VALERIE

Twenty One

Nervously Valerie paced back and forth in her room, her roommate was sound asleep only giving off faint snores.

Valerie was wearing dark sweats and her boyfriends over sized sweater he let her borrow last year, her vans didn't have her laces in them because laces were prohibited in the mental hospital.

"Fuck." She murmured mentally preparing herself to escape, slowly she slipped her backpack on.

Creaking open the door Valerie slid into the room next to hers where 2 other girls who were wide awake sat anxiously on their beds waiting for Valerie.

"Now?" The 13 year old named Winnie asked Valerie,

Valerie nodded at the younger girls, "Now, just like we planned." She said sweetly.

The other girl who was a 15 year old stood up and was followed by Winnie, both of them hugging Valerie before heading out the door.

"You owe us." The 15 year old who Valerie didn't know whispered poking her head back in,

"Yeah I know." Valerie said normally, "Now go." She urged.

She couldn't stress being late, what if Nick abandoned her and she'd never escape this God forsaken hell of a hospital.

Suddenly Valerie heard what she wanted to hear.

A riot had incited in the common room she could hear the screams of the patients and staff.

Standing up and leaving the rooms Valerie rushed towards the hall where the large metal doors leading the clinic was, looking at the empty desk where the button to open the doors were she pressed it and sprung out quickly. Past the visitors room, and past the sign in area where the woman behind the desk shouted at her but was to late as Valerie had already made it outside.

The feeling of being free gave the girl adrenaline. She never felt that free then at that moment, no more looking at the outside world through a metal gate or a dirty window.

"Valerie." She heard her name being shouted, she looked around, hugging herself for warmth.

"Valerie!" The strong voice shouted again, "Over here!" The shouting was succeed by a car horn.

A large smile broke out on her face as she ran towards the old BMW she recognized as Nick's car.

"Nick!" She shouted back approaching the vehicle.

Unlocking the door she got it quickly,

"Thank you oh my God thank you." She said pecking his cheek,

"I thought you weren't going to make it." He murmured,

"Me neither but I did, thank God."

Nick started his car, "Ready to go get your stuff?"

Valerie nodded, "I actually called Grace earlier."

"And?"

"And, I told her I was escaping."

Nick stayed silent,

Valerie went on, "And when I did she told me go ahead, I'll even pack your clothes and leave them behind the tree next to the gate."

Nick rubbed his temple with his hand in disbelief that Grace would let her sister go so easily.

"Okay and now why would Grace just let you leave?"

"She said that," She stopped to take a deep breath, "She said that I fucked up mom and dad and that's it's best if I go because my mom was going to frame me for something I did long ago." Valerie began to fidget with her hands, moving them uncontrollably, "And that means the doctors will make me stay in that hospital longer."

Nick sighed, he stared long at her while she avoided his judgmental gaze, he placed his hand over her hands that were fidgeting with one another and squeezed them.

"And why would she do that?" He asked calmly,

Valerie leaned her head against the window where raindrops began to slowly appear on it, "I ruined are family, ever since day 1 I fucked it up and I fucked it all up because I can't control my feelings." She gently pulled her hands away from Nick's firm hold on them, he gave her an empathetic smile.

"Come on let's just go get your stuff." Nick told Valerie.

Sitting back in the passenger seat she watched excitedly the streets and lights she missed so much.

//

"Just wait in the car, I'll get my things." Valerie said opening the passenger side.

Approaching the large locked gate to her home, she found 3 large Louis Vuitton duffel bags sitting behind a large evergreen tree.

"Valerie!" A voice whispered, before she knew it Grace tackled her to the floor and pinned her down.

"Grace what are you doing?" Valerie said in a hushed tone.

"I know you're leaving but you at least have to tell me where."

Valerie chewed on the inside of her lip,

"Disneyland."

Grace stood up, getting off of her sister, Valerie stood up as well and adjusted the bags against her shoulder they were all heavy.

"Really? Then you'll need more money then I packed you." Grace scoffed reaching into her wallet.

"Wait Grace, are you really helping me out?"

Sighing Grace took a stack of money out from her wallet, "Listen, mom's pissed off and she's planning on telling on you for hurting the maid that one time."

Valerie shook her head, "That bitch had it coming to her, I don't care how many bones she broke falling down the stairs mom and dad paid her hospital bills and they payed her to keep her fucking mouth shut too."

Grace shook her head, "Just, look if you don't go it's going to get worse for you that they'll keep you in that fucking hospital longer so just go and call me whenever you can."

Valerie embraced her sister heavily, Grace shed a tear or two before pulling apart.

"Careful and call me, I'll be calling you too."

Valerie began to slowly walk away, "Love you Grace."

"Love you too Valerie, love you too." She whispered standing in place as she waved her sister off.

Hoping back into Nick's car he gave her a boyish grin, exposing his deep set of dimples.

Valerie couldn't help but throw her arms around his neck affectionately.

"Lets get out of this town." She murmured,

Losing himself in her sweet natural scent Nick nuzzled himself deep into her neck to rest his head.

"You're a careless con and you're a crazy liar." She laughed pulling his hair causing his head to go back, eye in eye they both grinned at one another, "Nick, we're the lucky ones."