Valor: The Crystal Of Valimor

II

*Allie*

"Valorie!" Allie exclaimed, bouncing through her door. "I–" she frose when she saw Valorie still hadn't put a shirt on. "S–Sorry!" She bowed her head, blushing.

"For what?" Valorie drawled, walking calmly to her closet, wearing only a bra and shorts, to look for a suitable shirt. "Barging in unannounced or barging in while I was changing?"

"Number two—your mom let me in," Allie said, refusing to look up.

"We're both girls here, you know," Valorie rolled her eyes, sliding her arms through an oversized cardigan.

"Not now, there isn't." Nick popped his head in, covering his eyes with a hand. "Is everything censored?"

"Yeah, weirdos," Valorie unplugged her phone.

"Gotta appreciate my chivalrous decency," Nick said proudly, removing in his hand and walking inside, flopping down on her bed.

"I just folded the sheets," Valorie sighed.

Allie hopped back up and gave her a quick hug, "Ready for school?"

"I was born ready." Valorie smirked, "I'm so glad that my muscles have somehow not atrophied too much."

"Us too!" Nick laughed, picking up Valorie's backpack from the floor. "Come on, V!"

"You're coming in our grade, right?" Allie asked, taking out her schedule.

"Pretty sure," Valorie grabbed for her bag from Nick. "I'm not a weak, little girl, Nick. I can carry my own bag." She nearly collapsed when the full weight of her bag was in her arms, but she gritted her teeth and slung it onto her shoulders.

"You sure?" Nick made a reaching motion, but held back. "You literally just woke up from a coma, V."

"Two months aren't 'just,' Nick," Valorie rolled her eyes. "Stupid rehabilitation."

  "I'm not saying you're weak," Nick corrected. "I'm saying that you're an incredibly strong young woman that should take care of herself and not get injured by pushing too fast."

"But even the doctors said that I healed abnormally fast," Valorie reminded him. "If I can't carry my own bags now, when will I?"

"Okay, but if you feel tired, we can help." Allie offered.

"Thanks, but I think I'm good." Valorie shifted, the weight balancing out better.

"Okay," Nick gave her one last worried glance. "Where's your brother?"

"Somewhere," Valorie flippantly gestured to the area upstairs with her hand. "He's probably playing whatever video game is popular at the moment." She cleared her throat, "Come on, Cody! We're leaving without you!"

"Coming!" Cody yelled, rushing down the stairs two at a time a few moments later. He stopped when he saw Valorie. "You sure you can carry that?"

Valorie groaned as they exited the room, grabbing her breakfast. "I literally just put these two at ease, only for you to start up... I don't freaking need help!"

"Nope," Sadie said from behind them, lifting Valorie's bag off her shoulders.

"Hey!" She protested.

"Doctor's orders, honey," her mom consoled. "No extra lifting for a while. With great difficulty I have talked to the school about scheduling some make-up exams for you but P.E. was a whole other story," Sadie shook her head. "You still need the credit so they are allowing the hospital to transfer your rehabilitation records. You need to take it easy, okay?"