"Valerie -V is for valiant, the way you approach life."

***********

One Week Later...

Valerie's POV

I walked out of the exam hall, hugging the books tightly to my chest as my gaze drifted around, trying to focus on the loud shatter consuming the inner walls of the building instead of the nerves eating up at the base of my stomach. It was taking every ounce of me not to hyperventilate over the fact that midterm week was finally over.

I can finally have some decent sleep. Yay.

Tanya, my classmate, and practically my best friend here, waved a hand, smiling and ushering me to join the rest of the group. I smiled back, walking closer to her side as everyone went on discussing the exam, checking their answers with each other. Accomplished fists got thrown in the air, while others cursed, storming off to complain to the professor. Microbiology was no piece of cake alright, looks like I am not the only one struggling.

A low tired sigh parted my lips, my eyes burning and almost dropping down from exhaustion. I just wanted to leave campus and go back home. Thankfully, Aubrey was considerate enough to give me the rest of the day off. I wouldn't be able to work anyway, I desperately needed to rest, my body was screaming at me to do it some justice and take a teeny tiny break.

I excused myself, mumbling to Tanya that I will be texting her later before I turned around and headed down the stairs. A yawn parted my lips, I covered my mouth with the back of my hand and my eyelids fell down under the fatigue's heavyweight. I shook my head, prying them wide open and kicking myself back in. That's when my gaze fell on him, leaning his back against the wall at the end of the stairs, a hand tucked into his pants front pocket as he went through his phone.

Lines etched my forehead at his presence and when I reached the last two stair's steps, his eyes flickered up from his phone to me. He immediately straightened up, pushing the phone back into his pocket, and giving me his full attention, "So, how did it go?" He asked.

Confused still, I turned around, looking behind me to make sure he wasn't talking to someone else. I looked back, my eyes suspiciously narrowed at him; was he waiting for me here?

His eyebrows raised in questioning, genuinely curious about my exam performance for some reason. He is probably here to make sure his teaching skills payed off. The guy is so full of himself, that it leaves me rolling my eyes more often every day.

Although, I can't deny that he is doing me a solid favor. Since we made our so-called deal, he had tutored me every day, both at my noon break and after my classes, but the thing that is bothering me the most is that he didn't accept anything in return. He said he was gathering the hours I owe him for later, and that was making me more anxious.

I don't want to owe him or anyone anything. But passing this course is more important than my pride so I must suck it up for the time being.

He impatiently waited for my answer and it felt only appropriate to bother him some more. If I have to lose my pride, I might as well get a kick out of it. My face twisted into a sad expression, my eyebrows pulling closer, almost like I am about to burst into tears and my shoulders slumped down, my gaze flickering to the ground.

He read my negative energy right away and nervously shifted on his feet, slightly edging forward and his head tilting to the side in pure worry, "Was it that bad?" He whispered, his voice turning softer.

A low breath of defeat left my mouth, nodding my head and my lips formed a very small pout. Jesus, he looked genuinely worried, it left me baffled for a second or two. I felt like he would just inch closer and hug me tight to soothe my pain away, so in order to avoid that, I broke the act.

My expression shifted, taking a full hundred eighty, and a big smile broke onto my face. I did a tiny small jump in the air as I shot out, "It went great!"

Instant relief pushed into his eyes and he shot me a playful glare, his jaw slightly ticking in annoyance. He crossed his arms resentfully, my eyes involuntarily flying to his broad chest, the way his T-shirt pulled over his pectoral muscles and was tight where the short sleeves ended at his biceps. Why am I even looking there?

"You scared me for a second," He said and I drifted my gaze from anything that would wake up my lady parts. I focused on his face and wiggled my eyebrows, feeling a slight sense of accomplishment at the fact, "I solved every question and I really think that I solved most of them right," I gave him a confident look, genuinely smiling because, despite everything, I felt somewhat happy that I overcame an obstacle that almost threatened my scholarship, "I might even take an A," I shrugged, "If not, a B plus will be sufficient."

He couldn't keep on the annoyed face for too long. My enthusiastic self had his facial expression relax, and a small smile played over his lips. His eyebrow raised, "Don't gloat, you still have finals and as far as I remember, a project that is also quite hard," He said, bursting my bubble.

