"All I need are bras and panties. Can I go out with Alva tomorrow to get some?

Ronnie looks at me for a minute. He goes back to straightening things up.

"Nah. I'll stop by the store and pick you some up. Socks and a pair of shoes too."

I groan and pout where I'm folding my new clothes. Ronnie comes over behind me and starts kissing my neck and shoulder.

"You don't even know my size."

I feel him smile against my skin and he wraps his arms around my waist.

"I can buy my own stuff. I have money."

Ronnie teasingly runs his hands up to my breasts and I lean my head back against his chest.

"Fine! Ronnie, you don't play fair."

He lets go, spins me around, and gives me a quick kiss. I'm beginning to hate that cheeky smile.

"You don't have clothes at an apartment or something?"

"Eh. Not really. Just the basics. I came here with nothing. Left everything behind."

Ronnie nods somberly. I know at some point I have to tell him the reason why I came here. I just can't yet. That night I toss and turn, barely getting any sleep. When I wake up, Ronnie is already gone. I slip on a pair of black jeans and a light blue sweater before going down to find Alva and Michael in the living room.

~Michael~

It feels kinda strange when Val comes down and she's not wearing Ronnie's clothes. Instead she's wearing skinny jeans and a sweater. It looks nice, yeah, but this is the first time since she first came here. Alva looks up and greets Val.

"Val! That looks nice on you!"

"Thanks Alvanis. I picked out the clothes and Ronnie checked them to make sure they were appropriate."

Val dramatically rolls her eyes.

"Oh please. Screw Ronnie. Wear what you want."

Alva pats her on the shoulder and Valentina slyly smiles.

"I plan on it. Where's Max?"

We all sit down on the couch together.

"He had a couple things to get so he went to the store with Ronnie."

Valentina leans back on the couch and yawns. Only then do I notice the restlessness in her eyes. She hasn't been sleeping well.

"Did they say what store they were going to? Or when they would be back?"

Alva and I shrug.

"No idea what store, but they should be back soon. You ever seen this show?"

Val shakes her head, reading the information on the show.

"I've heard of it but never seen it."

"Ooh it's so good! Watch with us! Please?"

Alva sticks out her bottom lip and pleads.

"Alva we're in the middle of the second season."

Valentina waves away my statement while yawning and rubbing her eyes.

"I don't mind, let's watch!"

I press play on the episode we were watching. Two and a half episodes later Alva taps me on the shoulder, tearing my focus away from the tv. When I turn to her she has a finger on her lips. I look down, realizing Val has fallen asleep with her head resting on me. I nod my head and turn down the tv volume. Alva and I continue watching, while Valentina gets some much needed sleep.

~Ronnie~

I'm still pissed off when Max and I pull into the driveway. Max is trying super hard to calm me.

"Come on man. It was just a joke. Lighten up."

I slam the car door closed after grabbing the bags.

"You told the cashier that I needed to get laid."

"She laughed. It was funny!"

"You gave her my fucking phone number Max!"

Max laughs as we come into the house, closing the front door behind us.

"I'm sure she'll throw it away dude."

We hear a loud 'shh' and look over to Alva. What the fuck. Alvanis and Michael seem to be watching tv. Except, sitting in between them, with her head on Mikey is a sleeping Valentina. Today she's not wearing my clothes but some of what we went through yesterday.

"You guys seem to be having fun."

Michael rolls his eyes at me. The sass in this house is ridiculous.

"Oh what? Are you jealous Ronnie?"

I scuff at Mikey and Alvanis.

"Fuck no."

Fuck yes. I know Alvin would never let Val flirt with Michael but I'm surprised she's letting Val even touch him. I mean, that's just strange. Damn it. Val doesn't nap on me. She looks so cute when she's asleep, not talking shit or getting on my nerves. She's quiet and not complaining. It's so peaceful. Maybe I do like her, but it doesn't matter.

"How long has she been out?"

Alva gently moves a piece of Val's hair out of her face.

"About an hour, no more than two."

I walk over and lift her up into my arms as carefully as I can, making sure she doesn't wake up.

"What're you doing?"

"Taking her upstairs."

Michael stretches and I start carrying her up to my bed.

