For the rest of the day I felt a bit down but definitely understood where I went wrong.
Once I got home I buried my head in English work to study as much as I possibly could. I stayed upstairs and didn't even answer a single message for the next three hours.
Colton called me down for dinner and that was the time I decided I did enough and could end for the night.
"So did you talk to her about dinner?" Colton asked for the third time this week from across the table.
"I did." I said softly.
"And?" He said adding more salad onto Kinsley's plate.
"Maybe another time." I said.
"Oh that's okay, I'd still like to get to know her when she's free yeah." He said a little defeated at his attempts to get to know Valentina.
"Does this mean we can't make more ice cream?" Kinsley asked as she dipped her chicken nugget into a side of ketchup.
"We definitely still can make ice cream kinny. Don't worry." Colton assured her.
"How was your sleep over?" I asked Kinsley.
She went on and rambled about how they went to the zoo and got to play with the baby goats and all the fish they saw.
About how Nala has a massive Barbie dream house and the paintings they made at her house.
She talked for most of dinner until she got tired of talking and decided to go watch a bit of tv before Colton went to put her to bed.
I helped Colton tidy up while he did the dishes.
"I'm sad she's busy, I would've made all her favourites. Mainly because it's clear she makes you so happy Letty." He said as I placed one more glass at his side.
It's odd I knew Valentina was being sarcastic but I couldn't help but wonder, what if I actually told Colton? I mean I've met her family. Even if it was by default.
They all seemed to know who I was, of course Lottie and Stella knew who I was but even her brother Andrés seemed to have some sort of clue who I was when I was talking to him one on one. He asked how school was.
Maybe she told them.
"I know, she does make me happy. It's just our situation is...complicated." I said walking away from him to wipe down the table.
"What do you mean?" He questioned.
"She's someone older than me. Only by six years though. And I don't exactly know how we found ourselves in this situation." I blushed slightly thinking about her.
Colton dried his hands and turned around. "Tell me more." He said with a smile.
He didn't have a look on judgement on his face like I expected. He looked like he was happy to hear me talk about her more.
And I jump at every opportunity to do so.
"Don't yell just yet okay." I said before I could continue.
"Letty, you're telling me about the person who makes you happy and your heart flutter. I couldn't care less for who she is as long as she treats you right and makes you come home smiling everyday like you have for been for the past three months. That's all I care about." He said and I felt my heart beat in my chest.
"She's my English teacher." I swallowed hard. Waiting for his answer.
His eyes go wide but regain their shape quickly and he looks at me for a second.
"The new one?" He asked and I nodded waiting for his answer.
"I wasn't expecting that but im also and thankful you didn't say she's was someone straight out of prison." He chuckled. "She makes you happy?" He asked
"Really happy, it's been complicated but somehow we still make it work." I blushed harder.
"I can imagine. But the only thing I don't want is this hindering your learning. Don't start slacking on studying. Don't count on her for a helping hand in your grades either." Colton said using a very much dad voice. He was serious too.
"She won't trust me. I practically failed her exam today." I sighed.
"On her account or on your own?"
"My own account. I didn't read the instructions of the essays carefully and lost out on basically a whole 20 marks. It was definitely my own fault." I huffed remembering how today went.
"Good, at least we can count on her not raising your grade unjustifiably." He said and I beamed.
"You're not mad?"
"Surprised yes but mad no. I didn't expect it but I can't be mad at you. I still want to get to know her. I do have to get used to the idea of the relationship between you two." He said.
"And that's fair. Really fair." I said in total agreement.
This was better than I thought. He's not angry which is good and it makes sense that he has to get used to the idea. It's only fair, she's my English teacher after all.
"Okay, I'm gonna go back up stairs again. Thanks for not being mad Colton." I said again.
"I can't be mad for simple things Letty. Don't study yourself out." He said.
I went back upstairs and texted Valentina, asking her about dinner again.
Me
Hey :)
Val ❤️
Hi my love. You doing okay?
Me
I'm doing a lot better than earlier, I've been studying for a while.
Val ❤️
That's good, don't stress over your exam yeah? You've got plenty time to prepare and now you know what you missed, you'll do better in the next one.
