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“MY PARENTS ARE HOSTING AN HALLOWEEN PARTY THIS WEEKEND,” Walter intervened, earning a raised eyebrow from me, “We could go there instead.”

I had made it known to them, once, twice and a whole lot more that parties weren't my thing and my last attendance was a one-time thing. It stung mercilessly when I kept replaying the incident of that night, and it made me want to badly erase every thoughts that clogged my brain until it was hard to breathe.

And so when the guys suggested another party, I declined before things could get further. Almost everyone’s eyes shot up, begging me to change my mind.

It had all started a week ago. Bella, Jess and the guys had been urging me to go out with them on Halloween—but my answer remained no. Valen's eyes stayed exactly where they were, on his phone screen, not moving an inch—while my eyes narrowed at Walter.

“I just said I don't want to attend any parties, didn't I?” I mused, a blank expression painted on my face. Seizing my cup of vanilla milkshake, I took a long sip before sighing out of content as the cool liquid left a refreshing trail down my throat.

A sigh escaped from his parted lips, all before meeting my gaze once more with a pleading look. “That’s the good part, it really isn't those kind of frat parties you know, it's between family and some close friends. I can't go without all of you.”

Valen’s attention got robbed off from his phone immediately, curiosity lining in his eyes. “When are we going?”

Walter shrugged. “Well. . .,” he looked warily at us, but the boys were already facepalming themselves. “I was thinking Wednesday, I'm sure we all are free so we'll go in the morning so we can get there in the evening.”

Bella hummed, eyes not leaving the table. “I have class, but I can skip.”

“I can't.”

Valen proceeded to give me a side-eye, and then an eye roll. “Why not? It's really not a bad idea—we could keep each other entertained.”

Entertained? Idiot.

A scoff escaped my agape mouth. “Education is vital.”

He laughed, and then grinned at me. “This is college. Live a little, frosty,” he winked, and only that seemed to do a miraculous job.

His gaze was still fixed on me, all while the others went on discussing about the actual possibilities of getting there on time. They all had grins on their faces, and excitement was on the table. By the time I had quietly finished my lunch, and with the incessant interruption of my opinion, it was agreed on that we would all be going.

“Don’t worry Carla, it'll be safe and fun,” Bella had told me.

Austin turned his attention to me, a grin on full display. “I guess you're coming right?”

I rolled my eyes. “What makes you think I have an option?”

▬▬▬▬

IT COULD BE SAID THAT EVERYONE had booked Walter's car, leaving just Valen and I behind. It did take a while for it to dawn on me—how everything was planned so I could go on the ride with Valen—since they had all left and I was now standing in front of my dorm building, waiting for Valen.

I had been jittery since the morning, legs bouncy and hands fidgeting. The whole morning was an epitome of hazard—featuring me pacing around in my dorm like a full-blown maniac. Of course, it had to be so since I was practically going out of town to attend Walter's Halloween party. I had carried all the items I felt was necessary, shoving them into my weekender bag. And donned in a cropped hoodie and jeans, I had done my hair in a dutch braid before stepping out of my dorm.

And here I am now, waiting for the asshole.

Luckily for him, he had pulled up in front of me, and I'd been sure he was bracing himself up for the coldness he would receive from me; it was the way he took in a deep breath at the sight of me standing with my hands folded. When he rolled down the window, I shot him a glare I had hoped would hunt him forever.

“Hey frosty,” his smile was teasing, and eyes crinkling. “Almost didn't see ya.”

“Me neither,” I huffed all before he hopped out of the car to help carry my bags into the trunk. I flung the car door open and barged right in—arms crossed.

He got in seconds later, and didn't say anything, instead, began driving. For a really long while, all I really did was roll my eyes at practically no one, and stared out the window. The soft music which thrummed out of the speaker broke me out of my ignorance, eyes dropping on Valen.

“Hm,” I hummed, jutting my jaw towards him. “You’re oddly quiet today.”

“It seems like the best option,” he grinned, keeping his full attention on the road. “Since you were clearly pissed off.”

“Oh please,” I scoffed, an eye roll coming complementary, “the Valen I know still annoys the shit out of me even when I'm pissed.”

He laughed.

And then; “You like it.”

“Of course I don't!”

“You do.”

I scoffed. “I don't like people annoying me even more, hanging with people who annoy me.”

His lips twitched at my frustration which I had to tone down in an attempt to calm myself—I wasn’t going to allow him give me a headache. “And you're still hanging out with me?”

I rolled my eyes. “Do I have an option?”

