Chapter 9
1 arch an eyebrow, surprised. “An ice cream shop?” I exclaim, a hint of skepticism slipping into my voice.
Valentine’s lips curl into a mischievous grin. “What, don’t tell me you hate the sacred treat of summer, Miss Grouchy Pants. The sweet scent of vanilla and freshly made waffle cones is the air around us, and my mouth waters despite myself. I can practically taste the creamy goodness already.
“What? No, of course, I don’t hate ice cream.” I wince. “It’s just that when you said we were skipping school, I thought you’d take me somewhere
more un
“Somewhere
more what?” Valentine smirks, leaning closer as we stand in front of the small, charming ice cream shop.
1 hesitate, unsure how to phrase it. I don’t know more exciting? Like some secret hideout or something rebellious. Not an ice cream shop in broad daylight
Valentine chuckles, his p
grey eyes sparkling with amusement. “You thought I’m some kind of drugged our teenager, didn’t you?”
“Aren’t you?” I ask, widening my eyes in mock surprise.
“I am not,” he replies with a smirk. “The only addiction I have is sugar. Besides, it’s not like I can do drugs and get away with it. My job does random drug tests and_”
“You have a job” 1 interrupt, genuinely surprised.
Valentine laughs, clearly amused by my reaction. God, did I really think the worst of him?
“Yeah, I do,” he says. “What, you thought I just spent my time blackmailing girls and getting into trouble!”
I shrug, feeling my cheeks flush a little. “Well, you don’t exactly give off ‘responsible employee‘ vibes.”
He shakes his head, still grinning, “I work part–time at a diner. Nothing fancy”
“Which one?” I ask, curiosity taking over.
He just laughs again and gestures toward the ice cream shop. “Are we going inside, or are we sitting in this car all day?”
I glance at the shop, trying to suppress a smile. “Fine, let’s go in. But don’t think you’ve distracted me from the fact that you’re dodging my question.”
Valentine grins, unbuckling his seatbelt. “I’m not dodging anything I’ll tell you all about my job once I’ve had a few scoops of ice cream
We step out of the car and walk toward the entrance, the warmth of the sun bontrasting with the cool breeze that carries the scent of sugar and cream. My stomach flutters with a weird mix of excitement and anxiety. Being here with Valentine feels surreal, like I’ve crossed into some
alternate universe.
Why is he doing this? My mind races with questions. Is this just some twisted game he’s playing to mess with my emotions?
Inside, the shop is cozy, with pastel–colored walls and a chalkboard menu. A display of brightly colored ice cream tubs sits behind the glass, and the shop owner greets us with a smile.
“Go ahead and pick your poison, Valentine jokes, nudging me toward the counter. “My trest”
I scan the menu, trying not to think about how close he’s standing to me. “I’ll take the chocolate,” I say, focusing on anything other than the weird tension between us.
is to me with that cocky grin of his. “So, you really think I’m just trouble, huh!”
Valentine orders a double scoop of mint chip, then turns to me
I cross my arms, giving him a look. “You do bully me, Valentine. That’s pot exactly what a nice
He shrugs, handing the cashier some cash. “I don’t bully you”
1 glare at him. “Yes, you do. Ever since ninth grade, you’ve been harassing me.”
Аля
does
Valentine raises an eyebrow, his expression suddenly more serious. “Harassing you? Come on, Scarlet. It’s not like that,”
I don’t back down. “You aren’t as dumb as you pretend to be, Valentine. You know exactly what I’m talking about.”
He sighs, running a hand through his hair. “Okay, maybe I mess with you sometimes, but it’s not like I’m trying to ruin your life. You think I do it
1/2
2:26 PM c
Chapter 9
just to be mean!”
I stay silent, unsure how to respond. Honestly, I don’t know why he does it. It’s confusing. He’s always had this weird way of getting under my skin. but now, sitting in an ice cream shop with him, he seems.. different.
“I thought you hated me,” I admit quietly, looking d
down at my
ylor cream
Valentine blinks, clearly caught off guard. “Hate you? No, Scarlet, I don’t hate you. If I did. I wouldn’t be here right now, would
“Then why do you abrays act like you do?” I ask,
He shrugs, leaning back in his chair. “Maybe I just wanted your attention.”
I glare at him. “That’s so stupid.”
“Guess I’m just a stupid guy,” he mutters, avoiding my eyes
“I just want people to leave me alone, and that includes you,” I snap.
“Well, I’m not going to leave you alope,” he says, not missing a beat.
I realize my ice cream is melting, but I don’t care. “Why not?” Thiss, feeling my frustration rise.
“Because I want you.”
I freeze. My breath catches in my throat like a trapped bird. “What?” I whisper, my voice trembling with disbelief. My heart races, and spins, trying to make sense of his words.
my
mind
Valentine keeps his eyes fixed on the table in front of him, avoiding my gaze. The cocky attitude is gone, replaced by something vulnerable, something that shakes me to my core. “I want you, Scarlet. I always have,” he repeats, more clearly this time.
I stare at him, searching his face for any sign that this is a joke. But there’s nothing. He’s serious. Valentine–my longtime bully and notorious player
is confessing his feelings for me. It’s almost too much to process.
“Is this some kind of game!” I ask, my voice a mix of confusion and anger.
He shakes his head “h’s not a game. I know I’ve messed with you, and maybe I went too far sometimes, but..” He looks up at me, his grey eyes dead serious. “I want you.”
“Want me in whawhat way?” 1 stammer, feeling like the ground is shifting beneath me.
Valentine leans in closer, his presence almost overwhelming as he owers over me. My pulse quickens. I try to back away, but his deep voice cuis through the tension.
“In every way. Scarlet,” he says, his voice low and firm. “I want all of you–your body, your heart. I’ve wanted you since ninth grade.”
I blink, trying to wrap my head around what he’s saying “You’re not serious,” I whisper. This i
This is a prank, right
“I’m dead serious,” Valentine replies, locking eyes
with me.
I shake my head, struggling to believe it. This has to be a joke. Right
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