

“They’re all gone.” Her brother said, more milk dripping down his chin.

Clementine sighed slightly and walked over to the freezer for some frozen waffles, but realized they were all gone as well. She took a paper towel from the roll and wiped her brothers chin. “You are such a slob, Joey.” She mumbled. He rolled his eyes and continued eating.

“Do you have any plans for tomorrow?” He asked, placing his now empty bowl in the sink; already knowing her answer he snickered to himself.

“No, and I don’t care to.” She said, picking up her cell phone and purse from the table. “Tomorrow is a day that should, by all accounts, be ignored… or stolen.” She muttered to herself. “Do you have any plans?”

“When don’t I?” He smirked, leaving the kitchen.

“I bet he has at least three girls lined up for tomorrow.” She said to herself as she walked to the hall closet for her boots.

The shops in town were full of last minute boyfriends and husbands. Clementine could barely breathe it was so crowded in town. She only wanted to get some chocolate pop tarts. She sighed inwardly and left the store. Once out of the crowd she heard her cell phone ringing.

“Ello Lizbeth.” She answered, knowing who it was.

“Clem, please tell me you don’t have plans for tomorrow night.” Her friend said, eagerly.

She already knew what was coming. “No, I don’t.”

Hearing an excited ‘yes’ on the other end of the line, Clementine held the phone away from her ear. “Now why are you so excited?”

“I met this guy but his friend needs a date for tomorrow. He’s really very good looking and you were the first person I thought of.” Elizabeth said, a slight hint of desperation in her voice.

“No, I was the only person who doesn’t ever have anything to do on Valentines Day.”

“Clem, please spare me the speech, I know it by heart. Just please, go tomorrow night and I promise it won’t be horrible. I’ll make it up to you.” She paused a minute, waiting for a response. “Pwease?”

“Don’t start that.” Clementine said, irritation evident in her normally calm voice. “Fine. But if anything makes my night even the slightest bit bad and not completely wonderful, I will--”

“Yes, yes. You will eat my soul with teriyaki sauce. I know. But thank you so much! I’ll be at your house tomorrow afternoon to get ready.” With that, Elizabeth hung up.

‘What have I gotten myself into?’ Clem thought to herself as she put her phone back in her purse.