"Morning mom," Valentina says as she enters the kitchen.

"Morning," Charlotte greets her daughter, as she slides a bowl of cereal in her direction, "I poured it myself."

Valentina chuckles, "Thanks. See how perfect our relationship is? No need for therapy."

"About that," Charlotte says, "I talked to Deb, and she believes that you should join them."

With Dan and Deb's marriage falling apart and Nathan's use of steroids, Deb had suggested that they have family counseling sessions, something that Valentina was hoping to avoid altogether.

"Mom," Valentina whines, "Please don't do this to me. My life is going great, I have a girlfriend, I'm breaking records and I actually spend time with my other brother now. Please don't make their problems my problems."

"But they are your problems," Charlotte says, "Dan is your father and Deb is your stepmother. You spend fifty percent of your life with them."

"Okay while they go through their divorce, I'll spend seventy percent of my time here and thirty of it with Haley," Valentina says with a smile.

"Twenty-five with Haley, save that other five percent for your brothers," Charlotte tells her.

"Deal, just don't make me go to therapy."

"Okay," Charlotte tells her, "But you are, okay? You don't feel the need to take steroids or anything like that?"

"No mom," Val says with a laugh as she leans over and kisses her mom's cheek, "Oh idea, I'll invite Nathan over for dinner, you know give him a chance to breathe."

"That is a great idea. I'll make his favorite."

"Awesome!" Valentina says as she grabs her bookbag, "Love you, mom!"

"Love you too!"

Valentina drives to school and parks in the student lot. She walks into school and heads to her locker as she grabs her books and then makes her way to English. When she enters the classroom and Miss. Grey stops her.

"Your letter."

Valentina takes it with a smile, "Thanks."

"You're welcome."

She heads to her seat and Peyton looks behind her.

"What's that?"

"It's a love letter," Valentina responds with a smile and Peyton snorts.

"What are you, hot for teacher?"

"Something like that," Valentina smirks, "What's up with you?"

"I tried to give Brooke an assist in the Lucas department, and she messed up big time."

Valentina laughs, "What happened?"

"She thought Travis was a guy, not a band."

"Big mistake," Valentina says with a smile that slips away the longer she looks at the blonde, "Peyton, why are you helping her?"

"Why not?"

"Because you like him," Valentina says in a low voice so that no one else could hear, "I don't know, I feel like you're self-sabotaging."

"Thank you for stating the obvious," Peyton mutters.

"I'm going to help you get over this whole triangle situation," Valentina tells her, "I'm thinking – Jake Jagielski."

"He has a daughter."

"Making him a hot dad," Valentina says, "Come on, you'll love it and him."

Peyton rolls her eyes and smiles as she turns around to face the front of the class. Valentina smiles as she unfolds the letter in her hands.

I don't know, it feels like it's just me a lot of the time. Also, this might be a question that will give everything away, but how long have you been in Tree Hill? I've been here all my life and I just want to escape, get to the next chapter, and forget that I ever lived in this town, you know?

Valentina folds up the letter and sighs. She was sure that everyone felt that way. It wasn't like anyone's dream was to stay in Tree Hill. Staying in Tree Hill meant ending up like her parents and Valentina absolutely refused to end up like that.

After English, she headed to the tutoring center where she found Haley sitting there. Valentina smiled as she sat across from Haley. The tutor looked up and smiled when she saw Valentina.

"Hey you."

"Hi," Valentina greets, "Slow day?"

"Actually, I'm supposed to be tutoring Nathan, but he stood me up," Haley tells her.

"Want to tutor me?" Valentina asks.

Haley laughs, "You don't need my help in anything."

"I may not need it, but that doesn't mean I don't want it," Val says with a smile. Haley shakes her head with a smile.

"Don't you start basketball again today?"

"I do," Valentina says, "Gonna miss me at the café?"

"Yes," Haley answers and Valentina smiles at her.

"I could come by your house later tonight. Sneak in your window?"

Haley laughs, "Or you could use the front door. My parents are fine with you coming over."

"But sneaking in the window is so much more fun," Valentina tells her, "Come on, admit it. The fact that I have the upper body strength to climb into your window is sexy."

"It's interesting," Haley tells her with a shrug, and Valentina smiles.

"I'll talk to Nathan about skipping out on you," Valentina says, as she kisses Haley on the cheek and stands from her seat.

"I'll leave my window open," Haley tells her, and Valentina nods her head as she heads out of the tutoring center.

