"Show me your thorns, and I will show you hands ready to bleed."

************

Max's POV

"What's up with you?" The curious sound of my mom from across the room pulled me from under my heavy thoughts and had me lift up my eyes to look at her. 

I let the spoon fall into the full, now-cold bowl of soup lying over the dining table and I leaned back into the chair, staring down at the food like it was poison. Something squeezed at the pit of my stomach and I ignored it, not allowing the discomfort to reflect all over my face.

My appetite had been lost for the past days, and I could barely eat a full meal without feeling like throwing it all up after...just another side effect of the meds, but still, it was no big deal and my mother definitely didn't need to know about this now.

I shrugged ever so casually, "I'm good, what's up with you," I responded back but she didn't seem to buy into my casual tone, reading below the surface as always. Her eyebrow raised and she paused in her task as she was mixing something inside a big bowl, baking or something, I have no clue.

She wiped at her forehead, trying to push her hair back, making sure to accidentally leave some flour over the skin of her temple and a little on her hair. My lips twitched and I smiled back at her, not commenting on how she was messing herself up.

She pointed her head forward toward my untouched food, "You've been staring at your food for the past half an hour like it's going to attack you," She pointed out, lines etching her eyebrows as she figured it out almost immediately, "Is there something hurting you?" She asked, the worry floating into her tone in waves and she left her baking spree and walked closer to me, her eyes inspecting me all over; almost like she had some X-ray vision and could pinpoint what was wrong with me on the inside with one single look.

I shook my head, refusing to feed into her immense worry, "I am fine, mom, nothing is hurting me."

She still looked suspicious, pausing when she reached my side, her eyes narrowing at me slightly, "Then, why aren't you eating," Her tone turned playful after, "Is it a girl problem?" She smiled at her theory, liking that thought way too much for some unknown reason.

Realizing that this would have her worry less, I nodded my head, "Kind of," I answered and it wasn't all lies. My mind has been busy thinking back to what Valerie explained to me earlier today, to how for the first time since we met, she agreed to let me in...just slightly. I knew there was more to it but I decided it was better not to intrude. She proved to me today that she would tell me what's bothering her only when she is ready.

Still, that David something, he did his number on her, it's obvious, and I can't stop myself from imagining what it would be like to find out who he is and what it would feel like to bury him ten feet underground. My jaw tightened at the thought only and I forced myself to calm down, fisting and unfisting my hand over the table. I didnt need more stress to squeeze at my tired nerves.

I shook myself back in, especially when mom's smile widened, way too giddy and I rolled my eyes. She edged closer and pinched my cheek, "Ahh, look at you, all grown up and having girl's problems," Oh dear god, I really feel like I should move out of here and away from them sometimes...

The only thing stopping me is the fact that Dad would probably have a heart attack. He keeps whining about Lilly moving out and he doesn't need me adding more stress to his full plate. Damn it, sometimes it really sucks to have a troublesome sibling. I end up paying the price for it...

"Mom," I grumbled out, moving my face away from her reach, urging her to drop the whole topic altogether.

She chuckled lowly and I couldn't comprehend what was so amusing about my misery. Just then, Dad joined us in the kitchen, his gaze rather occupied by his phone. I looked at him over my shoulder, "Dad, say something," I whined, hoping he'd take her off my case.

His eyes flickered up and to us, eyebrows pulling closer in confusion, "What's wrong?" He tucked the phone in his pocket and inched toward me. His hand rested on my shoulder and he held Mom with a stern look, "Are you bothering my kid?" He asked and she rolled her eyes at him, totally not impressed, "Leave my boy alone," He said again, warning her, "Go and bother your daughter, she totally deserves it," He added and I chuckled at his playful but also not-playful tone, "But leave my Maxie alone."

Maxie? The hell-

Mom let out a very loud sigh, crossing her arms over her chest, and glaring back at him, "Alex, do you want me to keep you out of our room again?"

Dad's eyes widened and he immediately removed his hand from over my shoulder, he looked down at me and shook his head, "You are on your own, kid," He said, leaving my side and edging closer to hers.

