VALENTINA - dylan kingwell

CH6 "intern"

It had been a week since Dylan has seen Val and it was driving him insane. The way they left things was not how he wanted. They don't owe each other anything right? It's just been a month since theyve known each other. But there was something about the way she challenged him, looked him dead in the eye without flinching, but still had this unguarded side that peeked through when she wasn't paying attention.

Now, here he was, sitting in her school's counselor's office, completely out of place, waiting for her to walk in. He had no real intention of learning about counseling or anything related to high school. He applied for this internship very impulsively.

He was here for one reason and one reason only—Valentina. He knew she'd be showing up for her usual university meetings, and he wasn't going to miss the chance to be around her.The school counselor, Mrs. Green, sat across from him, giving him a warm but curious look.

"So, Dylan, what brings you here, exactly? I mean, you're a well-known actor. My daughter was watching the baby sitters club yesterday. I'm surprised you're interested in a school counseling internship."

Dylan had expected the question. He leaned back in his chair, flashing his signature grin. "Oh, you know, just trying to add some stuff to my résumé. Gotta stay well-rounded, right? Also, gotta keep the options open if i change my mind about the acting thing. Just in case."

Mrs. Green raised an eyebrow, half-smiling. "Really? Acting... not panning out? That's a bit hard to believe."He chuckled. "Well, you never know.

Mrs. Green nodded thoughtfully but seemed skeptical. "Right. Well, it's good you're thinking ahead. Even though I can't imagine you needing a backup plan anytime soon."
"Yeah," Dylan replied casually,

The last few weeks had been a blur of college applications, graduation prep, and trying to get Dylan Kingwell out of her head. She wasn't doing a great job of it, especially considering the way he had looked at her that night. The kiss had meant something—more than she wanted to admit—but she couldn't afford to get caught up in that. And that's what freaked her out. That's why she completely backed off when they talked a week ago.

Not when her whole future was at stake.That's why she found herself back in the counselor's office, her head filled with university deadlines and scholarship essays.

She just didn't expect to see him there. As she walked in, her eyes landed on Dylan, lounging in a chair next to the counselor like he didn't have a care in the world. Her heart nearly stopped.

"What the hell are you doing here?" she blurted before she could stop herself. Mrs. Green looked up, surprised. "Oh, Valentina! Meet Dylan, our new intern."

Intern. The word echoed in her mind as she processed the situation. He had done this on purpose. Of course he had. Her anger flared up, but so did something else—an undeniable pull she was trying so hard to ignore.

Mrs. Green gestured to an empty seat. "Are you comfortable with him being here during our conversation?" Valentina, furious, opened her mouth to say no, to kick him out on the spot, but then Dylan shot her a look—a cocky, go ahead, try to get rid of me kind of look.

She hated him. She clenched her jaw. "It's fine," she said, voice tight. "He can stay."
"Good, good," Mrs. Green said, seemingly oblivious to the tension. She shuffled some papers. Valentina took a seat infront of the counselor and the hoe.

"So, Valentina, let's talk about your university choices. Have you decided whether you'll stay in the city or go somewhere farther away?"

Before Valentina could respond, Dylan leaned in with a grin. "Planning on going far, Val?" Valentina shot him a glare. "Not that it's any of your business, Dylan."

Mrs. Green raised her eyebrows, looking between the two. "Alright, I'm sensing some... history here?"

"History?" Dylan said with a shrug, feigning innocence. "Nah, I'm just here to observe."

"Yeah, right," Valentina muttered under her breath.Mrs. Green frowned, clearly trying to navigate the tension. "Let's try to stay focused. Valentina, do you have a particular university in mind?"

"I've applied to a few," Valentina answered, struggling to ignore Dylan's smug presence next to her. "Mostly out of state. Some architecture programs. Some film making programs as well Just trying to figure out scholarships and housing." Valentina saw the way Dylan's expression slightly changed at the mention of her signing up for film making courses.

"That's exciting! And smart to think about finances," Mrs. Green said with a smile. "Dylan, do you have any advice on the whole college thing? You must have faced some tough career decisions yourself."

Dylan grinned, leaning back in his chair as if this were his own personal show. "Oh, totally. Career decisions, life choices—I'm an expert. I mean, take this internship, for example. Counseling? Never thought I'd be doing it, but here I am. Doing amazing."

Valentina rolled her eyes so hard she thought they might get stuck. "Yeah, doing amazing for sure." Mrs. Green seemed amused but kept her professionalism intact.

"I see. Well, Valentina, reach out anytime if you need more advice. I know this can be overwhelming."

"Oh, I'll bet she's overwhelmed," Dylan chimed in. "Graduation, college, life decisions—it's a lot."

Valentina turned to him, her frustration bubbling over. "Stop talking like you know shit about my life."

Dylan raised his hands in mock surrender. "I'm just trynna help. Counseling intern remember?"

Mrs. Green glanced between them again, finally putting her pen down. "Okay, I think maybe we need to take a small break. Dylan, why don't you... um, go file those papers over there?"

Dylan shot Valentina one last teasing smile before getting up. "Sure thing, Mrs. Green."As he moved across the room, Valentina slumped in her chair, rubbing her temples. "This is insane."

Mrs. Green gave her a sympathetic look. "You two seem... familiar."
"You could say that," Valentina muttered, shooting another glare at Dylan, who was clearly still listening with one ear.

"But I'd like if we could focus on colleges without the extra talk." Dylan called over from the filing cabinet, "Don't worry, Val. I'll shut up."

Valentina groaned, leaning back in her chair. The last thing she needed was Dylan Kingwell everywhere she went.