Valentina goes to basketball practice after school and sits on the baseline, stretching herself out. She's surprised when Brooke comes over and takes a seat beside her, stretching along with her. She looks over at the cheerleader.

"Hello?"

"Hey," Brooke says, "We need to talk."

"About what exactly?" Valentina asks.

"Lucas."

"Absolutely not," Valentina says, "He's my brother and I do not want to talk about the sex or anything like that because I will hurl right here on this court."

"It's not about the sex," Brooke says, "The sex works. It's about everything but that."

"What do you mean?" Valentina asks as she sits up, leaning back on her hands.

"I mean that we have nothing in common," Brooke tells her, "And I don't know how to go about that."

"Typically, when couples have nothing in common, they either try to form a common interest or learn about the other person's interest," Valentina says with a shrug.

"I have tried that," Brooke says, "I read for Lucas, and I've tried to get him to let loose. I don't know."

"Can I ask you a question and you not get mad at me?" Valentina says and Brooke nods her head, "Why are you with Lucas?"

"Why not? He's cute and he's smart and he's different from other guys," Brooke tells her, "I feel like he sees me. Not just cheerleader me, but Brooke me."

Valentina hadn't really seen much of Brooke and Lucas's relationship and had been mainly taking Peyton's side on the situation because of paper, Lucas and Peyton did seem like they were good together, but hearing Brooke talk about Lucas, maybe there was more of a connection there than she thought.

"Keep trying," Val tells her, "You two are going to figure it out."

"You think so?" Brooke asks her and Val smiles as she nods her head.

"Yeah," Valentina tells her.

"Okay," Brooke says almost like she's hyping herself up. She nudges Valentina, "How are things with you and Haley? Especially after you serenaded her."

Valentina laughs and looks away sheepishly, "We're good. Yeah, things are really good."

"I'm happy for you," Brooke says, "Do you miss it?"

"Miss what?" Valentina asks curiously.

"The girls. The attention," Brooke says, and Valentina hadn't really thought about it. She supposes since her relationship with Haley wasn't really a secret anymore that people had backed off of her.

It wasn't like Valentina went out of her way to get the attention of girls. It was just something that happened. They were drawn to her, and she never really rejected it. Now that she had Haley, there was no need for the attention of anyone else.

"Not really," Valentina responds.

"I don't miss it either," Brooke tells her, "Players have met their match."

"I'm not a player," Valentina retorts.

"And she's still in denial," Brooke says shaking her head and Valentina laughs. The whistle blows, signifying the beginning of practice and Valentina jumps to her feet and holds her hands out to Brooke. She takes them and Valentina tugs her to her feet.

"Thanks," Brooke tells her.

"No problem," Valentina tells her with a smile before heading over to the center of the court.

~*~

Valentina ends up at Peyton's house later that week. She knocks on the door and is surprised when an older man answers.

"Hi!" he greets with a smile.

"Hi," she says, "I was wondering if Peyton was home? I kind of have to bother her about something."

"She is home," he tells her as he steps to the side, "Come on in."

"Who's at the door?" Peyton asks as she runs down the stairs and Val strikes a pose.

"It's me."

Peyton lets out a laugh as she walks over and takes Valentina's hand, dragging her upstairs. When they enter Peyton's room, Valentina tries her best not to look like she's snooping, but she can't help it as she looks at the webcam on her desk.

"Do you get naked in front of this thing?" Valentina asks as she points at it, "Cause that's what the guys say."

"Just the guys?" Peyton asks as she sits down on her bed.

"There may be a whisper or two from the girls," Valentina responds, as she walks over to Peyton's bed, laying on it, "So I talked to Brooke, and I know this isn't what you wanted to hear but I think she really likes Lucas and I think she really wants to give them a try."

"I could have told you that," Peyton says.

"I know, just giving you an outsider's perspective," Valentina says, "So I think you should turn your attention elsewhere, and by elsewhere, I mean Jake!"

"Why Jake?" Peyton asks.

"Well, he plays guitar which gives me the tortured artist kind of vibe and he's a jock and you're a cheerleader," Valentina shrugs, "It kind of just makes sense."

Peyton looks up at Valentina, "Does it?"

"Yeah," Valentina responds.

Peyton stares at her before chuckling softly, "I suppose it does. I'll keep Jake on my radar."

"Good," Valentina says with a smile.

