10 Zeke’s Valentine

Ten ziks Valentine. ZEKE STAYED UP LATE THAT NIGHT working and reworking his poem. Finally, when he was happy with what he had written, he went to bed. The next day, all he could think about was giving the poem to Jane. When classes finally ended, Zeke hurried to his history study group that was about to start.

He peeked into the room. Good! he thought. Jane isn't here yet. Zeke snuck over to where Jane usually sat and left a pink envelope covered in red hearts on Jane's desk. Inside the envelope was his poem.

A few minutes later, Jane came into the room. When she reached her desk, she smiled. Opening the colorful envelope, she read the poem to herself: I like the way you smile. I like your kind of style, I like the things you do, but mostly I like you. You're always nice to me. You always help me see that friends mean lots to you. They mean that to me too. So here's a thought for you. I hope you like it too. Thanks for being a friend of mine, Jane. Please be my Valentine.

Jane finished reading the poem. She put down the paper and smiled warmly at Zeke. "Thank you, Zeke," she said. "I love this. It's really beautiful. And I can't think of a better valentine's gift." "I'm glad you like it," said Zeke. "Would you like to walk home together after study group?" she asked. "Sure!" said Zeke, smiling.

When the history study group ended, Zeke and Jane walked from the school together. "So, tell me the name again of the place you're from," Jane said. "It's called Tragas," Zeke said. "My parents and I moved here not long ago. They are researchers, and so they travel a lot. Because of that, I've lived in a bunch of different places." "What's Tragas like?" Jane asked.

"In some ways, it's not that different than Ea— than here," Zeke said, almost slipping and saying "Earth." "Kids go to school, play games, the usual stuff," Zeke added. "Some of the trees and lakes and mountains look quite different though." "Sounds beautiful," said Jane. "Maybe I'll get to see it someday." "Yeah, maybe," laughed Zeke, not sure how that would ever happen.