Nico Vaughan, the junior class "Nice Girl" wants to be free from her abusive and obsessive ex-boyfriend.
Valen Henford, the school's resident "Rich Guy meets Bad Boy" wants to spend his senior year with the girl he's been in love with for years.
W...
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"No one can hate you with more intensity than someone who used to love you" (Rick Riordan, TBoO).
|◁ II ▷|
Just after Mom calls us downstairs, Valen calls me. I put him on speakerphone as me and Rachel go downstairs.
"Hey," I mutter, still feeling shell-shocked from Amber's reaction and sudden absence.
"Hey... what's wrong?" Valen worries.
I hear a little bit of shuffling and some voices on Valen's side of the call.
The tears try to make a new appearance with Valen's care, but I use my stubbornness to keep them at bay. "Amber's upset with me."
Rachel sniffles beside me, and I pat her arm as we sit at the kitchen table. She gives my hand a pat back.
"Oh... Do you—Is—Can I ask why?"
I take a deep, shaky breath. "Amber's just mad at me because of Sam. She feels that I've taken all the attention away from her, and she feels less important."
It's quiet for a moment. Rachel bites into a cookie, and I take one from the plate.
"Well..." Valen shuffles on the other side of the phone. "The guys are here at my house. Do you want to come over? Maybe take your mind off things?"
I don't want to take my mind off things. Somehow, I was a bad friend. The selfish part of me wants to leave Amber alone until she sees that I did nothing wrong, but part of me knows I could've done more to make her feel more loved.
If I go, I'll just be up thinking about things tonight.
But I really want to see Valen.
I send a conferring look to Rachel, and she nods.
"Can Rachel come?"
"Of course."
I smile even thought he can't see me. "Then we'll be there."
|◁ II ▷|
Mom pulls up to Valen's house and hops out to give me and Rachel a hug. "I love both of you girls. Don't worry about Amber right now, okay? Have fun."
We walk inside, and my heart flutters.
"I'm nervous," Rachel whispers to me as I knock on the door. "I haven't met any of Valen's other friends. I'm worried I won't be able to make friends with them."
"Rachel," I hurry, hearing some yelling from the guys inside. "You are the kindest and sweetest person I know. If they don't like you, then they aren't worthy of your friendship."
I finish my thought just in time. The door opens and reveals Valen. He gives me a small smile, and I can't help but return it with a larger one.
