• 𝐃𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐲 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐲 •

• 12 •

valerie

We left the restroom, me and Eneaj. She had definitely gotten my spirits up somehow. Even though we didn't really talk much about what was bothering me since there was only so much she could know...something about just being in conversation with her was relaxing. But all of the good that Eneaj did melted away once I saw my so called friends over at her and the other girl's table.

My body stiffened without me even realizing it. Eneaj glanced over at me, her gaze curious until she saw the group over with her friend...Girlfriend maybe?

"You don't wanna go back with them. That's obvious as day," Eneaj commented. "Let me and Yenvy drop you off wherever you're staying."

"I stay with them," I gestured wildly, my thoughts all over the place, "There's no escaping my pain right now."

"I-

Eneaj glanced over at Yenvy laughing it up with Peytyn, a large grin on her face that she wasn't trying too hard to hide. "Come stay with us. Just for tonight. Of course I'd have to run it by my best friend, but..."

"I couldn't. I don't even know you that well and I'm sure your friend would mind," I said softly. "I appreciate the gesture, but I'll work things out on my own."

"Are you used to doing that? Working things out on your own and...being alone?" she asked, her eyes searching my face. Maybe to see if we had some common ground.

"No," I stared at my friends across the greasy establishment. "I'm used to never being alone and feeling like I have a family. People who care about me."

"I might not understand what's going on, but one thing I can say is that I don't think they've stopped loving you Val," Eneaj stated, staring at them too then looking over at me. "But I don't know the situation, so of course..."

"And you won't. It isn't safe for you or your friend. I hope she knows Pey only takes girls home for the night. Not to meet the fam," I said, trying to keep my voice devoid of emotion.

"Seems like she's already skipped up a few steps of that ladder," Eneaj laughed. "Your...friends seem to like her well enough."

"I'm dangerous and you're inviting me to stay with you?" I looked at her, puzzled. "Are you usually this trusting?"

"If you want to decline-

"I'll come. I-I have nowhere else to go," I stared down at my feet.

"All this fuss and you ultimately decide to stay," she tried to keep herself from cracking a smile. "I'll pull Yenvy to the side and talk with her."

"I'll stay back here," I said, shoving my hands into my pockets and trying to disappear.

"No. You go over there and talk with your friends. Whatever is going on, whatever happened. I'm sure it can be worked through."

"What if I don't want to work through anything?" I asked stubbornly. "I feel like...I'm being left to the sharks. I mean, they're happy over there without me."

"Or maybe they're looking for happiness to fill a void that they didn't want to create. Maybe chasing happiness, laughing, whatever, is their way of trying to cope with missing you," she suggested.

"Yeah," I shrugged.

She started walking towards the table, glancing back at me to see if I was coming. All soft lips and pretty eyes. It made me wonder how I'd control myself if I did end up staying with her and her friend.

"I'm coming, Eneaj," I sighed, walking with her.