"You're happy, right? With Haley?"

"Yeah," Valentina answers, "She's worried about Nathan right now, apparently, he's been skipping study sessions."

"No surprise there. I'm surprised he lasted that long," Peyton says.

"Don't be mean," Val retorts, "Nathan likes Haley. I think that's the only reason he went in the first place."

"He still likes her? Even though he knows you're dating?"

"You still like Lucas," Val says, and Peyton rolls her eyes.

"Yeah, but Brooke doesn't know that. Aren't you uncomfortable knowing that your brother wants your girlfriend?"

"Not really," Valentina responds.

"I wouldn't like that," Peyton says as she lays down beside Valentina.

"You don't like anything," Valentina teases.

Peyton shoves her, "Shut up. I like things."

"I think you've been through a lot. Your walls have walls. You think everyone wants to hurt you so you don't trust them," Valentina looks at Peyton, "Did I pin you right?"

"No," Peyton retorts and Valentina quirks an eyebrow. Peyton rolls her eyes and sighs, "Maybe you're right. Maybe I've been through too much and I'm too broken. That's why Lucas chose Brooke."

"Or maybe, and hear me out, you shouldn't date a Scott," Valentina says as she looks over at Peyton, "Daddy screwed us over and we're all just a little emotionally constipated."

Peyton looks at her with a smile, "I think that you're the opposite and have emotional diarrhea."

"What?" Valentina asks with a grin of her own.

"It's just," Peyton pauses as she looks away from Val and up at the ceiling, "I feel like I'm always talking about my feelings with you. And you don't judge me. Actually, you make me feel better. It makes me wonder why we never befriended each other sooner."

"Well, you sleeping with my brother kind of had a role in that," Valentina responds and Peyton laughs.

"Can I ask you a question?" Peyton says as she looks over at Valentina.

"Of course," Valentina responds.

"If Nathan and I had never dated, would you have befriended me?"

"Weird question," Valentina says, "But I think we would have been best friends. Probably even better than you and Brooke."

"Really?" Peyton asks, "You think we'd be that close?"

"Yeah," Valentina replies, "Actually, I've always been curious about you. The edgy cheerleader. Maybe I'll write a song about it."

Peyton smiles as she looks at Valentina, "I look forward to hearing it."

~*~

I've been in Tree Hill my entire life (which probably gives away absolutely nothing, I'm really sorry) but I do dream for the day that I can leave this town. I like to think that it's a necessary stop for an incredible journey. I don't hate Tree Hill, but I understand why many do. It can be suffocating but there are amazing things. The beach is one. The riverfront. Karen's Cafe. There are so many things in Tree Hill that people would kill for. Yes, it may suck now, but I think someday we'll miss these days. We'll miss the people too. Have anyone in Tree Hill that you think you'll miss? (No names though, I probably know them)

"What are you writing?"

"Letter," Valentina says as she folds it up and tucks it in her notebook. She looks up at Nathan, "What's this I've been hearing about you skipping out on Haley?"

Nathan rolls his eyes, "I'm sorry, I'm kind of dealing with a lot."

"I know," Val says, "But if you want to play basketball, you need to keep your grades-"

"I don't think I want to play anymore," Nathan interrupts and Valentina's brows raise as she looks at her younger brother. Valentina loved basketball. It was her favorite thing in the world, next to music, but her love was nothing compared to her brother's love.

"Nathan what are you talking about?" Val asks.

"What I just said," Nathan states, "I don't think I want to play."

"Is this about the steroids?"

"No," Nathan responds, "This is about me, okay? My life is going to shit! My parents are probably getting a divorce! Dad rides me like a freaking mule! My brother wants my ex and my sister is dating the girl I liked who happens to be my tutor. I can't sit there with Haley without thinking about you two together!"

Valentina stares at her younger brother, "Nathan, I'm so sorry."

Nathan sighs, "I'm sorry. I just – I really liked Haley and I know she picked you but I thought she was my one chance. To be better. To be someone outside of basketball."

Valentina felt guilty. She hated seeing Nathan hurting and most of all she hated being the cause for his pain.

"I think I'm going to quit the team," Nathan says softly.

"Okay," Valentina says, "If that's what you want to do, then I support you."

Nathan smiles at her and Valentina wraps an arm around her brother's shoulder. Their father wasn't going to like Nathan's decision, but he needed someone in his corner and Valentina wanted to be that person. It was the least she could do.