Bittersweet

xii.

Droplets began to lightly hit the windshield of Todd's car. The wipers came on almost simultaneously, distracting Val from the statement she just made.

Todd's face lit up and a smile slowly pulled his lips on either side. He glanced at Val before returning his gaze to the road ahead, noticing as she already began to roll her eyes.

"Oh, is that so?" Todd sang, "You caaare about me?"

"Don't get too used to hearing that," Val chuckled.

The rain began to fall heavier as voiceless silence surrounded them again. Val picked at the skin around her fingernails, her mind racing. She briefly debated whether or not Todd was even being truthful; if he even cared about her. It was ridiculous, she thought, why would he waste his time if he didn't care? Why would he put Val before his job if that were the case?

Todd slowly turned and pulled into his driveway. Val unbuckled her seatbelt and moved to grab the door handle before she felt Todd's warm hand on her cold skin, holding her arm. She turned to face him, his eyes were soft as they stared into hers. Todd pursed his lips.

"Let's go inside and talk."

Val nodded and continued to get out of his car, but her heart was in her stomach now. She let the rain hit her hair and face and bare arms as she slowly followed Todd up to his house. Her mind was racing but simultaneously blank, trying to think of things Todd could possibly want to talk to her about.

He's going to tell me to go home, Val thought, he's going to tell me he can't see me anymore. He's 25 and I'm not even 18 yet, he's obviously going to want someone his own age. Someone less damaged. Someone with-

"Are you okay?"

Todd broke Val out of her trance of self deprecating thoughts. She hadn't even noticed they'd walked the whole way into his house, removed their shoes, and were now stood at Todd's wardrobe. He pulled out a pair of grey sweatpants—with drawstrings, thankfully, as they wouldn't have fit Val otherwise—and handed them to her.

"Your pants are soaked, you must be cold. Put these on."

Val didn't hesitate before taking her pants off in front of Todd; he had seen it all once before anyway. She hung her wet jeans over the back of the chair that sat at Todd's desk. When she looked back, Todd had turned the other way, facing the wall with his arms crossed as he waited patiently for Val to redress herself.

"It's very modest of you, but you don't need to look away," Val chuckled as she pulled the large sweatpants up her legs and pulled the drawstring tight to tie them.

Todd did in fact turn around once she had the pants on. "Just trying to be respectful."

He took her jeans from the chair. Val followed close behind as he left the bedroom. She followed him down the stairs and back to the kitchen, where he swung open the washing machine and tossed her jeans inside.

"What are you doing?" she quizzed.

"What?" Todd asked, "I'll wash them for you. They'll be dry when you need them again. You've been wearing these jeans for a week straight."

Val felt her cheeks heat up because she had in fact been wearing the same jeans for the past week. Along with the same bra and the same underwear, whilst changing between Todd's shirts and socks. It was all she had, as she hadn't been home since her messy night spent in an alleyway behind a dumpster.