~Michael~

It's March now and I've barely seen Val since New Year's. She took me to this really shady bar that she goes to a lot apparently. Enough to where both bartenders and the doorman know her by name and seem pretty friendly. It must be where she spends most of her time. She doesn't come to the house at all anymore. I don't blame her. Rei is here nearly all of the time. If she's not working, she's here. Yet she never sleeps over. She always goes back to her own apartment, sometimes leaving at 5am. Maybe I'm a little biased but I just don't trust her. I really would've rather Ronnie end up with Val. I'm still as nice and friendly as I need to be though. Val keeps in touch with everyone just enough so no one bothers her too much about it. Except for Alva and Jacky. If Val goes more than two hours without replying to Alva, Alva gets pissed and starts calling until she gets an answer. Jacky, on the other hand, feels betrayed because him and Val no longer hang out. He's not even really friends with Ronnie at all. But she's unintentionally hurting him and it's not fair to Jacky at all. They were really close before and now Val just likes to be alone. We all know that her excuse about having friends in her building is total bullshit but the few people that actually call her out on it, get her typical annoyed response. Lately, Valentina's been quite the little party girl. I've seen it on her private account. Wearing less clothes and more exaggerated makeup. The people that she parties with don't seem that great. Just last week she posted a clip, drunkenly making out with some girl, who doesn't seem like the kind of person Val would make friends with. They all seem kind of sleazy. It's disgusting. She's fallen down this hole and no one can get her to come out of it. I'm constantly worried about her. It's effecting my friendship with Ronnie. Speaking of Ronnie, he just got home from spending the weekend away with his girlfriend. He sits down next to me and sighs loudly while giving me side glances.

"What?"

"Anything from Valentina recently?"

"Not since last week. Why do you care?"

"Look, Michael, I know you blame me but it's her decision how to handle things. We both agreed that we were just going to be friends."

"Everyone blames you. You know damn well that you just wanted to get back at her for the Jacky incident at first."

"Mikey, come on. I miss her too. She's my friend too. Please, man. Stop doing this to our friendship. I know you care."

I sigh and nod my head.

"Sorry, I'm just worried. Why'd you ask about her anyway?"

"Willow asked to see Val. I told her no. She forced me into settling with talking to her on the phone."

"You know that's not going to happen. These days Val's either passed out, hungover, or drunk."

"I know but Val loves Willow. And I thought you could talk to her about it. Please Mikey! You know she would say no if I asked!"

I roll my eyes and give in.

"Fine, I'll try. No promises though. She could still say no to me. It's not like she listens to me at all. especially these days."

We both exchange sad looks and I die a little inside at the very thought of asking Val.

~Ronnie~

I sigh in relief now that my roommate is back to being my friend. I lean back into the couch, thinking about the last time I saw Valentina. It was at the club on my birthday. I was introducing Rei to everyone. Lane Douglas, who isn't around that often, was confused and asked if Rei was Val. Rei, of course, got offended and said some not too nice things about Val that she overheard. Everyone just stood there, shocked that MY girlfriend didn't like Valentina. Val just looked at me and then walked away, disappointed after I didn't defend her. Since then, everyone has been pissed off with me. She's supposed to be my friend and I just stood there. It was a stupid mistake on my part. I really fucked up, which I do a lot when it comes to Valentina.

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"Isn't Val's birthday coming up?"

"Yeah. On the 21st she'll be 22."

"Wow. Soon it'll be a year since she's been here."

Michael nods his head and looks at his phone background. It's a picture of Val and Alvin goofing around for the camera. It kills me that Michael is so hurt.

"You should surprise her for her birthday."

"How? I mean I think Jacky still has the key to Valentina's apartment. If she hasn't changed the locks."

"Trust me, she hasn't and he does."

Michael gives me a confused look.

"Uh. Well. Apparently, when Val is out, Jacky and Rob go check on her apartment. They clean it up and stock her fridge sometimes."

He punches my arm, not super hard, but still to where I felt it.

"What the fuck Ronnie! I thought no one goes over anymore! Does she know?!"

I rub my arm and roll my eyes at him.

"Of course she knows! She just pretends like it doesn't happen. They didn't ask if you wanted to go because they thought it would be too hard for you. They don't even talk about the things they see in there but I know it's hard for them."

He sighs. At least he gets that it wouldn't be good for him to see that stuff and doesn't demand to go. Maybe we could get her to come back to us if we did this surprise party for her.

"What's your plan? I know you have one up your sleeve, Radke."

I think for a few minutes and pull out my phone. We need to get everyone in on this that we can. It's a shame that Max and Alva are still in Florida and won't be around until June or July I think. Oh well. First I text Jacky and Rob the plan in a group chat. Once I know that they're on board, I send a mass text to everyone Val has met and become friends with to meet up at Val's address early on the 21st. We need to show her how much we care about her and shit. Plus it'll keep my mind off things. I text Max and let him know everything and ask if he can set up like a face cam or something so it'll be like him and Alva are there too. I put my phone down and turn back to Michael.

"I want this to be the best fucking party anyone has ever thrown."

"It's gonna draw a lot of attention to Val's apartment."

"As long as no one posts about it beforehand, I think we should be fine. Now, let's go shopping!"

Early morning, March 21st

~Michael~

Thanks to Zakk, Val has been out of her apartment since last night. They had a "slumber party" at his house, which was just them in onesies eating junk and watching horror movies. None of us really knew, but apparently they have these types of nights about once a month. Zakk told us that he kept Val up well past 6am, so she won't be home until way later. Rob and Jacky were here before anyone else, cleaning up and straightening Val's things out so they're not in the way. Ronnie and I have been collecting various party supplies for almost 2 weeks. Right now, only a few people are here. All of ETF is here. Half of SWS, ATL, and Lane are here. Justin and Lane come up to me, carrying a giant Jack Daniels bottle pinata and laughing.

"Dude what is this for?"

I hand them two brown paper bags full of various airplane shots and smile.

"That boys, is for the party favors."

"You're giving out alcohol as party favors? Not everyone who's coming, drinks."

"They're going to be there for anyone that wants them. If Val feels like sharing. Come on guys, do you think it was a bad idea?"

Justin and Lane exchange looks and smile back at me.

"Nah, it was a great idea. I'd say drinking is Val's favorite hobby these days."

I nod and they take the stuff to the counter to set it up. I spot Ronnie setting up Val's speakers and walk over.

"It's crazy that these have just been sitting here, collecting dust! She should've asked one of us to set them up for her! How'd she get them anyway?"

"I believe those were a gift from Max."

Ronnie smiles and shakes his head as he messes with the wires.

"Of course. Once they started to get along, he spoiled the shit out of her. Doesn't he send her a care package from Florida every month?"

I smile and help Ronnie with the speakers.

"Yeah. And now Alva is in on it so the box has gotten even bigger lately."

Ronnie stops and stares off into space for a second before looking away, sad.

"Do you think she'll ever forgive me?"

I'm taken aback a bit. Ronnie doesn't really show how much this hurts him. He really does still love Val. Now is not the time and here is not the place for this though.

"Of course. You just need to apologize and give her time. She won't be mad at you forever, I mean she can't. Just look at you."

Ronnie smiles and gently shoves me a bit.

"Gay. I really miss hanging out with her though."

"I do too Ronnie. I do too."

As more people show up, decorating the apartment goes by faster and faster. We're kind of all crowded into her apartment. Everyone is super excited. About 20 minutes ago Zakk had texted me and said that they were on the way back.