A Notch in Her Heart (A Pierce the Veil Fanfiction)

XXXII

Immediately I bursted into the kitchen, Jaime tumbling in behind me.

"What!?"

"Huh!?"

"Why'd you say no!?" My outburst had caught Valerie off guard and she stared for a minute taking in our eavesdropping.

"Look, I seriously don't want to talk about it."

"Well you don't have to, but I think Vlic at lest deserves an explanation." Jaime gestured over to Vic as I nodded in agreement. Valerie's eyes became teary as she looked at Vic. Before the first tears could fall, she ran out the room and up the stairs.

Our attention turned to Vic. He slowly pushed himself off the floor and made his way out the kitchen. Jaime and I followed behind him into the family room. He laid out on the couch, a look of devastation on his face.

Vic is crazy for Valerie. The fact that she said 'no' was like kicking a puppy.

"Vic?" My voice came out gentle and empathetic. Ready to comfort and be there for my friend.

"Yes?" Vic's voice came out shaky and shocked. Ready to break down at any minute.

"Are you okay? I KNOW this must be taking a toll on you..."

"No. She said no. Was it something I did? Did I hurt her? Does anyone know why she said no?" Vic looked back and forth between my eyes and Jaime's. Jaime and I turned to each other, but couldn't find a reason she would say no and Jaime let out a sigh.

"Sorry, Vic. We don't know anything."

"Then there must not be a problem..." Vic stood up and made his way out the room. Jaime stood with me as we listened to him walk through the hallway.

"I'M JUST NOT GOOD ENOUGH!" We heard the door open, and cringed as it slammed shut. As expected, Vic's car was heard starting up and speeding off down the street and away from the house.

Jaime's POV

"Come on." I gently intertwined my fingers with Belle's and coaxed her up the stairs. When we reached the top, she stopped, ready to knock on the door to Valerie's room. Before she could, I grabbed we wrist.

"What're you doing?" She gave me a face like the answer was obvious and I shook my head no, and continued dragging her down the hall, and into our room.

"Jaime, what the hell!? Shouldn't we be checking on her!?"

"No. Valerie needs to be alone. Tony and I know better than anyone that when something happens, she wants to be left to be with herself." Belle nodded but the look of concern just wouldn't leave her face. She sat on the bed with a sigh.

"I just wish there was something we could do to help them or at least figure out what's going on for real." I sat beside her.

"And you know the only person who has an answer to that?" She took a deep breath before answering.

"Valerie."

<><><>

The next morning was breakfast and I woke up to see my beautiful girlfriend trying to pick out her clothes for the day. I snuck up behind her as she pulled a vest off a hanger and examined it. Rolling my eyes and grinning, I placed my hands on her hips and she jumped.

"Good morning, Button."

"Jaime! I'm in my underwear!" She tried to cover as much of her body as she could with the vest and I chuckled at the way she struggled so adorably.

"It's not funny." She pouted playfully and I placed a gentle kiss on her lips. I pulled away and she crinkled her nose.

"Eww, you haven't brushed your teeth yet. I left the shower running for you, so go hop in. You smell like you just woke up."