He rested his hand over her waist, leaning closer to peck her cheek, "I can kick him out of the house if you want," He said, trying to whisper but I heard him. I raised my arms up in the air in frustration, "Seriously?"

He turned to look at me, his eyebrow raising and urging me to shut up, "Shush, sex always comes first, I taught you that once-" He couldn't continue his sentence as mom smacked the back of his head, "Oww-"

"Stop feeding him this bullshit," She grated out, her eyebrows furrowing in anger.

Dad rubbed at the back of his head, giving her the most innocent look he could master, pouting, "What did I do?" She was still glaring at him and he chuckled lowly as he wiped the flour from over her temple and hair.

Realizing that my head would explode if I stay with them any longer, I got up to my feet, sneaked out of the kitchen, and tried to make no sound as I headed for my room, leaving them to deal with their issues on their own.

I closed the door and walked toward my closet, picking up something to change into. I pulled the sweatshirt above my head and tossed it over the bed, picking a random black t-shirt to put on, feeling the hotness creep all over my skin even when the heater was off in my room and a storm was rocking the world outside. I was fixing the t-shirt over my body, my fingers over the hem, pulling it down my chest when my eyes connected with my scar in the mirror.

Maybe it was psychological, but I felt it itch, I felt it burn, I felt my blood boil beneath the damaged skin. My jaw tightened and I let my eyelids fall down for a second or two, seeking much-needed control. Behind my closed eyes, I only saw his hazel eyes, his wicked smile, his taunting words, his face so close as he drove the knife into my skin, not just once, not twice...

My breathing became harsher and the only thing to pull me out of the memory was the sound of my phone ringing. My eyes shot open, my fingers leaving the shirt, letting it cover parts of me I'd rather not see nor face again. I rushed a shaky hand over my face and ran it over the top of my head and between the strands of my hair as I reached my bed, taking the phone into my grip.

Seeing the name Gingy flash through my screen doubled my confusion and I hit answer before I could analyze the situation further. I pressed the phone to my ear, "Gingy?" I said, a bit taken aback by her attempt to call me first.

At first, she said nothing, but I could hear her hitched breath, and I could hear the loud noise of the rain falling around her. Was she outside in this damn weather? My eyebrows pulled closer, my fingers involuntarily tightened over the phone, "Valerie?" I asked again, my voice more urgent, almost as if I could sense the negative energy radiating all the way from her side.

"Max," She mumbled, her voice so low and a bit hoarse.

I heard her sniffle and my chest tightened, "Hey, what's wrong? Where are you? Are you okay?" My questions came one after the other, unable to catch my breath as my mind played the worst scenarios ever.

"I...I uh," She hesitated, "I am sorry, I just...I should've not come here, I should've not called, I am sorry," She mumbled ever so weakly, confusing me more by the second. I only understood what she meant when the sound of a car's honk came from both outside the house and also from the phone pressed to my ear.

My gaze flickered to my window, the blurry scene made it impossible to understand what was occurring right outside, "Valerie, are you here?" I asked, already leaving my room and heading downstairs.

"I...I didn't know where else to go," The weakness in her voice nearly undid me and I was practically running now. I latched the main door open and stepped out under the heavy rain, without putting on any shoes as I rushed forward. I spotted her almost instantly and my hand grasped her arm tightly, hurriedly pulling her along with me into the house.

I closed the door behind us and finally allowed myself to look at her. Panic rose in my chest, it strangled my lungs as I assessed her current state. Those weren't just raindrops; her eyes and cheeks were swarming with heartwrenching tears.

"Valerie, what happened?" I asked, unable to register why was she outside at this time and in such terrible weather.

The tears kept spilling down her eyes, her lips trembling from the cold, "I am sorry," She was apologizing again, "I didn't know where else to go, I just fo-found myself here," She hiccuped a low sob as she spoke.

I didn't know what else to do, I didn't know how to think or react. I felt so many things at once, so much worry and heartbreak grabbed me by the throat and I acted on instinct. I pulled her into my embrace, gathering her trembling self between my arms. She sank into my hold like she was aching for it, burying her face into the crook of my neck and she just cried.

