third person pov

a couple days had passed since the argument between valerie and victoria, and they still hadn't said a word to each other. val knew she probably got in more trouble after she left, which is probably the reason she hadn't even gotten a text from her. but at school, when the two would pass each other, not a word was said. they both felt weird, going so long without talking to each other, especially because of an argument.

they had never fought and went days without talking, they'd just agree on some things and it would eventually drop the same day.. so it made valerie nervous, not knowing if her and her only friend.. was friends anymore.

valerie hadn't told anybody, and no one noticed that the two weren't hanging out or talking. she didn't want to get rumors started that they weren't friends anymore, because she didn't know the answer to that herself. and also because.. she didn't want to say it out loud. 'we're not talking.' isn't something she ever thought she'd have to say, and now if someone asked.. she'd have to.

to say the least, it was bothering her more than anything that was bothering her before.

and victoria? the moment valerie left, she cried herself to sleep, hating herself for probably ruining her friendship with her greatest friend. she didn't mean the things she said, it was just in that moment.. she was mad, upset and didn't know what to do with herself, so she took it out on her. she did in fact get in more trouble, her mom walked in her room after valerie climbed out her window, but her mom knew valerie's voice. she knew she had been in victoria's room, and before victoria could yell at her and tell her what had happen, victorias mom started giving her a longer grounding, but victoria yelled telling her all kinda things out of anger and her mom eventually just walked out of her room, not actually saying if victoria was grounded for longer or not.. but it was clear she was pissed.

and now currently, valerie was sat next to ashtray, in the freezers like usual. she had been awfully quiet, and ashtray had noticed but decided not to ask her, incase she didn't want to talk about it. after their talk on the phone and him hinting to her that he likes her.. he was planning on asking her out, he just didn't know when the right time would be.

but now would be a better time than ever, right? the two sitting next to each other, alone with no distractions.. it was simple, and that was enough.

"hey, valerie?" he spoke, turning his head to the side.

for whatever reason, stuck in her head, she heard something else and completely ignored what he had just said, having no idea that she was about to get asked out. "friends argue, right?"

his eyebrows furrowed, a weird look on his face. "what?"

she turned to him, finally. seeing the confused look on her face she tried to remember if he had just something to her, and what it was.. "sorry, what did you say?" she asked him.

his confidence never dropped, he was just not so sure if he should ask her at the moment, now clear that something.. or someone was bothering her. "doesn't matter, what's up with you?"

her, also being stubborn, she shook her head. "nope, what did you say, ash?"

he rolled his eyes, his patience running low. "valerie, what's wrong with you?"

valerie realized neither of them were gonna get anywhere, so just decided to tell him and make him tell her, after. "me and victoria's arguing.. we haven't talked in a couple days— now, what were you gonna say?"

ashtray noticed how fast she answered and tried to get back to what he had said, but he wasn't saying it that easy. "what happen?"

valerie rolled her eyes, throwing her head back with a groan because he wasn't telling her. "i went to her house and she started saying a whole bunch of shit.. i don't know, now tell me!"

he shook his head, "it doesn't matter."

valerie threw her hands on the table, making him squint his eyes at the loud noise. "damn it!"

eventually, valerie gave up on trying to get him to tell her, since he wasn't budging at all. and instead, she just told him everything that happened at victoria's house.. and her own personal thoughts.

"ion know, val, just talk to her or some shit." was the only advice he gave, not knowing what else to say to the girl.

she nodded her head slowly, turning her head to him. "you know what you should do?"

his eyebrows furrowed, again, at this. "what?"

"tell what you were gonna say." she smirked, folding her arms.

"valerie!" he huffed, making her laugh.

"no, seriously.. please tell me." she begged further, as ashtray got up to walk away.

"no." he said blankly.

"plea-." she started again, only for him to cut her off. "no!"

                                           ———

fezco ended up giving the girl a ride home before it got too dark, not wanting her to walk alone and possibly get hurt.

"hey, i think ash fuck with you, kid." he spoke up randomly, making valerie whip her head around in his direction.

"what- really?" she asked, believing ashtray had no interest and the flirting was just a joke.

"yeah.. ion see him hanging around no one else." he shrugged, pausing. "do you like him?"

she bit her lip nervously, not knowing wether or not he would tell ashtray if she told the truth. "you won't tell him what i say, right?"

he smiled, glancing at her for a second. "nope, promise."

she smiled at that, taking a deep breathe. "yeah, i think i do."

fezcos smile grew more, he knew the girl felt something for his brother, and now he knew what. "i think y'all'd be a good match."

she nodded, turning back straight with the same smile on her face. she stayed quiet the rest of the ride, overthinking what fezco had just told her, until the car came to a stop and he turned to her again, tapping his fingers on the steering wheel. "alright, see you later."

she got out, sending him a little wave as she closed the car door and walked up to her house.

that little talk changed her mind from the argument between her and her best friend, and to the guy she liked. her thoughts were now happy and it had her blushing.

i should make the first move. she thought to herself, making her way to her room.