Valere

Chapter One: Return

"I still can't believe you're finally back!" Vas sighs, embracing me in a tight hug again.

I chuckle lightly, "I've only been gone a year."

He pulls back, holding me by my shoulders, "A year too long."

Releasing his grip, he sits in the small retro café booth. I sit opposite him, sliding the menu in the middle of the table towards him. I still couldn't believe I was back. It had been too long; my mind was still in reboot. Boarding school wasn't for me. I'd missed being in a mixed-gender environment. Girls always form cliches, and when you join in the middle of the semester, it just puts a target on your back. Any longer, and I would've been a dead woman, literally.

"Tell me everything Val, I need to know!" Vas's eyes lock on mine. Hazel flames shining throughout them.

"Vas, you were on call with me every other day." He knew everything that had happened, "much to my dismay", I add on, with a hint of sarcasm.

He flips the menu towards me, "Hey! You know you loved our calls". He wasn't wrong.

"It was against boarding house rules to call the opposite gender." Despite trying to be strict, the teachers were underpaid, so most of the time, 'inappropriate activity' flew under the radar. I was in a constant fight or flight when I was there. You never knew who your 'friend' was or your 'foe'. Light footsteps sounded behind me. I turned sharply before realizing it was just the waiter. She was young, with a toothy grin and blushed cheeks. Her eyes were directly on Vas. I wasn't surprised; Vas was attractive in a unique sort of way, and he had a deep charisma persona about him.

The waitress's melodic voice cut through my thoughts, "Welcome! Is there anything I can get you started with?" Her eyes stayed trained on Vas. Her personality fit right into the retro theme: sweet, innocent. Her 50's pink dress pushed out her figure, making her look older than she was.

"Just a coke, sweets." He gave her a wink before flashing his eyes to me, "Val, what would you like?". My mind went blank. I'd realized that going to a café would require me to order something, but it'd been months since I had a full meal. The idea of having anything made me feel sick, but I didn't want to worry Vas. I'd been a different girl when I'd left. I'd been kinder, more vulnerable. Innocent, clean. He'd been right when he said One year was a long time. I moved my hands under the table swiftly before flashing my best smile.

"I'll just get what he's getting." I looked towards the oblivious waiter; she was still hypnotized with Vas. He relished her attention.

"Two coke then, Hun." She let out a little giggle before she left, leaving Vas's full attention on me. His eyebrows furrowed, and he looked where my hands sat under the table. Vas had always been vigilant, but ever since I'd left, he seemed to pick up little details even quicker. To my relief, he didn't push me, even though I knew he could make me talk if he wanted.

"So, have you talked with your brothers yet?" His eyes were back on mine, "Last time we talked, they seemed eager for you to get home."

My mind raced. I'd completely blanked. I recalled their urgent voices, saying I needed to call them when I landed. That was an hour ago.

"Shit, I forgot to call them"

Vas's eyes widened, giving me the 'you fucked up' look.

Without a word, I got up, walking swiftly out of the café to get a better reception. Vas watched me through the window. My phone started ringing as I called my eldest brother's phone. Ring.

"I wondered when you'd call".

I cringe silently, "Yeah, sorry about that. I met Vas at the airport, and we just stopped on the way home."