Rock and Roll

Chapter Seventeen: Oh Heck

Half way through her walk home Valentine realized that she didn't know where the match was supposed to be. She was against it and she didn't want to go, but she found herself pulling her phone out of her pocket and texting Niall for the address anyway.

Valentine's Day: When and where for the fight?

Saint Patrick's Day: on the corner of 30th and main. Tell the cashier you're a friend of mine.

Valentine's Day: thanks

The conversation ended there. She need to talk to somebody about all of this, so she started to walk towards Hero's apartment.

She got there later than she hoped she would. When Hero opened the door it was obvious she had been asleep. Her eyes were puffy. She was wearing light gray sweatpants and an old shirt Valentine could have sworn it was hers at some point.

"Val? It's like midnight what are you doing here?" she questioned. Despite her indignation she stepped aside to let Valentine in.

Hero's apartment wasn't much bigger than Valentine's. They both worked minimum wage jobs and paid nearly the same in bills. It was small with white walls. The paint was cracking toward the edges. The light bulbs were old and cast a yellow light on everything. It smelled like vanilla.

Valentine was already getting a headache.

"I'm sorry I didn't just call you. I just..." Valentine wandered around in circles trying to think of what to say. The vanilla was clouding her mind like thick smoke. "I wanted to talk to you and Dad in person," she finished.

Valentine ground her fingers into her temples. Her eyes were scanning the room and all its electrical outlets. There was a wax burned in here somewhere and she was going to unplug it if it was the last thing she did.

She found it in the kitchen next to Hero's garbage cans. She held her breath while unplugging it and setting it on the counter trying not to burn herself.

Hero went to get their dad from the couch. He was dozing off while watching some football game. Valentine watched while Hero shook his shoulder and he woke with a start. She mumbled something Valentine couldn't hear.

They found her splashing water on her face in the kitchen. Her dad looked better than the last time she saw him, but still not good.

It was only a few days ago that she had been here last. Not even long enough for the scent of vanilla to wash out of the jeans she had worn. She found him on the couch with the tv off holding the picture of mom. He was just staring at it. When she called his name he looked up with a start, as if he hadn't even heard her come in. His eyes were swollen.

"I know what mom always said. Protect and be there for the people you care about," Valentine started. She wasn't sure how to continue. "But she also told me to do no harm. No matter what she was always clear about that."

"Val what are you trying to say?" Hero questioned.

She didn't know what she was going to say until it all came spilling out of her mouth like word vomit. She told them everything, from the shady deal she saw at the record store to the training to the concussion to the kiss.

She ended the entire rant with four words. "I care about him."

Her father, who had been silent through her whole speech, opened his mouth to speak. "I know that your mother always told you to be there for people. But I think you're forgetting that she didn't grow up like I did. These kind of things... they're dangerous for anybody that's there. Your mother, while smart and lovely and wonderful, was naive. Sometime you can't save everybody Valentine."

"No! Screw that dad. If mom was here she would tell Valentine to go," Hero said, turning to her dad in a rage. She was angered, mostly as Valentine saw it, by their dad's lack of faith in what they grew up learning. One picture, and the small memories of everything their mother taught them were all they had left. Hero would be damned if anyone, even her dad tried to make them into something less than they were.

This was not going as planned.

Her dad's eyes flew open. He wasn't drowsy anymore. He was wide awake with his anger bared like a dog's teeth. Hero had never fought their dad about anything and all three of them were quietly astounded.

They stood staring each other down. Neither gave in. Valentine was sweating through her shirt.

"You aren't going," their dad said, turning to Valentine. He turned around like his was the final word on the subject.

"I came here for advice not orders," Valentine said. Her dad stood stock still for a moment before rearing on her.

"I refuse to let you get hurt because you have a crush on some criminal!" he shouted. If he had much hair, it would have been flying all over the place. Valentine held her breath. She was angry about everything he said. She didn't have a crush on him. She just wanted to make sure he was okay.

Both girls looked at their dad in shock. In all the years they had known him, he had never shouted like that. Valentine was the first to look away. Her eyes fixed themselves on Hero instead, who stood quivering like a leaf in the wind. She looked so angry, more angry than their dad. Her hands were balled up into fists.

Valentine was worried she would tell him to leave. But she didn't. She stomped away to her bedroom and slammed the door shut.

They stared at each other again. They were both breathing heavily and sweating. The second Valentine took a step forward, he lost his composure.

He crumpled to the floor like a rag doll. His head hung low between his knees. Valentine watched in horror as his body was wracked with sobs. She crouched next to him and did her best to wrap him in a hug. All he could say to her was a string of apologies. It was half an hour before he calmed down and she could lead him to the couch. She tucked him in like a child. He was a mess. A giant stumbling mess.

He was acting like a drunk man. He wasn't as far as she could tell. There was an ache in her chest looking at him. He hadn't been that bad since days after her mom died. He wouldn't get out of bed for weeks. Looking at him made everything feel fresh.

Until tonight they had been there for each other no matter what. Now they were fighting and Dad was crying and Hero... she would be so upset once morning came.

Valentine couldn't help but think this was all her fault.

She decided she wasn't going to leave tonight. She wandered into Hero's room and took off her bra and her shoes. She threw herself next to Hero on the small bed and fell asleep almost instantly.