Valerie

25 - Val

"This reminds me of when we were fourteen." Daisy said, passing me the pack of Marlboro golds. 

"In the back alley, behind rehearsal studio A." I finished, placing the cigarette in my mouth and lighting it.

"Fourteen?!" Tom said. 

"I know. It's so bad." Luca said, refusing the packet when Daisy offered it to him. She shrugged.

"Blame Val. She taught all of us."

My cheeks reddened. 

"That's not entirely true. Bee also taught everyone. Her tiger mum doubled as a chain smoker."

Daisy grimaced. "Fucking Beatrice Cowper."

"Beatrice Cowper?" Thomas and Luca asked in unison.

"The biggest cunt there ever was. Messed around with your friend's boyfriend didn't she? Mable, right?"

"Yes." I said quietly and tried to leave it at that. I just knew that Mable wouldn't ever want this to be talked about. It was behind her. She was finally starting to trust others - Marcus.

"Who was her boyfriend?" Luca asked. 

"Lucas." I replied curtly.

"How long did they date for again?" Daisy asked. 

"Three and a half years." I sighed, taking another drag from my cigarette. Tom was doing the same and I couldn't help but stare at how relaxed he looked. His shirt was slightly undone and his hair was being tussled in the wind. His green eyes flicked over to mine. I quickly looked away.

"Anyway, wasn't it your brother who taught you how to smoke?" Daisy asked.

I smiled, a genuine one. "Yes. He said that if I taught everyone I would be the coolest there."

"Did it work?" Tom asked. 

"For about a week yes. Then everyone remembered how cool Bee was and remembered how I decidedly wasn't. Will was happy when I told him how cool I looked. All my brothers were." My smile started to fade, as I remembered how my brothers would smile when I came through the door, how we laughed over family meals and Michael showing me his record collection. Things were so different now.

"I remember them. They used to come to some of your shows." Daisy said.

"I think about three in total." I said laughing, but it wasn't that funny.

"Are you all still close?"

I hesitated. "I still talk to them yes. My brother Will is coming to visit, actually. I'm probably closest with him."

"I always wished I had siblings." Luca said. "It was always just me and my parents."

"What about you, Thomas?" Daisy asked. 

"I have a brother." He said, nodding. 

I frowned a little. I could've sworn he had mentioned a sister at some point. 

The serene peace of four people catching up, even if one of those people was now my sworn enemy, was interrupted by a gaggle of drunk girls spilling outside. In the process, one of their sparkly heals knocked over a glass next to me, spilling beer  over my skirt.

"Fuck." I said.

"Oh my gosh! Girl, I'm so sorry." A blonde said, giggling. Her eyes drifted to the side. "Are you Thomas Verner?" She said, staggering closer to Thomas. He smiled politely at her before his eyes were fixed on me again. 

"I'm going to go and clear myself up." I said, standing up and trying to leave as soon as I could as a swarm of gorgeous looking girls gathered around Tom.