Page 12 of Valentino

Of course he is.

“He’s a nice person.” She shrugs. “You would like him.”

My jaw clenches.

“I heard you had a girlfriend.” She keeps patting my face.

“No,” I reply. “I was seeing someone, but she wasn’t anyone important.”

She keeps working on my face and we both know there is no more blood to mop up. “I was surprised to see you tonight, I didn’t think you would know anyone here.”

“Don’t marry him,” I whisper.

“I’m a long way away from marriage, Val.” She keeps working on my face.

“I’m going to make something of myself,” I murmur. “I’m going to be someone one day.”

Her eyes come to meet mine as she holds my face in her hands. “You already are someone Val. Someone wonderful.” She leans her face against my forehead and it’s like a knife to my heart. I don’t want her sympathy.

Don’t touch me.

“That’s enough.” I stand abruptly. “Thank you.”

Her eyes search mine.

“I’ll let you get back to the party.”

“Are you sure you’re okay?” she asks. “I’m worried you have a concussion.”

“I’m fine.” I force a smile. “It was good to see you.”

“Can I have a hug?”

No…you cannot.

I begrudgingly hug her and she wraps her arms around me and holds me tight, my eyes close into her hair because damn it, I wish I liked someone half as much as I like her.

“Goodbye, Anna.” I pull out of her arms, if I stay in here I know I’m going to try and kiss her or blurt out something I’ll regret. Beg for her to feel the same. I turn and leave the bathroom in a rush; take the stairs two at a time and stumble out the front door.

Fuck this party.

I walk up the road, cross the street, get into my shitty car and slam the door hard.

My heart is thumping and anger is screaming through my bloodstream.

If I just had a good job, a nice car…if I came from money….

A BMW drives up the street, it’s blacked out and purrs like a kitten, I watch it pull up outside the party.

Is that….

In slow motion, like a horror movie unfolding as my deepest fear becomes reality, I watch Anna bounce out to the car, get in and lean over and kiss the driver.

The car roars as it drives away…with my girl in it.

Aged 19.

I pull into the parking lot of the football field. “Took your time,” Alex spits.