One Kiss Left

Chapter 31

Valentina's POV

The buzz of the school was a constant backdrop as I made my way to the gym for cheer practice. My heart felt heavy with the events of the past few days, but I pushed those thoughts aside, focusing on the rhythm of my footsteps and the familiar scent of the gymnasium.

Heaven was already there, directing the squad through warm-ups. As the captain, she exuded confidence and control, her voice carrying authority as she barked out instructions. I admired her from afar, a mix of longing and anxiety swirling in my chest. She glanced at me briefly, her expression softening for just a moment before returning to its usual sternness.

Coach Sanders clapped her hands, gathering everyone's attention. "Alright, team! Let's run through the routine. I want to see energy, precision, and teamwork. Show me what you've got!"

We moved into our starting positions. The music started, and we launched into our routine. The rhythm of the beats and the synchronized movements were like a dance of unity. The stunts were sharp, our jumps high, and our formations tight. I threw myself into the routine, letting the physical exertion drown out my worries.

Heaven led us flawlessly, her movements fluid and commanding. She was a force of nature, and under her guidance, we executed the routine with near-perfect precision. As we finished the final stunt, landing gracefully, the gym erupted in applause.

Coach Sanders beamed. "That was excellent, team! Keep up the good work. Take a break and then we'll run it again."

I wiped the sweat from my forehead and grabbed my water bottle, making my way to the bleachers where Gina was sitting. She smiled at me, her eyes twinkling with pride. "You were amazing out there, Val. Seriously, you nailed it."

"Thanks, Gina. It felt good to lose myself in the routine," I replied, taking a long drink of water.

As we chatted, my phone buzzed in my pocket. I pulled it out, frowning at the unknown number flashing on the screen. Curiosity and a hint of dread twisted in my stomach as I answered. "Hello?"

The voice on the other end was deep, distorted by some kind of voice changer. "Stay away from Heaven, or something really bad will happen to you."

A chill ran down my spine, my heart pounding in my chest. I couldn't find my voice to respond.

The voice continued, its tone menacing. "You think you can hide behind your friends and your mother's girlfriend? You're wrong. I know everything about you, Valentina. I know about your father and his past. If you don't stay away from Heaven, you'll regret it."

I stood there, frozen, unable to process what was happening. The call ended abruptly, leaving me in stunned silence. The phone slipped from my hand, hitting the ground with a dull thud.

Gina noticed my distress and hurried over. "Val? What's wrong? You look like you've seen a ghost."

I forced a smile, shaking my head. "It's nothing, Gina. Just a prank call, I think."

She looked unconvinced but didn't push it. "If you're sure... Just let me know if you need anything, okay?"

"Thanks, Gina. I'll be fine," I replied, my voice wavering slightly.

---

Heaven's POV

I watched Valentina from across the gym, noticing the way she tensed after answering her phone. Something was wrong, but I couldn't approach her here. Not with everyone watching.

We went through the routine again, but my mind wasn't fully in it. I kept glancing at Valentina, worried about what might be bothering her. When practice finally ended, I followed her to the locker room, waiting for the right moment to talk to her.