~Valentina~

Ronnie hands me the phone back and I settle into the couch, trying to relax myself. We sit in slightly awkward silence as I prepare myself for the conversation we're about to have. Ronnie breaks the silence with small talk.

"Soo. How was the breakfast?"

"Ah! It was so good! You did a good job! I was very impressed!"

"You can come over for food anytime, ya know. Meals or leftovers or anything."

I half smile and nod my head.

"Yeah I know. I just never really have time."

Ronnie just nods. I know that he knows it's a lie but thankfully, he doesn't say anything. I sigh before starting on the sensitive topic.

"Sorry about getting blood on your shirt. And tears."

I laugh, uncomfortable. As much as I wish I didn't, I still really like him a lot. We do have fights and arguments and drama. But past all that tension, he is a really sweet and caring guy. I think I just bring my negative energy around and fuck all that up. Considering how I feel, Ronnie is the last person on Earth I want to be vulnerable around. I wouldn't want to be vulnerable around any of the people I've met here, but it's just tough to be like that around someone you happen to be crushing on.

"Nah, don't apologize. It's just a shirt. I'm just glad you're okay."

Ah yes but me clinging to you like a fucking child that just witnessed a murder, is not fine.

"So how'd the lamp get broken?"

"I grabbed it as I was falling out of bed."

"How'd you fall out of bed?"

This kind of feels like an interrogation. I'm not going to say anything though. I told him I'd explain what happened. And maybe at the same time it'll make me feel better. I doubt it, but it's worth a shot. There's no way I could possibly feel worse, so why not.

"Tried to get up too fast."

He gives me a worried look and I sigh. Might as well just tell him straight out.

"I used to have really bad nightmares. I was on medication for it but stopped after high school. They'd be so bad, that I'd wake up screaming. Arthur hated it. When I came here, they stopped. Then before I moved into my apartment, they started again."

Ronnie stares with a guilty look on his face. He's not stupid. He probably put two and two together, realizing they started after the fight we had. He probably thinks it's his fault.

"You fell backwards in the chair the day I left to go to Texas with Willow and Chrissy."

He instinctively reaches for my hand, but thankfully pulls it back in time.

"Yeah, that was the first one I had in a while."

~Ronnie~

So these violent nightmares she's been having aren't anything new. However, they suddenly started again before she moved out. Maybe they're caused by stress or unfamiliar territory or something. Could the fight we had caused them to come back? Valentina gently places her hand on my shoulder and I look up at her.

"I know that look Ronnie. Please, just don't. It's nothing new. I'll be alright."

Ah right. We're doing the 2nd chance, strictly friends, thing. Every time she feels like we've gotten too attached, she puts up these walls. She doesn't want any of us to worry about her or care. Problem is, we already do and nothing is gonna change that. She's so fucking stubborn.

"Fine. You really should come around more, Michael misses you. Everyone misses you."

"I barely know everyone else."

"Well they like you. And they'd like to see you more."

"You're talking about the going away party right? There were Max and Alva's friends. They had just met me the day before. Except for Jacky."

I roll my eyes. Like I said, fucking stubborn. She gets on my nerves sometimes. She knows that they all like her.

"I'm sure CC, Justin and Craig would be sad to hear you say that."

Val sighs and stares off into space for a second.

"Oh come on! You can't just guilt trip me."

"You're the one who said that they're not your friends."

I shrug and put on a disappointed face. She glares at me, then turns her body towards me on the couch.

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"Do you even see your friends that often? I know you see Michael all the time. Same with your band mates, but what about everyone else?"

"This is not about me, this is about you. We just want to be certain that you're safe and okay."

As if on cue, I get a text and look at my phone. Robert's coming over, with extra cargo, because he heard that Valentina was visiting. I guess technically our conversation was over. I smile over at Val.

"What?"

"My friend just happens to be on his way, ya jerk."

Val sticks her tongue out at me and stands.

"Where are you going?"

"To make a snack."

I nod and point for her to sit down.

"I'll make some popcorn and bring out hot chocolate. You're technically my guest."

Valentina sits as I stand and looks up at me.

"I don't like hot chocolate."

"It's the triple chocolate kind Max brought up from Florida. He left some here for you."

"Ooh okay."

She smiles and I roll my eyes as I walk into the kitchen. Spoiled ass brat. She's only letting me make it because Max isn't here. She'd throw a fit when anyone in the house tried to make it before they went back home. I put on the popcorn. Before I can start the hot cocoa, the doorbell rings. As I walk to the door Val reminds me how she likes it, as if I'd forget.

"Warm milk instead of water."

I roll my eyes and open the door, letting Robert and Craig in. I quietly say hi to them both.

"No really? I was gonna use hot sauce since you're so obsessed with it."

I close the door and they walk in behind me, Val doesn't look up right away.

"Hey! Don't be a smartass.."

She finally looks and her eyes light up like it's Christmas morning.

"Robert! Craig!"

~Valentina~

I jump up from the couch and run over to hug the two. They both hug me tight and I kiss their cheeks. When Ronnie had said friends were coming, I thought he meant like Christian and Derek. I'm much happier with these two instead. Craig drags me back to the couch to sit down and Robert stands by Ronnie. Rob is careful around me since Ronnie mostly confides everything in him.

"What happened to your hands Len?"

I smile at him and look over to Ronnie. Please explain. Come up with a reason that's not the truth.

"A glass accidentally got broken. She just cut her hands up a little. She's okay."

I look over at Robert who looks like he knows there's something more to it. Fucking Ronnie. Actually I don't mind. Robert is really respectful and discreet. I think he's still a little nervous around me from the bathroom incident. I look back at Craig, who is gently kissing the bandages.

"Aww, thank you Craig. It feels so much better."

Robert smirks at the lead singer of the band and Ronnie rolls his eyes. I bet Thrasher and T.J. will hear about this later. Craig will never hear the end of it. Craig is such a sweetheart too. If I wasn't such a fucking moron, still liking Ronnie, I would totally date Craig. Except he calls me Len. That's the line of, don't get too close. Michael, Alvanis, Jacky and Robert call me Val. I can't help that Ronnie calls me Val, he started it. Everyone else calls me Len. It's a way to keep my walls halfway up, in case I need them.

"I really only stopped by to see you. I heard you were here."

Ronnie looks over at Robert with a hurt look.

"Wow Rob."

Robert laughs and lightly pushes Ronnie.

"Oh come on. I see you all the time. I haven't seen Val for months. Not since the party. Also, I did come here to talk to you about something."

Robert shoots a look between me and Ronnie. Ah, so he saw AP's post as well. That means that everyone probably knows. I better start coming over more often so no one worries. Ronnie remembers the snacks and Robert follows him into the kitchen. I turn my attention back to Craig.

"How have you been?"

"I've been pretty great. We just got back from tour last week. I'm happy to be home. What about you? I saw the post.."

He looks at me and I can see that he feels bad. Craig understands how it is. He's had shitty times in relationships and with ex's too. I feel okay confiding in him.

"Welcome home! Ah, I've been okay. You know how it can be sometimes. Yeah, I don't know why AP dragged me into that mess. That's all Ronnie's business. He has something going on with this mystery cashier girl. I actually punched him in the face, then became friends with him yesterday."

Craig breathes out dramatically at all my information and shakes his head.

"I heard about her. Robert some times leaves his phone on speaker, not that I try to eavesdrop. Did you punch him before or after you cut up your hands?"

"Before."

Craig cheekily smiles at me and we bust out laughing. Everyone who personally knows Ronnie, knows that some times he needs to be punched in the face.