A Valentine’s Day Pandemicby Brother Love

A Valentine’s Day Pandemic

By Brother Love

Amorning siren pierced through the dorm. Johnny’s eyes bursted open. He almost fell off his bed as he reached to turn off the alarm on his phone. “Never gets old...” snickered Nate, Johnny’s roommate, as he bursted into laughter only to turn back to his computer. Johnny proceeded to check his phone, which read: ‘February 14th, Valentines Day’. “Guess today will be interesting,” Johnny said as he got dressed and approached the door. “Yo, wait up!” Nate exclaimed, “It’s still early, they don’t want anyone out till 10am.” “Right,” remarked Johnny as he turned towards Nate, “So...you got any plans?” Nate turned to him, “Nah, all my homies bailed on me, so I’m stuck here for the day. What losers!” Johnny smirked, “Tell me about it, it took me forever to get this one date planned... on Valentines Day!” Nate laughed. “Johnny, my man, you should feel lucky that you even have a date.” “Yeah, I guess you’re right...” Johnny checked his phone just in time to see the clock strike 10. “Well, looks like it’s 10 now. See ya in the evening!” Johnny walked out the door, freshened up in the bathroom, then walked to the dining hall.

As Johnny left his dorm hall, he quickly realized that it was freezing outside. “Dang, should’ve brought a heavier jacket,” Johnny mutters to himself. Eventually, Johnny arrived at the dining hall...to find that there was a line stretching far outside. Reluctantly, he waited. “Nothing better to do...” he thought. A few minutes later, Johnny noticed someone familiar walking by. As soon as he realized who it was, he called out, “Hey Peter!”. Peter paused, then slowly walked towards Johnny. “H-Hey Johnny.’’ “Where have you been, man?” Johnny asked. “Oh, you know... the quarantine dorms,’’ Peter said as he averted his eyes for a moment. “Oh right, forgot about that, time flies, doesn’t it?” Johnny remarked. Peter sulked, “Easy for you to say when you’re not trapped in a room for weeks...” “Hey, it couldn’t have been that bad...I mean, you have the internet and schoolwork to keep you busy.” Johnny paused for a moment. “So... what are you up to now Pete?” “Getting some fresh air. It feels refreshing after all this time, so I guess I’ll stay out and enjoy.” Johnny turns to him, perplexed. “You mean out in the freezing cold?” Peter looked away, almost as if he were late for something. “Uhhhhh, yeah. Anyways, I think I see my roommate so I should probably catch him up to speed.” “Alright, see ya around Peter,” Johnny said to no one.

Several hours passed on the food line before Johnny finally entered the dining hall. Really, a shell of his former self after what had seemed like an eternity waiting. Suddenly, Sarah arrived, wearing multiple layers of masks, baffling Johnny. “Hey... don’t you think that’s a bit much?” Sarah looks taken aback at the question, but responds, “Huh? Oh, this?” as she points to her intensely masked face. “Well, triple masking is the trend, can’t be too safe, ya know?” “Right...anyways, I figured that since it’s Valentine’s Day, we need to spend some quality time together.” “Yeah, especially in these unprecedented times!” Johnny notices that Sarah is wearing a pair of textured gloves. “Cool gloves!” Johnny reached out to feel one on the table. Sarah recoiled and pulled her arm back. “Oh, these? I got them at a winter sale, they’re supposed to keep my hand extra warm!” “I see…”, Johnny responded. The two continued to talk for a while until eventually the topic of the weather came up. “Yeah, I guess some people don’t mind the winter weather” Johnny said, “Like I was talking to Peter earlier and…” Sarah went into shock as if she had just witnessed a murder. “Wait you mean you were with The Peter? Like, in person?” “Yeah but...” before Johnny could explain himself, Sarah cut him off. “I’m sorry, Johnny, but maybe today wasn’t such a good idea, in fact, I just realized how busy I am today! Maybe we can reschedule for another time but I gotta go, bye.” “Sarah, wait!” Sarah proceeded to leave before Johnny could continue his explanation.

After the date, Johnny went back to his dorm to find Nate in the exact same chair. After a minute, Nate noticed that Johnny had actually returned to their room. “Back already huh, so how’d it go?” His eyes seemed eager for details. “Terrible,” Johnny muttered. Nate felt empathetic for his romantically lonely roommate. “Blue balled huh?” Johnny tensed. “I don’t know what’s up with her, she’s been like this ever since all this shit started.” Nate, sensing his infuriation decided to reel it back. “Well, at least it’s just one of your friends that acts like this.” Johnny stared at Nate “So... have you done anything today other than sit in that chair?” Nate paused for a second, then replied “Oh, I’ve been all over campus man. Seriously, what do you think I’ve been doing?” Johnny stared at Nate with sad eyes befitting a dog without supper. “Seriously though,” he complained, “what can I do?” Nate suddenly stood up and took Johnny’s average-looking face into his hands. “Johnny boy, I’d love to help you but I’m all out of ideas here! But there’s one thing I know above all else!” Johnny’s sad demeanor lighted for a split second at his roommates intensity. Nate continued, impassioned. “Love transcends stupid things like “space and time” or “Valentine’s Day.” Love is all around us…” he stared happily into Johnny’s glazed eyes. “...and it might be closer than you think.” Johnny blushed and looked away. Maybe Nate was right. Maybe things weren’t so bleak. And maybe… just maybe, he could find love this Valentine’s Day after all.