My jaw clenched at the thought of anyone hurting her, at the pain she was feeling and the emotional turmoil she was experiencing. I pressed my eyes shut, trying to keep myself intact, one arm tightened over her back, the other went to the back of her head, and her wet hair got bunched up between my fingers as I kept her tucked so close to me.

She cried, her arms clutching into me and I allowed her to let it all out without any questions. Her pain scratched at my own nerves, it messed up with my mind, and I had to fight against the unfamiliar scorching feeling clamoring in my chest.

She hiccupped a low sob, slowly edging her head away from my chest, her heartbroken eyes flickering up to meet mine and I rested both hands over her face, my thumb brushing the top of her cheeks, "What happened?" I whispered because if I didn't, I'd scream at the world that dared to hurt her. 

I don't think I had ever hurt anyone before, not on purpose at least but right now, I was ready to not just hurt, I was ready to kill, to ruin and annihilate, to destroy whoever caused those tears.

She shook her head, her lips parting to speak but couldn't when footsteps came from somewhere near, "Max, was that you-" I heard Mom's questioning voice before she came into view. She paused when her eyes fell on Valerie, all wet from the rain, a crying trembling mess in my arms.

Valeries tensed up instantly and she looked more than ready to bolt out and run the hell away from here.

Mom looked confused but also worried, because she could sense that something was just not right, "Uh, Valerie-"

Valerie broke the contact of our skins, her hands wiping at her cheeks, "Uh, I am so sorry, I didn't mean to come barging unannounced, I just-" She tried to keep her voice steady and Mom shook her head, interrupting the rest of her apology and stepping closer, "Sweetie, that's not important but you are gonna get sick like this," She said, resting her hand over Valerie's arm, "You need to change your clothes and dry yourself before you catch a cold."

Her gaze flickered to me, "Max, help her get dried up, and I will get you something to change into, Lilly left some of her clothes here," She urged and I nodded, my hand gently wrapping over Valerie's arm, pulling her along, "Come with me," I said and she didn't object, allowing me to take her up the stairs and into my room.

Mom handed me one of Lilly's PJs and a towel, her eyes flickering to the trembling girl in my room, her eyebrows pulling closer in worry before she looked at me, "If you need anything, I will be downstairs," She whispered and I nodded my head with a small appreciative smile, glad that she didn't question the situation any further.

I closed the door and turned up the heater in my room to the maximum. I rested the clean clothes over my bed before I took the towel and inched closer to Valerie, I used it to dry her hair and her face, gently whisking the raindrops and the tears away. Silently, she let me do as I pleased and I wished she'd scream and tell me that she could do it herself, I wished she'd push me away, I wished for anything but this energyless broken state.

I used the towel to gently wipe away the droplets over her neck. My throat bobbed and I gestured toward her wet shirt, "You need to...take that off," I mumbled and silently she nodded her head.

She took a step backward, breaking contact. She gave me a hesitant look and I understood the message and turned around, giving her privacy as she changed. I rushed a hand over my hair, scratching at the back of my head, my eyes focused on my desk, running my gaze over every detail to shift my focus away, counting the dust forming over the surface of my laptop. I tried to busy myself with anything but the fact that she was right behind me, naked and vulnerable.

Why do I have to be an asshole, always?

Think of anything, Max, anything else but this, think of the sun rising above the horizon, of the raindrops harshly hitting the window, think of how easy your life was a couple of months ago, think of when you cared for nothing before, think of how it was so simple, of how you had two functional kidneys and one father only...My jaw ticked at the direction of my very own thoughts and at how my brain tricks me to go down that lane over and over again.

When I realized that she was done, I hesitantly turned around, my eyes meeting hers. I swallowed hard, trying to brush off my messy thoughts under the rug, "Come with me," I mumbled, my hand resting over her lower back as I lead her into the bathroom. I pulled the hair dryer out and tried to help her out. She stared at me silently, like she was also trying to understand why I cared so much, why was I helping out, and why I looked like I am about to flip the ground over due to her tears.

