Chapter 24
My eyes dart to the clock for the hundredth time this afternoon, my
omach Twisting as
at the empty seat beside me.
Two days. Valentine has been gone for two whole days now.
I force my gaze back to the textbook in front of me, but the words blur together. My pencil taps an anxious rhythm on the desk, the sound too loud In the quiet classroom
“Miss Blackwood, is there a problem!” Mrs. Hawthorne’s sharp voice slices through my spiraling thoughts.
My cheeks burn as I snap my head up. “No, ma’am. Sorry.”
As the teacher dives back into her lecture, I try to focus, but my thoughts keep drifting to Valentine. Where is he? Is he okay?
Stop it, I tell myself. It’s not like he’s your boyfriend or anything. You’re just friends. That’s all.
But even as I think it, I know it’s a lie. At least, for me. Somehow, without my permission. Valentine has become more than just a friend. His absence leaves this dull ache in my chest that I can’t seem to shake.
I sigh, propping my chin in my hand. It’s probably nothing, I tell myself. He’s probably ditching school. No big deal.
But if that’s true, why hasn’t he texted me?
The thought creeps in before I can stop it Is he bored of me?
The bell jobs me out of my thoughts. I quickly gather my things, trying to shake off the worry clinging to me like a shadow. “Get a grip,” I mutter under my breath. “He’s fine. And even if he’s not, it’s not your problem.”
But as I step out of the classroom, I can’t resist glancing back at his empty seat one last time.
Screw it. I need to call him.
My fingers tremble as I pull out my phone, my heart pounding so hard it feels like everyone in the hallway can hear it. I stare at Valentine’s name on the screen, my thumb hovering over the call button.
Just do it. Taking a shaky breath, I press it before I can talk myself out of it
The phone rings once. Twice. Three times.
My teeth sink into my lip, anxiety twisting tighter with every unanswered ring. Just as I’m about to hang up, a rough voice crackles through the line.
“Hello!”
My eyes widen. The hoarse, gravelly voice is so unlike Valentine’s usual smooth tone that, for a second, I think I’ve called the wrong number.
“Valentine?” I ask besitantly. “Is that you?”
A weak cough crackles through the line. “Yeah, it’s me. Sorry, I sound like I swallowed sandpaper.”
Concern tightens in roy chest as 1 frown. “You sound awful. Are you okay!”
“Just a nasty bug” he replies, his voice rough and cracking. “Nothingjo worry about.”
But his reassurance doesn’t stop the unease grawing at me. I’ve never heard Valentine sound this vulnerable, and it throws me off balance. It stirs something protective I didn’t even know I had.
“Are you sure?” I press, pacing across my room. “You’ve been out for two days now,”
A raspy chuckle filters through the phone. “Aww, is someone missing met I knew you couldn’t resist my charm for long. TiE
I roll my eyes, even as a smile tugs at my lips. “In your dreams, bad boy, I shoot back, trying to sound annoyed.
“Admit it” Valentine trases, though his voice is weaker. “You were worried about me.”
Heat rushes to my cheeks, and I’m suddenly grateful he can’t see me. “Maybe a linle,” I mumble, my tone softening. “You really do sound terrible. Valentine.”
I hear the faint rustle of movement, like he’s shifting in bed. “It’s not so bad,” he insists, but a harsh cough cuts through his words.
1/3
Chapter 21
My frown deepens, irritation giving way to full–blown worry. “Have you been taking care of yourself?” I ask, twisting a strand of hair nervously around my finger. “I could. I mean, if you want, I could bring you some soup or something”
There’s a pause on the other end, and 1 hold my breath, waiting for his response.
“No,” he says firmly. “Thanks, but I don’t need you to come over. I’m fine on my
The abruptness of his refusal catches me off guard. I blink, startled by the sudden edge in his tone. “Oh,” I manage, my voice smaller than I’d like. “I just thought-
“I appreciate the offer, Valentine interrupts, his words sharp and clipped. “But really, it’s not necessary. I’ll be back at school soon enough”
I swallow hard, fighting to keep my voice steady. “Right, of course. I didn’t mean to overstep
“You didn’t,” he says quickly, and there’s a hint of softness in his voice now. “I just. I don’t want you to come to my house.”
“I understand,” I lie, my free hand curling into a tight fist at my side. I take a deep breath and force a lightness into my tone that I don’t feel. “Well, get some rest then. I’ll see you when you’re back
As soon as the call ends, my shoulders shump. I toss my phone onto my bed, blinking hard to chase away the sting in my eyes. But the hurt lingers, and I can’t shake the question rattling in my head: Why does his rejection sting so much!
