Page 67 of Lessons in Falling
I think I’d known for a while.
CHAPTER 32
VALENTINA
Something touched my foot!
I can’t see anything!
This is so scary, I want to go home.Please.
There was crying and screaming and laughing, water splashing while my friends paddled for their life like they might’ve forgotten how to swim properly.All I could do was laugh, floating on my back, our clothes all scattered by the shore of the small lake (the open sea seemed a bit too dangerous at night).
During the day, it was beautiful here.White, sandy shore, calm, relatively clear water, and hidden from view by rows of trees.At night, all it really seemed was scary.
The water wasn’t clear, but dark.The trees didn’t feel comforting, but like someone with bad intentions was hiding behind one of them, ready to drag our naked selves out of the water one by one.
Naked, because we’d gone skinny dipping.Naked, because— after Iris told them about the bucket list, scandalized as if ithad been a hit list—my friends insisted on being part of at least one of the items.Then made me promise to go through most with them again.We can skip the sex part, Alfie had snickered.You’ve got Caden for that, Iris had added, giggling.
And my heart was so full, knowing I’d messed up, and knowing they were still there.Realizing I didn’t need to be perfect to be loved by the right people.
So everything else—Anni interrupted herself with a squeal, paddling a few feet away from where she’d probably touched some algae or a slimy stone.Ugh!So everything else on this secret list, Caden did with you?she tried again.
I nodded before realizing they couldn’t see.Stood upright, felt something slimy touch my foot, then screamed just like Anni had.Yes,I hissed, still attempting to get away from whatever had grazed my ankle.
One of the first nights, he’d slept outside because he hadn’t wanted to leave me by myself.We went for a run—my last, for obvious reasons.He’d invited himself to join me on my full-moon walk.He’d tried to show me how to play pool.I’d watched the sunrise while he’d still been asleep beside me, after we’d had sex on the beach.He was the law I’d broken, so technically, he’d been there for that one, too.
How did I not realize how much time you were spending with him?Anni sounded genuinely disappointed in herself.I literally thought the only time you two interacted was when you slipped into your respective beds and said goodnight.
Turns out, it wasn’t always theirrespectivebeds,Alfie threw in, and I knew if we could see him, he’d wink.Maybe he did regardless.
I snickered, half amused, half annoyed that he kept bringingup his accidental walk-in.Probably because I was very focused onnothaving you guys realize.
How do you think he felt about the fact that he was your dirty little secret?Iris.Can’t imagine it was nice.Did you ever talk about that?
No,I said, even before thinking about it.He didn’t seem like the type of guy it would be an issue for, seeing as he didn’t do the whole serious dating thing, anyway.Why would he care about things like that, if he didn’t care about me in the first place?
Why would he just tell everyone now, though?Anni.
He thinks I told Mike about the job,I guessed.It was the only explanation I could think of.He’d warned me, a few weeks ago.
You tell anyone about this, and I’m arts-and-crafting a banner that saysValentina Rhodes slept with Caden Callahan,and hanging it in the living room.
A collectiveOhechoed across the water’s surface.Then,No, that was Finnick.
Finnick?!Had literally been the last name I would’ve thought of.
We went to the boardwalk a few days ago, remember?You and Caden stayed home, and—A loud groan from Anni.Oh my God.It wassoobvious.Anyway, we ran into Finnick, talked a little.He asked where you are, if you’re okay because he hadn’t heard from you.Then, ifthatguy was your boyfriend, and if he ended up taking the Anova offer, because he knew someone who worked there, or something.Mike exploded the second we were by ourselves.He wassoangry.I wouldn’t be surprised if they’re currently fist fighting in your backyard, Alfie.
It’s a shame we’re missing it,I grumbled, and slowly but surely made my way out of the water.It was getting cold, and I could not deal with another fish-that-was-probably-just-a-piece-of-algae touching my skin.My friends followed.I’d love to see him suffer, just a little bit.
Valentina!Anni gasped.I don’t think you’ve wished harm on anyone before.Whoareyou?
No one has ever spilled my deepest darkest secret—
Iris tried to interrupt.Because you—
Never have any secrets, I know.Butstill.