I shot him a glare, my smile dropping at the thought of the upcoming future. Here I thought I could for once just focus on the moment and go have some rest. Now, the worry will keep me awake till the end of the semester.

"My dislike for you keeps increasing every day," I grumbled. I wanted to smack him but prayed for some control. I tried to think of how in one hour only, I will be home, in my bed, tucked under the warm blankets and diving headfirst into dreamland. Ahh, the thought alone made my tensed muscles relax...life is so much less stressful when you have your healthy dose of sleep.

"Well, too bad for you, because you'll be spending the rest of the day with me-" His words pulled me out of the happy image I drew in my head, ripping it into tiny pieces.

"Huh?" the fuck?

He gave me a knowing look, as if what he said was a known fact, "My exams are over, and so are yours," He explained, "I asked Aud...uh Audrey?" Confused lines etched between his eyebrows as he tried to remember my manager's name.

I shot him a glare, "Aubrey," I grumbled out.

"Oh yeah, Aubrey," He said, smiling, "I asked her, and she said you don't have a shift, so you're free for the rest of the day and well, you owe me-" He squinted his eyes as he calculated it in his head, "Twenty three hours and forty-five minutes," He said and my glare only hardened, "And fifty-two seconds," He added, smiling sheepishly, trying to be all charming and I wanted to smash his head into the nearest wall.

"And you chose now of all days for me to pay you back?" I mumbled, internally groaning and he nodded, his smile so giddy. See, I hate to owe anyone anything.

Here goes my sleep. Maybe if I tell him that I am so tired, that I barely slept at all over the past week, that if I don't rest I might faint and fall down, maybe he would be considerate enough and would give me a pass, postponing this stupid plan to another day. But before I could say a word, my mind took me back to every day over the past week, how he was also so tired, after his classes, trying to catch up with his own exams, but still, he would be there at the coffee shop at the exact time, waiting for me, giving me his time, and placing too much effort to get me to learn when he really could've just bailed on me.

I still think his motive behind all of this is to get into my pants but still, I am not a selfish person. Just like he gave me his time, I should be able to give him mine, even if it meant sacrificing my only free time to rest.

I sighed, hugging the books tighter to my chest and lowly mumbled, "Okay."

His smile grew wider; god, why is he so happy. I involuntarily glared at him, because sleep-deprived me equals grumpy me. We started to walk, heading out of the building with him on my side, "Where are we going?" I asked, realizing I was just aimlessly walking and following whichever direction he took. I need to know what he is planning to do.

He didn't answer me for some reason and I was too wrapped up in my head that my sleepless state didn't realize we had reached the parking lot. When I noticed, I halted to a sudden stop, while he kept on walking ahead. He paused when he realized that I wasn't beside him anymore. He turned his head, his confused eyes falling on me.

"I said where are we going?" I stressed out again.

"Outside the campus," He said and I glared harder, "I know, but where?"

"Somewhere to have some fun and have a good meal, why do you need to know every damn detail," He huffed as he muttered the last sentence. If he is so annoyed with my presence then why would he force himself on me every time? Idiot.

"I thought we would just hang out inside the campus," I suggested, scared to step out of my comfort zone.

His eyebrows pulled closer, "You're always here, aren't you bored of this damn place?" He said, baffled by my disinterest to step out of these safe boundaries, "Exams are finally over, we need a place away from any reminder of schoolwork," He inched closer, snatching my notebooks and grabbing my bag, shrugging it off my shoulder, "Come on" He said, ushering me to get closer as he pressed something in his hand and the car beside us lightened up.

He opened the trunk and dumped my things in there before he got closer and opened the door, waiting for me to get in. My feet froze in their spot and I stayed still in my place, my mind going through every worse scenario that could occur if I happen to get in.

I gulped down and took one step backward, he can even keep my notebooks and bag if he wants, but I am not risking it and getting in. I began to shake my head, refusing the idea wholly. His eyebrow raised, "Gingy, come on," He waved his hand toward the seat, asking me to stop being so damn dramatic and just get inside.

"No," I said.

Lines etched between his eyebrows, a low sigh parting his lips as he asked, "How else will we go?"

I shrugged, "Uhm, the bus?" I suggested.

He scoffed, "Like hell," He said, as if it is the silliest idea ever. He rolled his eyes at my overreacting state and crossed his arms over his chest, "Look, I am not gonna kidnap you."

