VALENTINA

CHAPTERS FOURTEEN

Do you love me,want me, hate boy I don't understand...
*Olivia Rodrigo.

VALENTINA

"Be back early,"Mal says as I leave my room .Its time for my meeting with Asher.
I head over to the common room to wait for Asher.
I don't find him,so I decide to grab a chocolate bar from the vending machine before sitting on the couch.
I realize I'm only wearing a tank top and sweats and it's getting a bit cold.

"Hey Val,"I hear Theo say and he's walking in.

"Hey,"I reply smiling.

"Are you cold,"Theo asks probably after noticing me rub my arms.

"Not really,"I lie taking a bite from my chocolate.

"C'mon Val you're literally shaking,"he says coming to sit next to me.

"Okay you caught me,"I say poking him playfully.

"Go grab a hoodie from your room or something...,"Theo replies and I can feel him looking at me.

"But it's so far..."I whine and I see Theo shaking his head which causes me to laugh."Give me yours"I add which causes Theo to laugh.

"Are you serious val,"he says with an after laugh smile on his face.
It's cute.

"Yes, infact I'm not even supposed to ask,you're suppose to offer like all the romantic boys do,"I reply and he laughs again.

"Okay Val,you win ,I'm going back to my room anyways,"he says taking off his hoodie.

"There you go,"He says handing me his hoodie running his fingers through his blonde hair.

I take it and inhale the scent.

"Timber and Apple,I like it,"I say putting it on. Its  like five times bigger on me,.

"You look really tiny,"he comments.

"Just so you know,I'm not giving this back,"I say pouting.

"Sure,"he says lazily before adding"goodnight Valentina"he says giving me a hug.

"Goodnight Theo,"I say hugging him back. It feels so natural,like I've hugged him a thousand times before.

"Val,"someone calls and I pull away from Theo only to find Asher staring at us,with a frown on his face.

"Bye Val,"Theo says kissing the top of my head before walking out and I'm left with Asher.

"I'll be in the library,"Asher says then storms out. I gather my books from the couch and follow him.
He very much ahead of me,so I don't even try to catch-up.
I arrive at the library and find Asher at our usual table.

"Hey,"I say sitting next to me.
He doesn't reply so I repeat myself.

"He-,"

"Are you going out with Mendez,"he says cutting me short.

"How does that conc-,"

"Just answer the damn, question are you going out with Mendez,"he says a little louder than necessary, luckily no people are near us.

"Yes,I am so what,"I reply.

"Valentina,stay away from him,"he warns.

"Why should I,"I challenge.

"Just listen to me, Valentine,"he says.

"Unless you tell me why,I will not,"I say firmly looking at him and he seems to get more agitated.

"Valentine listen..."

"No,you will not tell me what to do you're not my friend,"I snap and Theo stands aggressively.

"Don't you think,I know that huh?you made that clear three years ago, apparently I was never good enough to be your friend,"he says and I'm shocked.

"I never said that..."

"Really , Valentine Actions speak louder than words,"

"That's not why I stopped being friends with you..."I say on the verge of crying,I don't know why I'm suddenly so emotional.

"Then tell me Val,I begged you to tell me what I did wrong,I tried I really tried but what did you do,you acted like I never existed,you're a little traitor,"he says and I feel a pang of guilt in my heart.

"That's not true,"I say and my voice cracks,I feel a tear slip down my cheek.

"Shit! Valentine are you crying,"Asher says walking towards me.i wipe my tears but more just keep dropping.

"I'm sorry,I didn't mean to make you cry,"Asher says standing awkwardly infront of me.

"You were a good friend,you did everything right,the problem was me,"I say sniffing.

"Valentine...,"Asher says and I feel his arms around me.

"I'm sorry,for crying,"I say pulling away and wiping my tears.

"You were a good friend Asher,"I say attempting to smile.

"Then Why did you stop being my friend,"he asks softly.

"Let bygones be bygones Asher,it's already in the past,"I say forcing a small smile.

"Fine then can we atleast be friends for old times sake,"he asks .

"Maybe someday,"I say .

"I'll wait for that day,"he says and then collects his books from the table.

"I'm sorry,I made you cry Valentine,"he says before walking out.
I'm left there alone. I decide to call it a night as well and head back to my dorm.
I arrive in my room and find Bree and Mal talking.
"Hey, Val you alright,"Bree asks standing up."you look like you've been crying,".
"I'm fine,"I say smiling at both of them.
"You sure, we are  always here if you need someone to talk too,"Mal says.
"I'm sure,"I say"let's talk about something else,"I add.

"Alright, before you came I was actually talking about a new technology we are walking on,it's a type of technology that enables us to track DNA,"Bree says all excited .
"It can track any DNA of a person provided that you  have a sample,of their DNAisn't this awesome,"Mal adds and my interests heightens.
"You mean it can track any Person,anywhere in the world,"I ask.
"Well provided that there DNA  information is in any Database,yes but it's still glitching it's a 50/50 project,"Bree says.
"Do you think,it can track my mom,"I ask and the girls snap their heads in my direction.
"If we can get it to work but even then,the machine won't be available for use until it's researched by top Govt labs,that could take months,"Bree says.
"But can't you like use it before it's handed over?,"I ask desperately.
I've never known who my mom is,dad never talked much about her,we literally had no picture of her in our house.
To dad it's like she never existed,I've never bothered to look for her cause I don't even know her name,but after what Bree told me,it's worth a shot.

"Bree please can't you do this one thing for me,"I beg and she looks torn between a rock and a hard place.

"Val,I'd love too but right now,it's too risky,but I promise you that I will do my very best,"Bree says and honestly I understand where she's coming from,it's not just any machine,it's a technological advancement that could change so many things.
But either way,I have to give it a shot,it's the only way,I can atleast try to find my mom,if she's still out there and get the closure I  deserve.
"By the way,for the machine to work,you actually have to have a DNA Sample,where the heck are you going to get that,"Bree asks.

"I don't know,Val I'll figure something out,"I say.
Honestly I have no idea where to start,but I will start.

Mom if you're out there,I'm gonna find you.