In Summer We Started

6.

Valentina

"Grandma, I'm home," I announced, kicking off my flat shoes by the door. I didn't bother to pick them up and arrange them properly, as Grandma would often tell me to do, instead I sauntered into the sitting room, calling Grandma softly. It was nine, and I didn't think she'd be asleep yet. My body was tired, and my sore muscles protested as I flexed my shoulder. I found Grandma lying on the couch, with the tv on. Her right hand was falling off the edge of the couch, and her frame was set awkwardly, too wide to contain the small space she slept. I leaned in, going on my knees as I studied my grandma. She looked like Mom in a way and I was reminded of the time she'd visited our home when I had turned seven. I was out by the pool in our backyard, playing with a pink floater. Mom had invited a couple of her friends and neighbors over, while dad took care of the barbecue over the grill. I couldn't hear what they were saying cause my head kept appearing and disappearing on the surface of the water as I immersed my face and hair in and then out. The other kids, mostly my age, were at the other side of the shallow area, playing with their balloons and giggling. An adult stood nearby, supervising us.

I was supposed to be happy, excited even, that I was turning seven, but that day, I was just mellow. My grandma and mom were discussing in hushed tones and I was too far to hear them. A minute late, mom called out to me, the tail end of her gown, billowing in the breeze. "Val, come and say hi to grandma. She came to wish you happy birthday in person." They approached me steadily, and I took another dip, bringing my head out when I was closer to the edge. I gripped the handle of the silver railing and pushed my body upward, shooting straight for my grandma. Wrapping my arms around her neck, I hugged her tight, my face digging into her shoulder. Grandma patted my back, staring against the backdrop of the mild sun at my mother who folded her arms, smiling down at us.

"Thank you, grandma. For being here," I whispered.

"Happy seventh, honey. Did you blow out the candles on your cake yet?" She asked, pulling away to look into my eyes. I gave a sly grin, shy.

"No. Not yet."

"Alright." She held my hand, stretching to her full height. "Let's do that then. I also got you some chocolate chip cookies. You love cookies?"

"Yes!" I exclaimed, bouncing happily. The sound of my mom's laughter followed me as we headed inside the house where the chocolate chip cookies sat on top of the dinner table. I smiled faintly at the memory, pulling a handmade quilt to wrap around my grandma. Tucking it around her, I ensured she was warm before getting up to switch off the tv. The whole house was silent again, as silent as it had been back home without dad around. Remembering Dad and how he'd hurriedly left home brought tears to my eyes, and I sniffed. I wondered how mom was feeling now.

Friday rolled by slowly, and in the end, all I wanted to do was go home, crash on my bed and sleep till the next morning. But, I still had to wait till Evelyn finished with the account. "Would you like to go to a club?" She asked, flicking the tip of the pen on her face as she looked up at me.

"A club? What? Why? I'm not even eighteen yet." I frowned, wiping down a table.

"Just saying. You're new. You should go out and have fun. Plus, it could be another avenue for you to try out new things." I thought about what she'd said. I didn't like the idea of going to a club on a Friday night, especially as my grandma was still very protective of me. Mom had probably asked to keep an eye out for me, and Grandma wasn't going to listen to an excuse for why I wasn't back home on or before nine.

"What about my Grandma? What am I going to tell her, if at all I agree to follow you?"

Evelyn shrugged like it wasn't a big deal. "Tell her anything. I've been working with her for years so I know she'll believe you. Only if you sound sure of what you're saying, though. She won't suspect a thing."

"Hmm." I scratched the back of my neck, feeling nervous. This wasn't going to end well, I knew. But, I was curious to see how a club worked. I'd never been to one before, and I rarely went to parties back at home. Mom didn't allow me. What would it hurt?

"Alright. You got a spare dress for me?"

"Of course," Evelyn squealed, giggling. "Pretty sure we're gonna rock it."

The club was just a few blocks away from my grandma's home. And even as I walked in the too-short dress Evelyn had given me, I kept looking behind my shoulder to make sure we weren't being followed. I had to have my wits about me. When we arrived at the club, they asked for IDs and Evelyn wasted no time in handing them out to them, the rhinestones on her artificial nail glinting in the dim lighting. Evelyn had my nails done too. I had no idea she was that talented. She'd sat me in front of her oval room mirror and touched up my face with makeup that when I turned around I couldn't recognize myself anymore. My eyes had been adorned with glittery eyeshadow and my lips were a glossy red, bringing out the light bronze of my cheeks. I'd touched my face, shocked by the transformation. I was pretty sure I wasn't going to be noticed as Valentina. Maybe, Tina or one of those other sexy names my female classmates in school gave out when a guy was flirting with them. I smiled warily at the bouncer, even though his face was set in stone, his muscles straining under the black shirt he wore. He didn't return the smile. He was just doing his job.

