No Going Back

iii

"The number you are trying to reach is currently unavailable at the moment, please leave a voice message or try again." 

I sighed thankfully, my dads phone was off.

Upon hearing the beep, I began. "Hey papa, it's me. Wow okay I sound weird." I laughed nervously.

"I love you okay, never forget that." I took a deep breath. "I'm going to Aunt Cassie's early, don't worry you know the drill."

The line went dead signaling it was done. I called once more to finish off the message.

"Right gotta be quick, I love you papa. I'll be at Cassie's and I'll see you soon. Oh and don't tell Luke my whereabouts. Love you bye."

Shutting off my phone, I ran a hand through my hair. I could do this, I know I can.

I grabbed my suitcase that had everything I packed, I did a quick look around making sure I had everything.

I grabbed my keys and gave my house one last look before leaving. My aunt didn't really live that far, probably like a 20-30 minute drive.

Connecting my phone to the car, I called my aunt sighing in relief when she answered on the second ring. 

"Hey!" She gasped happily, "Val Val! How are you?"

"Good or well you know I try to be Tia." I sighed, putting my blinker on so I could go onto the freeway.

"So you know how papa is letting me stay over for the summer?" I asked to which she hummed in response.

"Well I'm coming over early if that's okay." Nervously I bit my lip as I got onto the freeway.

"And your father is okay with that?" She asked confused. I nodded only to remember she couldn't see me, "Yeah he's cool with it."

Or well I hope he is when he gets my messages. He should be though, right?

"Well then, I don't see why not." I cheered happily and did a little happy dance.

Due to my happiness, I forgot to answer my Aunt. "When will you be here?"

"Valerie? Val Val? Valerie!" My Aunt yelling made me snap out of it, "Sorry Tia, I'll be there in half an hour ish."

We talked for awhile more before she had to go and finish dinner.

Relaxing a bit, I put on some music and hoped that this summer was going to be okay.

₩₩₩  

"Valley!" Oh god no.

I groaned in annoyance at the nickname that was given to me when we were younger.

"Xavier!" I mocked him, knowing full well that he dislikes the use of his full name.

Why? No clue honestly.

He playfully glared at me before what I assumed came to give me a hug, only to put me in a head lock and rub his fist against my head.

"Ugh stop!" I whined pushing him away from me. "Now where's my favorite cousin?" I asked playfully looking over his shoulder.

You see Xavier my only cousin, so this was just me messing with him. He put his hand over his heart pretending to be hurt.

"Ugh, hit me right in the feels Val." I rolled my eyes laughing before pulling him into a hug.

"Just kidding!" He pulled away pretending to ignore me but he only gave me an idea.

Jumping onto his back he stumbled forward slightly before spinning around. "Xavier stop!"

He came to a sudden stop giving me a full smile before running in the direction of the back yard.

His back yard is kind of large, I mean it has a pool an-

Pool.

Oh god no!

"Don't. You. Dare." I warned him attempting to get out of his hold but it wasn't working.

"Put me down!" I whined continuing to wiggle but soon regretted saying anything at all.

"As you wish." Before I knew it he attempted to throw me in but I gripped onto his shirt pulling him in with me.

We both swam up to the surface and we glare at one another before bursting into a fit of laughter.

I missed this, I missed my cousin more than anything.

"Kids! Dinner!" My Aunt yelled out making us began to race on another to the door.

Which was a bad idea seeing as we both slipped and ate shit.

Yep, I missed this.

₩₩₩

Currently Zav and I were watching movies while eating popcorn or well I was eating ice cream.

{ pronounced as Zay-v }

Abruptly while watching If I Stay, Zav paused the movie turning towards me with a serious look.

"Alright spill, Val. What's going on?" I sighed setting down my mint chocolate chip ice cream and adjusted myself so I could look at him.

He and Cassie were the only ones besides Luke who knew about my bullying problem.

"Today at school when I was getting beat up for probably the millionth time, I felt so utterly weak. I felt like I needed someone, anyone, to come and save me from that. I don't want to feel like that again Xavier, I can't. I want - no I need to feel stronger than that."

His eyes softened and he scooted closer to me so he could pull me into a hug, I rested my head on his shoulder as he rubbed my back soothingly.

"Okay then, we got a lot of work to do." He smiled at me and I nodded.

This summer was going to be different. 

I was going to be different.