I ran my fingers through her soft strands, letting the dryer kick off all the water. Her strawberry scent enveloped my nostrils and I couldn't understand how I can get so addicted to something I'd never tasted before. My gaze flickered all over her face, from the redness rimming her eyes and the tip of her nose, to her beautiful gingery hair cascading all around her heartbroken face. God, I couldn't understand how someone could look so effortlessly beautiful.

It was crazy but I wanted to kiss each freckle over her nose, I wanted to learn everything that those eyes had witnessed, to unravel the secrets they have seen, and grasp the mysteries that lie within their beautiful innocent gleam. She makes me want something I don't think I've ever craved as such.

Have I ever been attracted to a girl before? Yes, of course, many. But I never wanted to learn anything more than how their skin would feel on mine. But with her, I want to sit and talk. To have her tell me every little detail of her day, to tell me what she had for dinner last night or what dreams did she see throughout the night. I wanted to be a person she can trust and be confined in. I wanted to be able to tell her everything too because there is so much buried inside my head and heart.

God, when did I turn into a sappy hopeless romantic...

My jaw ticked and I turned off the hair dryer, placing it back in its place before I left the bathroom with her on my side. I let her into my room and excused myself when I heard my mom call for me, appreciating the distance away from her for now and hoping to kick myself back in place.

I paused by the kitchen door, my eyes falling on my mom as she poured something into a white cup, "Here, give her this," She said, inching closer and carefully handing me the cup, the hot steam climbing up hit my face as I took it from her, lowering my nose to smell what kind of tea was this.

I grimaced and moved my head away, "It's herbal tea, it'll help her get warm," She said and rolled her eyes at me when I made a disgusted face.

"Want some too?" She asked and I shook my head immediately, "God, no," I looked at the thing in my hand like it was about to attack me, "Tea is not my thing."

She narrowed her eyes at me, stepping closer and questioning what was on her mind, "You didn't do anything to hurt the poor girl, did you?"

My eyes widened at the explicit accusation in her tone, "What the-" I gaped at her, "Why do you always expect the worst from me, I didn't do anything." In my defense, Valarie is the one who snapped and totally insulted me the day before. I am really the innocent one here.

Mom shrugged, "Just checking," She said, innocently adding, "You are your father's son after all."

"Oh really, which one?"

Sometimes I speak without thinking, or maybe it's my subconscious trying to voice inner turmoil out loud because if I was clearly thinking, I would've not said that out loud.

My words slapped her in the face, shocking her, as she definitely didn't expect them to come out from me. She tried to recover from her shock fast and took a step backward, her energy dimming down as she realized that I am no way near moving on from that horrible fact.

The sadness in her eyes pierced my own heart, and I realized the magnitude of my words. I had underestimated the impact they would have on her, also underestimating the fragility of the past. Guilt washed over me, intertwining with the regret that now filled the room.

"Mom, I didn't mean it like that-"

She shook her head, "Never mind," She mumbled, giving me a small smile, "Call for me if you need anything."

She walked away, leaving me to drink into the feedback of the moment. I let my eyelids drop down and my jaw clenched tight, trying to gather myself before I headed up to my room, cursing under my breath.

I crossed the threshold, my eyes falling on Valarie as she sat on my bed's edge, her lost eyes looking at the window and the darkness enveloping the outside world. I closed the door behind me, and the light sound made her startle, kicking her back into the moment.

Her eyes flickered to me and she blinked. I moved closer, "Here, drink this," I handed her the cup and she calmly took it from me, "Careful, it's hot," I added.

She nodded her head, the side of her lips lifting up into a teeny tiny smile, "Thanks."

I took the spot by her side, my eyes unable to look at anything but her very sad face. My heart felt heavy and I wanted to fire off a hundred different questions but I held myself back, sticking to my boundaries. Her gaze was cast down, staring at the cup wrapped in her hands like it was the most interesting thing ever.

Her fingers tightened over the cup and her chest moved, a low trembling breath escaped past her lips before she lifted her eyes and turned her head to the right, facing me, "I am sorry that I am ruining your night."

I immediately shook my head, "You aren't, you can never...it's just you are getting me so worried," Lines etched my forehead as I asked, "Valerie, what happened?"

