I've been waiting so long

Robby wasn't sure what to make of Valentina's drastic mood.

"You're just being too hard on yourself," he told her. Actually, he didn't know what to say. It was homecoming. It was supposed to be a happy time. Of course, the football team lost and no one was really in that great of a mood.

But they'd dressed up. Val's nails were painted and she looked so enchanting. "Try not to think about it."

Of course, she told him all about Ollie and Gabby. He had no idea she was still stuck on him, but he wasn't going to let him dampen his spirits. They'd had such a wonderful summer together. Robby liked being Val's boyfriend. He imagined them a couple.

He reminded her they had to be there for Rosie and didn't she want to meet Chance. Robby chatted him up most of the week as some sort of idol. He was from Hawaii after all and even a surfer.

Only Val didn't budge from her sad state when they went to pick up Chance and Rosie. Somehow, they managed.

By the end of the evening, Val apologized.

"Actually, I'm mad at myself," she told him. "I-I don't know what came over me. I never hate anyone," but she did hate Gabby. "I'm sorry." She swore she wasn't in love with Ollie anymore. "I can't go back to what was." She promised him she'd grown up. Even so, she was definitely going to stay away from Gabby. "I don't know why I lashed out so."

He could see no, Valentina thought she was a bad person capable of bad things. Robby gave her a hug and a squeeze and one more slow dance. He hadn't even noticed if Rosie and Chance were having a good time. All that mattered to him was Valentina's happiness.