valentine gonzalez was an oddball in the eyes of very much everyone. he was not exactly the optimistic type and he hardly ever seemed excited or eager about anything. he had learned from a young age that it is best to be do the bare minimum than to...
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Valentine stared at his reflection in the bathroom mirror. His eyes scanned over himself. The shirt he had slept in last night almost hung off his shoulder, he had bags under his red eyes, and his cheeks were stained from the numerous tears he had cried before falling asleep.
He sniffled before reaching for the eyedrops on the counter of the sink. Just as he was removing the cap, he heard a knock on his bedroom door. With an irritated breath, he placed the eyedrops on the counter once again and stomped toward the door. "What?" he asked in an annoyed tone.
Sam's eyes widened, not only at the tone in his voice but also at the speed at which the door opened. Her mouth opened to say something but it had come out stammered. "I-I was just wondering if you wanted to hang out with me and my friends. It might be fun," she suggested.
"Pass," Valentine responded, going to close the door, but was stopped when Sam stuck her hand out and halted the door from closing.
"Wait, wait, wait," the LaRusso girl let out. She let out a small breath. "I know that you don't like the idea of being around a bunch of people, but... it is way better than being locked in your room all day." Valentine shot her a bored look. "Just for a bit?"
The Gonzalez boy released a hum, an expression posing as pondering on his face. A smile grew on his lips, causing Sam to smile as well and remove her strength from the door. When she had, Valentine had slammed the door shut in her face. He heard a scoff from the other side of the door before the sound of footsteps retreating down the stairs followed.
He remained in his room for about an hour. The music from the party continued until it came to a sudden and harsh stop. An authoritative voice boomed outside and Valentine instantly knew it was his adoptive father, Daniel. Kids began to groan and complain as they left after Daniel demanded them to. The Gonzelez boy could not help but let out a short laugh at Sam getting busted for having friends over without asking.
A few moments passed before a hushed series of gentle taps resonated against his door. Daniel's voice echoed through the sturdy wooden door, as he called out, "Val, it's me. Can you open up?"
No response came as Valentine pulled the covers over his head. That had not prevented Daniel from entering. The door creaked as it opened and let out a soft bang as it hit the Valentine's wall. The Larusso man released a sigh at the sight of the boy under the covers.
"Go away," Valentine spoke from underneath the blanket and sheets over him. He heard footsteps approach him before the blanket and sheets had been withdrawn from over his face, revealing the lights having been turned on in his room.
"Hi," Daniel greeted the boy with a smile but did not receive one in return, per usual. "Did you eat today?" Valentine dismissed his words and fiddled with the ring on his pointer finger. That was all the answer that he needed. "Did you go downstairs?" Silence once again. "Did you do anything other than stay in bed?"
