VALENTINA

CHAPTER SEVEN

But how could I hate her,she's such an angel...
*Conan Grey.

VALENTINA

"Shoot Val I forgot my notepad,I'll be right back ,I'll find you in the common room"Mal says before running off.
We are on our way to the Auditorium to begin the dance preparations.
I walk to the common room and it's empty because most people have classes right now.
I decide to grab a quick drink from the vending machine as I plop down  on one of the couches to wait for Mal.
I'm lost in my own thoughts when I hear someone walk in. I turn and I come face to face with Alexa.
She's still in her uniform,her hair looks perfect like it's not the afternoon and she's looking at me with searching eyes.

"Hey"she says smiling.

"Hi"I reply and suddenly the room feels a bit,too small.

I smile awkwardly at her not knowing what to say . It's been long since I was this close to her.
Alexa and I used to be friends,she was the only other friend I had apart from Asher, growing up.

"How are you?"she says smiling showing her perfect teeth.

"I'm fine"I reply."how are you"

"I'm fine,"she says,"Valentina can I ask you something"she adds.
And in reality I don't want her to ask me anything,but this  is the least I owe her after everything I did.
"Sure"I say forcing a smile.

"Do you hate me"Alexa says and I stare at her.
I've been asking myself this question for the past three years and even I don't know .Why would I hate Alexa,she did everything right, she's never hurt me atleast not directly,she was always there for me.
I know the truth but it's more than I care to admit.

I look her in the eye,"No,".I smile.

"Then what did I do wrong"she asks.

"Nothing,you did everything right, some things aren't just meant to be"I reply and she doesn't say anything she just begins to walk away.

"Just because you stopped being my friend,Val, doesn't mean I stopped being yours"She says and walks out.
You did everything right Alexa,it's me who messed up.
After sometime Mal joins and I don't tell her about my encounter with Alexa,it feels too personal right now.
We walk to the gym and find preparations are in full swing.
"Ladies"Theo acknowledges as we walk in .I spot Bree by the far end with some other dance committee members.
"I'm going to see if Jenny needs any help"Mal says before dashing off.
"And I'm going to stand here and observe"I say .
"I've got a better idea,help me set up the stage"Theo says and I can see from his face his not leaving any room for arguments.

I sigh"fine".
We walk over to the stage and a few juniors are already working on it.
Theo tasks me  to decorate the podium with the decorations in the box beside me.
It's a fairly easy job as all I have to do is stack the decorations on the podiums.
"Looking good Val"Theo says from behind me as I add a few pearls to the podium.
"Thanks"I say as he walks to stand in front of me.
"What color dress are you wearing"he asks.
"Huh?"
"Your dress colour I want to match with my bow tie"
"I don't know,the girls and I are going dress shopping on Friday,so I'm not too sure,".
"Looks like I'm gonna wing it"Theo says and I laugh.
I finish decorating the podium and I see the auditorium is starting to take shape.
"This looks great"I say gesturing to the auditorium.
"Yah, everyone is working so hard,that reminds me I have to go see the progress Bree and the girls have made,I'll be back soon"Theo says then walks off.
I remain alone and decide to do some finishing touches on the podium.

"Hey"Asher says from behind me and I nearly jump."sorry didn't mean to scare you"he says as I turn around.
"It's fine"I reply.
"That looks great by the way"he says gesturing to my work of art on the podium.
"Ah thanks"I say.
"Welcome"he says and it goes to silence.I remember my conversation with Alexa earlier and it Sparks new questions of my own.

"Asher why are you here"I say nonchalantly.
"To appreciate your work"he says throwing me one of his half smiles.
"No I'm serious why are you suddenly talking to me,and being nice like the last three years didn't happen"I say folding my hands over my chest.
I should let it slide I know,but I can't it's like walking around eggshells,we can't avoid the shells forever, people don't just walk back into your life and pretend like everything is going well.

"Because we are friends,"

"Used to be friends,we are not friends,you can't pretend like the three years didn't happen..."I say and Asher stares at me dumbfounded .He opens to say something but closes it when nothing comes out.

"Look Asher,I'm not trying to be mean,I really appreciate you talking to me and all that,but how long are we going to walk around eggshells and ignore the bigger picture"I say.

"Valentine,I'll be honest with you,right now I don't have the answers to your questions,"he says looking at me and  I feel hurt.
I expected to say it's because he missed me but who am I kidding I'm the one who walked away from him,I'm the one who ended our friendship,if anyone should be admitting to missing someone it should be me,not him .

"I have to go to Bree"I say walking away before he can say anything.
Luckily enough,I find Bree and we are dismissed for the day,the auditorium looks really good .We head back to our dorms to shower and we meet up again for Supper.

"So girls do we have dates for the dance"Bree beams as we put our trays on the table.

"Gabriel asked me"Mal says mixing her salad.

"That's so great,how about you Val"Bree says looking at me.

"I'm going with Theo"I say putting ketchup on my fries and I see their Jaws drop to the floor.

"I knew there was something going on between you too,first you're sitting together in class, walking to the cafeteria together even in the auditorium you were together"Bree accuses and I roll my eyes.

"There is nothing between us,we are just friends I think"I say .

"I'm not buying it"Mal says eyeing me.

"Alright then,do whatever you want but I'm telling we are just friends"I say digging into my fries.

"By the way I talked to Asher and Alexa today..."I blurt out. They both look at me urging me to continue.
"Honestly,none of it made sense,I think I'm just still confused let's talk about something else"I say .
"Okay, whenever you're ready to talk we'll be here"Mal says and I smile.

"With that being said let's talk dresses"Bree says and just like that we are back to being the three carefree best friends.