2 Chapter 1

Valerie's POV:

I walked through the corridors to the main entrance. A smile spread over my face. I never felt so happy and light headed in my entire life how I was feeling right now.

I walked past so many familiar faces and bumped into a girl I know from my class. "Sorry!" she just smile and nodded at me as I continued on my way.

The reason why I was so stress free was that today was my last exam, means last day of uni. And it went much great than I expected, and now we are finally free to step in our professional life. But there was still time for our graduation. But that is my least problem yet. Because I still have my job and I'll continue it till I find a reasonable one.

I stepped outside and met with cool breeze of Autumn. Looking around I saw what I was looking for.. or should I say whom I was looking for.

My best friend

We have been friends since we were in Montessori. She knows me way too well... and vice versa. Her bronze hair was tied in a ponytail wearing a yellow tank top and a frizzy skirt barely covering her thighs.

"Maila!" I called her as she turned around with the same smile as mine.

But her expression slightly changed when she saw me. "Val! What took you sooooo long? I was burning here in this hot climate waiting for your ass to come out of this hell hole of a building!" She exaggerated while making her way in my direction.

God she's such a drama queen all the damn time. But she's my drama queen.

"Miss Elisabeth wanted me to bring papers with her to the staff room." I explained and she nodded. "And its not hot out here, its bloody Autumn for sake! And I would never understand how can you wear a dress like that in this weather." I gestured towards her dress.

To which she made a face I know way too well. "Whatever. I guess I'm too hot to mind this weather." She said while fanning her face with her hand.

We both laughed. After that we came back to the world. "God! I can't believe we actually did it. Final year is finally over. I just want to go on a long long vacation to Hawaii and return when you'll be in your fifty's." She exaggerated again and I mocked a gasp.

"When I'll be in my fifty's you'll be the same age bear!" I retorted.

"Whatever Panda!"

"Ugh. Don't call me that. At least not here!" I complained giving her my best glare. Not wanting anyone here to know my nick name she gave me years ago, because I'm shit scared from pandas. And just because of them I never went to zoo in my childhood.

"Ok fine. But Val! we did it!" Excitedly she grabbed my arms and started jumping with full smile. Which made me smile and jump with same enthusiasm, already forgot about the argument which was happening just a few seconds ago.

"Yeah, its finally over. And I'm going to post a happy status on Facebook right now." I took out my phone and grapped her as we posed for the pic and posted.

As I opened my profile, hell I was bombarded with notifications... it's like whole college just tagged me in their posts. I hate it when someone tag me. I don't tag anyone until they tell me so. And I expect the same. But never mind.

Meanwhile my posting, I heard a voice calling for Maila. The same voice I hated the most.

Her boyfriend

I don't know why but I don't feel positive about him for her. I mean yeah, he's handsome, blond hair, tall figure, intelligent and a kind of gentleman and arrogant. In short the type of guy Maila prefers.

Blond and arrogant are the best combo deal on the menu. Her words not mine.

But still I feel insecure for her to be with him. It's like I see negative vibes coming out of him. And I always wonder why she has to choose him out of all people?

We turned to our left to see him approaching us with his three ja*kass friends. All of'em are richy bastards. "Hey babe."

"Hey Lars!" She wrapped her hands around his neck and kissed him. I chose to ignore them and full concentrated on uninteresting Facebook notifications.

Abruptly they pulled away and he noticed me. An oh-so-Larshyy smirk appeared on his face. He always like to make my blood boil whenever he does that.

"Hi Valley, how are you today? I haven't seen you the whole day!" He said raising an eyebrow. And that stupid smirk was still on his stupid face.

"I was good just a minute ago. But thanks to you I don't feel anything similar." I said dryly. Maila gave me apointed look to which I just shrugged.

"Your welcome." Then he turned his attention to his girlfriend. Dipping a strand behind her ear. "What are you doing tonight?"

"Nothing much, why?"

"Me and the gang were planning to go to the club with the girls... you in?" He asked with a mischievous glint in his eyes which I bet she knew too well. As she smiled.

"Of course. Drinks and dance... count me in. And hell! Its the best excuse of a night to celebrate."

"Great." He turned to me, "Why don't you come too Valley, it'll be fun. Dany can give you company as he doesn't have a partner."

"No thanks... I'm going to Lisa's for sleepover. And I thought you were coming too Mia?" I said giving her the how-could-you-ditch-me-like-that look.

I know sleepovers are for kids and all. But hey some habits never cease.

