VALENTINA

CHAPTER SIXTEEN.

Someday I'll be everything to somebody else...
*Olivia Rodrigo.

VALENTINA.

Bree and Maliha didn't show up for the rest of the afternoon. Turns out Bree wasn't in school with Theo,they were out with the headmaster and Maliha had extra class work,she didn't even make it to lunch.
But they made it for supper and I told them everything that happened.
Alexa came to check on me as well and Theo well,we met in class.

"Are you sure you're fine now,"Theo asks for the hundredth time .Its currently English class and I just told him about yesterday.

"Theo,for the hundredth time,I'm fine,"I assure Theo.

"I still feel bad,if I had known,I would have come to your room to see you,"he says and I chuckle.

"You're not allowed in the girls dorm,"I say.

"I'm also not supposed to be running errands with the headmaster,but I do it anyway,"he defends himself.

"Point taken,"I say,"anyway have you started on your English paper,"I ask.

"Yah,"

"Really who are you writing about,"I ask curiously.

"Bree,"he says.
Don't get me wrong here,I'm not jealous,I'm just wondering why he's writing about Bree.

"Bree,?"I ask.

"Yah,my paper is on women Independence and leadership and I thought why not write about the head girl who happens to be Bree,"he says.

"Okay,"I say.

"Wait,are you jealous,"he asks smirking.

"No why would I be,"I reply.

"I could write down you if you like,"he says teasingly.

"I'm good,"I say and he laughs.

"Have you started your paper yet,"?he asks.

"No,I still can't find someone to write about,"I say.

"Don't worry,you're Val I'm sure you'll be buzzing with Answers soon,"he says and I smile.

We go back to doing our individual things .Our teacher is surprising late today.

Uhm Val I was wondering...,"Theo says rubbing the back of his neck.

"Do you want to go on a date,with me,"?he asks looking unsure.

"Sure,why not,"I reply and the corners of his mouth curve upwards into a smile.

"How's Saturday?,"he asks.

"Saturday works fine,"I say.

The rest of the morning goes by fast,and it's currently our  lunch break.

"Classes were  boring today,"Theo whines as I close my locker.
"You were barely awake,"I say as we walk away from our lockers.

"Because it was boring,"he says and I laugh.

We arrive in the cafeteria and we get our food.
I look over at our table and it's empty.
"If you're looking for your friends they are over there,"Theo says behind me causing me to jump.
I look over in the other direction and sure enough Bree and Mal,are sitted at his table with Adrien and Gabriel.
But that's not the shocking part,Asher and Alexa are also sitted there too.
"Let's go,"Theo says breaking my chain of thoughts.
He leads me to the table and immediately I arrive everyone's gaze is on us.
"Hey,"I say attempting to wave with my freehand.
"Val,it's about time,"Bree says and I smile at her.
I take a sit and Theo sits next to me.
"How are you feeling today,"Alexa asks me and everyone eyes shift to me.
"I'm fine now,"I say, silently hoping the attention shifts from me.
"I have something to say,"Gabriel says suddenly and I'm grateful the attention shifts from me.
Everyone looks at him with questioning eyes.
He turns to face Mal.
I feel like I know what's going on but I'm still in suspense.
"Maliha,I like you alot and trust me I know this isn't the proper way to do this,but it's feels like the perfect moment,will you be my girlfriend,"Gabriel says.
Mal gasps.
Bree's jaw drops to the floor.
Adrien smiles slightly.
Theo looks amused.
Alexa's grinning ear to ear.
And Asher just stares.

"Psssh Mal, Gabriel is waiting,"Bree 'whispers' to Mal .

"Of course I will,"Bree says hugging Gabriel.

The whole table erupts in cheers earning some stares from the other students.
Everyone's attention returns to their food,and everyone is busy talking to their respective partners.
Theo makes small talk with me but I don't miss the giggling coming from Alexa,I look at her.
Asher is feeding her,and he looks totally mesmerized by her.
I don't miss the lump forming in my throat.
"I need to go,wanna come with,"I whisper to Theo.
He looks at me skeptical at first but he nods anyway.
"We have to go,"I say getting up, holding hands with Theo.
Everyone looks shocked but they excuse us anyway.
"Where are we going,"Theo asks as we exit the cafeteria.
"The gun range,it's almost time for Weapon management class,"I reply.
Theo doesn't ask further questions.
We arrive and only our instructor is here.
"You're early",he comments as we walk in.
"Thought of a getting a head start,"I reply.
Our instructor allows  us to get a head start.
I get my gun and load it before walking over to the targets.

"It's them isn't it,"Theo says coming to stand by me, loading his gun.

"No it's me,"I say.
It's never been them,it's always been my jealousy that gets in the way.

"You can always talk to me you know,"He says looking at me.

"I know,"I say smiling.
He smiles back before putting on his noise cancelling headphones.
I do the same,and focus on the target infront of me.
After a few shots, class formerly starts.
Our instructor explains to us, something new about guns and we continue to practice. This time Theo goes over to a different target.
I'm so caught up in my own world,I almost do not notice Alexa and Asher holding hands.
I'm not supposed to care but I can't look away.
Asher removes some stray hairs from her face and she blushes.
He leans in and whispers something to her that causes her to laugh.
I still can't look away,it feels like I'm glued to the spot.
I'm finally about to look away, when I see Asher leaning in.
I look away because I don't want to see how this ends.
I don't want to break my own heart,but it's too late.
I focus back on my target and I realize I'm gripping the gun tighter than usual.
I release the trigger and I watch as the bullet hits the bullseye.

"Class is over,"Theo says walking up to me.
"I didn't realize,"I say trying to smile.
"We should, get going..."Theo starts but I don't let him finish.
I hug him,and he looks taken aback.
He hugs me back anyway,and runs his fingers through my hair.
Why am I so angry.
I shouldn't be,Asher deserves to love anyone he pleases but why then why do I feel so Angry.
Why can't I forget about him,I have Theo now,I should be happy,I should be moving on but it feels like it's one step forward and three steps back.
I pull away and I look at Theo,he looks genuinely concerned and I feel bad that I have to put him through this.
"Val I..."he starts but I cut him off.
I need to forget about Asher,even it's for a moment.
I lean in and so does he.
He looks hesitant so I press my lip to his.
He kisses me back,.
I kiss him for sometime, before pulling away for air .
I didn't feel anything,no Sparks,no Butterflies,no connection.
And then I realise.
I used Theo as a rebound for Asher.
I feel so selfish.
I unknowingly let my own selfish motives control me .I used to Theo as a distraction from  Asher and yet he's been nothing but nice to me.
I look at him and he's smiling at me.
He's genuine smile makes me feel like the biggest joke around.
"We should get going it's late,"I say avoiding his gaze.
"Okay,"he replies without asking further questions.

I'm not a rebound for Asher right?

I have to talk to Theo about everything,he deserves to know,he might not like me anymore but I need this burden to be lifted,he atleast deserves the truth.

Heyyy guys.
What do you think of this chapter 💗.
Do you think Val's motives were selfish.

Stay safe.