I shrugged off the thought as we entered the lavishly furnished club, Evelyn tugging my hand in excitement. I could feel the sound of the music vibrating under my feet, making my heart race. I'd never heard this type of loud music before, but then again, I didn't listen much to music. Only the times I would cry myself to sleep at yet another night of dad being away. It had been awful. It still was. I was just trying to cope with it. It felt like a dream: my parent's divorce. I hadn't spoken to mom since I left so I wouldn't know how she was, but I had a fairly good idea she wouldn't be okay. I'd thought of calling once, or twice, but I wondered what I'd say, and I ended up not calling. Eventually, I knew I had to. I couldn't stay away from her forever. And I had to keep reminding myself that running away from my problems wouldn't actually solve them. It was only a temporary reprieve until reality weighed in. Evelyn and I hit the bar first, and she ordered a shot for both of us. She looked over her shoulder, taking in the pretty view. The low, colorful lights that blended in with the grey walls, the loud fast-paced music, the crowded dance floor, everything our eyes could take in.

"Cheers," she said, clinking glasses with mine.

I smiled warmly, raising my glass. "Cheers." And then, we downed our glasses, wincing as the alcohol slid down our throats, setting our insides on fire. The taste was bitter, nothing to write home about. Eww. And I had thought it tasted good because of how frequently those teens on tv, took it at parties, laughing and vibing to hip-hop songs through the overhead speakers. Now I knew better. Before I could recover from the alcohol slowly warming my senses, Evelyn was already dragging me with her, towards the dance floor where the music seemed louder. I began moving my body to the music, allowing it to take me to places I'd never been before. Soon, I was flipping my hair wildly, daring to shake my butt. I could tell I was beginning to attract attention from a lot of the other guys, and Evelyn smiled at me as she danced, a fuzzy smile.

I had to ward off multiple dance requests, remain on my own, and enjoy my own company. A little while later, I started feeling my head turn, and my legs could barely maintain their coordination. My dance slowed to a stop, and I blew out a breath, sweat hanging off my brow.

"I think I should leave," I said to Evelyn, pushing through the mass of drunks to the bar. Too drunk to walk, I stumbled my way out to the bar and grabbed my small purse. Then, I headed out, not waiting for Evelyn to follow. My guess was that she wasn't ready to leave yet. As soon as I stepped out, the cold air rushing to my heated face, I saw Luca pulling up with his motorcycle-the same one I hated. I wonder how he managed on that thing. It looked very unsafe. Luca spotted me and smirked. I had my arms wrapped around me from the biting cold as Luca got down from his bike, walking over to where I was standing. I pretended not to stare at him, a scowl on my face.

"Wow. Never thought I'd find you in a place like this. Thought you were too prim and proper to be seen in a place like this. Turns out I was wrong, huh?" He asked, his words taunting me, pushing me to respond badly to him. He was just stupid.

"You're wrong. But, I'm not going to dissuade you of that notion. Just mind what you say to people, and stop judging them. You, of all people, must know how that feels." He smiled a strained smile, watching me rub my arms from the cold. I kept glancing from him to the road, waiting for a cab to pull over. God! Why weren't there any cabs? Was it that late? What excuse was I going to give my grandma now?

"Are you leaving?" He asked as if that wasn't already glaringly obvious. But, I nodded for his benefit, turning to look at the road again.

"Oh," was all he said, before slipping his free hand into his pocket. "Can I offer you a ride then?"

"With that thing?" I asked, staring at his bike in disdain. "No, thanks. I'll manage well on my own."

He shrugged. "Suit yourself." Just then, a girl who was a bit tipsy sauntered from the club, gluing her body to Luca. At first, it looked like she was about to topple over the floor, but he caught her with his strong arms. I resisted the urge to roll my eyes, feeling my skin burn. Luca held her, at the same time, staring at me. I frowned, expecting him to let go of the girl, but he leaned in and kissed her, fueling the fury in me. Hell! I hissed, moving to the far end of the parking lot while waiting for the cab I'd ordered to arrive. I couldn't stand them. But, I watched out of the corner of my eyes as Luca and the girl climbed into his bike and drove off.