Until It Breaks – Chapter 7

All I Want

“So… you really think it’s a good idea to meet here? Where anyone can see us?”, Valerie asked Ethan. If Jenny found out they were meeting behind her back she would not be happy. Ethan shrugged.
“The more out in the open you are the less people think you have something to hide”, he said. Valerie wasn’t so sure.
“Well, you do have something to hide. What do you have to say for yourself?”

“Let’s take a walk”, Ethan replied and gestured towards a more quiet part of the park. Valerie rolled her eyes but followed. They walked in silence for a while and Valerie couldn’t help but notice that the park of Willow Creek was a beautiful setting.

If only their business here wasn’t so ugly, she might actually enjoy it – and given she were here with someone else and not Jenny’s sloop of a boyfriend.
“If you don’t want to talk, I’m just going to leave and tell Jenny, okay?”, Valerie flared up impatiently. “I don’t have time for your games.”

“Calm down”, Ethan said quietly, “As I said, we can talk about it. What do you want?”
“What do I… want?”, Valerie was baffled. “Are you trying to bribe me? I can’t believe you!”
Valerie felt her anger rising as she realised that Ethan hadn’t taken her here to explain. “You only said you could explain so you could shut me up until you could make me an offer, didn’t you?”

Ethan said nothing but his silence was more than enough confirmation. The smirk on his face made Valerie even more mad.
“Just tell me one thing, why don’t you just break up with Jenny if you clearly don’t want her anymore? She doesn’t deserve this!”
Ethan frowned. “You have no idea what you’re talking about”, he hissed through clenched teeth. Valerie was confused. What did that mean? But before she could ask he went on.

“I can’t break up with Jenny. I need her. I need her dad that is. He works at my dream college. They won’t accept me without his help”, he confessed.
“You’re disgusting”, Valerie said automatically but her insides were squirming. She would do anything to get accepted at her dream college but it was impossible. If there would be any chance to still get in, would she do the same? No, she told herself, I’m not like that. There are other ways. Other schools. She shook her head, shocked that she would even consider the possibility of Ethan’s actions being acceptable.

“Maybe I am”, Ethan replied, “But that doesn’t concern you. I ask you again. What do you want? Money? I have it. Social status? I can help you with that as well. Just say it.”
Valerie took a step backwards feeling repulsed by Ethan’s suggestion.
“Keep your money. And I don’t care about social status. All I want is something you can’t give to me, so why do you bother?”
I can’t believe I just said that. Valerie was appalled at her own implication. Would she accept Ethan’s offer if he was able to place her at Havencrest? It doesn’t matter. He can’t do it.
“What is it?”

Valerie sighed, “Havencrest University. But that’s impossible. I’m going to tell Jenny about this tomorrow”, she turned around to leave but Ethan grabbed her arm again.
“What if it was?”
Valerie yanked herself free of his grip and glared at him. What if it was?!
“Tell me about it”, he urged. She  didn’t want to continue this conversation. But the whole ordeal about Havencrest had been in her mind for months. And what if he could do something about it. Suddenly she found herself pouring her heart out and telling Ethan everything.

Next: Chapter 8