Inside the bus, two girls sat infront of Valerie and Anika, they were also students of Malcom University. With how excited they were, Anika couldn't help but ask.
"What's going on? What's the announcement?"
The girl turned her back and beamed "Oh, it's a trip! The school's organizing an excursion to Jullesleigh for Valentine's Day! It's going to be amazing!" She practically jumped in excitement on her seat before turning back to talk to her friends.
Anika turned back to Valerie, her face lighting up. "Please, come with me. I know you usually won't, but I'll be so lonely without you! Please, I'm begging you! I know Jerylla will come. Please don't give her a chance to bully me ." Anika pleaded.
Valerie thought for a moment, then shrugged. "I'll think about it. But it's getting late, and I have to go home now." She flashed Anika a smile, hoping her friend would understand.
The streetlights flickering above them as they made their way to the stop. After alighting at Caper Coaster, they walked for a bit in silence, the evening air cool and crisp against their faces. Anika threw her arms around Valerie in a sudden hug.
"Don't forget to read that book!" Anika reminded her, grinning. "We're going to talk about it tomorrow, and I want to hear all your thoughts."
Valerie smiled, waving as she walked in the opposite direction, her thoughts already turning over the idea of the novel Anika had been pushing her to read. She opened the door to her apartment, immediately feeling the warmth of home, and kicked off her shoes and threw her book on the table before flopping onto her bed.
She sighed, feeling the weight of the day lift off her shoulders. Her eyes wandered to the book and curiosity got the better of her. She opened the book and started reading.
Chapter by chapter, Valerie found herself drawn into the description of the tragic love story between Valentina and Valentine. The more she read, the more she found herself pulled into their doomed romance. A story of love, sacrifice, and a curse that threatened to tear them apart. The tension of it gripped her chest. Valentina's heart-wrenching decision to risk everything for Valentine, even her own life, was compelling—and Valerie couldn't stop reading.
By 11 p.m., her eyes were tired, but the story had a grip on her that she couldn't shake. She yawned, sitting up and stretching before glancing over at the kitchen. The familiar sound of her mother's footsteps caught her attention, and before she could speak, her mom walked into the room.
"Hey, you're still awake?" Mrs. Valerole asked, smiling warmly as she looked at her daughter. "I didn't want to disturb you when I got home. Dinner's ready; wash your hands and come eat."
Valerie blinked, a little surprised. "When did you get back?"
Her mother chuckled. "Not too long ago, but I saw you were busy reading and didn't want to interrupt you."
Valerie nodded, her stomach growling in protest. "Thanks, Mom. I'll be right there."
As she stood up, she reflected on the book she had just read, a deep sadness settling over her. Valentina's sacrifice, her love for Valentine, and the cruel twist of fate had tugged at her heartstrings. She couldn't shake the image of Valentina's final decision—the kiss that would steal her life but keep Valentine's heart hers forever.
The story was more than just a romance—it was a tragedy that stayed with you long after the pages ended.
After a light dinner, Valerie sat at the table, her mind still caught up in the web of the story she had just finished reading. The characters, their love, the curse—it all lingered in her thoughts as she absentmindedly pushed her food around on her plate.
Her mother noticed her quiet demeanor but didn't say anything, knowing how immersed Valerie could get in a good story. As she finished her meal, Valerie washed her hands and made her way back to her room, her mind still consumed by Valentina's tragic fate.
She threw herself onto the bed, and stared at the ceiling. The events of the day swirled in her mind—Anika's excitement about the excursion, the love story that had captured her heart. For some reason, it felt almost too real, too close.
Her phone buzzed beside her on the nightstand, but she ignored it, letting her thoughts roam free. Eventually, the exhaustion of the day overtook her, and her eyelids grew heavy.
As she drifted into sleep, her last conscious thought was of Valentine and Valentina—wondering how something so beautiful could be so painfully doomed.