He so could.

"I am gonna be a doctor one day soon, I can't have abduction on my record," He said, eyebrow raising in utter mockery, "So, just get in."

I shook my head again, planting my feet in their place, frozen. Max ran an impatient hand through his hair, grumbling something under his breath before he looked up at the people around and passing by us.

"Hey everyone!" He shot out loudly, grabbing many of their attention to us, some of them paused and turned to check what this crazy guy is doing, "You all saw her get into my car, okay," He added, screaming loudly so they could hear as his arm circled around my waist, scooping me closer and toward the car.

I yelped, my eyes widening and he loudly added, "So, if anything happens to her, you know who's responsible."

The embrassment from everyone's curious gazes stopped me from protesting as he pushed me in and closed the door. He circled his way and got into the driver's seat, roaring the engine to life and casually pulling out of the parking lot.

My wide eyes stayed on him, staring back in utter disbelief, "You're insane!" I grated out, sinking into my seat, holding my hand up and hiding my face from the students we passed by, those who were still looking and whispering.

"You left me no other choice," He said, as if this was so normal.

"You do know that this is called abduction too," I pointed out, "I am here against my will, you forced me."

He ignored my accusations and his gaze stayed on the road, waving a hand at the security guard and flashing her a genuine smile as we left the campus, the woman held her hand up, waving back and smiling. God, is this guy just friends with everyone?

Finally, his gaze fell back on me, they went down over my body and he slowed the car, briefly parking it by the side of the road. He pulled himself up and leaned closer, slightly hovering over me. My eyes widened and I was ready to scream and scratch him, "What the-" The next of my words hitched when he pulled the seatbelt from over my shoulder, down my body, and tucked it in its place, his eyes meeting mine as he buckled me up.

Tease fluttered all over those flirtatious eyes and when they closely held mine, I had no chance but quietly observe. They were a very deep green, a shade so unique that was both soft like the spring's fresh grass but also hard as the forest in the midst of a hurricane. The air caught in my throat, for a passing second, and for the first time since I met him, I felt myself admiring that part of him way longer than I should.

When he made sure I was all buckled up, he retreated himself back into his seat, resuming driving. The smallest hint of his subtle cologne hung all around me and I kept my gaze focused ahead, refusing to look at him as I gathered and composed myself.

"I really thought you are gonna protest more," His words broke through the tensed silence that was wrapping around me. My head shot to my left, looking at him as he gave me a knowing look, addressing how I kept mum after he practically pushed me into his car.

"Don't worry, I am secretly dialing 911 on the side," I said back, my defensive words brought that little smile back to the corner of his lips. Ugh, he is just so aggravating.

My gaze flickered down from the side of his face, to his perfectly shaped jaw, covered with a light stubble, and down to his neck. It slipped further down the length of his arm, to the biceps that flexed as he steered the wheel with one hand. I caught myself staring for too long and immediately forced my gaze to drift away, internally cursing myself, appalled by my own reaction.

I tried to drift my thoughts somewhere else, like the road, the trees, and the birds. Seriously though, where are we going?

I began to think of the possibilities as my gaze flickered down my clothes, scared of how they won't be appropriate at all. In the morning, I had gone with the usual exam-week combo. A pair of old jeans, a plain purple t-shirt, and a powdered pink cardigan on top. I moved my feet forward and looked at them, observing how my white sneakers were way past their use date.

They had many black scratches on the side, ones that won't go no matter how hard I try to scrub away. The Nike logo had crinkles all over it, exposing just how I had worn-out the poor shoe.

A low breath pushed off my nose and I found my gaze flickering to the boy on my side. He was wearing white sneakers too, but his were most probably brand new, as white as the snow, almost like he had just pulled them out of their box and placed them on.

I should really put aside some of my budget into buying a few new clothes. I haven't gotten anything for myself since...

I shook my head, dismissing the thought away for now. I felt a pair of eyes watching me so I looked up, meeting Max's confused gaze. Damn, I must look like a total creep staring down at his shoe. My jaw tightened and I uncomfortably shifted in my seat, feeling all out of sorts, almost like I didn't fit in here, in this fancy car, next to this boy in exact.

I kept chanting in my head that it will be over soon, that I have to swallow it down because I need him, I need to pass my course, or else...all of my dreams could come crashing down.

