Valerie yawned and stretched in bed, the soft morning light spilling through the curtains. The warmth of the sun bathed her skin, but a heaviness lingered from the night before. The story of Valentine and Valentina, their pure love doomed by a cruel fate, continued to replay in her mind. The more she thought about it, the deeper it sank into her heart, as if their sorrow and loss had somehow become her own.
She closed her eyes and whispered a quick prayer, asking God for peace. After a moment of stillness, she reached for her phone, hoping for a distraction that could pull her thoughts away from the tragedy. She dialed Anika's number, and before it could even ring once, Anika's familiar voice burst through.
"Good morning, baby girl! It's Val's Day, and I can't wait for our trip to Jullesleigh Castle! I bet we'll find out more about the forbidden love on Val's Day—this is going to be amazing!" Anika's excitement was enough to almost lift Valerie's spirits. Almost.
Valerie chuckled, but a touch of frustration colored her voice. "Can you at least listen to me for a second?" she asked. But Anika, as always, was already overflowing with enthusiasm.
"I can't believe it, Val's Day is finally here! Do you think we'll see any signs of the forbidden love on Val's Day while we're there? Maybe hidden messages or something? Oh, this is going to be so much fun!"
Valerie sighed, trying to suppress a smile. "Anika, I'm serious! I need you to listen for a minute."
There was a sudden pause on the other end of the line. Valerie knew this was her chance.
"I won't go on the excursion if you keep talking so much," she teased, though her words had a hint of seriousness.
The silence was immediate. Valerie could practically hear Anika's pout through the phone. It wasn't often she had to set a boundary with Anika, but when she did, it was effective.
"Alright, alright," Anika finally relented, her tone a lot calmer now, though Valerie could still hear the mischief lurking beneath. "I'll listen. What's up?"
Valerie smiled, relieved to finally have Anika's attention. "What time are we supposed to report to the school?"
"Well, from the schools group online, we have to be there around 10 a.m. to sign in," Anika answered, her voice still holding that playful edge. "They need to figure out how many buses to send. Are you coming or not?"
"Good, then come to my place when you're done. We can go together," Valerie said with a grin before hanging up.
She took a moment to laugh at herself. Anika could be a lot, but that was exactly what made her such a great friend. Valerie didn't mind the chaos—it added color to their lives.
Valerie headed to the shower, letting the warm water wash away the remnants of the tragic story. She wrapped her long, silky black cornrow braids into a neat bun and applied a hint of lip balm—just a touch of pink to brighten her face. As she gazed at her reflection in the mirror, she felt a little more like herself again. She was determined to shake off the weight of the sad tale and enjoy her day.
After getting dressed, Valerie walked out of her room and into the kitchen, where the comforting aroma of freshly brewed tea greeted her. Her mother was busy at the stove, humming softly as she worked.
"Mmm, good morning, Mom! What's for breakfast?" Valerie asked, grabbing a couple of cookies from the counter. They were her favorite— crunchy and sweet, the perfect comfort food for mornings like this.
Mrs. Valerole smiled warmly, still moving around the kitchen. "Good morning, dear. How are you today?"
Valerie hesitated for a moment, then admitted, "I'm fine, but I'm a little down after reading that story, Valentine and Valentina's tale. It's just... so tragic. It feels like such a beautiful love story, but it ended so terribly."
Her mother gave her a knowing look. "Sweetheart, that's something that happened long before you and I were born," she said gently. "Don't let it weigh on you. History, no matter how painful, is in the past. You've got so much to look forward to. Let the love around you today lift you up, okay?"
Valerie smiled weakly. Her mom was always wise, offering comfort in the simplest ways. Mrs. Valerole poured a steaming cup of tea and handed it to her daughter, the soothing scent of lemongrass filling the air.
"Here," Mrs. Valerole said with a soft smile. "Have some tea to calm your nerves. It always helps me clear my head."
Valerie took the cup, inhaling the comforting scent before sipping. The warm liquid spread through her body, and for a moment, the tension in her chest began to ease. The sadness from the tragic love story still lingered, but the warmth of the tea and her mother's presence made it more bearable.
"Thanks, Mom," Valerie murmured, taking another sip. "You always know how to make things better."
"Anytime, sweetheart," Mrs. Valerole replied with a smile. "Now go enjoy your day. You've got a fun excursion ahead of you."
Valerie nodded, feeling a little more at peace. She wasn't going to let the story of Valentine and Valentina ruin her day. Today was about enjoying her own life, her own experiences and discovering more about the forbidden love on Val's Day with friends.