Bittersweet

xi.

Val was hyperventilating. Even if she didn't show it, it was like Todd could smell the nerves dripping out of her system like sweat. She paced the room a few times, obviously trying to think of what to do while Todd rushed over to the door to lock it.

Val stopped at the window, staring out at the trees in the distance. "We could climb out," she said, almost like a question.

"Are you crazy?" Todd huffed. "We're three stories up, Val, not a chance."

She began to bite her nails and this time it was Todd's turn to pace. It was silent for a minute, until Val finally turned away from the window to Todd. "What the fuck are we going to do?"

"Val, I-" Todd tried to speak, but Val cut him off, stuttering and rambling.

"The bell is gonna go any minute."

"Val-"

"In, like, ten minutes there's going to be thirty students stood outside waiting to get in here, what are we going to do?"

"Val, shut up for a minute!" Todd's voice boomed over Val's and she froze, suddenly seeming small and frail and shy.

He ran a hand through his hair, yanking slightly on the strands. Passing voices came from outside the door and the two of them stayed quiet, both letting out an exasperated sigh when the voices were gone.

"Okay," Todd began, his voice lowered once again, "here's what's going to happen. I'm gonna go down the front stairs, go to the office, and start telling Ms. Proctor that you were sent home sick earlier on. You're going to go down the backstairs--hood up, head down--and go out the emergency exit in the back of the building- you know where that is, right?"

"I know where it is, yeah."

"Okay. You're gonna go out there, keep your head down and go to the car park. Go to my car, and sit on the ground; stay hidden! Don't let anybody see you. I'm going to make something up, and I'll leave and come meet you, okay? Are you okay with this? Are you okay?"

Val's heart was racing. She fiddled with her fingers as she nodded slowly, taking in everything Todd had just said. Todd had a look on his face that almost resembled fear as he slowly turned the lock and opened the classroom door.

Outside the classroom, teenagers rummaged through lockers and rushed through the hallways, anticipating their next classes while Val anticipated what her father might do if he catches her, or worse, if he catches her and Todd.

Todd nodded for her to leave the classroom first. She did, sending one last thankful look his direction before she exited and made her way towards the back stairwell. At the last second she turned to catch sight of Todd as he nervously made way the opposite direction, before swinging the double door open that would lead her out to the stairs.

On the opposite side of the school, Todd worked to quickly manoeuvre around teenagers that sat littered randomly around the corridors, school bags and exam papers array. He skipped down the flight of stairs that led him to the front hall of the school, where he saw an older man speaking with Ms. Proctor outside her office. The man was tall, he had tanned skin and a shaven head, showcasing the tattoo that ran up his neck and behind his left ear. He had a dark look on his face; eye bags, indents in his features, that instantly made Todd slightly more nervous.

Ms. Proctor turned to look at him with a smile as he approached, which he gleefully returned. The older man, which he presumed to be Ray, turned and made eye contact too. Todd did all he could to not show any nerves, any uncertainty.

"Ms. Proctor, I heard your announcement over the intercom," Todd started, "I spoke with Valerie earlier today, she's already left school early, she told me she was vomiting."

Ray quietly scoffed, so quiet Todd almost missed it.

"Ah, it seems as though you just missed her, Mr. Atkins, perhaps she's already home?" Ms. Proctor chimed.

"Yes, it seems so," Ray grimaced, "I'll catch her when she's home."

Ray and Ms. Proctor exchanged smiles before she headed off down the hallway. Todd took this as his sign to depart also and start coming up with an excuse on why he had to leave work early. He turned to walk away without looking at Ray once more, but was stopped abruptly as he felt a warm hand touch his shoulder.

"Do you know my daughter well?"

Todd turned and looked at Ray who was already beaming back at him. Ray was smiling but it was clear he was not happy, nor glad to be there or to be having that conversation.

Todd shrugged casually. "I have her for maths, she's a good student. She works hard."

Ray slowly nodded, as if waiting for Todd to say more. He had wilfully chosen not to say more.

"If you don't mind, Mr. Atkins-"

"My daughter has been spending a lot of time at a friends house; a girlfriend," Ray chuckled, "she hasn't got many of those. Do you know who this friend is?"

Todd grimaced at the crude comment about Val's lack of woman-friendships. "I'm afraid I don't. I unfortunately don't pay that much attention to what my students do outside the classroom."

"Sure you don't."

Todd watched Ray's face carefully, trying to make out if there was something he knew. Nonetheless, Ray turned to walk towards the exit, and Todd took this as his moment to get out of there and find Val.

He had discussed his made up excuse briefly with the vice principle, Mr. Markle, who thankfully advised him to get out of there. Todd quickly rushed to the faculty car park, keys in hand, ready to drive, watching his surroundings carefully.

He almost tripped over Val upon rushing to his car. She sat, scrunched up on the ground beside the driver side door, her hood pulled far over her head. She scrambled up and around to the other side and climbed in as soon as Todd unlocked the car, mimicking her as he rushed in himself.

The majority of the car ride was filled with slow, heavy breaths, along with a bad pop song playing quietly over the radio, until Todd finally spoke up.

"I'm sorry for telling you to shut up," he said quietly. He didn't break eye contact with the road as he spoke, as if hesitant to look at Val.

"It's fine," she chuckled back, nearly confused by his apology.

"No, it's not fine," Todd continued, "I shouldn't speak to you like that. That's not how you talk to people you care about, so I'm sorry."

Val was taken aback, and it was clear Todd could tell. This was not something she was used to; someone speaking to her badly, and then apologising. Val didn't think the way Todd had spoken to her was particularly bad or hurtful, she had endured a lot worse at the hands of people that were supposed to love her, let alone simply care for her.

It took a second, but the sentence Todd had just spoke was finally settling in; he cares about her. It had been a while since anyone other than her family or Richie had expressed so much as a liking towards her. She could vividly remember the last time it occurred.

"I love you, I love this, I love the way you feel around my..."

Val shook the memory from her mind as she realized she hadn't yet even responded to Todd's declaration of care. She stared at the side of his face while he stared at the road, brows furrowed. Val smiled.

"I care about you too, y'know."