Dare

o n e

Valerie
"And done!" I cheered while adding the last detail to my work of art.

I grabbed my painting and placed it on my wall of art. I've been drawing and painting for as long as I could remember. Art is where I can express all of my thoughts and feelings with paper and drawing utensils. It calms me down and relaxes me when I'm upset. Once I get going, you can't stop me. It makes me happy and feel important in this world. Art is my passion and
true love.

"Now I could start writing my song."

Did I mention I enjoy singing, too? I've always been interested in musicals and starring in school performances where there was singing. I'm in choir and I've had quite a few solos. All the songs I write come from the heart and I cherish them so much.  All of the lyrics start flowing and I make it into a beautiful masterpiece. They're not about drugs and sex like all of the songs nowadays. I'm also of course in art. Both art and music helped me through my parent's divorce... The roughest time in my life.

"I could write another song about Dylan," I suggested to myself.

Dylan. The guy that I've had feelings for since seventh grade. I'm now a junior. Of course he doesn't like me back. He means a lot to me and I really care about him. I'd do anything for him. I've never felt this way about anyone. We used to be really good friends back in elementary school and middle school, but I guess we just drifted apart. It hurts to see what we've become. It's like we're strangers.

He causes the whole zoo to visit my stomach. He also makes my heart beat fast, my cheeks heat up, and my palms get a bit sweaty. I write songs about him all of the time. I could never sing them to him, though. He'll never be interested in me. But I don't blame him. I mean, look at me! I'm a troll. I wish I was beautiful like all the other girls at my school. I'm really insecure. I get crushed when I look into my reflection.

"Valerie, could you go pick up your sister for me while I start on supper? I'm making pasta and salad. I'll send you the address," my mom shouted from down the stairs.

"Ugh, I guess," I groaned.

I walked into a bathroom and threw my golden, blonde locks up in a bun and splashed some water in my face. All I did today was draw and watched The Fosters on Netflix. I jogged downstairs and put on my black Uggs and grabbed my keys to my white Jeep. I decided to bring my puppy with me so she can enjoy the ride. She's a tiny black pug named Penelope.

"I never needed you like I do right now. I never needed you like I do right now," I voiced while doing a few embarrassing dance moves.

I peered outside and looked up at the beautiful sky. The sun was setting and there were the bright colors blue, pink, orange, and purple showing. It looked absolutely breathtaking. The sun was a vibrant orange. The birds were also soaring and being free. It reminded me of something I painted not too long ago for my project in school. I wish I had my camera so I can take a few snaps. Photography is also amazing. I adore capturing nature at its finest.

"Wow," I awed.

I glared at my phone and put the address that my mom sent in my gps. I guess Aaliyah made a new friend. It's not far at all, only seven minutes. I arrived in the driveway and waltzed to the door with Penelope. It was a big, brick house with red doors and window panels. There was also a bird bath and many gorgeous bushes and flowers. My mom can't afford a nice house like this.

"Hi, I'm here for A-" I stopped talking as soon as I saw who opened the front door.

"Can I help you?" Dylan chuckled.

Kill me. Kill me now. I was just standing there and staring at him with my jaw dropped to the floor like an idiot. My heart dropped down to the pit of my stomach. My face flushed and I turned completely white. This is totally not awkward. 'Say something you doofus,' I mentally told myself. I'm so lame. I eventually cleared my throat and tried to breath. I thought I was going to collapse.

"I'm here for Aaliyah, my sister," I casually responded.

"Uh, okay. Chloe, Aaliyah's sister is here. How are you doing by the way? We never talk anymore. As you can pretty much tell, I moved."

Cause you ditched me. "I'm great. Just peachy," I smiled.

He grinned back at me. Ugh. That beautiful smile makes me weak in the knees and causes me to melt. He could make anyone feel better with his pearly whites. Stop. He doesn't like you and he'll never like you. You're a nobody compared to him. You know what, I honestly gotta stop caring. 'Fuck feelings, be a bitch' that's what I've heard before. He's just so hot.

"Bye, Chloe," Aaliyah hugged Chloe goodbye and grabbed her belongings.

"Bye, guys. Have a good one. See you at school tomorrow, Val Pal," Dylan waved.

"You haven't called me that since eighth grade," I whispered so he couldn't hear.

Aaliyah and I made our way to the car and talked about what her and Chloe did. Her and Chloe are really close and met because of Dylan and I. I knew Chloe and Dylan are brother and sister but I didn't know that I was going to their house. Dylan and I used to have play dates since kindergarten all the way up to eighth grade. We called it hang outs by then, though. I just had no idea that he moved. What has our "friendship" come to?

"Ask him out already," Aaliyah abruptly spoke.

"Aaliyah, he doesn't go after girls like me. We've already talked about this."

"If he doesn't ask you out anytime soon, I'll threaten him by saying that I'll chop off his penis and feed it to Penelope. Isn't that right my little princess?"

"Thirteen year olds," I rolled my eyes and sighed.

A/N
Hope you enjoyed the first chapter. Sorry if it was boring. It gets better, trust me! Thank you for reading. Valerie is the girl in the picture, btw. I love Sabrina Carpenter. Xx(: