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1: Burden and dinner

Valeriana's pov

Living with my mother was like living in an abandoned house. For the past two years, I didn't know where she was or when she would come back. She's been neglectful for as long as I could remember. I spent the majority of my time with the neighbors. If we didn't have any power at home I would be invited in by the couple that lived next door. They were the only family I have with my mother gone. Kolton and Damien loved me as if I was their own. If anyone were to ask who they were to me I would answer without hesitation that they were my dads.

They taught me everything I know today. I know how to protect myself. My dads were in the mafia. The American mafia. So they taught me how to handle weapons or if I didn't have any on me I could use my fists. When they found out I was Italian they made sure all of us took classes to learn the language. They didn't have to go out of their way like they have to learn a language for me but they did. I'm grateful for everything. Half the time they refuse to let me go home. If I see lights on in the house when I'm not there I know my mother is back and I make sure to go back so she knows I'm still around. Unlike her when she doesn't bother to let me know she's back or when she leaves and for how long.

At school, I was known as the quiet girl. Though people knew to leave me the hell alone. I didn't take shit from anyone. So If someone tried something I made sure they wouldn't try it again. I didn't have friends and I preferred it that way. I didn't like anyone that went to school. They were all fake bitches. Even the ones who were friends were not really friends. It was all an act for everyone. I didn't understand it and I stopped trying to figure it out.

The final bell rang for the day. I got into my 2018 challenger SRT Demon and headed home. When I park in the driveway I see Kolton's car in his driveway. I get out of my car and head inside. I flick the light switch only to groan when the light doesn't come on. I leave the house before walking to my other home. I open the door and toss my bag onto the couch. Kolton cleared his throat.

"You know that's not where your bag goes," He says. I smile at him. I pick the bag up again before flinging it over my shoulder.

"I know, I was just trying to get to you faster," I say. Kolton nods his head. "Power is out again," I said before heading to my room. I throw my bag onto the bed before rushing out of the room and back to Koltan.

"I don't think the power was on, to begin with, Kid," Kolton says. I shrug my shoulders.

"Probably not. I like to have hope," I mutter. Sometimes I feel I'm here all the time. Like I get in their way. So I try to go home to give them time alone.

"We like having you here, V. You are not a burden. You don't need to check to see if everything is working over there when most of the time we all know it doesn't. You have a stable home right here. You don't have to worry about running water, working lights, or food when living here because we will always have all of those options here. You are always welcome here. If Damien and I had it our way. You wouldn't ever step foot back into that house again," Koltan says. I nod my head letting him know I was listening.

"So what are we having for dinner?" I asked. I know it was early but I was starving. The school had this weird mysterious-looking meat and I was not putting that into my body, not that I was hungry, to begin with. My appetite was small. When I eat it's usually once a day. That's usually all I could ration for at home. One meal a day every day or every other day. When staying here I knew there was plenty of food yet I couldn't get myself to eat more than once a day because of my old habits.

"Actually, Chris invited us out to eat. Trey will be there if you are willing to join us," Kolton says. I nod my head. Christopher was the American mafia leader. His son Trey is my friend. I trained alongside him for a good amount of time. Since Chris insisted we did it together to bond. I'm sure my dad's put him up to it considering I didn't have friends. I wouldn't say Trey and I are besties or anything but it was refreshing hanging around him from time to time. After excelling in training I was sent to a different type of training course. Chris thought it was good. Two summers ago I spent the whole summer training with assassins. After ending my training I was sent back to Chris.

"I'm going to nap then shower. I'm exhausted and I smell like school," I say while gagging. Kolton chuckles while nodding his head.

"Be ready by 6," Kolton states sternly. I nod my head before going to my room. I shut the door and shove my bag off my bed before collapsing into the soft bedding. A content sigh leaves my mouth. My bed at my mother's was nowhere near the quality of this bed my dads got me. This bed felt as if I were sleeping on a marshmallow while my other one is like a board.

~~~

My dads were in front of me as we walked to the table. Chris and Trey were already here. I take a seat next to Trey. He smiles at me, causing me to return the smile. If he went to my school I would see him every day but he lives in a different school district.

"How have you been, V?" Trey asked. I shrug my shoulders. He rolled his eyes. "Is that your response for everything?" he asked. I shrug my shoulders.

"Are you ready for Friday?" I asked. Trey's smile grew wide.

"Of course I am. I look forward to it every month," Trey states. I chuckle while smiling at him. Every first Friday of the month his school comes over to mine for a competitive basketball game. Our basketball teams play against each other and we are allowed to watch. It's like a whole thing. We dress up for spirit day and concessions are open during the school day. The first half of the day is the basketball game then it's like a free for all where different types of games are played. School against school. If you want you can sign up to be put on a certain team and compete in the games. Or you can sit and watch. It all started with this happening one time then both the students from each school convinced the schools to do it every month. As long as we don't slack off then they will continue to have the fun fair.

"Do we have a plan for this one?" Trey asked. I shook my head.

"I feel we just go with the flow. Do what we feel is right," I smirk. Trey chuckles while nodding his head. We pull pranks at every fun fair. The school lives for them.

"Just don't get in trouble like last time," Chris says. Trey and I look at him.

"We'll see," I mutter.