I pulled my phone out of my pant pocket, and stared at my reflection on the screen, checking if at least my face looked presentable enough. My hair was pulled into a half bun, and the rest was falling over my shoulder, and a bit messy and frizzy around my face. I used my hand to try and fix the strands in their place, getting out of it whatever I can.

"Are you okay?" Max's words had me face him again and I nodded my head, "Yeah, why?"

He shrugged, "It's just, you are weirdly non-verbal today," He said, confused by my silent state, "I really expected to hear you whine all the way to our destination."

I shook my head, leaning my back into the comfortable seat, "I am just a bit tired," I mumbled.

Worried lines imprinted between his brows, "If you want I could take you home, we could do this some other time-" He suggested and I felt a little calmer at the suggestion but I shook my head, "No, it's okay, let's just get this done with."

He looked taken aback, offended, "Jesus, okay, thanks," He mumbled, his expression falling down, realizing how I'd rather be anywhere but here with him. That I saw this as an obligation and nothing more.

Which is the truth, he could have really sexy arms and very beautiful eyes, he could smell heavenly good, and his shoes are total perfection but still, he is the last thing I'd wanna add to my messy life.

Thankfully, he started to slow down the car, moving to the side of the road before he parked it perfectly by the meter, "We're here," He said and I confusingly stared out of the window. He got down and I did the same, looking ahead at what we parked next to. It looked like a...gym, maybe? I swear to god if he brought me here to work out, I am gonna murder him.

He wrapped his hand over my wrist and pulled me alongside him. The glass door automatically slid open at our closeness. The guy sitting by the reception desk, welcomed us in with a wide smile and I looked both left and right, trying to understand what exactly are we going to do in here.

To our right, there was another door, leading to the workout area I suppose, a huge room filled with different various equipment. I gaped, mouth wide open at the big muscular guy swiftly lifting up weights that were probably heavier than me like they were a feather. Oh wow, look at him go...

Max's hand pulled me, interrupting my admiring session and instead of going right toward that hottie, he dragged me to our left. We made our way down a wide corridor to come stopping across from a big black door and on the top with neon colors, the words "Bouldering gym" Was spelled out.

Oh, he must be kidding me...

The door opened up and we stepped in. My eyes grew wide at the many huge climbing walls, some going all the way to up the high ceiling with the multi-colored holds on them, those where hands and feet are meant to be placed on while climbing.

Many people were climbing over, enjoying this heart-stopping exercise like it was some kind of a hobby. Oh man, look at that girl, she is younger than me and she is up there by the sky. Jesus, where is the exit door? I think I am gonna throw up.

I turned my head to Max, who had a very accomplished look on his face, a one that said 'Huh, gotcha ya, Imma make you climb and fall into your death.' I shot him a murderous glare and started to back away from him, ready to make a run for it, "No, nope," I shook my head, "Non, nein, nie," I said the word no in all the languages that came to mind, just to express how much against this I am.

"Come on, it's gonna be fun," He said, trying to fight his amused smile as his hand reached out for me again, stopping my escaping attempt.

"Fun?" I scoffed, "You call falling into your death fun?" I added, "Gosh, no wonder you were gonna jump off that hospital roof," I almost gasped when one guy's feet missed one of the colored rocks and came down falling; true he had a rope holding his body, and the floor was made of promat carpet that he easily and safely bounced off, but I had a mini-heart attack at the sight only.

I pressed a hand to my chest, feeling like my heart could come bursting out, "Jesus, you brought me here to kill me, didn't you?" I mumbled, "I knew I didn't trust you for a reason."

Max rolled his eyes at my drama, "Quit being so dull, and come here," He dragged me somewhere, and the harder I tried to pull away, the harder and tighter he held my hand and pulled me forward.

He talked with the instructor, who explained to us the whole rules as they placed safety vests on us and tucked our ropes and I was more than ready to pretend to faint just so I can get out of here. But neither my whining nor my protesting stopped Max from getting me all prepped up to climb.

I let out a fake cry as I stared up at the high wall, "I really hate you," I mumbled and he chuckled beside me, enjoying my misery way too much, "Don't worry, I'll be right beside you," He said, an attempt to reassure me that I will be okay but I didn't believe him at all.

