Bittersweet

vi.

Todd pulled up outside a bar, that being the only parking space he could find. He smiled at Val as she pulled her hood over her head and turned to him.

"Thank you, Todd... I'll see you on Monday." With that, she swiftly leaned over, pressing a kiss to Todd's cheek and then finally climbing out of the car and beginning to speed walk down the street.

Her focus was on her feet as the rain fell and pelted the top of her coat-covered head. Water began to seep in through her shoes, making her feet even more cold and wet than they already were.

Val jumped when she felt a hand grab her arm, calming down only slightly when she realized who the person was. She sighed, rain trickling down her nose as the boy in front of her chuckled.

"Valerie," Noah said with a smile, "what a surprise to see you here!"

"Wish I could say the same about you, Noah," Val said, plastering a forced smile.

"What brings you around here again?"

Val moved to take a step back but Noah only tightened his grip on her arm, taking a step toward her himself. 

"Uh, I was just walking home, which is where I need to get going to."

"Nah, I've a better idea." Noah nodded toward the door right behind him. Val looked up at the building, not even realizing where she was. 

"I don't do that anymore, Noah..." she trailed off.

"Oh, c'mon, sure you do. I've got good money for you, you know I do."

Noah was scrawny but he was twice her size, she wasn't going to be able to run. Slowly and carefully Val took a look around her, noticing nobody that could see where she was about to go. Turning back to Noah she smiled, tears almost welling up in her eyes as she followed the older guy in to the apartment building and up the stairs to his room.

He held her hand tightly as he shut the front door of his small, worn down apartment carefully to not make a sound. As he did so Val stripped herself of her wet jacket and shoes, her scarf and cardigan following, leaving her in her tight jeans and string top.

She strutted through the warm apartment, thankful to be out of the rain but only for that. 

"Probably feels like home to you," Noah said with a low laugh, "feels like home just having you here."

Val could feel Noah's breath on her neck before she turned around, their body's pressed together. "Can we get this over with, so? I have to be somewhere."

Noah smirked before grabbing Val by the back of her neck and leading her to the bed by the window, tucked in to the corner of the tiny apartment. He pushed her down, and she allowed him to slowly rid her of her clothes. 

Once she was naked, Noah reached in to his pocket and pulled out two 100 dollar bills and slipped them in to the pocket of Val's jeans that were sprawled out on the floor.

Slowly, Noah then proceeded to climb on top of her as he unzipped his jeans. Val shut her eyes tight and allowed what was about to happen carry out, knowing well enough she needed the money.

"C'mon, Val, a little effort would be nice," Noah sighed, digging his nails in to the skin of her wrist.

As tired as she was, she swiftly rolled their bodies so she was on top and continued what Noah had started, moaning and scratching just so it would all finish quicker.

With a couple more swift motions, Noah was moaning out loudly and arching his back; Val knew it was over then. He lay back, breathing heavily as Val maneuvered herself off of him and quickly began dressing herself.