A Dark Secret

Chapter 3 | Beautiful memories.

Welcome back to a new chapter! I have fallen ill so this is probably going to be a shorter chapter than usual... I am sorry but I hope you would still enjoy it!

When Valerie was about to reach the river, she heard Marina  talk to someone. Confused, she tried looking through the long leaves of the bushes but she couldn't see anyone else than just Marina herself. Was she talking to herself? When Valerie walked towards her, she saw Marina’s shocked impression.

"With who were you talking?" Valerie asked confused as she looked around to see someone hiding but the truth was that no one or no sign was to be found. Marina shrugged.

"Euhm... Gray." She answered back hesitantly. She turned herself around to see where he went. 

"Who is Gray?"  Valerie asked confused. They knew everyone here in Mooresville and there wasn't anyone named Gray.

"Grayson." Marina answered and now turned herself around to face Valerie. Valerie knew Marina was in pain and probably she hallucinated or something because there was no one who they would know was named Grayson.

"I just don't know where he went so fast." Marina said still as confused as before. Valerie felt sorry for her. She couldn't imagine losing one of her parents like that. She knew that Marina and her mother had a strong bond. Losing her was a nightmare to Marina.

It was even more hurtful, watching Marina cope with everything that had been going on. Valerie had no clue what to do with it. She didn’t wanted to lose Marina and she wanted to be there for her but she just didn’t know how. She didn’t wanted offend Marina. 

All of this was just more of a reason to get out of this town.  It was the better thing for Marina. It would allow her to heal from what had happened and move on. She was still so young… She has a entire future ahead of her. 

"Leave it. He might had to go home." Valerie said, to make Marina feel less crazy and Marina just nodded her head slowly. 

They sat down together, looking right in front of them. The massive river was in front of Marina and Valerie. Some birds were flying around, the wind was making a bit of sound and made the trees dance a bit. The river had some waves but not as massive as it would be in a beach. 

"It feels good to be here again." Valerie said as she enjoyed her view and Marina chuckled softly.

"It really does." Marina said as she was still looking out. She let her head rest on Valerie’s shoulder and Valerie smiled softly. It felt great to spend time with her again. 

"I can't believe that we will leave tomorrow." Marina said softly and honestly thinking about leaving Mooresville made Valerie’s heart ache.

Valerie remembered when they were in high school and none of them could really wait to leave this town. Everyone thought that it was too boring and no real future could have been made through it. However, it still remained home. It was familiar to them. The people were familiar to them and when celebrating festivals such as Christmas or Halloween it would be so fun because everyone would just participate with it. 

Valerie thought that's what she will miss the most. She will miss knowing everything around her. . 

"Same, we are leaving home." Valerie said as Marina held her hand. She gently squeezed in it. Valerie weakly smiled. 

"You know to be honest, I am afraid to move. What if something happens or what if the people won't like us there?" Marina asked and Valerie chuckled softly. Marina was again overthinking it. She would always do this. When it comes to high school or her dreams. This girl had a habit of overthinking every single thing.

"I am sure we will be fine. I mean who wouldn't want to be friends with us." Valerie said and Marina laughed nervously. 

"You might be able to pull it off but not me." Marina said and Valerie shook her head. She would never leave Marina like that. She would always make sure that she will be okay.

"I will always have your back. No matter what. If they don't like you, I won't even hang out with them." Valerie said and Marina smiled. She looked up now, again towards the river.

"I am going to miss this place." She said and Valerie sighed softly. There was this massive, pressing feeling about leaving home. It was nagging at her and she didn’t know why. 

"So am I." Valerie sighed out.

"We should find a special place back in Los Angeles." Marina said as she realised that they wouldn’t be able to come here and Valerie nodded as she laughed softly. 

"We should but it will be hard." Valerie said as she looked at her best friend. It was Los Angels. No one really had privacy there and it was hard to find a place that wasn’t known yet. 

"When did we not take challenge?" Marina asked and Valerie scoffed as she nodded with a smile. She was right about it. 

"We always do." Valerie said and Marina  nodded her head.

"That's right." She said with a smile. She stood up and Valerie looked at her in confusion.

"What are you doing, Marina?" Valerie asked confused. Marina  started taking of her t-shirt and jeans.

"Swimming. Come and join me!" She shouted as she jumped in the river. Valerie shook her head and couldn't believe that Marina actually jumped in.

"No, it will be dirty. I will be dirty." Valerie protested against Marina’s idea and she saw Marina  rolling her eyes.

"Come on, Val. It is our last day." She pouted and Valerie sighed. She didn’t wanted to but for Marina’s sake, she gave in. 

"Okay, you win but only for one minute." Valerie answered annoyed and Marina chuckled.

"Only one minute." She repeated but somehow both of them knew that they were going to be longer in there. Valerie took of her shoes, jeans and t-shirt before she jumped in the river.

The cold water touched her skin and her teeth started clattering against each other. It was so cold. How could Marina even enjoy this?

"The water is freezing." Valerie said and tried getting out of the water but Marina held onto her.

"No, you will be fine. The more you are in here the more you will get numb to the coldness." She said and Valerie cursed Marina in her mind.

"If I get ill, I swear I will kill you." Valerie breathed out and Marina  laughed as she looked at her. 

"And how will you find an amazing best friend like me again?" She asked with a smile. Valerie just looked at her annoyed. Marina knew she could get away with this because she knew that Valerie loved her and would do nothing to harm her in any way. 

"I guess that makes me safe." She smiled and Valerie rolled her eyes as she smiled.

It was good to see Marina smiling again and talking. It felt like she had lost her best friend. It felt like she was there but then again not. Seeing her smile like this made Valerie hope that she would get through this. She will be strong enough to overcome this. Valerie knew Marina was and Los Angeles was going to help them with this.

Marina and her both will be fine...