against all odds

chapter 7: controversy

been having a bit of writers block...sorry if this chapter is kinda chummy. Definitely not my best work but I hope you enjoy
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"Valentina, who did this to you" Juliana repeated as Valentina continued to blankly stare back at her.

Her heart was racing. What was she to say? She desperately wanted to tell Juliana the truth, seeing her look back with those beautiful pleading eyes. But she couldn't. She couldn't risk it getting out to her family. Or even worse, she couldn't risk it getting out to the public. She could already hear her older sister's voice in her head, chastising and yelling at her for ruining their family's image by having an abusive boyfriend.

"Juls, it's nothing. I'm okay"

She pried her wrists from Juliana's grip and turned away from her—but Juliana wouldn't let her go so easy. As she was taking a step to get out of the water, Juliana quickly reached out and turned her back around.

"No Val, it's not nothing. Someone clearly hit you and grabbed you hard enough to leave bruises. Please, just tell me what happened."

Valentina's heart wrenched at her tone. It was pleading and desperate—calling to her like a siren at sea. Juliana was just trying to be a good friend. She was just trying to help her but here Valentina was, unable to share because of her self-inflicted demons. She wanted to pour her heart out to the girl, tell her how this was not the first occurrence of Lucho's aggressions. That she was scared, and that she wanted help to get out of their relationship but didn't even know where to start.

But Valentina knew that she couldn't. She knew that matters would only get worse if Juliana got involved.

But she also knew that the shorter girl wouldn't let it go unless she was left no other choice.

Please don't hate me.

Valentina straightened herself and looked back at Juliana sternly, her blue eyes now threatening. "Juliana, I said let it go. I'm fine. It's not any of your business what happens in my life anyways so just leave it alone"

Her words came out like daggers against the shorter girl. Immediately she regretted it as hurt flashed across Juliana's eyes.

But it was gone as quickly as it had come. She watched as the shorter girl composed herself almost instantly, not wanting Valentina to see that her words had gotten to her. The walls that Valentina had managed to tear down were now suddenly built back up and wedged between them. Juliana let go of Valentina's arm.

"Lo siento. I was just trying to help Val, but no. You're right. It's none of my business" she said back bitterly. She quickly brushed past Valentina and walked out of the water, grabbing her towel and wrapping it around her body.

Valentina could only watch, not knowing the right words to say to apologize. She hadn't meant to hurt Juliana in any way, all she wanted was for the girl to leave the subject alone. She got out of the pool as Juliana was about to walk out of the doors—quickly grabbing her towel and chasing after her.

"Juliana, wait! I didn't mean for it to come out like that, I just—I'm sorry! Wai-"

"Hello Baby"

Valentina stopped dead in her tracks.

Lucho.

He came strutting through the doors and stopped in front of her, holding a bouquet of flowers and a wide smile shown on his face. He had passed by Juliana on her way out without even acknowledging her, his mind only set on one thing at the moment.