VALERIE

Forty Two

"For fucks sake stop acting like a child."

"I'm not acting like a child, you're just being so annoying."

"Valerie, ring the fucking doorbell or I will."

"Then ring the fucking doorbell asshole!"

"Fine."

"Fine!"

Nick grabbed Valerie's arm tightly and pulled her up from the ground, Meeko followed right behind them as Nick forcefully pulled her up the stairs, onto the porch of her home and let go once they were facing the large wooden front door that had a giant "L" carved into the middle with glass surronding it.

"You're the worst!" She grunted in frustration, Nick shook his head in disappointment as he pressed the doorbell.

The chime of the ring was so loud they could even hear it on the inside.

Valerie stayed quiet now, after so long she was finally back home, ready to face reality.

"I'm so cold." She mumbled angrily, Nick quickly took of his black hoodie and handed it over to her, leaving him in only his black tank top.

"I'm cold but I'd rather freeze than wear your sweater." She said through her clenched teeth.

42 degrees in Washington and here she was dressed in the same clothes she left Florida in.

Small high waisted shorts, a black ribbed turtle neck that exposed her midriff and shoulders and a pair of flip flops.

"Why do you have to be so fucking difficult?You drive me so fucking crazy." He growled.

Valerie kept silent, just glaring angrily up at him.

He inched closer towards her.

Valerie rang the doorbell again.

Nick got closer to her.

She rang the bell again.

"Stay away." She warned, Nick smiled innocently at her.

"Or?" He sneered, he hovered over her like a tower and it was times like this she wished she was tall, she blamed coffee for her short 5'2 stature.

Valerie's head pressed lightly against his chest and before she knew it he had managed to forcefully pull the hoodie over her torso without getting her arms in the sleeve.

"I hate you." She pined placing her arms inside of the sleeves, secretly indulging in the smell of his hoodie. Cigarette smoke and cheap cologne.

"Love you too princess." He teased shoving his hand in her face, she laughed carelessly while trying to adjust her hair.

Just then the door opened wide and both Nick and Valerie stopped playing around.

"Welc- Valerie!" The old man shouted in delight, he yanked Valerie towards him, embracing her in a tight affectionate hug.

Valerie chirped, "Harry, I've missed you."

"No, Valerie we've missed you, oh God look at you, it's been months," Harry explains finally letting go of Valerie, "Last time we saw you, they sent you away to that clinic then we get news that you ran off with some bloody no good hooligan." Harry hugs her again, he releases Valerie and his boorish gaze falls onto Nick and his rugged appearance.

"And you are?" Harry asks furrowing his brow.

"The hooligan." Nick replies with a sly smirk.

Harry gives him a fake and forced smile before clearing his throat.