I looked at him, my glare hardening, fire blazing through it, "When we reach the top, that if we do, I am gonna push you down," I threatened, my evil thoughts cooking up.

He winked, placing one hand forward into the rocks, and started to climb, "Wouldn't expect less from you."

"Wait for me!" I shot out, terrified of doing this all on my own.

I wrapped my fingers so tight over the pink hold and rested my feet on another one below, "Come on," Max cheered from beside me, encouraging me for the next step, "Move your feet first," He suggested, pointing at which one would be more appropriate to step on, "Then, your hand, over here," He added, showing me exactly how.

I did as told, getting higher up the wall and I yelped, pressing my eyes shut and resting my forehead up against the wall, hoping it could swallow me in so I won't have to do this.

I felt warm big hands rest over the back of my knee, "Bend it a bit like this to make your next climb easier," He suggested and I opened one eye only, looking at him, right by my side, only one hand resting over the rock, while the other helping me. The idiot, he could fall.

"Use both hands!" I snapped at him, clinging to the wall with all my might.

He chuckled, "Calm down tiger," He said, "Even if we fall, we won't get hurt," He said, tugging at the rope binding to the vest they made us wear, showing me just how tight it is.

"Still!" I snapped, the anxiousness ripping at my inside and knitting my stomach into a hundred different knots. My pulse sped, and I pulled in even breaths, trying to calm myself and the panic that had built up in my nerves.

"Come on gingy, just follow my lead," He added, as he took a step up higher and I imitated his moves, succeeding in another one without falling. Yay me!

I kept doing the same, following Max's lead till we reached the middle position. A weird sense of accomplishment took over my inside, releasing some of my tensed-up nerves. Maybe it was the adrenaline rush that burned my anxious feelings away and fueled up the sense of excitement and fun I had lost touch with recently, whatever it was, I reveled in it for once, letting my guard just a bit down.

Max's feet almost lost touch with the rock but he saved himself right away, the sight of him struggling and the sound of his yelp had me burst out in pure laughter of joy. He looked at me, glaring, unimpressed, "Shut up," He grumbled and I wiggled my eyebrows, "Do you need help?"

"Weren't you crying just ten minutes ago?" He added, and I raised my shoulders, shrugging while still carefully tugging at the rocks, making sure I was secure, "Everything that is new and unknown is scary at first but then--" I let my eyelids drop down, edging my head backward and enjoying this small moment of freedom. All of my stress being washed away by the thrill of adrenaline brought me up to a new level of high, "Then you lose yourself in the moment," I whispered out.

When my eyelids glided open, they met his beautiful ones. The look in them had transformed a hundred eighty degrees from annoyance into a very soft one that had my breath hitching again. My occasional free-spirited self had him relax for a brief moment, a bit amazed even.

"Last one to reach the top is the loser," I shot out, needing him to break his gaze away, scared of how it could easily consume me in and I started climbing, gaining distance on him. I heard him curse something as he tried to catch up to me and I felt a bubble of laughter erupt from my chest.

This is fun. I really miss having fun without worrying about tomorrow and what it could hold.

Unfortunately, beginner's luck didn't play on my side this time and Max reached the top before me. He pressed his palms and pulled his body up, sitting down and dangled his legs, smugly waiting for me. A few seconds after and I reached him. I pulled myself up as well and sat down by his side, hefting out a heavy breath, trying to calm down my racing heart after the effort it made.

I looked down and the ground felt so far away from up here. I gulped down, these scary heights weren't my favorite place to be but my adrenaline rush didn't allow me to register the dangerous part and rather had me cling to the fun exhilarating one.

I turned to Max beside me, "You really like to hang by the edge, don't you," I said, recalling back our first meeting.

His lips played a small smile and he nodded his head, "Sometimes, only when you hang by the edge, looking down, that you get to appreciate the life you have," He mumbled, his voice low, speaking inner thoughts out as he looked down at what laid below us.

I stared at him for a long second, trying to analyze, only to come up with the conclusion that he also was battling his own monsters on the side. I guess no one gets a pass from the test of life, we all have to endure it, just in different forms and ways.

His hand went to the side of his abdomen, his expression twisting a bit and slightly wincing. My pulse accelerated and I felt myself scoot closer, "Does it hurt?"

