« VALERIE »
"Val," Bryan called through the door.
"Hold on," I replied, slipping my shirt over my top and then my jacket before giving him the okay.
He pushed the door open and held out a twenty.
"It's from Abel," he said and then turned around.
"Oh," was all I managed to get out before he left.
I slipped my phone from the pocket of my jacket as I stood up, pressing the button for Abel's number.
It rang twice.
"Val."
"Abel, why did you leave me twenty more?"
"You need it."
"You live in a van," I said quietly as I left my room and went towards the back entrance.
"Yeah. I know," he said back.
"Why don't you take my offer?"
"I don't want to take up space."
"I promise you wont bother me one bit," I said as I left, waving to some chick whose name I couldn't remember as the door shut behind me.
"Maybe."
"I miss you, you know. You don't have to wait until next Thursday."
"But I do," he replied.
I always wondered why he was so quiet and reserved.
His music told his story.
I guess that's all he needed.
"Are you free tonight, then?"
"But-"
I stopped him.
"It's still Thursday," I reminded as I got to my car, fumbling for my keys in the pocket of my jeans.
"True."
"Can I come pick you up?" I asked, finally getting them out and unlocking the door.
He hesitated long enough for me to get in, start the car, and begin to back out.
I had thrown my phone into the seat beside me, on speaker.
"Please. I want to see you."
I smiled softly.
"Where is it parked?"
"Not to be weird, but I can already see your car."
I laughed softly and picked the phone up.
"Well come get in," I said before hanging up and putting the phone in my bag.
The passenger door opened, so I looked over.
"Hey Abel," I greeted warmly as he got in and closed the door.
"Val."
I smiled. I didn't mind his quietness. He was interesting nonetheless.
"I want to take you to dinner," I said as I started driving.
"Val, no," he murmured, looking over at me.
"Abel, I didn't ask. You deserve it. Then we're gonna chill at my house," I said, looking to him as well.
"I don't deserve it."
I picked up his hand and kissed the knuckle on his middle finger, which was bruised.
"You do." I murmured quietly, turning back to the road.
"Where are we eating?"
"That steak place you always talk about," I decided.
"Val, that place costs a lot."
"Abel, I promise. It's fine."
He shifted a bit.
"Do you still have my disk?"
"Yeah, I do. It's in the glove compartment."
He smiled as I told him.
He opened it and pulled it out.
Across the top, scrawled in old Sharpie, was the title.
"The Noise/Weekend** unreleased"
He put it in and his eyes were already brighter.
"I seriously do think your music will take you places Abel, I really do."
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**I know it says Weekend. The story is obviously set before his fame, before he had to drop the e due to copyright issues.
For avadakedamn because the poetry is beautiful and inspiring.
-wwanderrllustt
