Taurus

When I was a kid, my mom always used to say that at some point, everyone got their happy ending. Every time I came home with a scraped knee or some new drama started at school, she would tell me Cinderella's story, reminding me of just how much she had to endure before becoming a princess. And somehow, it all made sense back then. Sadness came before happiness. Every time I suffered, I would grit my teeth, remembering that I was fighting for my happiness, and that if I was brave enough, I would get it one day.

But recent events had made me think of things differently. I thought of Scorpio, whose happiness had been zapped the moment he went into a coma. I thought of Aquarius, who had lost her best friend the day after she'd learnt that he didn't care for her like she did for him. Heck, I even though of lying, manipulative Libra sometimes and how she had been assaulted by both of the guys who had a special place in her heart.

And, for some reason, it just hit harder on Valentine's Day that there were people who had not had one moment of happiness for a long time. I walked into school, welcomed by the usual, tacky decorations that had found a way into my heart as inviting on a day like this. However, the cheer of the decorations did not reflect the tragedies that had hit the school. First, Scorpio had gone into a coma. Then Cancer had passed away, his body disposed of in a hospital after a failed heart transplant, and after that, the two supposed power couples- Aries with Sagittarius and Leo with Libra- had split. "Taurus, hey!" Libra smiled her white-toothed, fake smile. "Happy Valentine's Day!" She handed me a light pink rose.

Libra wore a fully pink outfit, something like the ensembles of Legally Blonde, complete with her signature towering stilettos. She'd taken the time to straighten her hair and do it up in a high ponytail, curled upwards at the end like a 50's icon. Scorpio walked up to her, smiling as he handed her a card. Libra frowned before opening it. She nodded, once again smiling when she read the message.

"Scorpio, that's so sweet!" I raised my eyebrows. "What did you write, Romeo?" Libra rolled her eyes, showing me the card, much to Scorpio's chagrin.

Dear Libra,

You are a great friend, and even though I wish we were more, I'm happy that you chose to stay by my side. Happy Valentine's Day from (hopefully!) one of your closest friends. Have a great day and just know that I'm always here for you.

From Scorpio

"How sweet!" I gushed. Scorpio went red before snatching the card, muttering under his breath. "Come on, guys." We walked toward the lockers, Libra opening hers and finding herself serenaded by a waterfall of cards from her admirers. "Wait..." she stopped abruptly as she started going through them. "These are all from..."

"Me." Libra turned around, shocked, to see Leo standing behind her, holding out a single red rose. Libra's expression hardened and Scorpio bristled, balling his fists. "Look, Leebs, I'm really sorry, and I just wanted to show you how bad I felt-"

Libra stood, brushing off all the cards. "You can take that apology and waltz right back to wherever you came from," Libra growled. "And, for future reference, my name is Libra." And with that, Libra kicked all the cards towards Leo with one stiletto-clad foot, eyes narrowed at him as she turned toward her locker. A small crowd had gathered around the scene, people filming the showdown and whispering to each other. I turned back toward my own locker, not wanting ti draw any attention to myself whatsoever...

When I found myself bombarded with confetti.

I gasped, eyes closed, as the music started to play. "I'm in love with the shape of you, we push and pull like a magnet do..."

I opened my eyes, only to find a musical card in my hands, playing 'Shape of You'. At a distance stood Pisces, wearing a sheepish expression. "Be my Valentine?" he asked, grinning. Cancer shot him a thumbs-up from nearby.

"God, yes!" I ran toward Pisces, jumping into his embrace. Libra and Scorpio watched, smiling, while the crowd just 'aww'ed at us, taking even more videos. "That's gotta be the cutest one this year..." one girl whispered to her friend. Leo walked away with his entourage of football players, and I thought of a time where I wanted to be with him so desperately it hurt my heart to even see him with anyone else. And now, here I was, regarding the quarterback disgustedly, repulsed by him.

I turned my thoughts back toward Pisces. My very own Prince Charming. He was perfect in every way-kind, supportive and loving. No matter what, Pisces never left my side. Even though he'd been through so much this year, what with Scorpio and Libra's ongoing issues and, of course, his best friend Cancer Chang's death, he stood by me, a shoulder to cry on, someone to laugh with, a soul to love. "Well, lovebirds, you can let go of each other now," Scorpio whisper-yelled, laughing. Libra elbowed him, rolling her eyes.

And just for a second, his eyes met hers and they just stood there, staring at each other, inches away from holding hands. Her breath caught in her chest as he reached for her fingertips. His hand slowly found hers, and he smiled, as sweetly and wholly as a child. And just for a second, you could see the fairy tale of a decade unfolding right there and right then. It was like the world had slowed down, like a picture in a storybook was being painted as we stood there, silent, watching two star-crossed lovers slowly find their way back to each other.

But then, of course, the beloved bell broke the spell, and Scorpio and Libra jumped away from each other, laughing awkwardly. "Class, guys!" Libra wheezed, her throat catching. And as we walked away, Pisces leant down, kissing the top of my head. "Taurus... I love you."

And with that, he walked away, like it was just something casual.

He just told me he loves me.

He loves me.

He really loves me.

This is my happily ever after.