His hand immediately dropped down and he looked at me, not expecting to find me staring, hating that I caught his moment of discomfort, "It's just it takes more effort to do the normal things I used to do before," He mumbled, and his tone held an edge, hating to fall weak.

"That's normal, it is still recent also," I tried to encourage him, assure him that it is only temporary, "The body needs time to fully heal and adjust."

His jaw ticked and he nodded, knowing but disliking the fact.

He shook his head, dismissing it away, "Come on, let's see who'll get down first, although I am sure it will be me," Playfulness waved into his words but I still couldn't help my worry, "Are you sure you're okay to go all the way back down?"

His eyebrow raised, the corner of his lips pulling up, "Are you worried about me, gingy?" He teased.

I nodded, "If I wasn't worried, I would've just let you fall to your death off that rooftop," I voiced the truth of my worry through my teasing words, "Of course I worry, I am not a monster."

He shook his head with a small heartfelt smile, "No, definitely not," He brought his hand up to my face, pushing a strand of my hair away from my cheek, "No monster is ever this beautiful."

The word effortlessly left his mouth, a word I used to believe in, I mean I know that I am not bad to look at, I am nothing too special either, but I could get around with my average good features. I am not insecure but I really doubted that I looked beautiful now, all messy, with my tired, sleep-deprived, malnutrition face, my crappy clothes, and my damn old ripped shoe.

Still, that soft look in his eyes, proved that I am. That even in this messy state, he saw me beautiful somehow.

Did I believe that look? No. Because I know his type, he would just say anything, do anything, pretend and even lie, just so I would let my guard down. I've been there before, and I don't plan to go there again.

I moved my head, indirectly letting his hand drop away, "Come on," I said, getting ready as I carefully moved, securing my feet and hand, and without a second word. Max followed, although I think he sensed my sudden mood drop.

The climb up here was more exhilarating than the way going down, maybe because my head wasn't as full of questions and bitter memories I wish to never relive. I was so absorbed in my own head that when I lowered my feet down, I missed the rock by a millimeter, my feet dangled up in the air at the same second I moved both my hands, pushing me to lose my balance.

My eyes widened and a loud gasp pushed out of my mouth when I got myself suspended in the air, "Ahhh!" I let out a scream, my eyes pressing shut even though I knew the rope was still holding my body, securing me from falling head first and crashing, I still couldn't help my fear.

"Hey gingy, it's okay, open your eyes," I heard Max's voice break through my panicked state. I slowly let my eyelids open halfway to watch him as he purposely pushed himself off the wall in order to reach me. His arm came around my waist, pulling me close and plastering me to his body. Involuntarily, I wrapped my hand over the neck of his t-shirt, holding into him with all my might as with the help of the rope, they allowed us to slowly descend down.

"Oh god, if I look down I might faint," I mumbled with a screech as I snuck a very small glimpse into how far up we are still.

Max used his other hand to rest it over my face, urging me to look up, "Look at me," He said and I did as told, my eyes lifted up, falling into his face, which was in very dangerous proximity to mine.

We were breathing the same air, and his scent was getting all tangled up with mine. Trying to escape the panic, I focused my attention on him only, my gaze absorbing every feature he has, every perfect and imperfect structure over his face. It started from his chestnut brown hair, a very light tone that I bet would look golden under the rays of the sun. It was short on the side, but generous on the top, a few stubborn soft strands fell over his forehead.

My gaze flickered down to his eyes, observing them more, realizing that every time I look, they seem to hold more secrets than before. They were a shade darker now, but more alive and breathing; god, I would spend days and nights staring at them and won't get bored. I have this sudden urge to see everything they ever saw, to unveil whatever they were hiding behind closed doors.

A faded bruise, a small scar over the side of his cheek grabbed my attention next, a one you need to be this close only to observe. I wanted to run my fingertips over it, feel it, learn its story but I kept my hands away. My gaze involuntarily fell onto his lips next, and they looked so soft, that nothing would've stopped me from imaging how kissing them would feel like.

The feeling of my feet hitting the ground broke the spell that bound me to him and I retreated myself back, rather quickly. I took the vest off and he did the same, both of us silent and I was suddenly curious as to which thoughts were roaming his brain now.

I took my cardigan back, but felt too hot to wear it on. I held it tight as we both exited the place. I was heading toward the car when Max paused. I turned to him, watching as he pulled his keys out. He extended his hand forward, handing them to me, "Get in, I will be back in a bit," He said and I nodded, deciding not to further question him.

