VALENTINA

CHAPTER SIX.

She's got you mesmerized while I die...
*Conan grey.

Supper goes by fast and Mal falls asleep almost immediately we get back to our dorm.
I'm preparing to go and meet Asher for our assignment.
I put on my baggy sweats and hoodie,grab my books and head to the common room.
Asher isn't here yet but I find Theo.
"Theo what are you doing here"I ask sitting on the couch opposite him.
"Head boy duties"he says not looking at me and this is when I notice the stack of papers beside him.
"Shouldn't Bree be helping you"I ask curiously.
"Yah, she's coming she just went to collect something,anyway what are you doing here"he says typing away on his laptop.
"I'm waiting for Asher"and the moment I finish speaking Asher walks in.
"Valentine let's get going"Asher says completely ignoring Theo.
"Be back early,val"Theo says as I get up.
"You don't need to worry about her, I'm more than capable to take care of her"Asher says sounding more aggressive than necessary .

We walk out and head to the library only a few students are still around.
"You shouldn't have spoken to Theo like that..."I say as we take our seats and Asher looks at me.
"Listen Valentine What you don't know won't hurt you"he replies,and I don't say anything.

"Anyway, let's get started "I say.

"Before anything we need to choose a character who our essay will focus on"he says looking at me.

"I have not read much of the book,but maybe we could do Carter maybe"I say shrugging.

"That's a good idea but I think everyone is doing Carter because she's a "victim" "Asher says air quoting victim.

"But isn't she?"I ask.

"Here's how I see it, Carter is like the Disney princess intitled to her happily ever after but what about the other girl who helplessly loves the prince in the background,I think people don't talk  about her much"he replies.

"So in this case it's Marilyn?"I ask.

"Yes,most people see Marilyn as the oppressor but in a way she's just  a victim of Adam's betrayal"Asher says and I'm beginning to see his reasoning.

"I never thought of it that way, everyone is always so focused on the damsel in distress no one really cares about the other girl"I say in realisation and Asher smiles.
This is actually going better than I  expected,the rest of the time we try to come up with a title and decide to be meeting twice a week to work on our paper.

THE dance is all everyone is talking about this morning since it was formally announced in assembly.
It's  currently time for History class,the second class of  the day and I'm  waiting for more students to arrive.
Asher hasn't arrived yet which is weird, because he's always early for class.
"Hey Valentine,"Theo says sitting next to me,like he has in the last couple of classes.
"Theo,hey"I say facing him.
"Excited about the dance this Saturday"he asks.
"Between spending all my afternoon classes this week setting up for the gym,and not yet having a dress,I think that question answers itself"I reply

"Alexa?,I thought she wouldn't be here for another week..."Theo says and I look at him,I see he's not paying attention to me but looking at the door,and then I see her.
Alexa Davies.
She's walking in with Asher who's hand is resting on the small of her  back. He's smiling at her so broadly and it reminds why I stopped being friends with Asher in the first place.
They make their way to the back of the class laughing as Alexa laughs at  whatever Asher is telling her. I feel a familiar pain in my heart and decide to look away.

"From that look on your face,I can tell you don't like her"Theo says and I feel his gaze on the side of my face.
"I don't hate her"I say refusing to look at him.
"...and you don't like her either,"he says.
"Let's just talk about something else"I say looking at him.
"Do you have a date to the dance"Theo asks.
"I have a few proposals but no date yet,what about you I'm sure your locker must be filled with a ton of proposals"I say smiling at him.
"Actually my locker is filled with proposals but I don't have a date yet,"he replies.
"Kind of hard to believe though"I say.
"Come to the dance with me,"he says suddenly and I laugh.
"Theo,for once be serious"I say looking at me and he looks serious.
"I'm serious val, come to the dance with me,"he says and I scan his face for a sign of mischief but none.
"You're serious"I ask and he nods.
"Yes,"he says simply.
I'm at a loss of words right now,I mean I know Theo is a great guy but sometimes it's hard to take him seriously .
Alexa's laughing snaps me out of my thoughts,I look over at them and they look happy, laughing and smiling.
Without me.
I turn back to Theo and he's still looking at me,maybe it's time to move on.
"I'll go to the dance with you"I say smiling at Theo.
"Really"he says grinning.
"Yah"I reply.
The rest of history goes by with Theo and I talking about random things because our history teacher doesn't show up.
The rest of my classes Theo sits with me and for a while I forget about Alexa.
"The offer to sit with me at lunch still stands"Theo says getting up .Its currently lunch time and I'm packing my books.
"I know and I don't want to sit with you at lunch"I say getting up.
"Why are you so stubborn"Theo says jokingly as we begin to walk out.
"Maybe next time"I reply.
"I'll be waiting for next time"Theo says and I laugh. The rest of the way we walk in comfortable silence until we arrive at the cafeteria.
"See you later Val"Theo says as he walks away.
I collect my food and walk over to my friends.
"Just friends huh"Mal says immediately I reach our table.
"And nothing more"I say sitting down.
"Don't look now but Alexa and Asher just walked in"Bree says and I can't help but look.
She's clinging on to his arm and he looks perfectly happy as they find an empty table.
He looks happy with her and it hurts me to admit this.

"Val are you alright"Bree says with concern in her eyes.
"I'm fine"I barely say forcing a smile.
And the rest of lunch goes by in awkward silence.