I am displaced

In her heart, Valentina knew who she wanted, but then came Simon.

Oh..Simon..what could she do? Valentina, hesitated, wishing someone was around, she could introduce him too..in the hallway, after school near the theater. She knew he really didn't need her. He was so busy these days. She felt as if she was in the way.

Honestly, she was so bored. Maybe, that's why she'd thought of Ollie so much.

Of course, in her dizzy head, she knew her mother wouldn't think she was doing the right thing. God knows, how upset her father would be, but it felt like home when she was with Ollie.

She went into the theater when it opened and took a seat and pulled out the desk top so she could focus on homework. That was always the way it went. She had this down by the minute.

Simon would do his thing with the cast, do a little acting and then later he would take her home. She was always home by 10 p.m. About 8 p.m. she'd go out and get sandwiches from someone's house and bring the dinner back to the actors. Sometimes, she swept off stage and then would sweep as soon as everyone got off the stage. She always made sure nothing was out of order before it was time to close the theater.

She thought about texting Ollie, but maybe it was best to be just as aloof as he was. Hopefully, he missed her. She knew he did. And Valentina kept from smiling about it, because it was like some other world when she was with Ollie.

But she felt sad, that it couldn't be this world.

As the night went on, her throat felt as if a hot volcano was about to spill and she would be sick. She thought of all the remedies she should try, like apple cider vinegar and ginger with a dash of red pepper. Maybe she'd try it as soon as she got home. She couldn't be sick.

"I don't know what I'd do without you." Simon told her on the drive home.

But she didn't speak. She smiled. She wanted to tell him she might be coming down with strep throat.

Soon enough, they were in the driveway. Simon leaned over, about to kiss her lips, but she wouldn't let him.

The thought of Ollie came to mind. Not him. She hated to do this to Simon.

"Look, I might have to stay home tomorrow." She finally said she was sick, and he should stay away from her.

He only nodded.

She got out of the car and for a moment, she felt perfectly fine. By the time she got to her room to put her things away, she knew she needed the pineapple cough syrup her mother made.