Her throat bobbed and she shrugged lightly, "I had a small fight with my mother and I couldn't stay there any longer or we would've fought more," She sucked into a deep breath, her fingers fidgeting with the cup's edges, "I had nowhere else to go to," She mumbled, her voice dropping lower and her gaze drifted down to her lap again.

"I have no relatives in this town," She carried on, explaining and justifying her choice, "And my closest friends from high school, well, I haven't spoken to any of them since we moved here," She added, her fingers drawing random patterns over the warm cup, refusing to face me yet, "I do have a couple of good friends from college but we are not that close, they barely know anything personal about me and I didn't feel comfortable enough to go knock on their doors," Her eyes flickered up to mine, "I think I don't trust them enough."

My eye narrowed at her slightly, adding a hint of playfulness to my tone on purpose, "Wait, does this...does this mean that you trust me?"

She shrugged, "Just a little," She whispered, her lips twitching slightly.

I couldn't stop the smile from lifting the side of my lips up, "Oh wow, I am so proud of myself right now," I remarked and she tried not to roll her eyes at me. I shook my head, my tone a bit more serious now, "Valerie, anytime you want and if you ever need anything, my door is always open for you, you don't even need to explain the why of it to me, I would always be there for you."

Her eyes softened at my words but she kicked herself back fast, "Was that your plan all along, you know," Her eyebrow raised as she looked at where she is sitting, "To get me in your bed," She questioned, masking her sad tone with a playful one.

My eyebrow raised and I pointed out, "Already did," I answered, raising two fingers, "Twice actually."

She smiled, a small little one but it was genuine nevertheless and my heart calmed down just enough.

"Although I wish you had called me," Worry etched itself between my eyebrows, "I would've picked you up from wherever you were, how did you get here?"

"The bus," She answered and I glared at her; always the damn bus.

"But the bus station is really far away from here, you walked all that distance in this weather?" My tone was more scolding than questioning.

She shrugged, "Walking under the rain is romantic and whatnot, isn't it," She said, sarcastically.

I shot her a glare and pointed at the cup, "Drink that, my mom has this belief that there is something magical in it that will make sure you don't get sick."

At that, her smile widened and she brought it to her lips, taking her first sip, "She is so awesome."

I nodded, "She is," I whispered, and I am a dick for always throwing snarky comments here and there...

"You're so lucky," She added and I nodded. That, I am, but instead of focusing on it, my messy head keeps drifting to the bad part and directing all of my attention there.

I gulped down and kicked the thought away, "If you want to talk about what happened with your mother," I suggested, "I am all ears," I added, she will feel better if she said it out loud and I desperately need the distraction.

She kept silent at first, sipping on her warm drink before she placed it on the bedside counter. She shifted around, her body facing mine and she spoke, needing to talk about it more than she knew, "She wasn't always like this, you know," She started by defending her and I already hated the woman.

Valerie's lips formed a very sad smile, "She was the best, I don't remember us ever fighting or having any major conflict," She shook her head, her teeth torturing her lower lip as she nervously chewed on it, her mind going down that memory lane, "But after dad's death, she...she became this whole new person that I am unable to recognize at all."

Her throat bobbed, "They..." She cleared her throat, trying to stay strong, "They were so much in love, they were the ultimate high school sweethearts and after college, they got married right away. They were always in the honeymoon phase, everything was just so great till...till that day; the day when he passed away," Even though she tried, she couldn't hide the shakiness in her voice at that specific part.

"She couldn't move on from it, I mean I can't either but for her, it's...it's no longer normal, it's not just grief, she is burying herself alive," She shook her head, "Since that day, if we were ever in the same room, we have to fight, and she has to blame me," She scoffed, "She isn't entirely wrong anyway," My eyebrows pulled closer on that part and I tried not to question the circumstances that lead to her father's death, "Since then, she is always at work, she is always taking extra shifts, busying herself so she won't have to come back to a home that doesn't include him."

"Sometimes, a whole week would pass and she hasn't come home yet. And if she is ever home, she locks herself in her room and drinks herself to oblivion," She added, her eyes lost in the many terrible memories she has of that, "She doesn't care one bit for Reneé's treatments, nor to anything that concerns both Reneé and me."

