I surrender

Chapter 8

"so do you have rough draft"Valerie asks "yes"I say showing her my laptop Valerie reads it. We're in the library during well I have study hall so does Valerie. 

"oh lord this needs work"Valerie says after a few minutes. "I know it's not good"I say "well with a little bit of work and a little bit more of research this paper will be in tip top shape"Valerie says. "so I need another source"I say. "yeah you already have three but a fourth source should do you some good"Valerie says. 

"yeah good idea"I say "how about adding in about how the depression started, and then maybe towards the end talk about the end of the depression and how the economy rebounded"Valerie says "good idea"I say "did you make a outline"Valerie asks 

"yes but, I can add to it"I say "well add and there's a book in the library on Great Depression different from the one you have right now"Valerie says. Getting up and searching for the book "found it"Valerie says. "thank you"I say. 

"you're welcome" Valerie says  handing me the book. I page through it and writing down some notes. 

we continue to work until the bell rings. "I'll see you later"Valerie says walking into history class. 

I didn't want to go to english class but i had to at least it was the last class of the day. 

"hey man"Marcus says "hi"I say seating next to him. "so did you ask Valerie out"Marcus asks 

"yes and she said yes"I say "that's good now just don't act stupid okay"Marcus says "got it I won't act stupid"I say "good"Marcus says 

*after school* 

I drive home with Valerie following me. we pull into the driveway. "hey honey"Mom says "hi mom this Valerie"I say "hi mrs. randall"Valerie says "hi Valerie"Mom says 

"so mom Valerie and I are going to do homework before I have to go to my game tonight"I say 

"well she sure is lovely"Mom says "Thank you mrs. randall"Valerie says "I have to go to store and get stuff for dinner so don't burn the house down please"Mom says grabbing her car keys "we won't"I say. 

Valerie finds chips and some ranch dip "what I like chips and ranch dip it's good"Valerie says " I am not judging"I say "you had look in your eye"Valerie says putting a chip in her mouth. 

"well I didn't mean to have that look"I say "so did you update your outline"Valerie says getting down buniness "yeah and I made edits to my paper"I say showing Valerie my laptop. 

Valerie scrolls through my paper while eating chips she intently reads my paper. "okay it's better than last time but geez the grammar is a mess"Valerie says "yeah sorry about that"I say "it's okay i marked it all in red so you could fix it"Valerie says "thank you"I say "you're welcome"Valerie says 

I look at her she was so pretty just sitting next to me. "what"Valerie says breaking my trance "oh sorry"I say "you were looking at me you keep doing that a lot in math class is there something you want to tell me"Valerie says "later"I say "okay"Valerie says "so why do people bully you"I ask 

"because people don't understand that people want a piercing or a tattoo or highlights in their hair they judge me on my appearance parents think I am a bad influence when I am not society has never been kind to me I am just a mistake to them they rather run away from me then actually get to know me"Valerie says "what made you want tattoos"I ask 

"I wanted to remember parents so I got tattoos one on my shoulder blade it's my mother's favorite flower and one on my ankle is for my dad his nickname for me I lost my parents and everyone didn't give a shit they just continued to bully me and make my life a living hell"Valerie says tears threatening 

"I am sorry I shouldn't have asked"I say "it's okay"Valerie says wiping her eyes with her hand 

"you didn't deserve what happened to you"I say "well thankfully my friends Karlene and cass they were there when I was in pain depressed broken and refused to let anyone in they came to my house day after day asking if I was okay they made sure I was cared for along with my aunt she made sure I got through it"Valerie says 

"you're not broken"I say "really thought I was a badass"Valerie says smiling "you are a badass"I say. 

"well I'd better go your game starts in 20 minutes"Valerie says "do you still not want to come"I ask "sorry I have to go beautify myself for later so I still decline"Valerie says "but you look beautiful anyways"I say Valerie smiles at me again "I seriously have to go you can pick me up"Valerie says "I will"I say Valerie leaves. 

I head to school but all I can think about Valerie. I want her and I will tell her how I feel.