Breathe Me - C.R. Jane Page 0,47

I’ve tried very hard. I like this unexplained feeling I always have when I’m around her. It’s like being on a rollercoaster ride, when your heart palpitates so hard, it feels as if it’s about to leap out of your throat as you ascend. And then when you hit that peak way at the top, you know that what comes next might be frightening, but also exhilarating. Then the cart tips down at full speed, your stomach sinks to the soles of your feet, and you grab onto the rail for dear life, hoping you don’t fall, but you’re excited facing such danger anyway. Being with Val feels like adrenaline is being pumped into my veins, making me strong and weak all at the same time. One minute, I’m scared beyond belief, and the next, I feel like I have super powers. It’s the best way I can explain being around her.

I wipe my hands on my jeans as I stare at her, something that usually happens twenty times a day now, since they always seem to be clammy anytime Val is near. I know she’s excited to start school today, but a huge part of me wishes we still had our summer days back. Every day since she arrived, the guys and I spent each and every moment we could with her. Even Carter, who lives to be locked up in his room, came out to spend time with us. That’s how magical Val is. She’s even caught his attention, and we all know how much Carter hates people in general.

“I have to say I have never seen someone so anxious to ride a school bus before.” I chuckle, trying to coax Val out of her anxious state.

“Oh God. I must look pathetic to you, huh?”

“It’s cute you’re excited.”

“Are you making fun of me?” She cocks a brow with a playful smile.

“I wouldn’t dream of it. Your dad would wring my neck if I made fun of his little girl,” I tease, and look behind her to see the man in question, fidgeting on his porch as much as his daughter is beside me. “Speaking of which, I think he looks more nervous than you do.”

Val looks over her shoulder in her dad’s direction and sends him a little wave.

“He’ll be okay.”

“If you say so, but it kind of looks like he wants to come with us.”

“Shut up! Don’t even say that so loud, or he might hear you and do it.” She giggles.

“You going to school is a pretty big deal, huh?”

Her face falls, making me wish I had kept my big mouth shut.

“It is. I’ve been homeschooled all my life. It was easier to keep up with all my treatments that way,” she confesses forlornly, and as we both watch the yellow school bus approach, Val looks even more nervous than before.

"Hey, hey," I hush, grabbing her hand in mine. "You got this, Val. I'll be with you every step of the way, okay?" She throws me a small smile, her hazel gold eyes sparkling with gratitude, and my heart literally misses a beat.

When the bus stops right in front of us, I go in first and tilt my head for her to follow. She doesn't miss a step, and follows me inside the rowdy bus of preteens who are excited to tell everyone about their summer vacation. I see two seats in the back and walk straight to it. Val sits at my side, and grabs my hand in silence. Every once in a while, I see the other kids sneak a peek at the new girl, and I don't know why, but I squeeze her hand in mine every time a curious gaze sticks on her for a little too long.

"Is it far from here? The school I mean?"

I shake my head. "We'll be there in ten minutes."

"Okay," she mumbles.

"Are you still scared or excited?"

"A little bit of both. If I’m honest, I feel like I'm going to throw up." She smiles meekly.

"Please try not to. It took me forever to put this outfit together," I tease, pointing at my generic white t-shirt and jeans.

When she lets out an honest-to-God, true Valentina laugh, my insides turn to mush. We keep talking, and before I know it, we finally arrive at John Spicer Middle School. My smile widens when I spot Carter and Quaid already at our meeting spot. Unlike me, they don’t have to take the bus, since both of them prefer to take their