“Of course you don't because I'm a great company.” he shrugged.

“Keep telling yourself that.”

“Are you deliberately trying to start an argument?” he quizzed, turning to me for a few second before averting his gaze back to the road. “Because it seems like you are.”

“This isn't even an argument,” I declared. “It’s, um, disagreement.”

He shook his head, chuckling softly. “You’re one infuriating woman, frosty.”

“So I've been told,” I mused.

The staccato of my phone ringing broke the little bickering, and I let out sigh. The phone had rung for a couple more seconds before I had grabbed it, and picked. “Yes Bel?”

She laughed, the fruity laugh vibrating in my ears. “You mad we left you behind?”

“Of course I'm mad, you guys didn't tell me about it.”

“Don’t worry,” the way she spoke made me believe she had a grin on her face, “how’s the drive with Valen going?”

I hummed, letting my eyes fall on Valen for a second. He was drumming his fingers on the steering, in rhythm to the song that played. “I can't say.”

She laughed. “It’s gonna be a long drive so, have fun.”

I was about to make a comment on her statement, but the call ended. Sighing, I ran a hand through my waves, turning my head towards Valen whose eyes were fixed on the road. “You do know that you guys made me miss my morning class today, right?”

He laughed. He fuckin' laughed. “Oh come on, where did frost girl go? Now you're being a nerd.”

“Excuse you?!” I spat out.

He grinned, his eyes falling on me for a split second, and during that duration, he had taken in my outfit. “You know, the very first time I set my eyes on you I thought you were a tomboy.”

“What? I’m not.” I guess.

“I figured, because behind those tough exterior, you're a softie.” he grinned.

My eyebrows knitted together as his eyes fell on me, words getting stuck down my throat—losing the ability to speak properly. “Well. . .kinda.”

“I also came to notice that you're always in jeans.”

I rolled my eyes at him, because—what was the big deal? “It’s what I'm comfortable with.”

I gave him another eye roll when he grinned, eyes teasing. “You should try wearing a dress sometimes.”

“No!”

“Why not? You look like an old lady in those jeans.”

In a whiplash, I turned my head to his direction, a glare going through his skull, and probably affecting his stupid brain. “You’re going to regret that—like really regret it!”

I was pissed, beyond mad, and even when Valen had tried apologising, I ignored him completely with just one thing in mind—Revenge.

Spicy revenge, maybe.

I fell back on my seat with a light huff, and Valen could only let out a sigh before turning the radio to it's max, and allowing the soft music to envelop the awkward silence. And when the idea of a good payback came into my mind, I immediately became proud of myself, and braced myself up for my acting skills.

He had gently turned into a street and my eyes caught up with a huge board, in front of a restaurant which was adorned with the name of the place: Cheesy cheeks. It was beautiful on the outside and without expectation, I hollered. “Stop!”

Valen had slammed on the brakes so hard, only resulting in the tire making screeching noises. “What the hell?”

“I’m hungry.”

I rushed outside with Valen following—the atmosphere was bright and gleaming, emanating the heat it was blessed with. I had rushed past Valen, tugging his arm in purposeful mindlessness, but before he could even react, I had already dragged him into the restaurant.

Just as we stepped in, a waiter ushered us to a table, leaving a menu with us to surf through. Valen had fallen bizarrely silent, flipping through the menu when I stared at him with a grin. “What are you gonna order?”

He shrugged lightly. “I don't know.”

My eyebrows clashed together and my lips formed into a fake pout. “Too bad. I'm just gonna order one of the spiciest chicken wings.”

He rose an eyebrow, pure confusion outlined on his face. “Why the spiciest?”

“I’ve always loved spicy food, and I can handle a little spice,” I chuckled. “But, it's too bad you won't be able to.”

In a whiplash, his eyes left the table and dropped on me like thunderstorms and lightning. “And what makes you think I won't be able to handle spice?”

“Hm,” I hummed. “I don't know, maybe because you're a boxer and you're not allowed to have spicy food.”

“And you think I won't be able to handle spice?”

“Yup,” I drew out a breath. My eyebrows remained tilted up, challenging him further because I knew he never backed down from one. “You can't.”

“Frosty, you're fiery and hotter than spice, and since I can handle you, I can handle spice.”

I gasped, leaning against the table. “Well then, it's on.” I smirked, my voice coming out huskily, “prove it to me.”

The waiter was back at our table to take our orders, and before I could even get a word in, Valen had began ordering. “I’ll have your spiciest chicken wings, and for the lady over here,” he gestured at me, only earning an eye roll from me. “Hold back on the spice she wouldn't be able to handle it.”

