the boarders

Valentina

The cab drive had taken forever, and Katie hadn't stopped talking the entire time, except once when she was texting one of her cousins in her family group chat.

Valentina's mouth felt dry and she quickly texted Octavia to see if there was any of that bottled water at home or if the maid hadn't stocked up on it. She felt kind of lame, as she left Octavia behind at the police station and had been a bit of a bitch.

And sorry about leaving u :( couldn't see u so hung out w Katie. She added, before slipping her phone into the pocket of her Fiorucci jeans.

The cab pulled up to Drew's meeting place, a wretched seaside town that Aurelia had always loved with a mouldy and rotting pier in the middle of the sea.

Katie handed the taxi driver assorted twenty pound notes, and both of the girls got out of the car, surprised to see blue police lights blaring back at them.

Valentina looked around, people were crying and screaming, policemen were asking questions and a body was lurking underneath a white sheet on a stretcher.

Drew always caused chaos wherever he went, thought Valentina, smiling as she brought out her phone and texted him. "Where is he?" Said Katie, chewing on a manicured nail as she scanned the scene.

"Octavia's over there." Katie said, gesturing to a bedraggled looking girl with tears streaming down her face. Valentina felt her heart tense up in her chest, and ran over to her, dodging policemen.

"Oh my god Octavia, what's wrong?" Valentina said, kneeling down beside her. Katie caught up with her and knelt down in the sand. "OMG, did you see the body?" She said, eyes wide. Valentina knew something terrible was up, because Octavia could hardly speak, her entire body was shaking uncontrollably.

"It's Drew," Said Octavia choking out tears. Katie started to scream, but Valentina just felt numb.

She felt sick to the stomach and began to feel her legs collapse from underneath her. Octavia looked up at her best friend and pulled her in for a hug and Valentina hugged her back, crying into her long, blond hair. It was strange how something so horrific could reunite people, and bring them closer together.

Katie coughed awkwardly and glanced over at the body, covered with a thin, white sheet. "Um, sorry my mum is going to be mad at me if I don't get home." She said, waving a hand at the two girls and walking off into the distance.

Valentina pulled away, wiping her eyes with the back of her hand. Octavia reached in her bag and handed her a tissue. "Hey, you never told me you were friends with Katie." Octavia said as she watched Valentina dry her eyes.

Valentina nodded, "She's cool." She could barely speak, her words felt all crowded in her throat. She missed Drew so much, and her heart had an undeniable ache to it.