I unlocked the car and sat inside. I pressed the back of my head against the seat and cursed myself for letting my mind waver over control's string. Careful, I should be more careful.

A few minutes later and the car's door got opened, Max got inside and the tasty smell of something delicious invaded my nostrils, that I almost hummed in satisfaction. He had a big cartoon bag in hand, he placed it in the back seat as he said, "I got us take-outs, there is a nice park near here, we could have a bite before we head back, is that okay?"

My stomach danced in satisfaction and I nodded my head, "I would not say no to food," I said, smiling and pushing all the negativity to the back of my head.

He returned my smile back, glad that I didn't protest as he drove us there.

The park was nice indeed, the early autumn weather was just perfect, fitting such a day as we sat down under one of the trees, Max had a thin blanket sheet in the back of his car, fitting for our out-of-the-blue picnic idea. I unfolded it over the grass, and we arranged our food over it. I dropped down, legs crossed, and more than ready to dive in.

I pulled the burger out of its box and took my first bite, allowing my taste buds to savor the good meal. Max joined me, "Slow down, gingy," He commented playfully, "Can't have you choking on a burger on our first date," His words had me just roll my eyes as I chewed my food, I was too happy to comment on the 'First date' statement or on the other dirty meaning behind his words.

I sighed in satisfaction as my eyes looked ahead at the lake across from us. Different shapes of rocks were positioned around, dictating its boundaries with small light bulbs that had different colors as the water inside danced in a synchronized pattern.

I felt my shoulders drop down, relaxing as Max and I exchanged random conversations. True, today didn't pay out to be like I expected. And I have to fight my instincts in order to say this, but it turned out to be even better.

The rock climbing was an adrenaline rush that I needed, a bit exhilarating but without the actual danger. And now this, just enjoying a small park picnic, listening to the water's sound, and enjoying the sight of autumn slowly making its entrance; it is relaxing, compensating, and balancing with our previous activity.

Despite my overthinking brain, today was fun, and I really haven't allowed myself to have fun in a while.

I laid on my back over the blanket, my eyes looking at the sky above, the sun was slowly descending down, signaling the end of the day. A low sad sigh parted my lips at the thought and my gaze flickered from up there to the guy at my side, the one who keeps helping me for some reason, whether it is the lessons or just this. He said it was me paying him back but it felt like he was only doing it to allow me to have some fun.

Because what did he actually gain from today? I can't be that much fun to have around.

He was laying down beside me, arm under his head and looking up at the sky, his side profile so captivating it had something in my chest lurch and ache. God, if I wasn't so messed up, I would've gone ahead and kissed him right now, just for the heck of it. I would've allowed my guard to drop down and watched where this could've led us up to even if it meant getting hurt.

But I am no longer that person.

It's not his fault though, he could be the most perfect guy on the planet, which I am sure he isn't, but still, my lack of trust originates from me, from a bad experience, and not from him.

"It's Valerie," I said.

Max's face turned around, his eyes falling onto my face, eyebrows drew together in confusion, almost like he didn't hear me, "My name, it's Valerie." I repeated.

His eyes grew wider and he shot up, sitting down and I followed, "Hold on," He raised his finger up in the air, "Hold on, you can't just throw it in my face like that!" He said, glaring at me, "I've been after that information for some time now, I need a minute to absorb it, hold on."

I rolled my eyes, extravagantly, while smiling still, "Valarie," he said, testing the name, "Valerie," he said it again, eyes squinting as he thought deeply about it, "Valarie," he said and I chuckled, "Are you gonna keep saying it?"

He nodded, "Yeah," he said as a matter of fact, "I need to make up for the lost time."

"Valerie," He said again and I facepalmed, almost regretting telling him.

He smiled, content, "I like the way it sounds," he said, "Valerie."

I laughed again, "Oh god, stop saying it!"

He shook his head, "I am never stopping," He said, tilting his head as he intently looked at me, "Valerie," He addressed me with my name, happy to be able to do that now, "It does suit you."

My eyebrow raised, "I bet that if I said any other name, you would've said the same thing."

He shook his head, "No, I really believe in the saying that your name dictates your personality and you do look like a Valerie."

