Risky Decisions

Chapter 47: "Have a Good Monday, Nico"

My anger flares along with the horrible pain his words bring me. "I regret ever including you in those conversations. I wish West had never been your friend. I hate that you know anything about me."

He handles me roughly as his hands find my upper arms, and I release a small gasp in shock and pain.

I'm mentally worn out. I'm physically worn out. I'm emotionally worn out.

I just don't feel good. I don't feel good.

"Break up with Valen, Nico," Sam orders. "We're going out to dinner Friday night after the game, okay?"

I hate myself. I hate the weakness showing on my face right now. I hate that I'm about to cry. I hate that my anger is turning into fear. I hate this.

"I'll—I'll think about it."

I won't. I would never consider it, but especially not after this.

He lets me go, seemingly assured. "Have a good Monday, Nico."

I watch him walk away, forcing my tears under control. I force myself to English. When Ms. Plynto sees my face, she waves me over to her desk, telling the class to talk.

"Honey, what's wrong?" Her eyes search my face.

"I just—" I take a deep breath, trying to keep the tears away. "I'd rather not talk about it. I'm so sorry about my lateness."

"You're fine, honey," she promises, typing something on her laptop. "All good, see?"

"Thank you," I give her a slightly watery smile, and she sends me a small, pity smile back.

I can feel Valen's eyes on me as I sit, but Ms. Plynto saves me by standing up and starting class again.

"Since the project due date is coming up and we're a little bit ahead on grammar, I've decided you all can utilize this day as a project day. Hey, but I want actual work going on, okay?"

Great.

Chatter sounds in the room as I pull out my stuff and avoid Valen's eyes. He probably thinks I'm an emotional woman now. He's probably regretting working so hard for that date.

Gosh, why am I like this?

"Hey, Nico," a voice sounds behind me.

Abby smiles at me sadly. "Are you okay? What happened?"

That first question breaks the dam, and the second just adds more water to the river. I try to stay quiet and answer, but it's hard.

Now, I just feel even more embarrassed.

Sarah comes up and asks. Emma joins her. Ben and Elliot join them.

Soon, I have a whole group of people surrounding me, and I can't handle the embarrassment. I want to be left alone.

"Get back to your desks, dammit," Valen's voice booms over them harshly. "What are you, children? Get."

It's silent as I try to reign myself in. After a few minutes, a white tissue is thrust into my vision. I turn my head up slightly to see Valen holding it out to me, his face a mixture of emotions. I catch a little bit of sadness in there, but the rest I can't really discern.

I gently wipe my eyes and nose. I awkwardly fold the tissue, feeling my face heat more. The feeling of my hot face just makes me more embarrassed.

"I'm sorry," I whisper.

"Don't be," Valen soothes.

I take a few deep breaths.

I hear a deep breath from Valen. "Um, did you know that Marilyn Monroe's real name was Norma Jeane Dougherty? She worked on drone technology during World War Two."

I manage a nod.

"Did you know that, uh, Victor Hugo gave his fiancée a live bat in an envelope?"

I look up at him. His eyes are trained on mine, his face serious and urgent.

"Did you know that a girl named Sybil, um... Ludington, I think, did what Paul Revere did? Except she was sixteen years old and rode twice the distance."

"Did you know that Al Capone opened up a soup kitchen during the Great Depression?"

"Did you know that Pennsylvania is misspelt in the Constitution?"

He pauses when my sniffles stop before mumbling something about my eyes.

"I didn't know you liked history," I breathe.

He merely shrugs.

It's silent for a minute while I use the folded tissue to carefully dab at my eyes.

"Um, do you—," Valen hesitates. His voice begins again, gentle and soft. "Do you need anything, Nico?"

I let out a breath."No... Sam cornered me near the girls' bathroom. He wants us to break up, and he was very aggressive about it. He wants to take me to dinner Friday night. I told him I'd—I'd think about it, but only because he was so— he was close to me, and he was being loud, and I just felt—"

Valen's hands rest on top of mine. "Hey, Baby, it's okay." I see his jaw clench. "I can't believe him. That bastard doesn't—"

"Valen," I plead. "Can you tell me more—more history facts, please?"

His eyes hold mine, and I feel breathless at the longevity of it. "Okay, but I'm going to talk to Sam about this. Is that okay?"

I don't have the energy to say no. If I do, Valen will ask why, and I can't explain it right now. I just can't.

"Yes."

His eyebrow raises. "Is it really?"

I nod. Maybe he can help keep Sam away, too, like he's done with Hunter and Margo.

Is it too much? Am I letting him do too much?

No, I'll handle Sam myself. I'll convince him not to speak with him when I feel better, and I'll be the strong woman that I am and deal with Sam myself.

|◁ II ▷|

Word of the Day: Raconteur (a person who tells anecdotes in a skillful and amusing way.)

Word of the day not brought to you by this chapter

Pls forgive the insane lateness!

Much love and prayers