Nico Vaughan, the junior class "Nice Girl" wants to be free from her abusive and obsessive ex-boyfriend.
Valen Henford, the school's resident "Rich Guy meets Bad Boy" wants to spend his senior year with the girl he's been in love with for years.
W...
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"I wish you could hear all the words that I'm too afraid to say" (pop culture).
|◁ II ▷|
I'm starting to see Valen as a really close friend.
He's weaseled his way into my life, and I have to admit, he's a really great person and friend. He may not be as close to me as Amber is, but lately, he's the one I go to when I want to tell someone about that weird thing I saw today, or something weird I found or thought was interesting.
Is that a problem? I don't know.
I pull up Amber's number and press the "call" button. As it rings, I change out of my clothes and into my ice cream "date" clothes. I decide on jean shorts and one of the new band tees Valen bought me.
'Hey,' Amber greets over the phone.
"Hey, Amber," I hum. "Valen bought me a few new band shirts and some records today. He also asked me to get ice cream with him. Thoughts?"
'Hmm. You know, Nico?' Amber decides. 'Valen would be a phenomenal real boyfriend.'
"He's a phenomenal friend," I respond, my mind battling with my feelings.
I hear a shuffle and a drawn out sigh from Amber's end of the call. 'Nico... Babes, Valen is so-o-o very different from Hunter. You don't have to worry—'
"Amber, please," I breathe. "I can't."
There's silence for a moment as I fix up my makeup, trying to be productive and not keep Valen waiting even though I really want to sit down and breathe.
I know they're different in ways. Valen isn't seen as a good guy, yet he is. Hunter is the school's golden senior, yet he's the worst person in the school. They are different, but who's to say Valen isn't putting on an act for me? Deep down, there's a deep-seated root of fear. I can't.
'Nico, just hear me out,' Amber pleads cautiously. 'I think you should just consider getting to know Valen better, okay? Just be open to seeing him as more than a friend. Open your mind to it. Please?'
I shake my head. No. I can't.
Knowing Amber won't leave it alone, I respond, "Okay."
'Babe, I gotta go,' Amber informs me, her tone slightly sterner. 'Evan is gonna eat the last quesadilla if I don't go in there and stop him. He got home last night, and now he thinks he rules the house. Seriously, he's been gone to college for almost nine months. He isn't a member of our house anymore.'
