fallin' out of love (stemxstud)

9

Valentine

"Took you long enough. There was traffic?"

"Something like that," I muttered, taking off my jacket and going to our bedroom without a glance at Teece.

"Are we getting better...or worse, Tino?"

"Sorry, sorry," I sighed, backtracking and going to Teece on the couch to give her a little kiss on the forehead.

"What's going on?" Teece asked, holding my face before I could pull back, worry in her eyes. If I told her I was looking for Anaela, she would be pissed. But if I didn't tell her, she'd probably think I was just in another mood. Another mood that might lead to us breaking up.

"It's about Anaela," I sighed, after battling myself.

"What happened?" she asked, the most peculiar expression on her face.

"I need to see her Teece," I looked away from her face, holding my hands together like a guilty child.

"Why?" she asked sharply. "She's doing fine in her own world and we still don't have our's together yet. Not to mention...you aren't supposed to have any contact with her, per your family."

"Teece, I-

"Is this why you wanted to start working at the high school? To find her? Tino, I can tell you right now that the slut isn't there. She's bigger and better than even the principal there. She isn't a regular 18-year old."

"She's not a slut," my eyes snapped up. "And you don't know where she could be?" I surveyed her face carefully, "Right?"

"Valentine. No. I do not," she glared. "Excuse me for not wanting my girlfriend to chase after her ex."

"She's more than that. And I don't have feelings for her anymore. I'm worried about her."

"If you weren't making some sort of money from this new job, I'd make you quit. Just know that," Teece stated, getting up and making her way to the bedroom. I started to go after her, but she snapped at me, "And don't follow me!"

What happened to the easygoing friend I once had?

I guess I had lost her when I hurt Teece so many times.

"You can't stop me, Teece. I'm doing what's right."

"Then you won't have me by your side," she stopped in our doorway, her grip tight on the threshold. This didn't feel like our other arguments. This felt serious. This felt major.

"You don't mean that," my voice dropped a bit, "We've always been there for one another. Valentine and Teece. Teece and Valentine. You don't mean that, Teece."

"I do this time, Tino," she told me.

"I've put you through hell, yes, but I'm not telling you I'm tryna run away with the girl. I just wanna make sure she's okay."

"But are we okay, Tino? Is Teece okay?" she demanded. "I've given you nothing but love and loyalty and what do I get back in return?"

"I love you," I whispered.

"What have I gotten back in return! Damn, I can't even keep my cool in this house for one second. When you're around...I feel like exploding, Tino, and not in a damn good way," she sobbed.

"Teece. I hate when you cry," I said softly, slowing walking towards her.

"Then stop making me cry, then," she argued, wiping at her face. "Go to that school, do your job, then come home. Promise. Right now, Tino."

I have to find Anaela, I thought urgently.

"I promise," I mumbled, pulling her against me.

"You're lying," she whispered, shaking her wet face into my shoulder, her hands balled into fists. "You're fucking lying."

I didn't say anything as she left me and buried herself in the covers of our bed. I put back on my jacket and decided to make a little drive to somewhere I knew Dom used to frequent back before she was under my care and protection.

If she isn't there, my chances of finding Dom and figuring out the mystery with Pouty and her friends, are zero to none.