"She is too absorbed by her grief that she forgot all about us," Her voice shook again and my chest trembled at the vulnerability reflecting off her. I edged closer, my side pressing into hers and my arm going around her shoulders, bringing her to me, tucking her close, sensing how she was one second away from breaking down all over again. She sank into my embrace instantly, her head got buried in my chest. She lowly sniffled and I silently allowed her to have this moment.

I couldn't grasp the fact that this is the life she is been living for over a year, I couldn't comprehend how selfish her mother is. I get it, it's hard, so fucking hard to lose someone, I can't even imagine it but she has kids, two daughters who also lost their father, who needed her now more than ever. No wonder Valerie always seems like she is carrying the whole world's problems over her shoulders. She has to be a mother for Reneé, taking care of her needs, she has to work not one but two and three jobs to compensate for her and her sister's needs, all while finishing her studies and at the same time grieving the loss of her father...god, it's unbelievable. How is she even able to hold on?

I brought my other arm and wrapped her tighter than before, wishing to absorb some of her pain and agony, to whisk some of the harshnesses away. My chin rested over the top of her head and I breathed into her soothing scent, needing to calm off because I wanted to go and snap at her mother, shake her back to the present. I wanted to do everything in my power to let this girl in my arms rest and relax for a bit, she deserved a damn break. I wanted her to never go back to that house; if I could just keep her tucked here so close to me, if she would just let me help, let me carry on some of this weight with her...

"It's not your fault," I mumbled into her hair because I read the blame in her tone, she is also blaming herself for something, "None of this is your fault, Valerie."

She sniffled and edged her head backward slightly, her tearful eyes meeting mine, and god, I couldn't hate her mother anymore. I hated anything that was capable of causing her pain as such. I brought my hand to her face, my palm cupping her cheek, my thumb brushing away some of those tears, "She hates me so much," She mumbled, her voice hoarse with these pent-up emotions, "And it hurts so bad because I thought a mother could never hate her kids."

I shook my head, "You didn't do anything to deserve her hate," I spoke my belief, "And I don't think that she does hate you, Valerie," Who could hate her, anyway? "True, there is hate inside her, hate at the world that took her husband away, there is blame too and it feels easier for her to direct that hate and blame on someone, it helps her deal with the tragedy in her own way," I added, "It's her problem, the grief messed her head badly and she needs help," Still, I don't see that as an excuse for her to treat her kids this way but I guess people deal with tragedies in different ways.

If god forbid I was the one in her situation, I am a hundred percent sure that my mother would put mine and Lilly's needs before hers; and so would Dad. The mere thought of it squeezed my inside in a very tight grip and I wanted to rush outside and apologize to them both for being the way I am lately.

Valerie brought her hand up, wiping at her cheeks. She pulled back from me, just enough to break contact as she struggled to gather her broken self together, not used to showing her weaknesses to anyone. Her soft gaze flickered all over my face, probably sensing the anxious feelings creeping up my inside, "Told you, I'd ruin your night," She joked around and I shook my head, smiling, "You're welcome to ruin it every day if you want."

She smiled and tucked her hair behind her ear, her eyes drifting away from me and she looked around my room, trying to busy herself, not used to sharing so much at once. She cleared her throat, "So, I guess now we are kind of even," She commented, out of the blue, fishing for a way to change the subject, "You know some things about me as much as I know about you now."

I nodded, "Oh yeah, considering I told you my biggest secret on our first meet," I remarked and she nodded, "Yeah, right after I saved you from plummeting to your death," She said, a hint of tease in her tone and I narrowed my eyes at her, going on with her game, "Yeah, every day I thank the stars you were on that rooftop too."

"Lucky you."

I nodded, my gaze flickering over her flawless face, "So damn lucky."

"So, did anything happen about...that?" She asked, indirectly addressing him and our conversation from that day, "Did you decide to give him a chance?"

