against all odds

chapter 6: ptsd

Juliana's POV:

Juliana pulled into the driveway, her mouth wide as she came into the full view of Valentina's house.

Holy shit they're rich

She'd never seen such a luxurious home before. Growing up, her and her mom were very poor. Her mother tried the best she could to maintain at least two jobs at a time to afford rent, but sometimes it was just too much and they would end up bouncing from one person's couch to another. That was until they received money from her father's death...

Juliana spotted Valentina at the top of the steps and gleamed with excitement, flashing her a bright smile.

She got out of the car as Valentina quickly came down the steps, instantly wrapping her arms around the shorter girl's neck, making a shudder run down her back and her breath hitch in her throat by surprise. They were so close she could feel nearly every inch of Valentina's body pressed against her own. She tried to not let it phase her though as she put her arms around Valentina's waist, pressing them even closer together.

Valentina nuzzled her face in the crook of her neck and a wave of goosebumps rushed over her. The taller girl's breath was warm against her skin, making Juliana's body grow with excitement.

"I'm so glad you came" she let out.

Juliana giggled nervously and broke their embrace, knowing that if they stayed like that any longer she might not be able to control herself.

"Thank you for inviting me. Your house is incredible!" She said gesturing behind Valentina, desperately trying to distract herself with something else.

Valentina looked behind her briefly, before smiling back at Juliana. "Oh, thank you! Here, come, I'll show you around" she said before grabbing Juliana by the hand and leading her in through the wide front doors.

As they walked and Valentina described her home, all Juliana could do was look around with shock. Her eyebrows raised and her mouth slightly agape, she couldn't believe her eyes. It was honestly the largest and most luxurious home she had ever seen, with two floors, a spacious kitchen and two living rooms accented with only the finest furniture. There was both an indoor and outdoor pool, with a small guest house attached to the back and a large patio.

The last room they arrived to was Valentina's room. Juliana watched from the side as the girl quickly peaked inside before turning back to her with a worried expression.

"I'm so sorry! I forgot to clean it before you came so please, don't mind the mess"

Juliana laughed at her and shook her head. "Val, it's okay. I don't mind at all"

Valentina relaxed a little before pushing the door further open so they could walk in. Juliana took a few steps forward and indulged herself in the room, instantly noting Valentina's especially large bed and the flat screen that hung on the wall. Across the room was a cushioned bench expanding the length of a large, open window. Between her bed and the window stood a white desk with a matching vanity and chair.

After slowly scanning along the room, a small picture collage above the desk caught Juliana's eye. She walked over to it while Valentina awkwardly played with her hands, following close behind.

Juliana stopped and gazed over the pictures, admiring how beautiful they were. Some looked to be of Valentina's family and friends, happily smiling and laughing together, while others were just snapshots of different landscapes and views of nature. She looked at Valentina standing to the side of her with wonder. "Did you take all of these?"

Valentina nodded with a sheepish smile. "Yeah" she said before pointing to a picture of a dark haired woman holding a small Valentina in her arms. "My mom loved to take pictures and taught me how to use her camera when I was really young...before she passed away" she continued with sadness.