Valentina Anderson tried to end her life on the same day as Hannah Baker, but survived to face a world unraveling with secrets. She never imagined her life would be defined by loss. First, it was Jeff Atkins, the love of her life, tragically taken i...
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It was Jeff's birthday dinner at his parents' house, and though it wasn’t the first time I’d been there, there was something comforting about walking into their home. I had been dating Jeff for over a year, and his family had become familiar—welcoming, even. His mom, Kristina, was always so sweet to me, the kind of warmth that immediately made you feel like part of the family. His father, Harris, while not overly affectionate, was kind in his own way, with a subtle sense of humor that often took me by surprise.
As we sat down to dinner, the atmosphere was light and full of laughter. Kristina had prepared one of Jeff’s favorite meals, and the whole setting felt intimate and cozy. Jeff, sitting next to me, was relaxed, a soft smile never leaving his face. It was the kind of night that made you feel safe—like nothing could go wrong.
"So, Val," Kristina began, passing me a plate of roasted vegetables, "how has Jeff been treating you? Still taking care of you like he should?"
I couldn’t help but grin as Jeff nudged me playfully. "He's been wonderful. Better than I deserve, honestly," I said, giving him a teasing look.
Kristina smiled knowingly. "That’s good to hear. We raised him right." She glanced at Harris, who nodded with a smirk, though he didn’t say much—his approval was always more in his actions than his words.
The conversation drifted naturally, as dinners with them often did. They asked about school, how things were going with us, and whether Jeff had been pulling his weight in our relationship. Every time Kristina asked a question, Jeff would look at me, making sure I was comfortable, making me laugh quietly with his little quips between bites of food.
As the conversation shifted, Kristina started sharing memories of when Jeff was younger. “You know,” she began, her eyes sparkling with nostalgia, “Jeffrey was talking about you long before you two even started dating.”
My eyes widened in surprise, turning to look at Jeff. "Wait, what? He was?"
Kristina laughed, nodding. “Oh yes. He wouldn’t stop talking about you, Valentina. Even when he was just a boy. ‘Mom, there’s this girl in my class...’” She mimicked him with a grin, and I couldn’t help but burst out laughing.
Jeff groaned, leaning back in his chair, pretending to be embarrassed. “Mom, come on,” he said, though he was smiling too.
Harris, who had been quietly observing, finally chimed in with his dry humor. “We knew you had a thing for each other before you did. It was obvious.”
I glanced at Jeff, who was grinning sheepishly, and then back at his parents. "Well, I guess the secret’s out. I had a crush on him, too—ever since middle school, but we never really talked."
Kristina’s eyes lit up even more, and she leaned forward with excitement. "Really? Oh, how sweet! You two were meant to be, then." She teased us, and for a moment, it felt like I was part of their family, like I had always belonged there.
