Trapped in Love

ACT 2: Prologue

ACT 2: Prologue

Valerie woke up with a pounding headache and she knew it was because of not getting any sleep the prior night. she groaned and let herself roll off her bed, landing on the carpeted floor with a thud.

"shut up will ya?!" she heard her father shout, causing her to sigh heavily and lift herself off the ground, carrying herself to her dresser.

"let her be dad!" another shout, expect this one came from Steve.

over the course of the weeks after finding Will you could say the two siblings relationship improved. they spent more time together, shockingly. Steve would give her rides to school whenever he was able to, and whenever he was available they would spend time in the pool or hashing it out at video games in his room. other then that, the two never happened to speak about the past.

she slipped out of her pajamas and into ripped jeans, a band tee and pulled a hoodie over top. she yanked her run down converses onto her feet before exiting her room and when she walked down the steps she winced when they creaked under her weight.

she reached the bottom and picked her bag off the hook, swinging it over her shoulder. okay, no angry father that was a good sign. she brushed her hands through her hair and headed towards the front door, freezing when she saw her father blocking it with his arms folded over his chest.

this isn't going to end well, she thought.

"where the hell have you been recently?" her father questioned, and she could have swore she smelt the alcohol from where she stood.

"what do you mean? i've been home at a reasonable hour ever night." she tilted her head as she lied through her teeth. immediately after it slipped out, she regretted not going with the truth instead.

"Steve can't cover for you anymore so where the fuck have you been Valerie? running off with those freaks again?!"

Valerie simply rolled her eyes at this and pushed past him. her shoulder bumped him roughly and him being under the influence, he stumbled to the wall. he asked her this every time he stopped her and you'd figure he'd get tired of getting the same answer each time.

she only made it half way out of the house before a strong hand gripped her bag and yanked her back inside. she let out a shaky breath as her father held her by her wrist. "listen here good girl, i know your running off with those boys and if I ever find out you're messing around with one of them, you'll be dead."

Valerie attempted to pull her wrist from his grip but his grip only tightened and he gotten close to her face. "do you understand me?!" he shouted, spit landing on her face.

"get away from her," a strong hand landed on her dads shoulder and tugged him back. Steve taken the place in front of her but his back was towards her as he began shouting at their dad. "never lay hands on her again do you hear me?! I'll send your ass out on the street do not test me!"

Trembling, Valerie bolted it out of the house and down the street, forgetting her bike and dodging the other kids and cars. she angrily whipped the tears that slipped and rolled down her cheeks as she walked towards the school.

"what the hell happened to you?" the beautiful freckled face questioned when she came up to them. she tugged up her bag and fixed her composure all together.

"had to run here," she lied and Will -who she knows knew- raised an eyebrow questionably. nobody saw this gesture from him expect for her.

"why didn't Steve give you a ride?" Dustin questioned, resting his arm over her shoulder as the group walked into the building.

"he wasn't home when I woke up," she shrugged, lying easily for the second time that morning.

Will watched as the other boys nodded, simply believing her right away. when they jumped into conversations with one another, Will tugged her aside, his eyebrows raised.

"you know don't you?" she whispered, looking back at the other three boys who were currently pushing each other around. she looked back at Will and he nodded. "please don't tell them.."

"secrets safe with me.." Will whispered back, holding out his pinky which Valerie giggled at and connected hers with it.they both kissed their thumbs before walking back towards the group before they realize they were missing.

"see you boys later," she said with a soft spoken voice as she ruffled Will's hair. as she walked away, entering the classroom she was supposed to be in, she sighed. this was very unlikely for her, she was usually very chatter but this morning she barely uttered a word.

"see you.." mike sighed when she was already out of sight before he could finish. "later?"