Valentina's POV
The morning sun filtered through my curtains, casting a warm glow on my room. I stretched, feeling a mixture of excitement and apprehension about the day ahead. Today was the day of the football game, and everything had to be perfect. As I slipped into my pink crop top and black mini skirt, I admired how the outfit complemented my complexion. I let my hair down in waves, adding a touch of hairspray to keep it in place. My makeup was full but tasteful—smoky eyes, a hint of blush, and a bold red lip.
Downstairs, the smell of pancakes greeted me. My mom was busy at the stove, flipping the golden discs with practiced ease. She looked up and smiled as I entered the kitchen.
"Morning, Vale. Ready for the big game?"
"Yeah, I think so," I replied, sitting down at the table. "You are coming, right?"
"Of course I am. Wouldn't miss it for the world," she said, placing a stack of pancakes in front of me. "And by the way, Coach Sanders and I have some news to share later."
I raised an eyebrow, curious but decided to wait until they were ready to spill the beans. Breakfast was filled with light-hearted conversation and laughter, a nice reprieve from the tension that had been building up lately.
Gina arrived shortly after, her cheerful presence lighting up the room. "Hey, Val! Ready to kick some butt today?"
"Absolutely," I replied, giving her a high five. "Let's do this."
We drove to school together, chatting about everything from our homework to the latest gossip. Gina's upbeat energy was infectious, and it helped calm my nerves.
As we walked towards the football field, I saw Coach Sanders and my mom talking animatedly. They both waved at me, and I gave them a thumbs up. It was sweet to see my mom so happy, and I genuinely liked Coach Sanders. She was good for her.
The cheerleaders gathered near the locker rooms, going through our usual pre-game rituals. Heaven was already there, her blonde hair pulled back into a sleek ponytail. She looked amazing in her cheer uniform, but I couldn't help but feel a pang of jealousy. Not for how she looked, but for the fact that she seemed so put together despite everything.
"Alright, team, let's show them what we've got," Heaven said, her voice strong and confident.
We ran through our routine, nailing every move. The crowd cheered us on, and for a moment, all the drama and tension faded away. It was just us, the team, working together in perfect harmony.
After our performance, I joined Gina in the stands to watch the game. Just as we were settling in, I noticed Heaven approaching with her boyfriend, Alan. My brother, Uriel, was with them, looking slightly out of place.
"Hey, Valentina," Heaven greeted, her tone friendly but distant. "This is Uriel, right?"
"Yeah," I nodded, smiling at my brother. "Uriel, this is Heaven and her boyfriend, Alan."
Alan extended a hand to Uriel. "Nice to meet you, man."
Uriel shook his hand, looking slightly more at ease. "Nice to meet you too."
As we watched the game, Heaven seemed distracted, glancing at Uriel more often than necessary. I couldn't help but feel a pang of jealousy, even though I knew she had a boyfriend.
The game ended in a triumphant victory for our team, and the crowd erupted in cheers. As we were gathering our things, Alan approached me with a smile.
"Hey, Valentina. I was thinking, why don't we all go on a double date? You, me, Heaven, and Jay?"
I hesitated, glancing at Heaven, whose smile seemed a bit forced. "Uh, sure. That sounds fun."
"Great! How about next Friday?"
"Sounds good," I replied, trying to match his enthusiasm.
Heaven's expression remained neutral, but I could sense the tension. She nodded politely. "Yeah, that sounds great."
As we walked to our cars, Jay caught up with me. "Hey, Val. I heard about the double date. Looking forward to it."
"Yeah, should be interesting," I said, trying to keep my tone light.
He grinned, and we chatted about the game as we made our way to the parking lot.
"You girls were fantastic!" Coach Sanders exclaimed, giving my mom a quick kiss on the cheek.
"You were amazing, Valentina," my mom said, pulling me into a hug. "I'm so proud of you."
"Thank you mami," I replied, feeling a warm glow inside.
Heaven joined us, her smile genuine this time. "Great job, Val. You really killed it out there."
"Thanks, Heaven. You too," I said, returning her smile.
—-
The following Friday, we met up at a cozy little diner in town. Alan and Heaven were already there when Jay and I arrived. We joined them at a booth, and the conversation flowed easily at first.
Alan was charming and funny, and Heaven seemed to be enjoying herself. Jay, however, kept trying to get closer to me, leaning in and touching my arm. It made me uncomfortable, and I subtly tried to distance myself.
At one point, Jay put his arm around me, and I stiffened. "Jay, could you... not?"
He looked taken aback but nodded, removing his arm. Heaven's eyes flashed with a brief look of anger, though she quickly masked it.
After dinner, we decided to take a walk. The evening air was cool and refreshing, and I felt a bit more relaxed. Jay walked beside me, keeping a respectful distance now. Heaven and Alan were ahead, but I noticed Heaven glancing back at us frequently.
When we reached a small park, we sat down on a bench. Alan and Heaven were talking quietly, and Jay turned to me.
"I'm sorry if I made you uncomfortable earlier, Valentina," he said softly. "I just... I like you."
I sighed, feeling a mix of emotions. "I appreciate that, Jay. But I'm not sure I'm ready for anything right now."
He nodded, looking a bit disappointed but understanding. "I get it. I just wanted to be honest with you."
As we sat there in silence, I couldn't help but feel the weight of everything that had happened in the past few weeks. My complicated feelings for Heaven, the threats, the locker vandalism—it was all too much.
Eventually, Alan suggested we call it a night, and we all headed back to our cars. Heaven lingered for a moment, her eyes meeting mine.
"Thanks for coming tonight, Val," she said softly. "I know things have been weird, but... I appreciate it."
I smiled, feeling a bit of the tension ease. "Anytime, Heaven."
As I drove home, I couldn't shake the feeling that things were far from resolved. But for now, I was grateful for the small moments of peace and clarity. And with Gina, Mom, and even Heaven by my side, I knew I could face whatever came next.
Hope you guys liked this chapter! Things are getting juicy! 😌
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