Valiant

VALIANT

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「 EPIGRAPH 」

"Life's challenges are not supposed to paralyze you; they're supposed to

help you discover who you are."

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「 SYNOPSIS 」

No matter how much she tries to run or fight, Carla Marshall is still stuck in the tragic verse of her past. With her troubling past bottled up, she's determined to get through life unharmed.

But keeping her past hidden turned out very difficult when Valen Monroe comes into her life. Drawn to her, he's determined to find out more than she portrays.

The question's quite obvious-will he be able to break down her walls?

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「 STATUS 」

BEGIN:- 11/05/2022

END:- TBD

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「 WARNINGS 」

This book will contain minor swear words, scenes of physical abuse-If any of these topics are triggering to you, PLEASE DO NOT READ.

Also, careful not to fall for my characters ;)

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「 AUTHOR'S NOTE 」

Hey Lovelies!! <3

I don't exactly know how you came across this book but I'm glad you're taking your time to read this.

So, presenting my new story, 'VALIANT' I'm honoured to share it with you. As you all know, it's based on college romance and I'm hoping you all would love this book as much as I loved writing it.

One of my main reasons for writing this story is to raise awareness about the awful things young girls do go through in life- Gender Discrimination and Domestic Abuse- but standing strong and being brave was one thing to withstand all problems in life.

Now, here are some ground rules;

»» NO HATE COMMENTS. I wouldn't tolerate it. Imagine just wasting your time spreading negativity on someone's book- it's so not nice. The comments should be fun, lively and positive.

»» My characters have their stories so please refrain from bashing them as they are bound to make mistakes, we all do. If I make my all my characters flawless this wouldn't even be a book and also whatever my characters does or believes doesn't reflect my personality.

»» PLEASE COMMENT. Dropping your thoughts and constructive criticism would really help out because I'm not a perfect writer- pointing out mistakes would do a great job.

For the last time, thank you guys so much for chosing to read this book and I really hope you enjoy it and have fun reading it.

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「 COPYRIGHT 」

Copyrights shortyywrites, 2021

All rights reserved. No reprodution, copy or transmission of this document may be made without written permission from the author.

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「 DISCLAIMER 」

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are my imagination. Any chance there's a slight similarity with any other books it's a coincidence.

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「 DEDICATION 」

Dedicated to all the beautiful people out there. You all are wonderful in your unique ways. Stay golden<3



••Three years ago••

|CARLA'S POV|

I CAN'T ACTUALLY SAY my life had been easy because it definitely wasn't and I can actually tell you with complete honesty that my life was messed up. But I wasn't like those girls who ran away from their problems, I always stood tall and faced my problems, ready to kick it's damn ass.

Right at that moment, I was ready to kick my problem's ass.

Droplets of sweat trailed down my shoulders as I stood in the alley way, glaring at the group of boys who exchanged high-fives for a stupid joke Daniel made. Arizona's sweltering sun created holes on my back, and burned my skin harshly. The boys in front of me didn't help my miserable state nor did their nonsensical laughter.

Daniel and his ass-like friends were known to be trouble makers in the neighborhood and I was the very person they loved picking on. Yes, I'm a girl, but one thing I hated was people taunting and pushing me around. Daniel was fond of doing such. Every single day, I just endured them, swallowed my burning rage and retort.

I did that because of Mom, she wanted me to learn to control my anger even though we both knew I was very short-tempered.

I didn't wait for the assholes in front of me to finish with their horrible laughing because I was never patient when it came to dumbasses like them, "I guess you're out of horrible jokes so why don't you move your damn ass away," I sneered.

"Oh my," the blonde haired chuckled," I didn't know you could still talk, considering the fact that you must be weak from the beatings you always receive," the boy taunted while the others laughed about it.

I clenched my fist while my face morphed into a snarl. I was really trying to control my anger at that moment but the rage was too much and it would have been really good for those boys if they'd kept their mouth shut.

For the few seconds I stood there, I kept reminding myself not to loose control because if I did it wouldn't end well for any of them. But unfortunately, because I stood there without any form of response, Daniel decided to dig his own grave.

"I can't believe there's a man you call father when he has no care for you. And we all know that he wouldn't hesitate to kill you," he feigned pity. "There's a reason for it though. It's because you are worthless," he shrugged and immediately laughter rose into the air.

Hot blood flowed through my veins at his sentence and I immediately threw away all my self-control. "Say that again," I gritted, my eyes piercing painful holes into his, "I dare you."

"What are you going to do? Beat me?" his annoying laugh filled the street yet again.

My blood boiled as determination and anger took over me. I dropped the bag of apples I had been holding on the ground and stepped dangerously close to his plumpy figure, "When I'm done with you, you're gonna wish you never said that prick."

"Come on Daniel, show this girl who's boss," one of his friends called to him, as a sign of encouragement. Losers.