~Valentina~

This feeling of floating is so strange. I've never experienced it before. My entire body is just weightless,gliding around. I'm jolted a bit and my eyes fly open. I'm in Ronnie's arms. He must've just opened the bedroom door. He looks down at me and I sleepily smile.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to wake you up."

"It's okay Ronnie."

He gets up and goes tp the door but I stop him.

"Wait. Please stay in here with me."

"Are you sure?"

I nod my head, yes. He closes the door and sits next to me on the bed. He gently lifts my head and moves it into his lap. He starts playing with my hair and lightly touching my face.

"Did you have trouble sleeping last night?"

"Kinda."

He looks down at me, worried.

"Why didn't you wake me up, babe?"

I shrug in his arms. He's getting used to calling me pet names like that. It's sweet.

"I didn't want to bother you."

Ronnie leans his head down and kisses me passionately.

"Next time wake me up. I care, you know."

I have to stop myself from rolling my eyes and breaking the moment. He's being so sweet. I don't want anything to ruin this moment. I sit in silence, staring up at him. He kisses me again.

"Please babe?"

"Okay. Okay."

Ronnie looks at me like he wants to say something more but doesn't.

"What?"

"Uh nothing."

I move to get up but Ronnie holds me hostage in his lap.

"Fine. I was just... Did you have trouble sleeping because you were thinking about your parents?"

~Ronnie~

Valentina turns away and I mentally kick myself for asking.

"I'm sorry sweetheart. You don't have to tell me."

She sighs and looks up at me, sad.

"It was because I was thinking about them. It's tough sometimes. I lost them both the same year, only a couple months apart. Other people have it worse than me though. I got a chance to know both my parents. Other people aren't as lucky."

She starts tearing up and I lay back, pulling her into me. I feel so bad for her.

"Take a nap babe. It's okay. I'm right here."

I'm sure she thinks I'm a dick. I'm only this sweet and gentle with her when we're alone.

"Val?"

"Yeah, Ronnie?"

She tilts her head to look at me but doesn't lift it.

"I.. Uh. Max told me why you moved here."

She stiffens against me, then sighs.

"So you know everything? Honestly, Max did me a favor. I was not looking forward to telling you."

I hug her and kiss the top of her head.

"I know it's none of my business but, why didn't you get help? Ya know, why'd you stay so long?"

She lays her head back down and stays silent for a bit. Just as I'm about to drop it, she starts talking.

"Well I had gotten a lot of abuse from my Aunt, so the emotional stuff, I was used to. The beatings, I just, took them. I was with him for so long. I convinced myself I deserved it and that it was all my fault."

She shrugs against me.

"You know it wasn't your fault, right?"

"Yeah. I didn't leave right away. I stayed in a hotel and went through some therapy. It helped."

~Valentina~

Ronnie hugs me against him and I feel his heartbeat increase. I struggle to lift my head up to look at Ronnie because of how he's holding me. When I'm finally able to look up, a tear is going down his face.

"Ronnie? Are you crying?"

I stare at him alarmed. He sniffles and wipes his face.

"N-no."

I frown and touch his face.

"It's just, that's all so horrible. You went through that shit and when you met me I did the same shit. I'm so sorry. You must think I'm just like him."

The expression on my face changes from concern to anger.

"I do not think that. Ronald Joseph Radke. Don't ever say that again. You are like the complete opposite of him. How do you compare yourself to him, you edgy bastard!"

Ronnie smiles and squeezes me, as if I'm not close enough to him.

"I'm not edgy."

"Sure Ronnie."

He's absently tracing shapes on my back with his fingers. I begin to close my eyes but he sits up all of the sudden.

"Ronnie?"

He says nothing, just pushes me back on the bed and climbs on top of me. He searched my eyes with his, as if looking for my approval. He kisses me gently at first, then with more urgency, our tongues finding each other. He pulls me up to remove my sweater and unbuttons my pants. I tear off his shirt and he takes off his jeans. He grinds against me and I moan out loud. Fuck yes! I throw my bra across the room as Ronnie slides off my jeans. I go for Ronnie's boxers but he stops me.

"This is about you today, Val."