~Flashback~

"Arthur what the fuck are you doing?" I come home to Arthur destroying our room, going through all my things. "Where is it you fucking whore?!" I'm so confused. I start picking up my clothes and putting them back in the drawers. "Where is what Arthur?" He stops destroying the closet and grabs me. I pull away and he gets even more angry. "I know you're sleeping with him you fucking slut!" I'm so confused, I start screaming back. "Who?!" "That manager of yours! The one who gave you a ride last week!" He's so close to my face that I smell the alcohol on his breath. "I know that's why you're always out so late! I give you everything and you do this?!" "Are you fucking stupid?! You think I'm cheating on you with Gio?! I'm not, you fucking moron!" Arthur grits his teeth and steps back. My heart skips a beat and before I can do anything, he punches me in the face.

~Michael~

Valentina screams in her sleep. She jolts up so fast that the chair tips back and she crashes to the floor. I rush over and Ronnie runs in. When he sees Val on the ground, trying to catch her breath, he kneels down next to me. It takes her a couple minutes to remember where she is. Ronnie looks terrified for Val.

"Holy fuck Val. Are you okay?"

We slowly help her sit up. She looks at me, eyes wide.

"I'm alright."

Ronnie holds her head against him while I check to make sure she didn't bust it open.

"What happened?"

She leans away from Ronnie into me.

"Just got startled in my sleep. That's all."

Ronnie nods and walks out of the kitchen since Val is seemingly okay. The second he leaves the kitchen, Valentina slams her face into my chest. I hug her and brush my hand through her hair as she cries. Alvanis walks in and sits down by us.

"What's wrong Val? I heard you scream and then the chair falling."

Val sniffs against me and reaches for Alva's hand. After a couple minutes Valentina moves her face so she can talk.

"It's okay. Just a nightmare. Sorry to make you guys worry."

Alva hugs Val and we help her up.

"You know you can talk to me right? Michael too, right?"

"Yes, of course. We're here for you."

Valentina nods her head. She wipes off her face and checks her phone.

"Can I talk to you guys after dinner? It's kind of important."

"Yeah."

When we all sit down to dinner the atmosphere is tense. Ronnie is watching Valentina like she's a ticking time bomb. Chrissy keeps trying to get Ronnie's attention and turning to glare at Valentina. Val is the first one to get up. She barely ate, which has been a recurring thing lately, and she excuses herself to go to take a shower. Alva and I exchange worried looks. As Val's upstairs showering, Ronnie gets ready to leave with Willow and Chrissy.

~Ronnie~

I'm extremely worried about Val but it's not like I can do anything about it. I made my decision. I'll use these days to also think about things. I need my space just like Valentina does. Chrissy is getting on my fucking nerves but I'll do anything for my little girl. I wanted to say goodbye to Val but she hasn't come down yet.

"What are we waiting for? Can we go now?"

"Just hold on. I want to say goodbye to everyone before we go."

"Oh my god. You're talking about that girl. Who cares? Let's go!"

I grit my teeth and ignore Chrissy.

"I'll be back down in a minute."

Chrissy huffs loudly but doesn't stop me. I go upstairs and knock on my door before opening it.

"Yes?"

Val's sitting in just a towel and I see the silent tears running down her face. When she sees it's me, she aggressively wipes her face.

"What's up Ronnie?"

I hesitate before sitting next to her.

"Are you okay?"

She puts on a small smile.

"Yeah of course. I just hit my head pretty hard. It hurts, ya know?"

I quietly nod my head.

"I just wanted to say bye. I hope a week is enough time for you."

She stares at the floor, then looks up at me.

"Enough time for what, exactly?"

"To think."

"To think about what? How much of an ass you are? How idiotic you are sometimes? How you're giving me space you think I need, but never asked for? How you're choosing to let me go instead of trying to make it work?"

When she finishes, she's glaring at me. I just sigh.

"There's nothing to work out. Val, it was just something that happened. If I could go back, I would've never touched you."

"You're calling it a mistake?"

"If that's how you want to put it. And maybe I'm going because I need space."

