I See Through You

Chapter. 12

After the hugs, Val's parents called us downstairs.

When we got there, I saw Chief Vincent, April and Casey waiting for us in the living room.

"Hey, glad to see you here." I said.

"Hey, Leo. How are you doing?" Casey asked as he walked up to me and Val.

Then, he turned to her. "And you must be Valentina. I'm Casey Jones." He said as he extended his hand for her to shake, completely forgetting the fact that she's blind.

"Uh, Casey..." I trailed off as I slightly shot a glare at him.

He seemed to have realized it as he pulled his hand back. "Oh, right. Sorry. Habits."

Val nodded. Then... "And the other lady is..." She trailed off.

"Wha-- How did you know?" April asked as she got up from the couch.

"Your perfume is different from the ones I've smelled so far. I like vanilla and sometimes chocolate, my mom likes slightly more woody perfumes, while Chief Vincent is still with the same perfume with a subtle flowerly smell from when we met her. And yours is something... Sweeter. Cotton candy, I'd dare say."

April and Casey's eyes widened when they heard that, Val's parents and I could only chuckle at the scene.

"Still, you are...?"

"Oh. I'm April O'Neil."

"Channel 6, right?"

"Yeah... How did you--"

"I listen to the news. Not as often as my mom sees them, but you get the idea."

April nodded.

"So what brings you to our lovely home? Despite the fact that it appears you and Leo are friends?"

I chuckled. But changed to my serious demeanor when Chief Vincent spoke up.

"After what happened yesterday, we decided that it would be the best and safest for you if you had someone watching over you during the day."

"Let me guess... Mr. Jones?"

"He's an officer and a friend of ours. We couldn't ask for anyone better to make sure you're safe whenever we're not around." I said as I turned to Val, who nodded.

"I'm sorry I'm causing you so much trouble." She said.

"No, no, no. It's okay, really. I can change my shift to the night shift and get my morning and afternoon free. The fact that this new group of criminals is after you is enough to get the police's attention. And since you're blind--" Casey said but...

"I get it. You think I need to be protected because since I can't see shit I'm more helpless than a normal dumb girl."

My eyes widened with that.

"Valentina!" Her mother exclaimed.

But she only tightened her grip on my shoulder. "Let's go to my room."

"But you haven't eaten anything--"

"I'm not hungry, Leo. I just... *Sigh* I just want to rest."

I nodded. "Excuse us." I said as I guided her to her room. Not like she needed me to, but still.

When we got there she sat on the bed and asked me to close the door.

After I did that, I turned to her.

"What's wrong, Val? I never saw you curse like that." I asked as I sat be her side.

She let out a sigh. "It's just... *Sigh* That's one of the things I hate the most about being blind. People helping me because they feel sorry for me. I'm helpless because I can't see and I hate when people say that's why they want to help me out."

I frowned. So that's why she got angry at Casey.

"Val, Casey didn't come here offering his help because he feels sorry for you."

"Oh, yeah. He's a cop. I bet Chief Vincent ordered him to help after my mom insisted."

"That's not it, either."

She frowned. "Then why is he here?"

"Because we asked him to be. Me and my brothers. We don't trust anyone else to keep an eye on you while we can't."

Her eyes widened. "... What?"

I let out a sigh and held her hand.

"Val... When you were kidnapped, it was in the afternoon. And you know we're not supposed to be seen. We took a huge risk when we went out looking for you. And I would do it again and again because I worry about you. Not because you're blind, but because you're my friend... My best friend. And... I can't bear the thought of you getting hurt like you did, all because we weren't there to protect you, because I wasn't there. That's why we asked Casey to help. He will only watch over you from whenever you're not at home and we can't keep you safe, that's all."

She frowned a bit. But I kept speaking.

"You don't have to get along with him if you don't want to, but... Give it a try, okay? Please."

She let out a huge sigh. Then, she turned slightly to me.

"He better not complain about my bad temper. Usually from school to music class or I am bored or I am fuming."

I chuckled a bit. "School is that harsh?"

She shrugged. "When you are the only student who's blind, it can be."

I frowned. "Val, I'm sorry, I--"

"You didn't know. It's okay. It's not like I care that much. In a couple of months I'll be out of there anyways, so I can't wait." She said smiling.

That made me smile too. At least until I got serious again. "Now will you try to get along with Casey?"

She let out a groan before raising an eyebrow and smiling. "Okay, okay. I'll try. But only because you are my best friend, Leo."

I smiled. Then, I hugged her. "It's just until school's over, okay?"

"Okay."