Valid Weaknesses ||Completed|| #Wattys2017

Chapter 17

Valerie

It's Christmas Eve but as usual, everyone at my house is acting like its any random day.

We didn't even exchange presents as a family. Only Elliot, Jess and I did this morning. It had been a nice time.

It's raining you know, which is perfect because I'm in a broody mood. I hadn't been able to skip on dinner today because Danny had come over, together with Hailey and her family. They're all just like her you know, all neat and good looking, confident and smart.

Her parents are pretty young for their age. Her mum, Nicole, has these huge almond eyes which should look odd and awkward but no; they suit her heart shaped face just fine. In fact; they make her look like some sort of model once you take in her pert little nose and pink lips. Her silken black her is naturally straight and stops just above her butt, accentuating her olive skin tone

Hailey's dad is the one with those blue eyes she's inherited. He has dirty blond hair which he wears in a side part like some sort of aristocratic debonair. Just the mere memory of them makes me feel like smashing in some glass and that's not even all.

She's got two sisters and a brother as well but trust me, you really don't want to know about them.

A knock on my door pulls me out of my reverie. "It's open!" I yell, ensuring my trusty little friend is well hidden before Danny pops in.

"How you doing ladybug?"

"Okay, I guess." I say, shrugging.

"Valerie." He says, settling precariously on my desk chair. "You look beat up."

"Well thanks for the compliment," I reply drily. "Really means a lot to me."

"Have you been skipping dinner again?" he cocks his head. "You look like you've lost weight."

"What's it to you?"

"My goodness Val. I thought we've been thought this."

"Yeah well, you thought wrong."

"You really need to see a doctor or councilor or something."

"Yeah because that turned out great the first time."

"You won't have to go there." He replies, sitting up straighter but looking concerned. "Funny thing is, I'm not even remotely surprised mum and dad haven't noticed a thing. Maybe I should get mum to sign you up again."

"Don't even think about it." I warn. "If they're too blind to notice that their teenaged daughter is falling apart then it's their problem. They wouldn't understand anyway."

"Listen to yourself." He shrieks, livid. "I only care about what's best for you Val. Who cares what our parents think? They've been wrong more times than the earth has rotated on its axis but they're legally your guardians and if I see that you need help, I'm willing to make them get it for you."

"Laying it on a bit thick are we?" I ask, quoting Jessi.

God, I miss her.

"Yeah, well..." he shrugs. "I just don't like seeing you like this. It wasn't your fault."

I flinch at his words and before my brain registers what I'm doing, I kick him out. Honestly speaking, I didn't want to. I'd been ready to spill my guts right there to Danny but he'd brought her up. Although he'd done it with the best intentions, he'd reminded me of everything I'd worked so hard to erase but couldn't.

There's only one thing to do, I think, getting off my bed and occupying the desk chair my brother vacated scarcely five minutes ago.

"Hi, everyone! How are you all on this fine rainy day in America?