The Ascendant Shadow

Chapter 23: Through the Void

Valentina's POV:

Xander got into the front seat, while the rest of the guys piled into the back. I sat there, staring out the car's window, watching my brother Owen and Leslie eating together. Through the glass, they seemed almost distant, like a scene from a show I wasn't part of anymore.

"Is she good for him?" I whispered, more to myself than to anyone else. Owen was too sweet—he always cared too much, got involved too quickly, and I worried that this time wouldn't be any different.

"Is he into her?" Chris's voice came from behind me. I hadn't realized they were listening. I nodded slowly, still watching my brother.

"It won't work," Jason added, his voice blunt as ever.

"What's wrong with her?" I asked, curious and suddenly defensive.

"She likes to sleep with every new guy at school," Chris explained, his tone matter-of-fact. "She's not looking for anything serious. Just likes... fucking around."

I stayed silent, pulling my gaze away from the diner. The car started moving, and as the scenery blurred, so did my mind. The dissociation was coming, like it always did. This time, it wasn't as intense, but I could feel myself wanting to retreat—to not think, to not feel.

The sound of the guys' laughter in the back was the only thing tethering me to reality. I hated that I had to cling to it. Hated that I had to depend on them to stay grounded. The disorder I had... it was like a curse, haunting me.

I thought about my life before all of this—before Connor, before Rogelio, before everything. My mind flashed back to when I was 14, back when I was just a girl having a birthday party. That was when I met Pierce.

It was my 14th birthday, and Connor had thrown me a surprise party, even though I hadn't really wanted one. The place was packed, loud music blaring, drinks flowing, and people dancing. I wasn't in the mood, but then Pierce walked in.

He was Connor's cousin, and even at 15, he was ridiculously cute. The second I saw him, I couldn't take my eyes off him.

"Hey, you're Valentina, right?" he said with a charming grin, his voice carrying a soft Spanish accent. I was surprised to hear it, considering he was a white boy.

"I'm Pierce," he added, flashing me a toothy smile that made my cheeks flush.

"You speak Spanish?" I asked, still processing his cuteness. I could feel my cheeks blush. 

"Yeah. My dad's white, but my mom's Puerto Rican. You?"

"My dad's white too, but my mom's Colombian," I replied, watching as his cheeks turned a little pink.

"You like your surprise party?" he asked, glancing around at the chaos of people drinking and dancing.

"Not really," I admitted. "But I know Connor means well."

Pierce nodded thoughtfully. "He seems to really care about you." His tone suggested something deeper, but I wasn't sure what he meant.

"He's my best friend," I explained as I glanced down shyly, and Pierce took a step closer, sitting down beside me. He had a beer in his hand, and even though he was only 15, it didn't seem to bother him.

"Yeah, but he talks about you a lot. Almost like... he likes you," Pierce said, taking a swig of his beer and watching me carefully.

I stared at the ground, my mind spinning. Did Connor like like me?

 My eyebrows furrowed and my cheeks turn even pinker. 

"You didn't know? That's cute," Pierce teased, mocking my obliviousness.