𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐦 𝐠𝐢𝐫𝐥

003. Here For You.

      

       DINNER IN the Smith home was mostly quiet, just utensils scrapping porcelain planes and music playing at a low volume from Leon Smith's record player in the living room. The soothing voice of Sade coming from the speakers, it was Leon's favourite artist, she sounded magnificent and Val always thinks of him whenever Smooth Operator comes on.

His favourite album of hers was the one that came out recently, called Promise. Ever since Vecna came into their lives, Valerie always took note of everyone's favourite songs. Her dad's was Smooth Operator. Her mom's was Dreams by Fleetwood Mac. Stephanie's was more difficult to find out, some days she listened to Pop, other days she listened to Rock and sometimes she doesn't even share with them what she listens to or enjoys at all.

Either way, Val had this fucked up scenario in her head that makes her believe if it came down to it, and Vecna was gonna take her sister away, it would happen because she didn't know her well enough. And it made sense, why this family dinner was happening. It was because of that.

"Mom, do you want Steph and I to put away the dishes?" She offered and Iris smiled. "Yes. Thank you, baby." She said before looking at Stephanie who set down her fork, letting out a small sigh. "Both of you come back when you're done." Leon said, looking between his two daughters, one who nods and one who made a face, leaving the room.

Valerie watched as Stephanie rinsed the plates in her hand, set them into the dishwasher and then looked at Val who went next, rinsing the cups and utensils before turning to set them into the dishwasher. "Hey Steph?" Val said quietly, turning to look at her little sister. "Yeah, Val?" Stephanie said quietly and the older smiled softly. "I hope we all get to... talk things out tonight. I really want you to know we're here for you." She reached out, squeezing the younger's arm gently and Steph only glanced away.

"Yeah." She whispered before walking away. Val frowns, turning to the dishwasher so she can close it and turn it on. Once she did, she went back to the dining room to sit back down, to her mom's left, her dad's right and directly across from her little sister. Except she wasn't so little anymore. She was a teenager.

"We've noticed... that one of you seem very upset all the time. Kind of... angry. Or something." Leon began and Stephanie looked at him, her brows furrowing together. One of you? She looked at Valerie right away. Perfect, happy, always smiling, kind Valerie. "You mean me?" She looked at their father again and Iris sighed, taking a sip of her glass of wine.

"Steph--" "no. He means me. I know he does. Because why would perfect Valerie ever be upset or angry all the time?" The teenager looked towards the older who was growing concerned for her. "I never said I was perf--" "no, but mom and dad say so all the time. Look at Val, she's so smart. Look at Val, she graduated valedictorian. Look at Val, she's so wonderful and kind and smart and talented." Stephanie goes on before she slams her fist down.

"You don't even belong here! Your mom isn't my mom!" She raised her voice and Valerie flinched, blinking and Iris sat up. "Stephanie." She said and the oldest of the two sisters gulped. "No, she's right." She whispered, but she didn't mean it. Iris was her mom as much as she was Stephanie's. But ever since 1984, since Iris told her the truth, she didn't feel like she belonged here, just like Stephanie just told her.

"Sometimes I wish it was you, and not Matt." The teenage girl now said and Leon sighed, covering his hands over his face. "Stephanie Rose Smith, go to your room." Iris raised her voice and the teenage girl got up, rushing out of the dining room and up to her bedroom. "Hey, hey, don't listen to her." Leon reached over, grabbing Val's hand gently and Val sniffled, "I mean... don't you two wish the same sometimes? I--I put a gap between you two. Because of me, dad--" "hey, hey, hey. That was in the past, okay?" Iris got up, rushing to her side.