Before Forever|| T.M.R

Chapter twenty-three: shared interest

"Thank you," he saw a smile form across her face and she pulled her jacket up to cling to her skin. After their previous encounter in her bedroom, it didn't surprise him that she was being more preserved. He didn't like the idea of her becoming uncomfortable around him, but he decided not to speak on the subject.

"I..," she trailed off for a split second backing away from him to put some distance, and then she began to pace around his bed, wanting to spark a conversation. "We haven't spoken since we first arrived, and since were trapped inside, you are the only person I have to talk to- other than Mavis of course."

Tom saw her sit down on the bottom of his bed and he glanced at her position with a slight discomfort before pulling himself together and looking at her. "You seem to be fond of the elf, yet here you are talking to me, is there a specific reason?"

Valencia shook her head and began picking at the skin next to her nails, unable to speak the words she was thinking. She had a million things on her mind but nothing was leaving, and it was driving her madly insane. Finally though, her pale lips opened, "you told me before we left that I wasn't the worst company.. well I think the same of you."

His eyes bored into hers and he saw the flicker of uncertainty in her irises. So, with a decisive tone he put on a obviously forced smile, "I haven't the littlest idea why, we argue every time we're even in the same proximity." His lips pulled tightly when she began to nod in agreement to his truthful statement.

"I have no idea either," Valencia mumbled, she let her touch of his comforter linger for a moment before she got up and looked at him with narrowed eyes. "Anyway, I just came to check on you, seeming as you are my guest, if you need me or just want someone to talk to... I am downstairs.. alone." She emphasized the last word and he caught on instantly, wondering how she had managed to get under his skin so greatly.

"Are you hinting for me to accompany you, Young?" he asked her cocking both his eyebrows up at the notion. He didn't mind hanging out with her during their holiday, but he did mind it when he had a tremendous amount of work to be done in such a little amount of time. They were leaving the next day, after all.

"I mean.. only if you want, no pressure," Valencia smiled a bit at him before walking toward the exit, not really thinking he would ever want to willingly join her just for the fun of it. However, she was pleasantly surprised to hear his footsteps echoing behind hers.

Tom really didn't know why the girl was so nice when he was so closed off and rude toward her. She was furious at him when he had grabbed her in her bedroom, and she said hurtful things, yes, but he did deserve them. Even he could admit he deserved them. Despite that, she still treated him kindly and as if she wanted his company around.

"To answer your question from the other day, I do have a library not too far from the dining room," she tapped her feet patiently as she waited for him to stop by her side. When he did, she turned her head to face him, "at first I wanted to be selfish and keep it to myself, but I suppose since we enjoy reading almost the same amount, it's open for your use as well."

He watched her walk past him once more before motioning for him to follow behind her, her index and middle finger pulling him her way. She heard Riddle begin to march behind and she continued walking down the long corridor.

The boy found himself captivated by the amount of pictures of her mother were plastered around. He took notice to how there was only one portrait of Valencia, near the back of the house at the end of the hall both their bedrooms were on. He didn't exactly understand what went so wrong in their relationship to cause this subtle but mutual hatred between the two. All he did know though was it was utterly disturbing.