"Yeah, I.. I was but I told her already that I won't make it. And you know why!" She said apologising.

Knowing Lisa is a sweetheart and never drinks and never let anyone drink. Specially at her place. That's why she never throws a party. That's why Maila don't like her that much. On the other hand I like Lisa for many reasons but this is the main reason. Typical, I know. "You should come with us, it'll be Great!"

Shaking my hands and head, "No, no no no, don't drag me again. I want to enjoy my night too and we both know that's not possible with this dikiot boyfriend of yours." I said glaring at Lars. To which he just chuckled. Rolling my eyes, "You enjoy, and please bring her back to her home in one piece." I warned Lars with my index finger.

He mocked a salute "Yes mother, your words my command." Everybody laughed but me.

Maila gave me a hug "Sorry." With those puppy eyes and pout. I sighed and gave her a weak smile. Letting her know that I'm going to miss her like hell.

"See you at eight, Princess." He said and kissed her on the cheek.

After the boys left, "Are you up for lunch? Cause I'm starving." Maila said as we made our way to the parking lot.

"Of course, there's no denying to food after such a long day." I replied as we got in her car.

She laughed. "Can we please go for sea food? Pleaseeeee." Pouted.

"Maila! You know how much I hate sea food.." I whined. But stopped abruptly knowing how much she LOVED sea food. As her face fell. Sighing I said "Fine, you can have it but don't you dare shove it in my mouth. Like the last time you did." I cringed at the memory of that day. My whole group has those pictures.

She laughed again and turned back to the road. "Promose I won't, I don't want to experience the same consequences again... God!you were a bitch after that." She said making a laughable disgusting face.

Remembering the time when I hit her with my phone and chased her in the whole place with carrot... Note that she Hates carrots. And by hate I mean literally hate. After that I didn't talk to her for four days. Goodness that we weren't in the restaurant but ordered it home. I think its name was something like Sushi.

After five minutes we reached restaurant. Had lunch, talked talked and talked. We can talk to each other for hours and won't get tired. After lunch she dropped me home.

"Ok girl, see you tomorrow at college." She said waving.

I chuckled and unbuckled my seatbelt. "There's no college tomorrow, bear."

Her brows ceased in confusion, her smile faltered as the realization came to her and eyes wide.

"Shit! There's no school tomorrow, no more regular hangouts, no more canteen pranks... Hell no more cute blond boys! Val, there's no college anymore." She exclaimed as tears started to form in her eyes.. and I had to fight the urge to laugh.

"Mia relax! We can hangout with our friends for the rest of our lives. And completing studies doesn't mean that cute boys are gone... wait a sec, you already have a boyfriend than why do you want more blond boys?"

"Oh sweetie, I was thinking about you. After Alec you didn't da-..." she stopped herself as she saw my face grim. "Val, I'm so sorry. I didn't mea-.."

"It's ok. It's in the past and it's been three years I almost forgot how he looks like... haha" I find it strange but his name doesn't effect me anymore. "See ya on saturday... Bye!" And with that I closed the door on her concerned face and went into my house. Where I met with...

Coldness, emptiness.

My house was small but had a homey feeling when my mom was here. "I'm home." I whispered to nobody. Threw my bag on couch and slipped out of my boots before going to my room upstairs.

My room was not much of an elegant room, but was complete opposite, a mess... I clean it up once a week... but since the exams started I haven't paid much attention to the house cleaning.

And talking about cleaning. I don't like cleaning at all. But I've no choice.

After taking a shower, I came out with a towel wrapped around my body and pick out some clothes from my closet. Saw my reflection in full length mirror in the corner of my room. I noticed the scars over my body... on my stomach, back, thigh. Burn mark on my left arm... Memories of them came and I shut my eyes to get rid of the thoughts as I shivered. "It's ok Valerie, it's gone, it's all gone... He's never coming back." I whispered to myself to sooth but to no avail.

I opened my eyes and saw myself in the reflection with disgust. As tears started to form in my eyes but I refused to let them fall. Why me? But I really don't want to know answer to this question.

Sighing I turned around to put on some pj's and over-sized t-shirt before taking my phone from night stand and calling "Hi Doc... how's she?... Mm hmm yeah... ok I'll meet you this Sunday. . Bye." Phewffff

But before I go to Lisa's, I should take some rest. With that thought I jumped on my bed and felt the soft mattress beneath. Noted the time. Only two hours for rest.

Hmmm

Soon I drifted to another world of darkness.