~Ronnie~


    When Rob and I go into the kitchen, I sigh.


    "She''s so fucking spoiled. She gets anything she wants by just by flashing around those gorgeous blue eyes. People just submit to her every wish, especially guys."


    Rob shakes his head at me, then looks around at the popcorn and hot chocolate.


    "Are you complaining because you still submit to her will? Or are you jealous because Craig is giving her attention?"


    I glare over at him and eat a piece of Valentina''s popcorn.


    "I feel bad, okay? You happy? I feel horrible."


    Robert nods as I boil the milk on the stove.


    "As you should. You put her through some shit. She''s still probably confused. And now she has to deal with the AP crap. I know you still like her, you know you still like her. A little friendly advice? Wait it out, keep your dick in your pants, and maybe she''d take you back."


    When he''s finished, he''s frowning at me. Maybe I should''ve started off talking to Thrasher about everything, or TJ. They barely know Val still. She just gets everyone in her grasp. She''s so fucking friendly and sweet. God damn it!


    "Are you scolding me, Rob? Are you my dad? And to be fair, it is not all my fault. Remember when we caught her and Derek making out?"


    "Derek kissed her. I remember. She got shitfaced drunk and scared me half to death in the bathroom. Knocked a few years off my life. "


    Rob smiles and I can''t help but laugh. I knew it. He can be mad at me all he wants, but he''s still one of my best friends.


    "Okay, what about her obsession with Jacky? What about her just sneaking off to that party? What about her suddenly moving out? And what about the fact that she went on a date with Zakk last night?"


    Robert nods his head at my jealous ramblings. I can''t even act like I''m not jealous with him. He knows everything! It just doesn''t work to lie.


    "So what, she likes Jacky. Alva does too, that''s her best friend. She''s an adult, so it wasn''t technically sneaking. To be fair, you went to Texas partly to get away from her. And if you two weren''t dating, it was weird for her to stay here. Even if Michael considers her a sister. However, the Zakk thing, I saw on her Snapchat. That''s rough. She could''ve gone out on a date with anyone. Choosing to go out with Zakk was probably partly revenge. Tough break man."


    I sigh, finishing up the cocoa just a Michael walks in the back door. Holy fucking shit. Rob goes to help him with the bags. I just stand there, staring at the giant stuffed bear that''s almost as tall as Michael.


    "What the fuck is all this?"


    Mikey sets the bear at the table and sets the groceries on the counter.


    "I saw the bear and thought of Val, so I bought it. The rest is stuff we need and food to make chicken parm."


    I look at Rob, who''s smiling, looking at me and the bear.


    "See, fucking spoiled."


    He shrugs and I jump at Valentina''s loud shriek from behind me. She''s seen the bear, obviously. It''s kinda hard to miss.


    "Oh my god! Is that for me?"


    I smirk and block her path, arms crossed.


    "Nah, that''s my teddy."


    Val frowns and Mikey pushes me out of the way. When Valentina picks it up, she''s completely hidden behind it. A damn stuffed bear is bigger than her. Michael invites Craig and Robert to stay for dinner. We all relax in the living room, playing video games while dinner cooks. Valentina sits, snacking on the popcorn and cocoa, unfazed that she can''t really play because of the bandages. That bear has made her the happiest person alive. Considering how much she loves kicking our asses on the PS4, I''m glad she''s not sad about it. She doesn''t like people buying her things or worrying about her but I guess stuffed animals don''t count. After dinner, everyone says goodbye. Val promises that she''ll come over more often and try to see everyone. We give Val leftovers of dinner, as well as Rob and Craig because Michael made so much. The two leave and Michael drives Valentina home. As they pull out of the driveway, all I see is Val''s hand waving in front of the giant bear.The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    ~Valentina~


    I''m straightening up around my apartment and cleaning when the doorbell rings. I''ve finally managed to make it look like I actually live here. For the longest time, I only had my bed and a small couch. Now I have a bunch of stuff. I always send pictures to Alva or Michael before I buy anything. It''s really great having them here for me. Michael actually stops by pretty often to make sure I have proper food and to see if I need anything. Only a few people even know where I live. And they know not to give out my address. Max, Alva, and Michael of course. Jacky and Zakk also stop by from time to time. Other than that no one knows where I live, not even Ronnie. Speaking of people stopping by, I put away my cleaning supplies and open the door.


