~Valentina~


    Zakk has been acting weird all day and he''s been strangely over-excited about our slumber party for this month. Today, I turned 22 years old. It''s there on my Instagram and Twitter but so far, no one has said happy birthday. Well, fans of my art have of course, but none of my friends. Zakk looked at me confused when I just announced that it was March 21st. Michael hasn''t even wished me a happy birthday. As I''m walking along the hallway to my apartment door, I pull out my phone and dial a number.


    "Babe."


    "Hey, I know you''re bummed that I''m not coming out tonight."


    "It''s your birthday. You''re supposed to have fun."


    "I know babe. It''s just weird."


    "But you ditched me last night for that pussy. Uh, Jeff, or whatever."


    "Zakk. And watch your mouth when you talk about him. Gotta go, love you, bye."


    When I hang up Zakk gives me a side look. It wasn''t a shock that they don''t like each other. They''re from different crowds. Zakk doesn''t understand why I''m dating him but he respects me enough to keep his opinions to himself. When I stick my key in the door Zakk is practically jumping up and down. We walk into my pitch-black apartment and Zakk closes the door behind us.


    "What the fuck is wrong with you? I''m not a fucking owl Zakk, I can''t see in the dark."


    Suddenly my lights flash on and I blink at the brightness. There are a bunch of people I know squeezed into my tiny apartment. From what I can tell, the entire place is decorated. Everyone screams at the same time.


    "Happy birthday Valentina!"


    I look around at the people I''ve been avoiding. Even Max and Alva are digitally here. I''m struck with the memory of my parents always throwing me special parties and I kneel down, beginning to cry. Laughing and clapping goes around the room and I smile through my tears as Zakk pulls me back up.


    "You remembered. You guys threw me a surprise party."


    "Do you really think that we''d forget?"


    I spot Michael walking towards me and I sprint into his arms. He holds me.


    "Michael! I''m so sorry. I''ve been so awful and completely ungrateful."


    "It''s okay Val, it''s okay."


    "No. It''s not. I''ve been avoiding you and Jacky. Is Jacky here?"


    "He is. You might want to talk to him and Rob privately later. Really."


    "Thank you so much for this."


    "Everyone pitched in to get it set up. I mean Zakk had to put up with you."


    I gently punch Michael and look at Zakk, who gives me a goofy face.


    "Seriously though. This was all Ronnie''s idea. Thank him."


    Michael lets go and pushes me in the direction of Ronnie. He''s sitting on my couch, keeping to himself. Every few seconds, he nods. Max is still on the screen, talking. He''s probably giving him a pep talk. Great. Fuck my life.


    ~Ronnie~


    I stare at the ground, listening to Max''s instructions. Most of what he''s saying are threats. I get it. I absolutely deserve it. He tells me that Val is on her way over and I look up. Alva comes back on with Max and they greet Val.


    "Happy birthday best friend!"


    Val''s face lights up with a smile.


    "Thank you so much. I wish you two were here."


    "Ah don''t worry. We''ll be up there in a few months. We better go though. Enjoy your night!"


    They all say bye and Val turns to me. She sits next to me on the couch and gives me an awkward hug.A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.


    "Michael told me that this was your idea. Thank you so much."


    "Ah. You deserved it. You''re welcome."


    We sit in uncomfortable silence.


    "Where''s Rei? I didn''t see her."


    I sigh and shrug.


    "We broke up last week. Uh, she was seeing her ex behind my back. It was a whole thing."


    Val nods and I clear my throat.


    "Oh wow, that''s horrible. I''m sorry."


    "Ah, it''s fine. We were only dating a few months. What about you?"


    Shit. Val coughs at the personal question. Fucking hell Radke.


    "There''s this guy I''m seeing. Zakk''s met him."


    She stands up and I see her looking through the crowd. I follow her vision and spot Jacky. He''s doing everything he can to not notice Val.


    "Hey, Vincent?! Bring me a drink!"


    "Get it yourself, Ronald!"


    I excuse myself to Val, who sat back down and walk over to Jacky. I pour two drinks and lean into him.


    "You can''t avoid her man."


    "Can''t I? That''s what she did."


    "You two need to talk Jacky."


    "Mm. That''s nice."


    I grab the two drinks and hand one to Jacky. As I pull him along back to the couch, I nod at Mikey, who''s been standing, chatting with Rob. Halfway to the couch Jacky starts fighting and I have to shove him in front of me. Rob is already awkwardly standing there with Mikey.


    "Suck it up."


    "I don''t want to talk to her!"


    "Be a man!"


    "I don''t want to!"


