**Val's P.O.V**
Incase y'all don't know, Talia Brooks is a salient friend in my girl's squad but she's lovely and very sassy as well. I just wonder where the sass queen and the others would be.
Well, well, well. I packed my bag and headed home bidding Juliette farewell.
Now in my closet, I changed to my nighties and began playing my favorite jams while humming to it,
*Copycat tryna cop my manner…*
*Watch your back when you can't watch…*
*Bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla…*
Okay, I don't know the lyrics, so shut up. I say to myself.
*Knock knock.*
"Come in," I said, not bothering to look up. It was probably Reynolds.
"Hey," a familiar voice said.
I snapped my head toward the door to see Jax standing there, smirking like he owned the place.
"H-hey," I stammered. Why the heck was I stuttering?
"What are you doing up here? In my room?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Bored," he said, leaning against the doorframe.
"Well, you're definitely not going to be entertained up here," I replied, rolling my eyes.
"Yeah, well, it's either this or hang out with Reynolds, who's basically making out with Talia on the couch," he said, grimacing. I mirrored his expression.
Damn! So, this babes had other intentions when I could find her again at lunchtime in the cafeteria. I mutter to myself, Cool though.
"Ugh, remind me to get someone to clean the couch," I shuddered.
"Might as well buy a new one," Jax chuckled.
I hesitated for a moment before asking, "Hey, I was wondering…you never told me who you're dating."
"Oh, Vienna? Yeah, she's amazing," he said, his voice full of admiration. My heart sank a little. Wait—did he just say *Vienna*? No way. He knows how much I can't stand her.
"Vienna?" I repeated, trying to keep my voice steady.
"Yeah. I was hoping you didn't mind. Do you—?"
"Of course not. It's your choice," I interrupted, forcing a smile. "But just be careful. She's not who she seems. She can be—"
Jax cut me off, his tone sharp. "Yeah, whatever. Maybe you shouldn't be so quick to judge people. You're not perfect either."
I gulped, hurt flashing in my eyes, but I masked it with a teasing smile. He'd never talked to me like this before, especially about a girl. She must really mean something to him.
"Jeez, man. Chill. What's got your panties in a twist?" I said, trying to lighten the mood.
"How can you judge my love life when you decided to date a dickhead like Ronan? He queried.
You knew I didn't like him. And now what? You're still trying to get over him," he snapped.
My breath hitched. "What the *hell*, Jax? Why do you have to be such a jerk?" I glared at him, my vision blurring with tears. He knew better than to bring Ronan up.
"Oh, crap, Val, I didn't—" he started, but I cut him off.
"If you didn't mean what you said, you wouldn't have said it in the first place, you *asshole*," I spat, storming out of the room and down the stairs, ignoring him as he called my name.
---
### **The Playground**
I ended up at a nearby playground, sitting on a swing as tears streamed down my face. I cried for what felt like hours, the memories of Ronan flooding back.
---
### **Flashback**
"Ronan, I'm not sure about this…" I said, my voice trembling.
"Oh, come on, babe. We've been dating for almost a year," he said, trailing kisses down my neck.
"But I don't think I'm ready yet," I whispered, my heart racing.
He groaned, lifting his head to look me in the eyes. His expression darkened as he pinned me to the bed. "I don't care if you want to or not. Either way, I'm still going to do it. With you."
My eyes widened in fear as he ripped off my shirt.
---
### **Back to Reality**
I was jolted out of the memory by the sound of my phone ringing. It was Reynolds.
"WHERE THE *HELL* ARE YOU?! DO YOU KNOW WHAT TIME IT IS?!" he yelled.
"I'm at Brielle's house. She's sending me back now. I'll be there in a few minutes," I lied.
"You better be, or I'm coming to get you myself," he threatened before hanging up.
I sighed, wiping my tears. Overprotective brother. What's the worst that could happen?
I got off the swing and started walking home. It was pitch dark, the only light coming from the flickering streetlamps. I decided to take the shortcut through the alley, even though I knew it was risky.
I pulled out my phone to use as a flashlight, my heart pounding as I walked deeper into the alley. It was eerily quiet, and I swore I saw a pair of glowing yellow eyes in the shadows.
*Oh God, please let me get out of here without being murdered or possessed.*
I shrieked when I heard a rustling sound behind me and took off running, not stopping until I reached the end of the alley. I bent over, gasping for air, when I heard a car honk.
"What the *hell*?!" I screamed, jumping as Jax's car pulled up beside me. He rolled down the window, his expression unreadable.
"Get in," he ordered.
I scoffed. "Go screw yourself."
I started walking down the street, but Jax followed me in his car, driving slowly beside me.
"Val," he called, his voice softer now. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said that. I was just upset."
"Okay, well, now *I'm* upset, so leave me alone," I snapped, crossing my arms.
"Val, please just get in the car," he pleaded.
"I doubt Vienna would like it if she knew her boyfriend was giving rides to the girl she hates most," I said, rolling my eyes.
"Honestly, Jax, out of all the girls you could've gone for, you chose *Vienna*? You hate her!" I exclaimed. "You literally gossiped about her with me all the time, and now you're her boyfriend? What the *hell* is that?"
"It's complicated," he sighed.
"Whatever. Just leave me alone," I said, walking faster.
"Fine," he said, but he kept following me.
"I said, leave me alone!" I repeated, glaring at him.
He ignored me, rolling up his window but still driving slowly behind me.
I groaned. "You are unbelievable. One minute, you're rude and mean to me, and the next, you're suddenly my knight in shining armor? It's so stupid! You're stupid! Ugh, I hate you so much, I could rip your throat out!"
He probably couldn't hear me, which only made me angrier.
"You know what, Jax? You should just get on a random flight to somewhere at least 100,000 miles away and never come back. Do you hear me? It's exhausting dealing with your stubborn, annoying self every day. You infuriate me so much!" I ranted, my voice rising.
He slowly rolled down his window, raising an eyebrow. "Are you done?"
I glared at him, then looked ahead and nodded silently.
"You wanna get in now?" he asked.
"Whatever," I muttered, climbing into the passenger seat.
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