I crossed my arms and stuck my tongue out, all before rolling my eyes. Whilst the waiter left to get our food, Valen and I went into back-and-forth arguing, and something about it constant repetition was amusing to the moon.

The waiter did come back quite earlier than expected with our food, and I just couldn't wait for the fun.

In out most pleasure, I watched him take a bite out of the wings, and the crimson color that kissed his face afterwards was clearly visible. He had only managed to chew and swallow that piece when I noticed his eyes were getting watery.

I grinned. “How is it?”

He nodded immediately, clearly not wanting to back down. “It tastes so fucking good.”

I shook my head and went back to eating, enjoying every bite of my not so spicy wings. From the corner of my eye, I noticed the beads of sweat that formed on his forehead and into his air. I lifted my head to look at him, almost laughing at his situation when he pulled his jacket leaving him in his simple shirt.

It was undeniable how hot he looked with his biceps on full outline.

“It’s really hot in here,” he tried to fan himself with the menu, taking another bite out of his wings.

I chuckled. “Don’t be dramatic, I don't feel the heat but I guess the wing’s a lot heat for you.”

“Oh please, this isn't even spicy.”

I smirked. “Then why are you sweating and why's your eyes watering?”

“It’s genetic.”

I rolled my eyes at him and watched how he tried to finish his meal in failed attempt. I felt bad, honestly. I was punishing him. It was supposed to be a joke but I didn't like seeing his face cursed with bright crimson, and his eyes on the verge of releasing water.

He brought this upon himself, I thought, he’s trying to save his ego.

With a sigh, I wanted to tell him to stop but he suddenly began coughing. I abruptly got up from my seat and rushed to his side. “Gosh, I'm so sorry.”

I turned around and quickly called the waiter, telling him to get a cup of warm milk. Valen was shooting daggers at me, eyes boring hole into my head. The waiter graced our table seconds later with the cup of warm milk, and I watched Valen drink the milk at it's mercy.

He placed the cup down, and glared at me. “Was this necessary?”

“It was supposed to be a joke.”

“Well, it isn't funny,” he snarled, and it stabbed me right in the chest.

“I'm sorry, it wasn't meant to cause any harm,” I frowned, eyebrows clashing together.

He rolled his eyes at me, all before placing the bill on the table and storming out of the restaurant. I ran after him, and found him leaning against the car, mind astray. I walked up to him, and gently grabbed his arm, hoping he wouldn't yank it away.

He didn't.

“Please,” I begged. “Just listen to me, I—”

I never got to finish that sentence because he had began laughing, whips of hair falling into his face. He grinned, hands pushing his hair out of his face. “It’s really nice to make you feel bad.”

I gritted my teeth. “You asshole!”

“Everyone can get revenge,” he shrugged. “Let’s go.”

I got into the car with him—relunctantly—and fell into a moment of silence with just one thing in mind; it was gonna be a lonnngg drive.

▬▬▬▬

WE STILL HADN'T GOTTEN TO OUR DESTINATION and the sun had set. The evening indigo preceded and I had long fallen silent, occasionally tapping my fingers to the soft music that enveloped the atmosphere. The air around was thick, and the drive was nothing less than a pain in the ass.

“How long?”

Valen tilted his head, then dropped his gaze to his golden watch. “An hour.”

I was on the verge of dozing off, hands covering my face.“Whatever, I'm tired as hell.”

“Don’t worry, you'll—”

He was cut off by the sound of the car screeching, all before it had made a weird sound and stopped. He started the car again—but it hardly got anywhere before it stopped. Again.

“No, no!” I groaned.

Valen got down to go check what was wrong with the car, and by the time he came back, I knew that his next words were going to be the death of me. I had already gotten out of the car, arms folded and eyes narrowed.

“So?”

“Well, I don't really know,” he ran a hand through his hair, a scowl wound up on his lips. “Should be power drain or something.”

My eyes widened alarmingly, hands still crossed and lips in a scowl. “You cannot be serious, why didn't you check the car before today?”

“The car was just fine.”

I rolled my eyes at him before looking around the environment, and it was clear to say we were stuck in the middle of nowhere—no houses in sight, perhaps, only if we walked a couple miles.

With eyes trained on him, I spoke. “We’re stranded, Val.”

Here's another chapter. Had this one ready and just had to post it. Enjoy:)
Don't forget to drop your thoughts.

Stay golden <3