I shook my head, "No, I am better off when he is far away from me," I answered, my voice indirectly hardening at the mention of him. It was a dream that was unable to come true; even when I wanted him far away, the circumstances we are going through keeps forcing us to be in the same space over and over again. On the bright side, he hasn't attempted to speak nor negotiate with me since our damned trip to Italy, and for that I am grateful.

She sensed that I had no interest in discussing that topic so she dropped it off for my sake, "Uh, I need to go to the bathroom," She mumbled, getting up to her feet and taking permission. I nodded my head and she rushed there, still uncomfortable that she shared so much with me at once.

I sucked into a deep breath and the phone beside me vibrated. At first, I thought it was mine so I picked it up, only when I looked at the screen that I realized it was her phone. I was about to place it back in its place and not intrude but before I could stop myself, I was already reading the message she just received, especially after I recalled her saying that her ex-boyfriend was trying to contact her again.

The sender: Unknown.

The message: "Thought I'd drop by to see you today but unfortunately, you weren't home. Your mommy was so out of it, she didnt even recognize who I am, can you believe that? Ya know, I am just hoping you are not whoring around with a new guy, or else that would make me really mad and you know what happens when I get mad.

I will see you soon Val, and like I said, you can not run away from me forever."

My fingers tightened over the phone, wanting to crush it in my grip, alongside the person who dared to send it. A chilling realization had dawned upon me, piercing through my soul like a thousand icy needles. The damned ex-boyfriend, he is stalking her, lurking somewhere near, and weaving an invisible web of fear around her fragile being. His moves seem to be calculated but his intention is unknown to me yet. I recalled the way she spoke of him, her nervousness and shakiness. The very thought of her vulnerability against him ignited a fire within me, a desperate yearning to shield her from his harm.

I am gonna need to find out who he is, as soon as possible and before he dares to lay a single finger on her.

*****************

Next day

I might be delusional, but the events of last night kind of brought me and Valerie closer in a way. She wasn't like her usual snarky defensive self this morning, which is kind of...weird. At night, she requested we sleep with a pillow barrier between us, not wanting to relive the same experience from before.

After that incident, in the morning, she was completely normal, smiling at me, and being...kind. Gosh, it is scary.

We left the house together and headed for the campus afterward. I hadn't slept well at night though, my mind was busy rethinking the text message I read and what I could possibly do to steer that danger away from her. I don't know if she read it and even if she did, she made sure not to reflect it over her expression one bit. She was chatting with me all through our ride, asking me all different types of things, leaving me extra baffled.

When we arrived, she offered me a cup of coffee all on her own, urging me to join her in the shop before I head for my classes. God, I am just hoping she is okay and not feverish after the cold she subjected her body to last night. She is not acting like herself. She is sick, isn't she?

With a sweet smile, she handed me the coffee cup, "Here you go." Oh, she is definitely sick.

I kept my eyes narrowed at her as I opened the cap, bringing the cup closer to my nose, trying to sniff if there is anything out of the ordinary. Her eyebrows pulled closer at my action, so I explained, "You are being oddly nice toward me," I mumbled, "I am scared."

Her eyebrow raised and she crossed her arms over her chest, "Would you rather have me snap at you?"

I nodded, "Yeah, at least I am used to that."

She shook her head with a smile, "Drink it, I assure you it is safe," She said, "It's not like I placed strawberry syrup in it or anything," Her eyebrow raised, "I still need you alive so I can pass my course, remember?"

"Phew," I breathed out, "Now, you sound more like yourself, thank god," I added, the weight being lifted and I took my first sip from the cartoon cup.

She rolled her eyes at my dramatic response, "Asshole," she mumbled under her breath and I pretended to gasp, "I am cutting that from your tip, very bad customer service."

She shook her head with a sigh and moved away from the counter, building distance between us. I pulled a fifty from my wallet and dropped it in the tip box, the shuffling sound had her pop her head when she noticed what I was doing, "If you placed a fifty like last time, I will forcefully feed you strawberries, I promise," She threatened and my eyes widened at the seriousness in her tone.

"It's just a five, chill," I said and she kept her eyes narrowed at me and I added under my breath, "With a zero next to it. That's all." In my defense, I didn't lie, she just didn't hear me.

