Brynn adjusted the canvas bag under her arm, wiped a sweaty palm on her skirt, and rang the doorbell. The door opened and Kaitlyn peeked out, blonde hair framing her beautiful blue eyes. “Oh, it’s you.”

Brynn smiled up at the taller girl. “Hi. C-can I come in?”

Her heart seemed to seize within her chest when Kaitlyn hesitated, but then the blonde sighed. “Okay, but just for a minute. I’ve got to get to practice.”

Brynn stepped through the doorway, dizzy with anticipation. Today her life would change forever, she was sure. She sat on the edge of a couch; Kaitlyn slumped into a chair opposite.

“Are we alone?” Brynn asked hopefully.

“Yeah, my parents are still at work. Look, I’m in kind of a hurry–”

“I–I brought you something,” Brynn blurted out, fumbling with the bag.

Kaitlyn frowned. “Why?”

“It’s Valentine’s Day, silly. Here.” She held out a small gift-wrapped package.

Kaitlyn didn’t move. “Look, Brynn–”

“C’mon, open it!”

The blonde sighed and took the package, tore off the hearts-and-smiley-face wrapping paper, and frowned again. “Pills?”

Brynn nodded. “Steroids. They can make you all-state!”

Kaitlyn gaped at her. “Are you crazy? I’d get kicked off the team, lose my scholarship offers! What were you thinking?”

Brynn fought back tears. This was not going well, not well at all. “I-I guess I didn’t think it through. I’m sorry, Kaitlyn.”

Kaitlyn stood. “Maybe you should–”

“Wait! I brought you something else, something I know you’ll like.” Brynn pulled out a larger package, tearing the paper off in a rush. “I heard that bitch Victoria call you ‘stuck up.’ She–she also said something very rude.”

Kaitlyn’s eyes narrowed to silvery blue slits. “What?”

“That you needed a good . . . ,” Brynn lowered her voice to a whisper, “a good lay.” She opened the garbage bag within the box and stuck her hand inside. “Or at least . . . some head.” She pulled out the gift and held it up for her love to see.

Kaitlyn stared, blinking and confused. Then her eyes widened, and she let out a gasping shriek. She stared at Brynn, not with love or gratitude, but horror. She screamed and fled down the hall, slamming a door behind her.

Brynn stared after her, crestfallen, blood dripping from Victoria’s severed head onto her nice new skirt. She couldn’t believe what had happened. That ungrateful bitch! She threw the head onto the chair, reached back into the bag, and pulled out a large, bloodied knife. She stood and started down the hallway.

The only gift she ever wanted from Kaitlyn was her heart. And today she would have it.