Valentina stands, dropping her towel and goes over to the drawers. I mentally roll my eyes. This isn't helping anything. Doesn't she understand? I'm doing her a favor. I want to touch her so bad. This isn't fair. I stand up to leave, pausing at the door.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

"This is just how it has to be."

"Whatever you say bud. Have fun in Texas."

I sigh, shaking my head and leave.

~Valentina~

When I come downstairs, Ronnie is long gone with his daughter and ex. Alva, Michael, and Max are sitting in the living room, waiting for me. I haven't exactly gotten along that well with Max. I mean, that is Ronnie's best friend. I know he's just cautious. I'm sure if there was more time, we'd get along just fine. I sigh and sit down. Michael has a mischievous smile on his face.

"Miss. Emerson, why have you called this meeting on this joyous night?"

Everyone laughs. I'm going to miss his humor. I'm going to miss everyone.

"Well. This will be my last week here."

Alva looks at me, startled and panicked.

"You're going back? You're leaving LA?"

I hold up my hands and shake my head.

"No no. I have an apartment. Well, I've had it since I moved technically. I was just waiting."

Michael pats Alva's leg to calm her down.

"We all knew you obviously were gonna leave eventually."

"Not me. I thought she'd be here, fighting Ronnie, forever."

Alvanis glares at Max and Michael chucks a pillow at him. He makes a dramatic sound when it hits him that makes me laugh.

"Aww. I was just kidding. You know we'll all miss you."

Michael and Alvanis both agree.

"I mean it's not like you're just going to leave and drop us."

I tilt my head. I was going to do that actually. I'm nothing but trouble for them.

"Well.."

Michael shakes his head vigorously.

"No. Absolutely not Valentina. You are going to keep in contact with all of us. Well, Ronnie, that's your choice. But the rest of us, we're going to stay friends. Occasionally, we'll get together and have fun hanging out."

I nod my head, seriously.

"Yes sir, Michael sir!"

Max and I laugh. Michael throws the other pillow at me.

"Ugh."

"Well you're moving out about the same time Max and I are going back to Florida."

~Michael~

Val pouts at Alva. All things considered, I'm really happy we met her. She's become the first, and probably only, of Alva's female friends. She's like a sister to me. Hell, she's even starting to get along with Max.

"You're not allowed to go back to Florida."

"I agree."

Alva rolls her eyes at us both and looks over to Max.

"See I told you!"

Max smiles.

"I miss the cats. I miss my turtle. I miss Ocean. And I miss my house. We'll be back. We always try to visit more than once a year."

"Why not move here Max?"

I look to Max and Alva. Yeah, why not move here? That is an extremely valid question.

"We haven't really talked about it."

Val nods her head.

"Anyway I was just hoping that you guys would help me get some things for my apartment."

"Oooh shopping?!"

Alva perks up at the thought of shopping.

"All I really need are basic things. Like I don't need furniture or anything."

"I can help decorate."

They all turn to look at me and laugh.

"Hey! Rude!"

The next day, the four of us are out, shopping at various different stores. Alvanis and Valentina are going absolutely crazy. I tried to pay for some things but clearly Val does not like people doing things for her. When the girls are debating over what kind of bed set would look best, I see Max on his phone.

"What're you doing Max?"

"Fuck. Michael. I'm just talking to a friend."

I raise my eyebrows at him.

"You're telling Ronnie she's moving out."

Max looks at me and puts a finger to his lips, telling me to be quiet.

"You're so fucking nosy, Michael. I felt like he should know. He cares about her. He's just too fucking stubborn."

"He's been talking to you about her?"

Max shrugs and sighs, looking at his phone.

"Not really. Only a little. I know he thinks that he's helping Valentina out by pushing her away. He thinks it's good that she's leaving. Thinks it'll be better that way."

I shake my head. Not even his best friend of all these years can put some sense into him. He's basically torturing himself because he thinks that it'll somehow save Val from whatever pain and trouble he thinks he'll cause her. He's such a moron, I can't believe him. Well actually I can. It's rare that he lets his emotions loose. There's nothing any of us can do. He's already pushed her away.

"It's Ronnie's choice Max. There's nothing we can do, except hope that he'll change his mind. I don't know."

We stop talking as the girls come back over, arms filled with mismatched blankets and throw pillows, smiling and joking around.