third person pov

it was that night, the night valerie and ashtray sat on the stores roof, talking for hours.. that he realized how much he liked the girl. he knew he had some feelings for her, hence how he felt he needed to be nicer to her than the rest of the people he talked to, and why he felt okay with telling her about his childhood and the things going on in his life. it was just before, he didn't realize how much he liked her. but he liked everything about her. he liked how the two disagreed on stupid things, it felt better than agreeing with everything. he liked her dark brown healthy hair, the way she didn't always correct her posture, the way she did her makeup, the jokes she told and her personality, how much she cared for her sister and victoria, everything.

one thing he didn't enjoy? the attention she got from guys. he knew it sounded selfish, then not even dating yet and him wanting her to be all his. not in a unhealthy way.. but in a way that everyone would know, valerie was his girlfriend. he saw how boys at school would watch her walk and whisper to each other afterwards, it made him want to punch each one of them in the face. and it made him even more angry that she was completely single. she could do whatever she wants, with whoever she wants.. just because he hadn't made the move to ask her out yet.

valerie on the other hand had no clue he felt this way, she actually was giving up on the whole thing, too scared to ask him out herself, and since after months of the two being friends and getting to know each other and they were still just friends.. she began believing he just wasn't interested in her. so, ashtray was just really good at hiding how he truly felt.

                                          ———

for the first time in two days, valerie was making her way to her best friends house. it felt odd, not being there everyday like usual. the girl couldn't actually remember a day she didn't see valerie, and because of her being grounded, she only saw her at school. but she wanted to go there, when victorias mom wasn't home, obviously, and make sure that she was doing okay.

she walked down the familiar streets, hugging her hoodie close to her body because of the cold and to bring herself comfort, scared of the cars that would go by and the creepy guys that would stare at her. one of valerie's biggest fears was getting kidnapped, she hated the thought of it. she didn't like being helpless and being pushed around, so being kidnapped, being held and then having the control to do whatever they want to her.. it scared her more than most things. which is why she made sure to look at her surroundings, and to walk faster.

once she finally made it to victorias house, she checked the drive way, making sure that her mom wasn't home. she was coming un-announced, in prayers victoria didn't get annoyed because of that. she only knew her mom wasn't home because of her being there all of the time, she practically knew her schedule.

she hurried up to the door, no longer wanting to be alone. she knocked four times, that way victoria knew who it was, since she had always done that and vic just grew to memorize it.

she rocked back and forth, still looking around, as she waited for the door to open. victoria was also scared of being kidnapped.. just for other reasons, so most of the time she doesn't open the door when someone knocks and she's home alone. val knew this, which is why she was patient.

she debated giving vic a call, after almost a minute had passed and there was no answer. but as she was pulling out her phone to press her contact and call her, the door opened and there she stood.

valerie smiled, it felt good to finally see victoria after what felt like years for her, even though it had actually only been two days. slowly, victoria smiled back and stepped closer, wrapping her hands around her best friend, in a hug.

victoria knew she'd get in trouble for this later if her mom found out that valerie showed up, while she was grounded. her mom gave her a long talk about how she was too young and how she thought valerie was the one influencing the bad behavior. even if she wasn't completely wrong, victoria denied every bit of it. she told her mom that it was her choice to get the tattoo, and that she had been hanging out with other people... not just valerie. but that wasn't true, her only friend was val.. aside from roy, which she didn't exactly think of as a friend.

once the two pulled away, victoria let out a shaky breathe, confusing valerie. "you okay?.." she asked her, her hands still on victoria's arms as she looked over the girl.

victoria responded with a nod, quickly grabbing valeries arm and dragging her into her house. "yeah, just missed you.. is all."

after five years of friendship, valerie knew her better than that to know.. she was lying to her. "you fucking liar, what's wrong?"

vic smiled a little, the two sitting down on her couch like they usually do. "want me to be honest?"

valerie hated that question. she didn't know how to answer it. but she always reply's with the same thing, "yeah."

victoria took a deep breathe, not wanting to hurt her best friends feelings. "you're not— supposed to be here..."

valerie visually got confused, furrowing her eyebrows and waiting for victoria to continue.

"my mom.. i'm grounded?" victoria spoke, hoping valerie would just piece it together, that way she wouldn't have to say it.

"vic, just say it." valerie rolled her eyes, leaning back and preparing herself, mentally.

with a nod, victoria finally said it. "my mom thinks you're a bad influence.. she said she doesn't want you around here for awhile. i tried to tell her it wasn't your fault for the tattoo but she would listen.. i'm sorry, val."

this was not what valerie expected at all. the one place she knew she was welcome at, whenever things were right at home.. she wasn't wanted at, at the moment. she felt guilty, when her and victoria got the tattoos, she didn't plan for vic to get in trouble. at that moment she was having fun, getting matching tattoos with the person she cares about most. and victoria's mom, who she adores and thinks of as a stepmom, now thought she was a bad influence.

"val.. it's okay, alright? i'll talk to her." victoria tried to reassure the girl, knowing so much was going through her head at the moment.

val smiled, thankful for her wanting to do that. "no- it's okay, vic. once you're ungrounded i'll apologize to her."

victoria paused, "uh.. i told her you didn't get a tattoo, she thinks you're not involved."

val's eyebrows furrowed, "but she thinks im a-." victoria cut her off, "yeah, because she didn't believe me. but if you go and apologize, she'll know i was lying."

the two looked at each other, before val sighed and gave up, not knowing what to do.

the two talked, catching up on what they couldn't talk about in the two days they didn't see each other, and before victoria's mom got home, valerie rushed out of their house and back home.