Beneath the Surface

Prolegue: The Moment Before Everything Changed

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PROLOGUE - The Moment Before Everything Changed

Valerie's Point of view

The party my brother's throwing is so boring. Or maybe it's just boring for me. Everyone else is out there—dancing, laughing, having the time of their lives. I should be doing that too, right? I want to. I'd love to let loose, just for one night, forget everything weighing me down, and actually have fun. Dance until my legs ache. Flirt with random guys. Maybe even hook up like I used to—back in the old days, before everything fell apart. Before I fell apart. 

But here I am, stuck in my head.

Why can't I let go?

Oh, right. Maybe it's because of what happened two months ago.  When Aaron...

No, stop it. Stop thinking about it, Valerie. You'll only make yourself feel sick.

Let's just say that night ruined me. Completely. It was the worst night of my life. And now I'm here, sitting in a room full of people who claim to love me, who think they know me. But do they really?

The only person who truly does is Viktoria, my best friend. She knows everything. She knows what happened that night. My family? My other friends? They have no idea. Not even Mason, my older brother.

I don't know why I've kept it a secret. Maybe because... how do you even begin to tell people you've been hurt in a way no one should ever have to endure? I can't even say the word. It's like if I say it out loud, it'll make it real, and I don't think I can handle that.

"Hey, sis."

Mason's voice slices through my thoughts. He's standing next to me now, his brow furrowed with concern. He plops down beside me, and the couch sinks slightly under his weight. "Are you okay? You're usually not this quiet, especially at a party."

I flinch a little at the sound of his voice, startled, then quickly look up at him. "Yeah, I'm fine," I say, forcing a smile I hope looks convincing. His comment about me being quiet hits deeper than it should. He's right—I'm not usually like this. But the only person who knows why is currently across the room, practically making out with her boyfriend. Not that Connor seems to mind.

Mason doesn't buy it. His eyes narrow as he studies me, his head tilting slightly. "You sure?"

I nod, a little too quickly.

"Okay," he says after a pause, though he doesn't sound convinced. His tone softens as he adds, "I've been thinking... It's been a while since we hung out, just the two of us. I miss you."

"I miss you too," I reply, and I mean it. Mason's my brother, and as much as he's a pain most of the time - always acting like a jerk, laughing like a hyena - I know I can count on him. He's been there for me when nobody else have, making me laugh even when everything else felt heavy. In that way, out relationship is kind of... unique.

Before I can say more, someone shouts from the crowd, cutting through the music: "Valerie Prescott? Can I take a picture with you?"

I look around, trying to spot who called my name, and there she is—a girl grinning ear to ear, waving excitedly. She weaves through the crowd toward me, her phone already in hand.

She snaps the picture quickly and then pulls me into a brief hug. I freeze for a moment, caught off guard, but then I hug her back, smiling faintly. It's odd, but... kind of nice.

Mason watches the whole exchange with a frown, his lips pressing into a thin line. His eyes flick to my phone, still in my hand, and I know exactly what he's about to say.