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— 𝐕𝐀𝐋𝐄𝐍𝐂𝐈𝐀 𝐒𝐔𝐆𝐆𝐄𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐃 𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐃𝐈𝐍𝐆 to the diner for breakfast first, as she knew Willow hadn't gotten the chance to eat yet.
The brunette had tried to convince her otherwise, not wanting to just eat while Valencia had to sit there and watch her, but the redhead insisted.
So as the two girls sat at a booth in a corner waiting for Willow's food, they began to make conversation.
"So, you seem to be taking all of these changes really well. But how are you, really?" Willow asked as she crossed her arms on top of the cold table.
Valencia paused for a moment, debating her words carefully before finally speaking. "I'm...okay, I guess. Finding Embry has been a blessing, honestly. I knew mates existed — but the idea of one being out there for me wasn't one I ever really entertained."
Willow's brows furrowed. "Why?"
The vampire shrugged. "I've never been one to settle down permanently. My lifestyle isn't one most of my kind follow, so when I found the Denalis in Alaska, I made the choice to stay for a while. But then..."
"Victoria." Willow finished for her, a nod of understanding following.
"Victoria." Valencia reiterated, an unnecessary sigh escaping her as she did so.
"Well...what about that? I'm sure it's been rough on you. Losing a loved one isn't easy by any means." Willow stated.
Valencia got the sense that Willow knew exactly what it was like to lose a loved one, and her dead heart hurt for her. The look in the girl's eyes said more than words ever could. Willow had been through a lot.
"It's hard. Really hard. I know that my sister isn't a good person, you know? I understand that she must be stopped and that the only way she will be stopped is by ending her second life — but she's my sister. She protected me when no one else could, and I love her. I always imagined my reunion with her to be one of joy...But instead, I'm losing her again."
Willow only nodded, urging the redhead to continue.
Valencia stared at the napkin on the table. "Being...what I am — it has its blessings and its curses. I was supposed to have forever with her, living the life we never got to the first time. But now I'm doomed to spend the rest of eternity knowing that I betrayed the last family I have left. The last reminder of where I came from. It wasn't great — the things I saw, the things I went through. Nowhere near as bad as what my sisters put themselves through for me, but now it feels like they did it all for nothing. Victoria sacrificed so much for me, and this is how she's repaid. Her little sister is going to be the end of her."
Willow moved a hand to hold and squeeze Valencia's. "This isn't your fault, Valencia. This is no one's fault. Victoria lost her mate. I don't blame her for how she's acting. I mean, if I ever lost Paul..." She shook her head slightly. "I'd want my revenge too."
Valencia smiled sadly. "I know. But she's willing to hurt an entire world of innocents for the sins of a handful. She won't be convinced otherwise. Victoria is on a warpath with only two possible endings: victory or death."
"She won't succeed. Our boys have got this."
Valencia laughed humorlessly. "But that's just the problem, isn't it? They won't let her win — I won't let her win. And even though I know it's the right thing to do, I have so much guilt for it."
Willow shook her head. "I know you do. Everyone does. But I promise you, that you're doing the right thing."
Valencia smiled sadly. "Yeah. I just wish the right thing didn't hurt so much."
Willow returned the smile with one of her own, before moving back and allowing her breakfast to be placed in front of her.
The two girls let the silence overcome them, as they both wandered off into their own worlds. It was a heavy conversation, and there was an unspoken agreement that they both needed a bit of reprieve to come back from it.
Valencia was hellbent on making sure the rest of their day was much more cheerful.
— 𝐀𝐍 𝐇𝐎𝐔𝐑 𝐎𝐑 two later, the mood was lifted immensely.
The two girls found themselves shopping in Port Angeles, looking at new clothes and trying on different styles they didn't normally wear.
As Valencia stepped out of the dressing room with a black crop top on — one Willow had practically forced her to try on, the aforementioned girl cheered softly.
The brunette looked her up and down and whistled. "You look hot."
Valencia couldn't help the laugh that escaped her. "Should I get it?"
Willow shrugged and held up a handful of clothes, "I'm getting all of these, so...yes!" She smiled.
Valencia returned the smile while gathering her and Willow's clothes and heading to the register to pay. The redhead ignored the burning stare of her friend and acted like everything was normal while finishing the payment with the lady at the counter.
Only when they stepped out of the store, did Willow hound her. "Val, where the hell did you get that money?"
The vampire only shrugged. "I stole it."
She continued walking for a moment, before stopping once she realized Willow wasn't walking with her anymore. Turning around, she frowned confusedly. "Why'd you stop?"
Willow looked at her with wide eyes, her mouth slightly agape. "What do you mean you stole it!? When? Where? Who? How?"
Valencia smiled at the rapid-fire questions. "I nicked it from a guy on the way to the shop."
Willow's eyes widened even more. "Valencia!"
The redhead only tsked, waving her hand as if to say 'it's not big deal'. "Don't worry. I overheard him being rude to his girlfriend on the phone. It was deserved."
Willow finally calmed at that. "Oh. Well, why didn't you just say so? I would've tripped him afterward if I'd known."
Valencia smirked. "This is why we're friends."
Willow returned the smirk, as she caught up with Valencia, kickstarting the girls into walking toward the next shop.
As Valencia linked arms with the brunette, she smiled. "Now, why don't we let Justin pay for some matching jeans for us?"
Willow rolled her eyes. "His name is Justin? Ugh, he just sounds like a douche. I think he'll be very happy to pay for our clothes."
And with that, the girls continued their shopping spree with smiles on their faces.
They couldn't wait for their boyfriends to hear what they'd been up to.
