Promise?

CH 18 : "You Want to know What's Amazing?"

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Chris's POV :

"Nice picture"

"God! How embarrassing!!" She yelled covering her red face "stop looking at my photos Chris!"

"But you were cute!"

"Um.. Thanks?"

It's a normal day. Well, not that normal because there's no school!! Today is Thursday, the first day of the snow storm. The streets are covered with snow so we're locked in. Emily, Val's mom, is off to work for another couple of days. Its really an unfair job, but, according to what she told us yesterday, she messed up some important files and stuff so working today is kind of her punishment. Valerie told me that she's used to her mother's absence, she's like living alone but she's okay with it.

We started our school-free day with our usual breakfast : cereal, since cooking other kind of breakfast has never worked for us so cereal is now our thing. Now, Valerie is watching TV while yelling at me for looking at her baby pictures that her mom placed in the living room. I have no idea how I didn't notice these pictures before but I'm glad I finally did cause they're kind of cute and funny.

"Who's this?" I wondered, holding a picture of her with a strange man.

Val's eyes shifted from the Tv and looked at the picture I was holding. Her face fell and her expression changed immediately. "Its.. " she chocked "it's my dad"

"You're dad?" She nodded "I never saw him before" I thought "well, not until now. Actually I've been meaning to ask you about him. Where exactly is he?"

"He's- He's dead" tears gathered in her eyes as soon as the words flew out of her mouth.

"Oh Val- I'm really sorry!! I'm- I mean I didn't.. I didn't know" I said nervously. Why am I that stupid?? Where exactly is he? What a stupid question I asked!!

"Its okay" she whispered.

I nodded, trying hardly not to ask her that dreadful question but finally failed "um- How did he.. you know, died?"

"H-he had.." Her voice cracked and tears start washing her pale face "H-he was s-sick"

It wasn't the real answer that I was looking for, but I couldn't push her anymore. I could see the pain in her eyes when the word dad came out of her mouth.

I hugged her small body which made her cry harder. I started rubbing her back trying to comfort her.

"I'm sorry.." I whispered "I should've know not to ask"

"No.. Its not your fault." She sniffed "I-I just m-miss him, alot"

"It's okay to miss him, Val" I said, knowing exactly what she felt. I pulled away from her to look into her ocean blue eyes that were now red and puffy. "I bet he was a great man, and I know, even if he's... not here," I tried avoiding the death word cause it's always hard to hear it "..he'll always be with you"

Valerie looked into my eyes for a moment before hugging me again "thank you, Chris"

After her breathing calmed down and feeling her tensed body relax, I pulled away from our hug "come on, lets do something fun" I was trying to get her mind off of her father. I shouldn't have brought that up..

"I think I'm going to take a nap" she said starting to walk to her room.

I felt bad after seeing her depressed body walk away from me. Its all my fault, and now she hates me. Why am I so stupid!! I always ruin everything.