"Hmm, what do you mean, kidney boy?" I said, trying to call him off on his bullshit.

He shrugged, "You said it yourself before, a name could tell a lot about a person, which is why you refused to give me your name, you were scared I would get to know you, right?" He asked.

I shrugged, not willing to give him a clear answer to that.

Nothing would make his smile go away now and he said it again, "Valerie."

Oh god, this was a mistake.

He looked at the lake, sighing in satisfaction as he mumbled my name another time. He turned back to me, eyes squinting, "What made you change your mind?" He asked, "I thought I wasn't gonna learn your name till the priest asks us to say I do-"

He was unbelievable, but I was slowly getting used to his antics and characters.

I shrugged, "I hate to admit this but I had fun today," I said, honest, "Also, it's not like you gonna go ahead and kill me or something, the whole campus saw me got in your car," My eyebrow raised both in warning and tease, "So, if anything happens to me, you are the first and only suspect."

Curiousness flared into his gaze as he studied me for a long second, "I really want to know your story."

His words came out of the blue, it had my expression wavering. I shrugged, trying to take it casually, "It isn't that special of a story."

"Still, I want to know it."

I shook my head, "It took me this much to just tell you my name, on this rate, you'll learn my whole story when you have grandkids."

He chuckled lowly, "It's okay, we'll sit them down and tell them our story together."

I gave him a very unimpressed look, I am over here desperately waiting for the semester to be over so we won't have to interact more and he is talking grandkids. Crazy, he is definitely crazy.

We threw the takeout packets away and gathered ourselves up, ready to head out.

"Valerie," He said my name again just for the heck of saying it, "I know you will say no, but I could drop you at your house," Max suggested and I shook my head, "Drop me at campus, I'll take the bus from there."

He shot me a glare but knew he can't convince me otherwise, "Whatever floats your boat."

Not long after, we reached the bus stop. I was about to get down but Max's hand wrapped around my arm, stopping me. I gave him a weirded out look, "Stay till the bus gets here," He said, sternly.

I narrowed my eyes at him, "Are you worried about me, kidney boy?"

He nodded, "Yes, Valerie," He stressed on my name, "I am," He added, eyebrow raising teasingly, "Just because you were last seen with me, so if anything happens to you, I will be held responsible."

I rolled my eyes, fighting off my smile. Just then I saw the bus's headlights from the rearview mirror approaching, "It's coming," I announced, opening the door and getting down.

Max followed, opening his trunk to get my bag and notebooks. He shrugged the bag over his shoulder as we waited for the bus to stop. I extended my hand forward asking for them when the bus's door opened, waiting for me to get in.

"Tell me when you get home," He said before I got in.

My eyebrow arched, "Why would I do that?"

He pointed at himself, repeating the previous words, "Anything happens, I am the first suspect, remember?"

I chuckled and nodded my head, waving a quick bye as I climbed into the bus, not missing the look of disappointment that flashed through and dimmed his beautiful eyes. I sat down in the empty seat just as the bus immediately took off, leaving me no time to look back at Max outside.

I settled my bag and notebooks before I pulled my phone out, going through my school emails before I opened a new draft.

"Dear Max,

What did you mean by: "your name dictates your personality and you do look like a Valerie."

Best regards,
V."

I pressed sent, the thought heavily nagging on my brain since he mentioned it at the park.

I looked out of the dirty window, my mind recalling back the events of today for some reason. For a second, I really felt like a teen girl who has just gotten back from her first date with a boy, thinking through every small tiny detail.

I shook my head, masking my smile, and shaking the silly thought away.

My phone buzzed, I opened it up to find a reply back from him.

"Valerie -V is for valiant, the way you approach life."

That was all that's written inside the email. I stared at it for a long second, reading it over and over again.

Valiant - brave, and courageous. Am I actually those things?

A small smile lifted my lips up, the little compliment stirred something in my chest. I mean, for someone to see me as brave, maybe I actually am.

I pressed reply and typed down;

"Maxwell - M is for Moron :D

Just kidding. M is for Mature, a trait missing from most people your age.

Thank you for today. I had so much fun."

Not too long after, I got a reply back.

"Valerie, don't worry, there is more fun to come.

You still owe me sixteen hours, thirty two minutes and three seconds :D Oh, and a goodbye kiss."

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

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