VALENTINA

CHAPTER TWENTY.

Ain't ghat no tears left to cry...
*Ariana Grande.

Two months later...

VALENTINA.

It's been exactly two months since I last talked to Theo,after our argument,we never talked,we have classes together but it feels like he's not there.
I'm not complaining though,we both need time to work out our frustration.
On the other hand,it was very awkward talking to Asher after everything,it still is but we  decided to put our feelings aside for our project, which has made great progress.
We're still not friends yet,and not enemies either,now we are more like strangers with some memories.
The past two months were tough,I cried myself to sleep the first month,I vent out most of my frustrations in combat and self defense class but mostly I spent time with my two best friends who made things alot easier.
Alexa has been a great friend, though we aren't as close as we were ,atleast we have no bad blood anymore.
I'm not yet sure if I'm completely over Asher but right now I'm in a good place with myself.
It still stings Abit seeing him and Alexa together,but most of the part,I'm happy for them,and wish them the best.
We wrote our exams and I aced it, including my best friends.
Friday,we go on our school break and tommorow Thursday is my birthday.
I'm excited to turn eighteen but most importantly I'm excited to finally be independent and inherit everything my dad left me fully.
I'm mostly interested in finally getting to visit my childhood home,maybe I can find some answers about my mom and my other family,and for once in so long maybe I'll have a family to call my own.

"Happy birthday, Valentina!"Bree screams budging into my room and disturbing my slumber.
"Bree do you know what time it is,"I say rubbing my eyes.
"Yah it's 24:05,"she says jumping on me.
"It's late, we'll celebrate in the morning,"I say attempting to go back to sleep.
"Nonsense,you're eighteen now,it calls for a big celebration,"Bree says literally pulling me out of my bed.
"Why did you do that,"I whine and that's when I notice Mal isn't here."where's Mal," I ask.
"You ask too many questions,just come with me,"Bree says dragging me out of the room.
Despite my sleepy nature,I follow her.
We arrive in the common room and Bree has the biggest smile on her face.
Before I can say anything the light goes on and several people shout "happy birthday,!".
"Happy birthday Val,"Bree says coming to hug me.
I look around and I recognize Everyone.
There's Gabriel,Adrien, Mal ,Alexa,Asher and a few people from my classes.
I see Asher and Alexa and I offer them a small smile.
"Thank you everyone,"I say showing my happiness.
I'm really grateful that they did this for me, even if they had to wake me up from my sleep,it was worth it.
"Okay,Val to show you how much we care,we all wrote you birthday messages and filled them in this jar,you can read them,"Bree says handing me a jar full of coloured note cards.
I take one out.

Happy birthday to a friend who means everything to me,may your smile never fade but widen always in your new era.
Love.
Mal.

I smile at her.

I take out another one.

Thanks for the best childhood memories,happy birthday my friend.
Alexa.

I look over at her smile,and my eyes get watery.

Another one.

I hope you see what I see.
-the most gorgeous person one could ever be.
Happy birthday sis.
With all my love
Bree.

At this point I'm literally crying,I hug Bree because she's next to me and some awww's go around.

Happy birthday to our girlfriends biggest cheerleader.
*Gabriel and Adrien.

I've never talked to them on a personal level but the fact that they actually,did this nomatter how small warms my heart.

There's only one card left and I'm assuming it's from Asher.
I open it.

To an amazing person who has touched my life in so many ways
-you deserve all the joy , love and happiness the world has to offer.
Happy birthday Valentine.
*Ash.

I look over at him and smile.
A genuine smile.

"Thank you guys for your kind messages,you have no idea how much this means to me and I'm so glad I get to celebrate my birthday with amazing people like  you,once again thank you,"I say genuinely wiping my tears of joy.

After a few minutes of chatting and laughter,we call it night and Bree says this was only the icing on the cake.
Don't get me wrong I'm excited but Bree tends to kinda overdo it on these things.
But because,it's my eighteenth birthday,I'll let her have this one.
I head back to my room with Mal and Bree after bidding goodbye to everyone else.
We arrive and what I find on my bed stop me in my tracks.
There's a huge bouquet of roses and a gift bag on my bed.

"Guys thank you, but you didn't have to,"I say to Mal and Bree.

"We didn't do this,"Mal says and I'm confused,I walk over to the bouquet and there's a note attached to it.
I read it out loud.

In a sea of people,my eyes will always search for you 💗💕,
Happy birthday, Valentina
*Anonymous.

"Wow!"Mal breathes out walking towards my bed.

"You have a secret admirer,"Bree gushes joining us.

"Don't be silly,and even if it is true,I'm not into love right now,I've had enough heartbreak for a decade,"I joke as Mal picks up the gift bag.

She takes out a bracelet and it had some engraving.

"Turn the pain into power,"Mal reads aloud.

I smile at this,I may not know who sent this but I'll definitely carry the quote with me forever.

Turn the pain into power.

Heyyy guys.
What's the best birthday gift you've ever gotten.

Sending love💗.