admiration or love? (riley x val)

riley makes the team

as i open my locker and look at myself in the mirror, i feel a sense of relief come over me knowing everything at this point has turned out okay. last weekend was a lot for me, i guess i was overthinking everything. interrupting my train of thought, i feel a buzz from my phone, i look down anxiously to see it's an email from the coach. i scroll down the list and there it is, riley anderson. i couldn't believe it, a burst of excitement ran through me, then i had the urge to immediately tell val the news. out of coincidence i feel a tap on my shoulder, i turn around and it's val. she sees the excitement on my face and she already could tell i made the team, matching my energy she says "you made the team!?", i nod and val brings me in and gives me a tight hug, it lasted for a moment, which caught me off guard how comforting her hug was. in that moment i felt so pleased to have a friend like val, i known her only for so long yet she looks out for me. i really look up to her in a way, i wanna be like her. as she pulls away i look at her and i teasingly say "i guess it's time to dye my hair red". with a smirk on her face, val says "im down to help you with that", she pauses for a moment. then she says "hey! we gotta let the rest of the team know you're in!" i excitingly agree with her and we make our way to the group, as we approach them, val shouts "guess who made the team!". they all cheer and congratulate me for making the team. dani (val's friend) says "you know not everyone makes the team, this is a big deal Michigan". i smile at dani and say "i know! i can't believe i did it! i'm so excited to be apart of the team and skate with you guys!" val chimes in and says "yeah we're excited for you to be with us as well" as she's looking at me with a smile on her face yet relaxed.

dani shouts "let's celebrate tonight!" val says "hey that sounds like the move, are you down with that michigan?" i always love it when val calls me that i thought to myself. i said "hell yeah im down!" val turns to dani and says "hey dani, wanna sleep over after" val said it in a lower voice to prevent others from hearing. dani says "duhh of course im down, it's you val". i couldn't help but feel my stomach drop a little when i heard that conversation between val and dani. why only her? why did i feel left out? something feels off? ah i'm overreacting it's not that deep i told myself as i tune back into the conversation.