Valentine’s Day is around the corner, and that means high-school love is in the air. Soon, girls will be carrying their red roses and boxes of rich, decadent chocolates, while their boyfriends hold their hands down the hallways to their next class. Most couples will kiss quickly, and part ways, but there are those few that will spend their whole seven-minute break shoving their tongues down each other.

    This is where PDA becomes a problem. Valentine's Day does not give students the right to show affection to boyfriends or girlfriends than they would any other school day. Can't people tell the difference between private space and open hallways? Why do they get "romantic" when 500 people are trying to cram down the same hallway to get the class? Why do they block us in the middle of the hallway and force us to awkwardly stand in front of them because we cannot get around? Why does that couple take a nice, leisurely walk while swinging arms, especially up the stairs? This is not cute, nor is it socially acceptable. Everyone behind them is mentally cursing them.

    I immediately try to look away from smooching couples because I feel like I am intruding on a special moment. If they are content with having strangers and teachers watch them make out,  they should at least move over to free up the hallways.

    School is a learning environment. It is a social setting, as well, but it is not the best place to show romantic affection for someone. Public displays of affectionshould be limited. No one wants to see two students making out in the hallway.

    The Fayette County Board of Education Student Handbook states that an “excessive amount of PDA is not allowed, and disciplinary action will result." But who’s to say what is “excessive” or not? Students should use common sense.

    Honestly, I am so happy for people who have found the “perfect” fairytale relationship, like the one from Sweet Home Alabama. They can tell me about it all if they want, but I do not wish to experience it with them. I care that their loves make them feel like they are living a Taylor Swift song, but they can go eight hours keeping their hands off each other. 

    Talking about how much they love their boyfriend or girlfriend may be more powerful than showing it. Do actions necessarily speak louder than words in this situation? No! Keep it classy this Valentine’s Day.