    "Hey Zakk!"


    "Hey! Am I interrupting your house cleaning?"


    "Are you kidding? No! This place wasn''t even dirty! Cleaning just keeps my mind off things."


    We hug and I let him into my apartment, closing the door behind him. Even with all the furniture and accessories, my apartment still looks barely lived in. Zakk looks around and we both sit down on the bigger couch.


    "So how have things been going?"


    I sigh and fidget with my clothes.


    "Pretty good!"


    He gives me a look that he doesn''t believe me.


    "Don''t lie. I see the dark circles under your eyes. More night terrors?"


    "Yeah. They''ve gotten really bad."


    He hugs me into him. Zakk has been really great to me since I moved. He checks in pretty often. Not as often as Michael, but still.


    "Have you told Michael, or Alva, or Max?"


    "No. They have their own stuff to deal with."


    Zakk pinches my arm.


    "Ow!"


    When I look up he''s scolding me. Oh god, not this lecture again. It''s always the same no matter who it comes from. Zakk, Max, Alva, Jacky, Michael, and Ronnie. We care, you''re important. I roll my eyes and he sighs.


    "I know you''re tired of hearing the same shit over and over. But Val, we really do care and we really are worried about you. I really don''t think you should be living here alone. Someone should at least be here for you at night. You can''t even have extra furniture in your room because you''ll most likely break it coming out of a night terror."


    I sigh, admitting defeat, and nod my head. I move to where I can look up at him and smile.


    "I know Zakk, I know. I''m working on it. I just need to sort some things out. I promise I''m okay or at least I will be."


    He pats my head. The rest of the day goes smoothly. We watch a couple movies, eat dinner and play on the PS4. We say goodnight. He goes home and I try to get some sleep.


    ~Michael~


    Val''s done pretty well with staying in touch. She tries to come over once a week, sometimes twice. Her and Ronnie have been getting along very nicely. However, Ronnie has been acting a bit suspicious. He''s not going out to bars or clubs anymore but he has been spending a lot more time with that mystery cashier girl. He doesn''t post about her, he doesn''t talk about her much either. But, Val and Ronnie are just friends now, I guess. Val''s been staying in touch with Max and Alva too. She even sees Zakk and Jacky occasionally. I''m in the living room, playing music when Val walks in. She runs up to give me a hug.


    "Hey Val! My adopted little sister! How have you been? Come sit!"


    She sits down next to me on the couch. Charlie charges in and practically mauls her the second she sits. I guess Charlie doesn''t get to see her enough. She scratches his ears as he rubs all over her as if he didn''t see her last Tuesday.


    "I''ve actually had a good few days. I''m still having night terrors but they''re not as bad and I can''t remember them when I wake up. Oh my gosh, Charlie! Who''s a good boy? Charlie is! Oh yes! Charlie is! I missed you, yes I did!"


    I laugh as Charlie rolls around on the floor, soaking up all her attention. Just then Ronnie walks in from the back.


    "Don''t lie to him, Val. He''ll get used to it and wonder why I don''t call him a good boy all the time."


    Charlie perks up at the sound of Ronnie''s voice. He bounds and leaps into Ronnie''s lap, nearly knocking the chair over with them. Val and I laugh even harder.


    "Is he still chewing up your shoes and belts?"


    "Of fucking course. Charlie is a pain in my ass."


    "Aw, Charlie is an adorable pain in the ass. Just get him some chew toys."


    I shake my head.


    "They''re always destroyed within a couple days."


    Val smiles and shakes her head. Ronnie pushes Charlie off his lap and dusts himself off. Charlie hobbles away and stretches out behind the couch.


    "Oh Val. By the way, Willow is coming up for a visit this weekend. Do you have time to stop by? She asked if you were going to be here and I told her I didn''t know but that I''d find out."


    "Aw, of course, I''ll stop by and see the little angel! I''m so honored that she wants to see me. I''ll bring her a present."