Treacherous

Chapter 22 : You keep me Grounded

Valentine's POV

"Happy birthday!" I heard multiple shouts over my head. I let out a groan and slowly opened my eyes. Zander, Amanda and Andrew were standing around me and I groaned over again before closing my eyes.

"No. You're not sleeping again. It's your birthday!" I shook my head as I curled up in a ball and ignored them. "She won't wake up like this." I heard Zander mutter. I was tempted to open my eyes but I felt my eye lids get heavier and I decided to just go back to keep.

Suddenly water was thrown on me and I sat up on the bed with a jerk. "You guys are such assholes!" I said as I glared at them and removed my hair from my face. They laughed at me and went outside my room. I incoherently muttered and stormed to my bathroom.

After getting ready I headed downstairs and saw them having breakfast. "Happy birthday sweetie." My dad said as he looked up from the newspaper. My eyes widened in surprise when I saw him. A grin tugged on my lips as I quickly went over to him and kissed his cheek. "Thanks dad." He smiled and returned back to his paper.

After we had our breakfast, we quickly got out and headed toward's Zander's car. "Can I drive?" I asked Zander. He scoffed and said,"No." I pouted at him and rolled my eyes.

I sat on the passenger side and Zander started the car. We all reached the school in about fifteen minutes or so and got out. I offered a thankful smile to everyone who wished me a happy birthday.

Amanda and Andrew headed toward their lockers and Zander and I headed toward our's. "I know what happened to Connor." Zander said as we walked. My eyes snapped toward him and I offered him a weak smile. I didn't say anything and we both fell into a comfortable silence.

As soon as I reached my locker I quickly got all the books I needed and shut it closed. "Well, I'll see you later." Zander said as he kissed me on the lips and walked away. I walked to my class and got in. I quickly found a spot for me to sit and waited for the teacher to come.

My eyes travelled out the window and I squinted my eyes when I saw Connor hunched over a broken tree branch. He looked sick.

I immediately felt panic built up inside of me. I quickly got up and walked out of the class and headed where Connor was.

As soon as I reached him I let out a sigh when I noticed him coughing up blood. "Oh my god, Connor, you need to go to the hospital!" Connor shook his head as he rested against a tree and let out a deep breath. He wiped his mouth and said,"No. My doctor let me get out of the room after a lot of convincing. I'm not going back to that hellhole." My eyes softened at his words and I sat beside him. He looked so tired and defeated. I felt tears well up in my eyes as I looked at him.

"I'll be okay." He told me gently. I shook my head as a tear rolled down my cheek. "You don't deserve this." Connor didn't say anything instead he slipped his hand through mine and rubbed the back of my hand with his thumb. We fell into a silence and I wiped away my tears with my free hand.

"Happy birthday Val." Connor whispered. My eyes darted toward his and a small smile tugged on my lips. "You remembered?" He nodded his head. Suddenly, he let go of my hand and shoved his hands in his pocked. He looked like he was looking for something. I didn't question him and waited.

After a while of Connor searching all of his pockets, he finally took out a small box and he handed it to me. My eyes softened and I said,"You didn't have to." Connor waved me off and said,"I wanted to."

I opened the box and gasped as I looked down at the lucky charm bracelet. It had a small cupcake, an owl, an infinity sign, a butterfly and an anchor.