~Valentina~


    Since that night I burned my clothes, the air around the house has been tense. Michael is currently looking for his own apartment. Alva and Max are decorating their house. Jacky''s been keeping me company at the house. Ronnie''s been working on new music and producing, so he''s not home too much. I admit I acted like a child but I was so frustrated with how coldly Ronnie''s been treating me. We never even talked about it. We just pretended like it didn''t happen. I hear rustling in the kitchen and call out.


    "Jacky?"


    Nothing. I go through my list of people it could be.


    "Michael? Max? Alva? Shit, Zakk?"


    Again, nothing. I carefully stand from the couch and tiptoe to the kitchen.


    "Ronnie? What are you doing home?"


    He hides something behind his back.


    "Uh well. The guys needed a break since we''re leaving on Sunday. I''m home for the next couple days."


    I mentally sigh as Charlie bumps into my leg for me to pet him.


    "Okay. Have you seen Jacky?"


    "I actually sent him home.."


    I blink for a few seconds. Ronnie moves his hands from behind his back and holds roses out to me.


    "O-oh. Um, thank you."


    My stomach turns from the uncomfortable silence. My face must''ve gone pale because Ronnie pulls out a chair and makes me sit. Worry washes over his face.


    "Are you okay? Val?


    He runs up to our room for my medicine, thinking I''m having a sudden anxiety attack. I stare at the flowers in my hands. He comes back down with the bottle and grabs me some water. I take a few seconds before I speak.


    "Thank you."


    Ronnie pulls a second chair up close to me and sits. He reaches out to hold my hand in his.


    "I''m sorry for the way I''ve been acting.."


    I cut him off.


    "You really don''t have to.."


    "Please Valentina. I''m really sorry. I''ve been working too hard and stressing about it."


    I pat his hand, eager to end this conversation.


    "It''s okay Ronnie. Really, trust me."


    He hugs me tight.


    "I don''t deserve you."


    Damn right you don''t Ronald Joseph Radke. But I love you, so I''m stuck.


    "Well what do you want to do?"


    He looks at me intensely. All I see in his eyes is regret. It''s not like my heart can break anymore. It seems like I''m just destined to have shitty relationships. Maybe it really is just me. It''s a painful thought but looking back, it''s probably true. Arthur, Ronnie, JJ, and Ronnie again. It was dumb of me to even try with Ronnie anyway. He''s a rock star. He could get models if he wanted. My chest aches at the thought.This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.


    "I don''t know Ronnie. What do you want to do?"


    I attempt to maintain a normal-ish face. Ronnie''s worried look increases.


    ~Ronnie~


    I need to do some serious damage control this time. It could literally cost my relationship. It''s clear she''s hurt. It''s kind of like she just gave up and doesn''t want to put any work into our relationship. Shit, I know I''m far from perfect but she''s not the best either. She throws fits and acts like a spoiled child. Willow acts better than Val sometimes.


    "Just get dressed, okay?"


    She sighs and looks down at herself.


    "Do we really have to go out Ronnie? I don''t feel like being around people today. Can''t we just stay home and order in?"


    I sigh, trying to keep calm so I don''t start a fight. I run my hand down her cheek.


    "Please Val. Just go get dressed babe. I promise you we''ll have a good time. And I''ll keep my phone off."


    Val raises her eyebrows at my last statement.


    "The whole day?"


    I groan but give into her puppy-dog eyes.


    "You''re so fucking cute. Alright, the whole day."


    She smiles and stands.


    "If I had known you''d give that easily, I would''ve pushed for until you go on tour."


    I kiss her head before she goes upstairs to change.


    "I wouldn''t bet on it, babe. I''m a very busy man."


    I cringe as soon as the words come out I know how she''s going to take it. Thankfully, she says nothing. Once she''s upstairs I dial a number on my phone.


    "Hello gorgeous."


    "Don''t. I''m taking a break before tour. I''m going to be spending my time with Valentina."


    "Aw. She''s so selfish."


    "I said don''t. I''m not gonna have my phone on me."


    "Ugh. She''s so fucking.."


    "Watch what you say. Bye."


    "Bye. See you in Vegas."


    I sigh and hang up. Val calls down.


    "I hope you realize I need to do my makeup."


    "Come on Val, no you don''t!"


    "I need to look presentable!"


    "Babe, you always look beautiful! Come on!"


    She comes down in a lavender sundress, looking completely adorable. She pats Charlie goodbye and we leave.


    ~Michael~


    The last couple weeks have been crazy, especially since I found my own place so close to tour. Valentina and Alva stayed with me last night to help get everything together more quickly. Valentina was up before everyone else, continuing to paint. Later, Ronnie and Max are bringing over Willow. I walk up to Val and hug her.


    "How''d you get paint on the back of your neck?"


    "Probably from the paint in my hair."


    "How''d you get paint in your hair?"


    "Accidents happen Michael."


    I raise my hands up in surrender and take Val''s paintbrush.


    "Not an enemy, just a concerned brother."


    She sighs.


    "Sorry Michael. I''m just, I don''t know."


    I take her hand and she follows me into the living room to sit on my couch to talk.


    "What''s going on Val? You can talk to me."


    She cuddles into me, her voice becoming full of emotion as she speaks.


    "Ronnie''s been acting so weird. He''s become more and more distant with me. I don''t know if I did something wrong or what. I know I''m not the best girlfriend.."


    I shake my head, frowning.


    "Stop that Valentina. Don''t let any relationship drag you down to where you feel low about yourself. Ronnie''s damn lucky to have you. If he doesn''t know that then it''s all on him."


    Val nods and rests her head on me. We hear horns honking from outside and Alva rushes down.


    "My niece is here! My niece is here!"


    "Do not say anything bad about Chrissy. She was nice enough to allow Willow to come without her."


    Alva sticks her tongue out at Val as Ronnie and Max come in. As soon as Ronnie sets Willow down, she runs into Val''s arms.


    "Mommy Val!"


    "Well hello, sweetheart! Was daddy nice?"


    Willow dramatically rolls her eyes.


    "Daddy was on his phone!"


    Ronnie laughs.


    "You''re tattling on me. Why don''t you say hello to Uncle Mikey and Aunt Alva?"


    She hugs both of us but runs back to sit with Val.


    "Uncle Max was talking to a lady."


    Max smiles and ruffles Willow''s hair. The day goes pretty smoothly. Willow didn''t feel good so she went home to Chrissy early. Val and Alva were messing around and out their handprints on my living room wall. Before I could stop them, they wrote cute little notes to me and signed their names. Considering tomorrow afternoon Max, Ronnie, and I will be leaving, we spend the night at Ronnie and Val''s place. Valentina seems to have calmed down after we talked. Her and Ronnie are curled up together in an armchair next to me. Zakk is coming over early to spend time with Val before he leaves and Jacky should show up as well. So far so good. Although, I am worried about how my little sisters will do basically alone. Soon the girls are both asleep and we decide to all camp out in the living room for our last night.