• Valerie Wilding went to hail a cab straight away after school ended. She had switched off her phone and none of her friends were able to reach her. Nick was on his way for his football practice when he saw Valerie rushing out of school and watched her hail a cab. He had wanted merely wanted to say ”hi” to her. However, seeing her fleeing like that, he thought maybe she was busy and went straight to the football field.

    Jaime went all around looking for Valerie but it seems to appear that no one had seen her around. Well, even if they did, they wouldn’t be taking notice of her. Jaime was such a nice friend like what Valerie would always say,
    “You’re the best. You’re the best. You’re the best!”
    If she had said something three times, she really meant it. Valerie could only transform into another “Valerie”(the one who is more open and lovely) in front of Jaime. Other than her, she wasn’t at all comfortable in opening up to others.

    “Crest hill Avenue please.” This was what Valerie said to the cab driver. She wasn’t sure if she was making the right decision, but her instincts told her she had. She didn’t want to live under such circumstances again. Looking out of the car window, she could see trees running backwards and “teens” around the age of 12 on the streets. They looked happy and carefree. It made her thought of what she did during that age.

    Back then, she was the totally opposite of what she was now. She was a wild child who partied day and night. That was before she moved house and transferred into a different school. She was always hanging out with her group of friends, mostly guys. Madeline and her were the only girls. Madeline was her best friend. They shopped, they gossiped and they partied. Life was more than fun. Though they were only 12, their guy friends were spread between the ages of 16-20.

    “We’re here. Seventeen-fifty, sweetheart”, the cab driver interrupted her thoughts.
    “Keep the change…”, Valerie said as she alighted from the vehicle.

    It was a red coloured brick building that stood out from the rest of the old gray coloured building, though it looked a little worn down. Valerie made her way up the stairs to the third story and towards the apartment on the right. She stood outside of the apartment and reached out to press the doorbell. Opening the door was a middle-aged guy in a smart dark blue coloured Armani suit.
    “You’re here. Come on in.” The guy said gleefully with a bright smile across his face. He looked very pleased to see her.
    Valerie went in to the well-decorated house and sat beside Willie while he took a drink to her.
    “Thank you, Mr. Peters” Valerie thanked him politely.
    “How many times have I told you to call me Brandon?”
    The girl merely smiled.
    “So how’s Willie doing?” She asked as she pat the dog. Valerie had noticed that he was even more quiet than usual.
    “He’s been more tame than usual.” Brandon answered, as if it didn’t mattered.
    “ It’s time for his check-up. Come on, let’s go..” The three of them went out of the dark brown door.

    Valerie brought Willie out as she got out of the car. Finally, they’d reached the veteran’s. The place looked dark and eerie outside. Even quiet Willie let out a few barks upon the look of it. It scared people, even animals. Valerie gritted her teeth. The atmosphere of such a clinic made her shiver. She was scared for Willie.
    “Valerie Wilding, what a coincidence.”
    Just as she pushed the heavy glass door, Valerie heard a familiar voice, so familiar that she didn’t want to turn around and acknowledge whom it was. In the end, she made a choice. Turning her head around, she had already expected to see him-Ethan. The guy stood right in front of where the car was. His soft brown hair swept right across his eyebrow and his sapphire blue eyes pierced right into he eyes. He stood 5’11 tall. With his hands tucked into his front pockets, he face put up a grin immediately when he saw her face.
    “Who’s that?” Brandon asked when he saw the 18 year old.
    “Someone I know from the past...” Valerie replied a few moments after. Her thoughts were in a whirl. “Um, Mr.- Brandon, can I have the rest of the day off?”
    “Sure, settle what you need to do. Don’t worry; I can handle Willie by myself. ”

    The two of them walked down the street. Silence came across them. Valerie was always comfortable with silence. In fact, she loved quietness. However, being quiet with Ethan seemed really awkward for her.
    “Didn’t I ask you to find me?” Ethan broke the peace.
    “You did.”
    “Then what were you doing with him?”
    “I have my work to finish.”
    “Sweetheart,” he scoffed. “Don’t give me that.”
    Valerie’s heart skipped a bit. “How did you know where I was?” She tried to change the topic. In her heart, she knew it wasn’t a coincidence that the both of them had met.
    “I always get my way.” He said easily. “You didn’t want to meet me, so I came to look for you.”