Valentina

“Sweetie, this is what’s best. You need to leave this area for a bit. Everything here just reminds you of him. It will be good for you.”

We were in the car, driving. I was to spend some time at my cousin’s house. It was only the third day of school, so Mom didn’t think it would be as bad to start school somewhere else when it was this early.

After what happened, Mom decided to ask my Aunt Alice if I could stay with them for a while. Or at least until my memories left me. But you can’t get rid of memories that easily. Even if my Mother tries.

Mom looked at me. “Valentina Chrysanthemum Rosalind. I mean it. This will be good for you. Louie will help you get settled in. You know that.”

“I’m not worried about that.” And I wasn’t. I just wanted Stephen back. But there’s no earthly way for that to happen.

I tugged on my shirt sleeve where the star mark was. The one like Stephen’s. He was going to tell me about it. “Soon,” he’d say every time I asked. But he never got the chance.

Just like I’d never know who Garrison was. Whenever I asked him about the star he’d tell me either “Soon,” or “Go ask Gari.” Of course, I didn’t know Garrison. All I knew was that he was a friend of Stephen’s.

I suppose I should mention the rest of the story. Even though Stephen’s and my story doesn’t have a happy ending. Stephen, as you may have pieced together, was my boyfriend. He was killed in cold blood a couple months ago. I loved him. And he loved me. Every time I go past a certain place, I remember him. And it hurts.

That brings us to the present. Mom and I driving.

“Hey.” Mom says. “We’re here.”

I see my Aunt and cousin on the steps. Uncle Peter must be at work, because he’s the only one missing from my welcoming committee. We get out of the car and I hug my aunt and say ‘hi’ to Louie. Mom greets them, and then we proceed to unload my stuff. We pile it in the guest’s bedroom and then we talk.

“So,” Louie asks. “Are you nervous about school?”

“Not really. I mean, I’m in the same grade as you and Tara. What could go wrong?”

“Famous last words.” He answers with a grin.

Tara is his girlfriend. Huh. Maybe my Mom was right. Maybe I do need a change of scenery. I’m mulling things over while I start to unpack. Louie watches me.

“Will you ever tell me what happened?” he asks.

“Ask your mom. My mom’s probably telling her right now.” Louie could see I was becoming sad again, so gratefully he changed the subject.

“So, about school. We already arranged it with the school and had a schedule and locker for you and everything. You have first period with me, so you’ll be able to get your bearings.”

“Sweet,” is my response.

“Valentina,” my mom calls. “I’m leaving”

“I’ll be back,” I tell Louie, and leave the room to go see my mom.

Mom is telling Aunt Alice a few last - minute things as I come down the stairs.

“Ok hon, I’m leaving. Call us whenever.”

“I know Mom.”

“Ok. I love you.”

“You too. Tell Dad for me.”

“Of course.”

“Bye.” I say, hugging her.

“Bye.” She answers, then, “Bye Alice.”

“See you soon.” Responds my Aunt. She doesn’t believe in good - byes.

We see her to the door and watch her drive away. I would miss her, but watching her drive away made me feel different. Maybe more complete. Maybe I was moving on a little. I will never forget Stephen, but not pining for him was good.

My aunt and I go inside. She starts to make dinner, while I go upstairs to finish unpacking. When I reach my room, Louie is still there. As the unpacking continues, Louie reads me my schedule and fills me in on all my teachers.

When my Uncle Peter comes home, we go to talk to him. At dinner we laugh and joke around. It feels good to laugh, especially because I haven’t been doing it much. We all watch some show on t.v. together, then after I shower and go to bed, so I won’t be tired on my first day of school.

The next morning, I wake up and feel no more nervous than I was last night, and Louie is actually eager to get to school, so we make an interesting pair. We eat breakfast, grab our stuff, and leave.

On the bus Louie introduces me to lots of his friends. Apparently Louie is well - liked and seems to know everyone. As we pull up to the school, I still feel fine. Why should I be nervous when none of these people matter to me anyway? The school looks different from mine, so I am slightly interested to see the inside. Well, as interested as you can get about school.

Side by side Louie and I walk into school.

Garrison

Third day of school.

New faces, old faces, new teachers. Gotta love those first few days of confusion and chaos. I’m at my locker, grabbing my stuff, trying not to look at the picture of me and my bud Stephen.

He went to another school. Now he doesn’t go to school at all. ‘Cause he’s six feet under. I miss him a lot though, don’t get me wrong.

He was a really great guy, and he and his girlfriend were really close. I feel bad for her.

And for me.

I watch my friend Louie walk in, a new girl by his side. I can tell she’s new because she’s looking around at everything, taking it in.

Man, she looks pretty. Red - brown hair, blue eyes - hey. Louie is coming over here.

“Hey Louie. What’s up?”

“Not much. You?”

“Nothing.”

New Girl spies my picture of me and Stephen. Her eyes go wide, and she gasps.

Then I get an enormous shock when she says, “Y - you knew Stephen too?”

“I knew a Stephen Brennan yes.”

Who is she? How does she know Stephen?

Next shocker - “Are you Garrison?”

I must have shown a shocked expression on my face because she blushes a little and says, “Stephen talked about you sometimes, but would never tell me exactly tell me who you were.”

I glance at Louie, telling him an introduction is long overdue. I have an idea of who it is but - no. It couldn’t be her. Could it?

Then Louie gives the belated introduction.

“Ah, um Gari, this is my cousin, Valentina Rosalind.”

It is her! Stephen’s girlfriend! No wonder she looks sad.

Steve talked about her a lot. He was right. She is pretty.

“Steve talked about you too. Non - stop.” I say, and she smiles.

Louie looks back and forth between us, confused.

“Take her on a tour Louie. We can talk at lunch.”

She looks relieved at this, then smiles and says ‘bye’. And they leave.

I look at her arm, where I can see part of the star. But instead of completely blue, like mine and Stephen’s, hers is blue and red.

Oh man Steve.

Did you never get to tell her? Teach her? I have to find out and help her. I did, after all teach Stephen, and he was no easy pupil, so hopefully I’ll be prepared.

I notice Lyle staring after her too. He and I don’t get along. Don’t know why. Our personalities aren’t compatible, or something like that.

Suddenly, this thought hits me hard and fast. If Lyle goes after Valentina, like he goes after most girls, then he and I will never get along.

That strange thought leaves as fast as it came. Where did all that come from?

I shake my head, trying to clear it.

I’m not her bodyguard. But I feel like I should do something.

You know, since Stephen’s not here.

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