VALERIE

Eighteen

Valerie placed both her hands on Nick's cheeks, he couldn't help but grin at her as she pinched them lightly.

"Stop smiling you'll ruin it."

"Ruin what?"Nick asked pulling his face away,

"I was trying to see how elastic your face is, the looser it is the more wrinkles you get." She said leaning back on her chair.

"When are you getting out of here?"

Valerie shrugged, "I don't know, when the doctor says I'm not crazy?" She laughed slightly,

Nick noticed how dead she looked.

Her eyes didn't shine anymore, instead they were opaque, her skin was paler, her hair was stiff, and most importantly her true happiness was gone, as if the mental hospital had sucked the life out of her.

Breaking the silence Valerie changed the topic, "My parents are coming today with Grace so I'm excited maybe they'll bring Wesley."

Nick scoffed slightly, "Wesley? I thought you were done with him."

Valerie sighed, "I mean I don't know," She said lowly in a tentative voice, "He hasn't called or visited since I was sent in here but that's okay, we love each other."

"Love?" Nick questioned,

"Yeah he's been with me through everything these past 3 years, my highs and lows, it may not seem like it lately because he's stressed about not being able to afford his university tuition if he ends up moving with with mom, my dad's paying his tuition but only if he stays." Valerie explained.

"Wait, so that means he's only with you for the money." Nick concluded,

Valerie shook her head, "No Nick we met randomly at the mall, my dad just offered him this money a few months ago he's been with me because he loves me."

"Then why do you guys fight all the time?"

"Because Nick it's love, we fight because we care, and yeah he's a jerk and can be possessive but I can't get enough of him." She blushed furiously just at the thought of her boyfriend, "Have you ever been in love?" Valerie asked wide eyed, he noticed that when Wesley was brought up the genuine happiness returned to her, and the gleam in her eyes sparked up brightly.

Nick's mind went directly towards the fading memories of his ex girlfriend Kira who left him when he was younger. The only girl he had ever actually been exclusive with, his first real love.

He shook his head, "Never been in love." He replied sternly, Valerie placed her chin on the table,

"Maybe one day you'll have a relationship like mines and Wesley's."

Nick didn't know why but it bothered him when she'd mention him. He didn't know why he felt so sick inside when Valerie would blush when she spoke of him or how her eyes would light up or that cheesy smile that would cross her face.

"I wonder what time my parents will be here, I'm so excited I've been here for like almost a month and only you and Grace have visited me."

"Oh that reminds me."

"Of what?" Valerie raised her head up from the table, sticking her index finger into her mouth she began to bite at her fingernail.

Nick stayed quiet, why was he even telling her in the first place? He thought to himself.

"I'm leaving tomorrow night."

Valerie chuckled, "What? No you're not." She said believing it was another one of his lame jokes.

"I really am."

"Okay sure, and I'm not fucking crazy." She said sarcastically,

Nick ran his hand over his face, "Fine don't believe me but I just wanted to say goodbye."

"Goodbye? Nick, no you can't leave me." Valerie's face was flushed with confusion,

"I'm not, I might return."

"Might? What does that mean?"

"It means if I go to Florida and I don't find my mom then I'll come back but if I do go to Florida and she's there I'll stay."

Valerie shook her head, "That's like on the other side of the fucking country, I'll never see you again."

Nick shrugged, "I'm sorry."

"Nick we've been over this, you're my only friend, you understand me." Her voice cracked and her eyes became heavy with tears, "Please don't go." She continued.

"Stop crying you look stupid." Nick murmured avoiding eye contact with her,

"I hate that word shut up." She yelled getting the attention from one of the nurses who was watching everyone in the visiting room.

"Stop making such a commotion, you're going to be sent back in." Nick whispered,

"I don't care just don't leave." Valerie screamed again.

"Ms.Laurent please calm down." The nurse said from across the room, swallowing her saliva Valerie sniffled.

"Leave, then." She said calming down, her eyes now red from all the crying she was holding back.

"Come with me." Nick blurted out stupidly.

"What?"

"Come. With. Me." He said slower this time, still very unsure of why he giving her such an offer.

Valerie stayed quiet, examining him.

She focused on his cold grey gaze that kept trying to freeze her over.

"I can't just leave." Valerie replied coldly, keeping the eye contact strong between them.

"Fine." He replied standing up from the table rapidly, he didn't mind the rejection.

"Wait." Valerie called out, "You didn't let me finish."

"Then finish."

Valerie took a deep breath, "I can't just leave without clothes, but yes I'd love to accompany you on your trip."

"How do I get you your clothes?"

A sly smile spread across the girls face, "Easy, just find a way into my house and my room."

Nick crossed his arms against his chest, he gave Valerie a stern look that she returned back with a pout in a teasing matter.

"How?"

"For fucks sake Nicholas!" Valerie cried, "You're a fucking clueless asshole."

"Well I'm not breaking a fucking entry into your house."

"Fine then, fine." Valerie shut her eyes then rested her head on the table.

"I got it!" She screeched shooting her head up, "Break me out and I'll sneak into my own house."

"What the actual fuck." Nick chuckled, "How the fuck are you gonna break out?"

"So there's this method called a door." She rolled her eyes as she told him with sarcasm.

"Yeah because you're just going to waltz out of your fucking bedroom at 1 in the morning, passing every nurse and doctor here." He replied with equal sarcasm in his voice.

"It's a small clinic, I'll figure it out."

"Whatever Valerie, just be ready tomorrow by 1 in the morning."

Valerie gave Nick's a followed by a wink, "Hey look!" She suddenly exclaimed,

"It's my family!" She cried out rushing towards her parents, her mother frowned at the sight of her daughter while her father embraced her so tightly.

"Guys I want you to meet," breaking from her father's embrace, she turned back to the table where Nick was. She frowned when she realized he had left without a goodbye sadly she whispered, "Never mind."