    "If that were true, you wouldn''t have bothered coming."


    "I was doing you and Michael a favor."


    "Vincent. You stock her fucking fridge when she''s not home. Knock it off."


    I make Jacky and Rob sit in the chairs. I hand Val her drink from Jacky as Michael and I sit on the couch with Val in between us. Michael leans back and moves Val to rest against him. He''s gonna be an overprotective dad tonight it seems. Jacky is looking straight ahead at the blank TV and Rob is staring at the drink in his hands.


    "Fucking talk."


    ~Michael~


    Ronnie attempts to get everyone to start sharing feelings and shit. Val quietly sighs and rests her head on my shoulder like she used to do before Ronnie fucked everything all up. I missed my little-little sister. I miss Alva more obviously. It''s just different. Alva is all the way in Florida. Val is here in LA just avoiding me. It hurts. Val starts to speak with sadness in her voice.


    "I guess I owe Robert an apology for ignoring his texts and never calling back when I said I was going to. However, I definitely know I owe Jacky an apology. I stopped hanging out with you and leaving every time you said you were coming to check on me, in addition to dodging your calls and texts. I know it''s probably not enough but I really am sorry. I miss you guys. I miss everyone but especially you two. I was being a selfish asshole. I''m so sorry. Please forgive me."


    Rob and Jacky exchange looks. I kiss the top of Val''s head.


    "Robert. I know I hurt you. We weren''t as close as Michael and I are but you''re like an older brother to me. I am sorry. If Michael could forgive me, I''m sure you could too. Jacky."


    Val turns her body towards Jacky and for the first time, he looks up at her. There''s sadness and pain in his eyes.


    "Besides Alva and Max, you''re literally the best friend I''ve ever had in my entire life. I know it''s not an excuse but I was going through a dark time and I didn''t want to hurt you by you seeing me like that. I''m so sorry."


    Jacky stands and hops on Val, hugging her and nearly crushing me in the process.


    "Please never do it again. I need you."


    Val looks over to Rob and he smiles.


    "I guess I can forgive you."


    A few people from around the room that were listening start cheering and clapping. This whole situation has put stress on all of us lately. Jacky leans more into Val, which causes them both to lean into me.


    "Valentina I love you. But you and Jacky are going to fucking kill me."


    Jacky leans over and kisses my cheek before getting off Valentina. Val downs her drink and jumps off the couch.


    "Let''s fucking party!"


    I look over at Jacky and he smiles.


    "Was that kiss necessary?"


    "Don''t be so cold sweetheart."


    Val looks between us with a shocked face. Jacky and I burst out laughing. She glares at us.


    "Sorry, it was hilarious."


    "I ship it."


    "No. No. It was a joke. Fucking fangirl."


    She pouts.


    "But it''s my birthday."


    "And..?"


    "I want Vampent to be a thing."


    I roll my eyes and Jacky groans.


    "Oh my fucking god. Never."


    Thankfully Ronnie saves us from enduring any worse ship names Val can come up with by setting up the alcohol-filled pinata. Val manages to break it and is kind enough to share with everyone that wants in. She opens various presents as cake and ice cream is passed around.


    ~Valentina~


    It''s been about a month since my fantastic birthday party with all my friends. I''ve managed a good balance between keeping in touch with friends, seeing my boyfriend, seeing my best friends and projects. For weeks Michael has been complaining that he hasn''t had the chance to meet my boyfriend. He is my big brother after all so I gave into his dinner request with the two of us. I''m excited, however, my boyfriend couldn''t care less. He''d rather be out at the usual club hang out right now. Luckily we show up at the restaurant before Michael so I take the few spare minutes to talk to him.


    "Please be nice to Michael. He''s like family to me."


    "Yeah, I got you, babe. As long as that one guy isn''t here."


    "You and Zakk literally have no reason to hate each other..."


    "He was giving me looks the entire time. You sure he''s not gay?"


    "Zakk is very straight, trust me."


    He tightens his grip on my hand.


    "Why? He try something with you?"


    I look up and spot Michael coming in. Thank fuck. I wave him over and JJ leans into me.


    "That''s him? He dresses like a fucking faggot."


    I slap his arm.


    "JJ. Don''t fucking start. You promised."


    "Alright alright. Lay off."


    Dinner goes pretty smoothly and JJ manages to keep his manners with Michael. Mostly, I catch up with my big brother while JJ listens. Occasionally Michael and him exchange questions and answers. As dinner goes on, however, JJ gets increasingly irritating and I have to excuse us early. Michael seems to understand but I see the worried look on his face as JJ practically drags me out of the restaurant.