And more importantly, why doesn’t he want me to come to his house!
Later that night, I sit on my bed with my knees hugged tightly to my chest, my eyes unfocused on the collage of photos pinned to my wall. I sigh. my mind a storm of thoughts I can’t quiet.
“Maybe I should just let it go.” 1 murmur, picking as a loose thread on my jeans. “He made it pretty clear he doesn’t want my help”
But even as I say it, something in me resists. The image of Valentine, sick and alone, gnaws at me, and no matter how much I try to push it away, it keeps coming back
“God, why do I even care so much!” I groan, flopping back onto my bed. The ceiling offers no answers as I stare up at it, my cheeks flushing as 1 admit what I’ve been avoiding for weeks. “It’s just Valentine. Annoying, Infuriating, stupidly charming Valentine.”
I roll onto my side, clutching a pillow to my chest. “What if he really does need help, though?” I whisper into the quiet room. “What if he’s just too proud to ask for it!”
I close my eyes, letting Valentine’s face drift into focus. Not the cocky grin he always flashed, but the rare vulnerable expression I had caught glimpses of when he thought no one was watching
My heart gives an annoying flutes, and 1 groan, flopping back onto the bed.
“This is ridiculous,” I mutter, pushing myself upright. “I’m acting like some lovesick puppy.” I pause, the words hanging in the air. My eyes widen “Oh god, am I?”
The realization crashes over me, leaving me breathless. I care about Valentine. Like, really care. And the thought of him suffering alone–cold or not—makes my chest achę.
A soft knock at my door snaps me out of my spiral. “Come in,” I call, quickly straightening and brushing a hand through my hair.
Emma pokes her head in, her brow pinched with concern. “Hey, Tir. You okay? 1 heard you talking to yourself.”
I feel my face heat. “Was I that loud!”
“Well, I was just walking by, and you were kind of passionate,” Emma says with a teasing smirk. “And you’ve been locked up in here since school.
What’s going on?”
The words tumble out before I can stop them. “It’s Valentine. He’s sick, and I’m worried about him.”
Emma’s eyebrows shoot up. “Worried About Valentine! The guy you’ve been ranting about for weeks?”
“I know, I know” 1 bury my face in my hands, groaning. “It’s so stupid, right?“
Emma steps fully into the room, her expression softening as she closes the door behind her. “No, it’s not stupid. It’s actually kind of sweet” She mudges my shoulder with a grin. “Why don’t you go check on him! Bring him some soup or whatever.”
“I can’t. I don’t even know where he lives, I admit, deflating
Emma’s jaw drops. “Are you serious! After all this time!”
2/3
Chapter 21
“It’s not like we’re best friends” I snap, suddenly defensive. “He never told me where he lives, okay?”
Emma crosses her arms, tilting her head with a knowing look. “So what’s the plan? Sit here and keep worrying? Because that’s obviously working so well for you.”
1 glare at her, but her words hit home. What is my plan?
Emma shakes her head, a knowing smile tugging at her lips. “Well, there’s got to be a way to find out. You can’t just sit here worrying yourself sick
100
“Yeah, well, I’m not asking him” 1 snap, crossing my arms. There’s no way fm admitting I’m this concerned. Not to him.
Emma’s eyes light up with that mischievous glint that always spells trouble. She leans in close, dropping her voice to a whisper. “You know, I might have a way to find out where Valentine lives.”
My heart skips a beat, my curiosity instantly piqued. “Really? How!”
Emma hesitates, biting her lip “Promise you won’t freak out?”
I nod, leaning forward eagerly. “Just tell me already”
“Okay, so,” she says, lowering her voice even more, “River knows where he lives. After dinner, he sent a spy after Valentine and followed him home.”
I stare at her, my jaw dropping. “What?!”
Emma shrugs, looking a little uncomfortable. “Yeah, I think he’s got a file on him in his office. Including his address”
“Oh my God,” I whisper, my mind spinning. Anger flares up, hot and fast, but it’s quickly followed by guilt. “That’s that’s a total invasion of privacy! What is wrong with him?”
“I know.”
Emma agrees, cringing. “It’s seriously messed up. But you know how your dad is.”
I groan and flop back on my bed, covering my face with my hands. This is insane. Why does everything have to be so complicated?
“So, you don’t want to know the addres” Emma asks cautiously.
1 freere. My first instinct is to say no. I should say no. Using that information feels wrong, like I’d be betraying Valentine somehow. But then I think about him, sick and alone, and my chest aches.
After a long moment, I let out a heavy sigh and grab my jacket. “I’ll deal with Dad later. Right now, Valentine needs soup”
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