Me
I know. So I told Colton, and he had a better reaction than I expected.
I bit my lip waiting for her response out of nerves. I watched as her three bubbles appeared and disappeared a total of three times before I actually got an answer.
Val ❤️
And?
Me
He said he really didn't mind but he has to get used to the actual idea of us together.
And he still wants you over for dinner 🫢
Val ❤️
That's fair of him so I get it. What day for dinner?
Me
Wait are you seriously agreeing to dinner?!?!
Val ❤️
Yes darling. I'm agreeing to dinner.
Me
Oh shit! Like really? Okay Friday?
Me
NO WAIT! Saturday?
Val ❤️
I would've agreed to Friday darling. Saturday, I wish I could come on Saturday but everyone is going to Rainnie's niece dance recital or whatever.
Me
Damn, I can't come over Saturday then? 😔😔
Val ❤️
I never said that. Come over after it ends. At 8?
Me
Okay.
I sent the text and flipped over to kick my feet and giggle a little while I waited for her response.
A whole five minutes went by and I was still on delivered. Normally she always sends back a goodnight message of some sorts but I'm still on delivered.
I decided to go on TikTok for a while but still checked to see if she texted me every second.
ZoZo 💋
OMG!!!! Valentina had the cutest lock screen ever!!!
Zoë texted and I was just staring at the text for a minute before I actually took it in and realised she meant my Valentina.
Me
How do you know?!?!!!! Not even I've seen it!!! How'd you know???
ZoZo 💋
Quinn brought me over. Kind of a spur of the moment thing. But like there's so many people here. Why don't you come?? I'm a little lonely with you!!
Me
What???? How'd your dad even let you go on a school night??
ZoZo 💋
Yeah come over! We have three days till winter break. Compromise 🤷🏻♀️
Me
Val never invited me. And makes sense.
I answered back. I quickly checked Valentina's chat and she hadn't texted me back either, maybe she was busy with them all. Surely that was it.
ZoZo 💋
Oh...
Before I could even text Zoë back, vals name popped up and I got back to kicking my feet and smiling at her text.
Val ❤️
I'm sorry love, everyone showed up out of nowhere. Come over?
Me
Do you want me to come over? :))
Val ❤️
Don't I always, if you're allowed to of course.
I raced down the stair faster than I should've, to ask Colton.
"I suppose it's okay, no more exams or tests this week?" He asked.
"Nope."
"Okay, if you're staying at her place let me know okay, like always." He sent me a smile.
"Of course. Also she's coming for dinner on Friday evening."
"Amazing! Kinny and I will make ice cream then." He said as I went back up stairs to grab my charger and coat. As well as my school stuff and put them in my car.
Me
I'll be over soon 🤭🤭
Val ❤️
Just come in the doors open. I'll see you soon love.
I drove to Valentina's house and was way too excited. Less than four days ago I was waking up in her bed but I still miss spending time with her.
I walked in and took my shoes off like always, put my bag down. and followed the noise.
"Letty!" Zoë said as she lifted up from Quinn's side.
When Zoë said everyone was here, she really meant everyone. Lottie and Stella, Vivian, even Rainnie and Emily were here. I'd only ever met them once before.
"Where's Val?" I asked them all while I bent down to pet Artemis like always but didn't get a response.
"Okay..." I turned on my heel to go find my girlfriend.
"Why don't you stay here she'll be back in a minute." Lottie said halting my movements.
"I really miss her."
"Let her go. Seriously shit could be entertaining. She's in her office." Stella said directing the last part towards me.
"Stella! Why?" Lottie aimed her gaze to her wife.
"Because I don't like her. Not you Letty. And I'm sure she doesn't either." Stella scoffed.
I didn't pay them much mind and just left for her office. An unsettling feeling settled in my stomach. I don't know why but it as in there.
I could hear more voices as I walked down the hall to her office.
"What the fuck are you doing here?" I heard faintly outside the door.
I knocked slightly before I could let my mind run wild.
Shortly the door flew open and I wanted to see my girl but it wasn't her.
"What the actual living fuck." I said as my eyes traced her.