We don't talk anymore

Valentina knew she was a little harsh with Matty. But it was hard to shake this mood she was in. True, the whole lockdown had been a rather long rollercoaster ride the last few months and it wasn't even over.

1. Her boyfriend's dad got COVID. Then Val's mom went to see about his Dad (who she was seeing). Unfortunately, her mom got sick too.

2. Her boyfriend Robby lived at her house. 

And as much as that sounded like an open invitation for a teenage romance, it didn't turn out that way. Robby was rather demanding yet indecisive. Valentina enjoyed the quiet doing one art project after another if she wasn't running the register down at the bakery. When it closed she helped Ste and Amira deliver food to essential workers as well to others in need.

Now that she looked back on her many romances over the years, she never imagined she could count on her fingers the boys she'd dated. And all she'd ever wanted was something noble, to be by her first love's side which ended with him cheating on her. True, most of the boys she'd dated were plenty older than her. Even in the end, with Robby being a year older didn't mean he was all that mature. Or the fact she'd been mothering since the time she was three. 

When Val's mom married Robby's dad (It was a quiet and possibly nonexistent wedding which was down at the photographer's shop on main street. The photographer hadn't been open since February so was happy to get the business) Robby soon left to see his cousins in Texas and go to the university in San Marcus. 

There had been a great ocean of silence since. Honestly, Valentina had never been burdened with a shouting match. Not even with Ollie (Val's first love who cheated on her). Although there had been a lot to say, no one didn't. She didn't even feel like filling up a journal with the pain of wondering what she did wrong. Wasn't it the simple fact that sex hadn't happened? A part of her felt she must have been Joan of Arc. Val did have rules and that was that.

Of course, she was certain her father thought she didn't abide by them (He said some pretty nasty things before he left about her perhaps to get back to her mom that wanted her when she came to them as a foster baby), but then again he was a perturbed truck driver who fed a bank card the bare minimum of child support. After all, he said she was her mother's child and practically a grownup now. So Senior year was getting off to a raw start. And Val could only think to take one day at a time.

It was a shock when she made the cross country team. Of course, only three girls had tried out. Actually, she didn't know all that much about running, other than showing up. Vaguely, she'd seen Matty. Usually, it was from behind and very far away. He seemed to be the arrogant sort. It was strange, it didn't feel like he was on the team until she would hear over the intercom at school of who one first place at the cross country meets. It was always Matty. After all, he was not a straggler. Just as much as he thrived as being the lone runner, Val decided she would embrace this life alone. 

So another morning in the fresh Autumn air would be one more way of going it alone. And she ran as if her life depended on it. Perhaps, there were less and less who were running these days. Somebody mentioned they got mono and someone said they'd rather be in band. Still, Val was making great strides being one with the wind, light-footed and moving toward a better goal. She noticed Matty in the distance.

There was such a graceful dance as his dark hair bounced with each step. His hands at his side moving like a graceful dancer. She could see he was truly a natural of the sport and she was moving closer as if he were steel and she was a magnet. 

Maybe he was slowing down she thought. Then with a wince, like a bad omen, it happened. There was a crack in the sidewalk that rose up ever so slightly. 

Splat. Valentina was on the ground before she even knew she tripped. She groaned, hoping no one heard. She really wanted to bounce back up and keep going. Evidently, Matty heard and turned to look back. He stopped and jogged toward her.

"Are you hurt?" he asked,  bending down to inspect the injury.

Tears misted her eyes, but she shook her head, no. He helped her up which only made her hobble in pain. She'd turned her ankle or something. It even hurt to stand. She knew she was done for the season. It was getting colder now, but it didn't stop him from pulling her on his back to give her a piggyback ride back to the school.

"Were..were you slowing down?" She asked thinking he really didn't need to do this, but she knew it might have taken her most of the day to get back on her own.

"What if I was?"

Valentina bit her bottom lip, wishing to be angry but she wasn't. Although, she didn't want him seeing her so helpless.

"I guess I'm not cut out for this after all," she didn't know what else to say.

"Running is for life," he told her. "It's good for you. You'll sleep better. It's more than a school sport."

She breathed in his scent from his sweaty hair as her arms rested around his shoulders. It was as if she'd fallen into Fall and she could not escape the essences of nature.