One Kiss Left

Chapter 26

Valentina's POV

The air was thick with tension after Heaven stormed out of the guest room. I took a deep breath, trying to steady my racing heart. My friends were waiting for me, and I couldn't let this ruin my birthday. I plastered a smile on my face and headed back to my room where the girls were still chatting away.

"Everything okay?" Gina asked, raising an eyebrow as she glanced over at me.

"Yeah, just had to take care of something," I replied, not wanting to delve into details.

The room was filled with laughter and chatter, and I felt grateful for my friends. Stacey was telling a hilarious story about the last cheer practice, and soon everyone was in stitches, the tension from earlier starting to fade.

Just then, my mom walked in, carrying a huge cake with pink frosting and eighteen candles. "Happy Birthday, Valentina!" she exclaimed, her face beaming with joy.

Everyone gathered around, and they started singing. As I blew out the candles, I made a silent wish. I wished for clarity and courage—clarity about my feelings for Heaven and the courage to face whatever came next.

"Time for presents!" Fernanda announced, and the girls eagerly brought their gifts over to me.

I opened each one, thanking my friends for their thoughtfulness. There were clothes, makeup, and even a few funny gag gifts that had everyone laughing. Gina handed me a beautifully wrapped box with a sly smile.

"Open it," she urged.

Inside was a stunning necklace with a butterfly pendant. It was delicate and beautiful, just like the decor in my room. "Gina, it's gorgeous! Thank you so much," I said, hugging her tightly.

After the gift-giving, my mom suggested we play some games. We ended up playing a mix of charades and truth or dare, which had everyone laughing and feeling more relaxed.

"Valentina, truth or dare?" Stacey asked, grinning mischievously.

"Dare," I replied confidently.

"I dare you to prank call your crush," she said, and everyone giggled.

I felt my face heat up. "Um, okay," I stammered. I pulled out my phone and called Heaven. My heart pounded as I waited for her to answer.

"Hello?" Heaven's voice came through the phone, and I suddenly felt nervous.

"Hey, it's Valentina. Just wanted to tell you that you have a terrible taste in fashion," I said, trying to keep my voice steady.

There was a pause before Heaven responded, "Is this a prank call?"

Everyone burst into laughter, and I quickly ended the call. I glanced around the room, and everyone was still giggling, but my mind was on Heaven's response. There was something in her voice that made me wonder if she knew it was a joke or if she thought I was serious.

The games continued, and soon it was time for a movie. We all gathered in the living room with blankets and pillows, ready for a night of fun. My mom joined us, and we watched a comedy that had everyone in stitches. It felt good to be surrounded by people who cared about me, even if things with Heaven were confusing.

As the night went on, we eventually started to wind down. My friends and I were sprawled out on the floor and couches, chatting about everything and nothing. The warmth and comfort of their presence made me feel better about the whole situation with Heaven.

Just as I was about to drift off to sleep, I heard a soft knock on the door. I got up and opened it to find Heaven standing there, her face serious.

"Can we talk?" she asked quietly.

I nodded and stepped outside, closing the door behind me. We stood in the hallway, the silence between us heavy with unspoken words.

"I need to apologize," Heaven began. "For earlier. I didn't mean to mess things up, especially not on your birthday."

"It's okay," I said softly. "But why did you kiss me, Heaven? What's really going on?"

She took a deep breath, looking away for a moment before meeting my eyes. "I have feelings for you, Valentina. I can't deny it anymore. But it's complicated. I have a boyfriend, and if people find out, it could ruin everything."

My heart ached at her words. "I understand, but you can't keep playing with my feelings. It's not fair to me or to you."

"I know," she whispered. "But I can't help how I feel. I just... I needed to tell you the truth."

Tears welled up in my eyes as I nodded. "Thank you for being honest. But until you figure things out, we can't do this. I can't be a secret."

Heaven reached out and gently took my hand. "I get it. And I'm sorry. I just needed you to know how I feel."

We stood there for a moment, holding hands, before she let go and walked away. I watched her go, my heart heavy but also relieved. At least now I knew where we stood.

I went back inside and curled up next to Gina, who was fast asleep. As I closed my eyes, I thought about the night and everything that had happened. It had been a whirlwind, but I felt stronger for it. Whatever came next, I knew I could face it with the support of my friends and family.

The next morning, the girls and I woke up to the smell of pancakes. My mom had made a big breakfast for everyone, and we gathered in the kitchen, laughing and chatting as we ate.

"Feliz Cumpleaños, Valentina," my mom said, kissing my forehead. "I'm so proud of the young woman you're becoming."

"Thanks, mami," I replied, feeling a swell of love and gratitude.

As we finished breakfast and started to clean up, I couldn't help but feel hopeful. Despite the confusion and heartache, I knew that I had the strength to navigate whatever came next. And with my friends and family by my side, I felt ready to face the world.

As the party wound down, I realized that this birthday was unlike any other. It was filled with laughter, tears, and revelations. And though the future was uncertain, I felt ready to embrace it, one step at a time.

Oop- well this chapter was definitely something I tell you. Btw, the cheer girls and gina, don't know that Valentina likes Heaven. Just had to point that out! 👀 Stay tuned for next chapter. Coming tomorrow! No more waiting months for an update.