Partners In Crime

Chapter 3

~Valerie~

“Nothing is really a walk in the park”

I must admit Friday night didn’t really go as planned, but it’s my fault for overreacting. Sometimes, my dirty mouth slips and says what I actually think. It was Saturday, maybe I should make a day out of something and go walk around the neighbourhood? I can’t lay in my bed all day, well I could, but I would be forced outside by my mom. I grab my lightweight book bag, it has all of the stuff I use to write. I enjoy doing it, if everything goes south I usually bring my polaroid camera and take some pictures. Winter was the only time I really liked to walk around the park.

As if to answer my writer's block, a snowflake fell softly onto my nose. I smiled wildly, giggling without a care. I crack open my computer, finding the document I had been on before. I am about to start typing when I hear some snow crunch behind me.

“If anybody’s there, I know karate and I’m not afraid to use it,” I lie, stalking behind the red chain link bench.

Someone walks out behind the tree with his arms up, “I’m just here to make amends,” he states, giving me his best acting.

“I’m starting to think you’re stalking me,” I say, glaring at Duncan turning back to my writing. He takes a seat next to me on the cold bench.

“What are you even sorry about. There is a lot that you’ve done, that deserves a ‘sorry.’” I say, rolling my eyes. He’s one to be very annoying from my very limited knowledge.

He closes the lid to my laptop, he must really want my attention, “You have two minutes.” I exclaim out of anger. I was in the middle of writing a really good sentence!

He turns to me.

“Look, Kitten-”

I shoot him a dangerous glare.

“I, uh, mean Valerie, I guess, I really am sorry about last night. I didn’t know Daniel would do that.” Duncan explains, laying his head in his hands.

Duncan looks up from his position staring at me in my shocked state, utterly speechless.
“What?” He questions, cocking one of his eyebrows.

“I’m just surprised you’re actually apologizing for your behavior, as well as Daniels.” I say, staring off into space my thoughts running around in my head. I probably shouldn’t have said that…

“I’m nice…, well only sometimes.” He says, trying to convince me of his innocence.

“Sure you are...” I snap back, rolling my eyes, avoiding his ever so distant stares.

“Are you cold?” He asks, looking at my bright red nose and ears. I forget a lot of things, yes including my hat and scarf.

“I’m fine, no need to baby me. I know you are sorry about what happened, and I kinda forgive you.” I admit, pestering his hands away from my face.

His hands landed softly on my naturally reddened cheeks. His hands were surprisingly warm, even though it was freezing outside. I didn’t really like people touching me, it made me feel open to letting out all of my feelings. I have the urge to cry, but shake the thought away. I didn’t want him to think I was some weeping weirdo, I hate to make people feel uncomfortable. Removing his hand from my face, I shake my head of the idea of crying.

“Please don’t touch me.” I say, choking on my panic on the surface of my skin. Prickles lined my spine, my anxiety and feelings pulling in opposite directions.

“Are you okay?” He asks, he’s been asking a lot of questions. I was anxious to the point of tears, but nobody could see that, except for him.