The loud noises of the new incomers had me turn around, my gaze drifting to the group of students that entered the coffee shop. They looked like high schoolers and my theory got proven right when a teacher followed and instructed them to stay all together, carrying on and explaining the day's schedule. It must be one of those college tour days for them.

My eyes flickered between the crowd and I was met with the one person I least expected to see. My eyebrow pulled closer, a bit taken aback, my gaze flickering all over him, checking his health, considering the last time I saw him, he was at the hospital. He stood at the back of the crowd, looking at the teacher with a very bored expression, like he could care less and would rather be anywhere else but here.

I edged forward, coming closer to his side, "Hey," I said once I paused by his right, my voice had his head whirl around to me, shock reflected off his gaze as well, his blue eyes widening just slightly, "Uh, Max, hey," He said back, his gaze drifted around, "What are you doing here...oh, this is the college you go to," He realized and I nodded, offering him a smile, "Yeah, how are you doing?" I asked.

He nodded his head, "Good, what about-"

He got interrupted when a crazy girl came from behind me and smacked the back of my head, "What did I say about your damn fifties?!" She snapped, waving the fifty bucks I left in the box in my face, "Do you want me to-" She paused when she noticed that I wasn't alone, her enraged eyes falling on Nathan, who looked extra baffled and confused as he eyed the show.

I rubbed at the back of my head and shot Valerie a glare, "You evil," I mumbled because she hurt me.

She gulped down, her eyes flickering and narrowing at me before she stuffed the bill in my jacket's pocket, "Don't do it again!" She hissed and I rolled my eyes at her.

I looked at Nathan, "This is Valerie, by the way," I introduced her and she confusingly eyed him, offering him a small smile and trying to understand who he is, "She is my girlfriend, isn't she a doll?" I said with a sarcastic tone.

Her head shot to me, her jaw ticking, "I am not his girlfriend," She stressed out.

I nodded my head, "You are my friend and you are a girl, aren't you?" I pointed out, recalling that stupid word she always addresses me with. Friend my ass.

She rolled her eyes and I carried on, "And Valerie, this is Nathan," I said and she turned back to him, flashing him an innocent smile, "He is my..." I paused for a second, my gaze falling on him and he resumed the words on my behalf, "His cousin," He said, his eyes on Valerie, "I am his cousin," He added with a polite smile, shaking hands with her.

"Nice to meet you, Nathan," She replied, being her weird sweet self that I am not used to, "Must suck to be related to this thick-headed human, huh?"

I let out a low sigh and she looked at me, "If I see another fifty from you, my reaction won't be pleasant," She warned and threatened to which I just rolled my eyes at her, my hand pushing at her arm, "Go back to work," I urged and she slapped my hand away before she bid Nathan goodbye and scurried behind the counter, serving the rest of the students.

I shook my head and focused my attention back on Nathan, "What time does this thing end?" I asked, gesturing at the group he came with.

"They said around three pm we would be done," he answered.

I nodded, "Okay then, meet me here at three and we can hang out after," I said, "I mean if you want to, I can show you around," I added, not wanting to force him on it.

He seemed to be taken aback by my suggestion, "Uhm, yeah, sure," He said and I smiled, "Great," I looked at my watch, "I gotta go catch my class, now, I'll see you at three."

He nodded with a small smile, "See you."

I headed for the door but before exiting, my eyes flickered to Valerie behind the counter, her eyes already on me, probably watching me as I interacted with the kid. Her eyes met mine and I winked, throwing her a flying kiss. She grimaced at my gesture, making a gagging face before she returned to her job, moving around, wearing that ugly green apron and the black baseball cap on her head, offering smiles to the customers.

I couldn't help but smile as I watched her effortless breathtaking self do the simplest of tasks. I must admit, I find it oddly delightful when she treats me like this, all mean and mischievous, and definitely not her weird sweet self from this morning.

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Hello!
Ah it's been a while, hope you are still around and you liked the chapter!

This book will be so much shorter than my usual books. Planning for it to end with a total of 20 or maximum 25 chapters.

Happy reading and see you soon :)