Enchanted- jj mccarthy [UNEDITED]

26

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It's been a couple of days since Val was at my parents' place, Rutger, and the rest of their friends. In these past few days, Val has spent most of her time with them and is slowly spending less and less time with me. She's gone from my place by the morning if she even spends the night here and I can tell that she's keeping something from me. I'm glad that she has the boys to go to, but I also want her to come to me with these things. I went to all of my classes and finally, it was time for practice. I got changed into my practice clothes along with the rest of the guys. When we walked out I heard Val talking to someone. When I looked over she was talking to the hockey guys and they were laughing together. Although she was smiling and laughing with them she looked thinner than normal. She took a deep breath before walking over to the field to start work, but not before giving each of them a hug. She set up the microphone and the whiteboard with the question for us to answer. After setting everything up she looked towards the door and noticed that the boys hadn't fully left yet so she called out "Hey boys can one of you lend me your hoodie or jacket I left the one I took from Rutger at home." Ethan walked up to her and handed her both his hoodie and his varsity coat. She gladly took them and put them on and gave him one last hug. As he walked back over to the other boys he looked over his shoulder and said "Rutger will be picking you up okay, but text us if you need anything." She nodded and focused back on the field.

Practice went by at a snail's pace. All I could think about was Val and what she was going through. With the end of practice now here I saw Val quickly packing up all of her things and immediately checking her phone. I tried to catch her before she left, but she ran out of there as quickly as possible. I didn't know what else to do, but whatever I do I know I need to show Val that no matter what we're both going through I'll always be there for her. I knew Val would be going to Rutger's house where he, Ethan, Luca, Adam, and Mark all live together. I hopped in my car and started the drive. It was a quick drive from the practice field. I walked up to their door and knocked. I heard voices and saw the TV was on in the living room so I knew they were all home. The door opened and it was Mark who opened the door. He let me into the house and when I walked in Val was sat in between Rutger and Ethan with both Fantilli brothers sitting in front of them on the floor.

She was staring into the distance and conversing with her brother, but she wasn't there in the room. I walked into the living room and joined them on the couch. Val acknowledged that I was there and did engage in some conversation, but it took a lot of energy. I can't wait for this to be over so she can continue following her dreams and not constantly have to look over her shoulder. While we were all sitting on the couch Val got up and walked over to where I was sitting. She sat down on my lap and cuddled into me. I wrapped my arms around her and put my head on her shoulder.

As we were cuddling Rutger looked over at us and smiled. I grinned back at him and when I looked back down at Val she was trying to fight off her sleep. I whispered to her and told her "it's okay get some sleep, Val. I'll be here when you wake up." As soon as I told her this she put her head back on my shoulder and closed her eyes.

As she was sleeping all of the boys and I continued talking. While talking with the boys my phone vibrated. I looked and saw that it was my family. They were checking in and making sure Val was doing okay. Once I responded to the family group chat, Luke's phone vibrated. He looked at his phone and chuckled. He turned to Rutger, Ethan, Luca, Mark, and Adam telling them that his brothers and their friends wanted to be included in a group chat with Val. All the boys told him he should make the group chat which he did. After two minutes all their phones continuously went off with text messages. Val's phone also kept going off. I grabbed her phone off the table and turned on her Do Not Disturb. While she was sleeping she slowly started stirring and mumbling in her sleep. I rubbed her arm up and down which seemed to calm her down.

Although Val was taking a nap we decided to order some food for us to eat. Rutger ordered her some soup and chicken kabobs. Even if she doesn't eat it now we want her to have something for when she wakes up and starts to feel hungry. My phone also started buzzing like Rutger and the boys' phones were. I checked my phone and saw it was the group chat with my sisters. Although I read the messages I didn't want to risk waking Val up with me typing out the response so I decided to respond in the group chat after she woke up. Val only took a few minutes to wake up from her cat nap.

Once she was fully awake and no longer groggy, I reached for my phone again to text my family. Val continued to lay on my lap. I opened my messages. My family texted me to make sure everything was okay and going well; they were mainly checking in to make sure Val was still okay.

Mccarthy siblings

Morgan: How's my favorite person holding up

JJ: I'm doing okay thanks for asking

Caitlin: not you idiot. morgan and i mean val

JJ: rude. Come on you two i'm your brother can't you both at least humor me and ask how i'm doing

Morgan: don't be so upset jj we were going to ask how you are doing after asking about val

JJ: I'm sure you were

Morgan: Anyway how has she been doing and please don't try and sugarcoat your answer

JJ: I promise I won't. She is not doing the best. I mean I can't blame her because her abusive ex now knows where she is. Val now is trying to keep living her life without looking over her shoulder. Her PTSD is in full force and all of us are trying to do the best we can to make sure she doesn't fully become a shell of herself.

Caitlin: Wow that is a lot. How are you doing with all of this

JJ: I'm trying to stay strong for both Val and Rutger, but its getting harder and harder for me. I'm always worried about Val no matter where I am. Even though I know she is with one of the hockey boys I still find myself anxious and worried. I can't seem to escape it.

Morgan: Me and Caitlin are here for both of you. I'm also assuming that Val is reading this right now so text us later if either of you need anything

JJ: thank you both

Once I finished texting both of them I put my phone back down on the table and I felt Val cuddle closer to me. Although Val is keeping it together as best she can I'm hoping and praying that Rhett is handled soon so we can all have Val back at her happiest. While looking down at her and being cuddled together Val and I both looked back at the tv to watch whatever the boys had up and I rejoined their conversation.