"You heard him, Daniel," I said, my tone mocking him, "Let's show them who's boss."

Daniel smirked and stepped forward in an attempt to throw a punch but little did he know I wasn't the girl he could beat up. I'd been quiet for so long but it was time to teach him a very big lesson.

I grabbed hold of the fist he had hurled in my direction and squeezed it, feeling all his finger bones crack under my palm. I chuckled at his pain filled facial expression before letting go of his hand. It's like he didn't get the hint because he charged at me again but this time, I grabbed his arm and twisted it behind his back, making him scream in pain. With my legs, I kicked his and he fell to the ground with a loud thud.

Fat fool.

Just when I was about to turn away, one of his friends had to come into the scene. Getting close enough, he threw his right leg up for a kick but I grabbed his leg before it got to my torso, for a brief second, his eyes widened before I yanked his leg really hard which made him to loose his balance.

I gave the remaining three a side eye, daring them to try to fight me but like the chickens they were, they ran away, leaving their friends who were lying helplessly on the floor.

With a smirk on my face, I watched the two of them grunt in pain, "that's exactly what you'll get the next time you mess with me."

I watched them in amusement as they glared at me but my moment only lasted for a while. From behind, someone yanked my hair really hard and I let out a scream. "You worthless bitch!" the very familiar voice snarled behind me.

"Dad please, let go," I begged and I hated it. I hated begging him like that, but I couldn't fight him because he was my dad and I wouldn't have been able to.

"You're good for nothing, do you know that?" he yanked my hair harder, grabbing hold of my right arm.

"You're hurting me!" I screamed. The boys who I had beaten were on their feet and laughing at me as my dad dragged me away. I wonder why everyone enjoyed seeing me in pain.

He finally let go of my hair and I struggled to get out of his grasp. When I succeeded in getting out of his grasp, I made a run for it, but I hadn't quite gotten anywhere when his rough hands came from nowhere and tightened on my wrist. I tried to fight away his hands but my feet ended up dragging along the sandy soil when I lost my balance.

"I'm going to teach you a lesson when we get home since you've decided to render yourself useless!"

"Stop it!" I cried as he dragged me along the streets, his insults raining heavily on me.

All my pleading fell on deaf ears as he carelessly dragged me away. The people in the neighborhood watched me in sympathy as I cried, but I didn't need anyone's sympathy because I was no longer a weakling. No one had helped me while I was tortured and disgraced by my dad, so what was the use of even depending on them. Those who even tried to talk to him only ended up getting insulted and since then I had been fighting for myself.

My foot suddenly hit a stone and I fell hard on my knees, bruising it in the process. I winced in pain as my dad pulled me up without caring that I was hurt. Why would he care? He was a monster.

He dragged me all the way home, the most dangerous place in my life. He jerked me up to the dusty doorway and kicked the door open before pushing me in with all the power he had. I landed hard on the floor, my head making painful contact with it.

Before I had the chance to let out a groan, I felt his hands on my neck, depriving me of oxygen. I dug my finger nails into his wrists as I tried to get my neck free from his grasp.

Letting out a strangled scream, I reached up for his face and clawed at it, hard. He removed his right hand from my neck and slapped me right in the cheek, leaving a sting. His hand went back to my neck, squeezing my lungs. His eyes burned with hatred while my lungs burned with severe pain.

"What are you doing?!" I heard my mom's horrified voice before she came into my sight, "let go," she cried as she tried to get my father away from me, successfully pushing him away from me.

Mom helped me up as I gulped and gasped for breath, my heart beating frantically. My mom pulled me into her arms as I tried to control my breath. In. Out. In. Out. When I was finally relaxed, I turned to face my dad who was pacing up and down restlessly in the living room.

"What is wrong with you Dave?!" Mom broke the tension filled silence, "Don't you have a heart? You want to kill your own daughter!" she yelled, making me flinch. I had never seen my mom that angry in years, she was a very calm and peaceful woman. But at a situation like that, she would definitely get upset especially when her own husband was a beast.

"Did you say, my daughter?" he scoffed turning around to face us, "she's your daughter not mine." He darted his cold eyes to me, "and you, you've rendered yourself more useless by going around fighting everyone you see."

"I don't go around fighting just anyone," I retorted furiously, "I only defend myself Dad! Anyone who messes with me would beaten black and blue!" I barked.

"How dare you raise your voice at me, huh?!" he barked, angrily, stepping closer to me and when I didn't respond to him he muttered, "I wonder why I haven't killed you yet."

"The same way you-"

"Please dear, don't bring it up," Mom begged from beside me, cutting off what I was going to say to Dad. I looked directly at her face to see a tear had fallen. I reminded her of the incident and as much as it pained her, it hurt me too.

"I'm sorry," I brought my hand up and wiped the tear away from her face, "I shouldn't have-"

"It's okay," she smiled sadly at me.

I turned to face my dad who was fuming like an angry bull- he's worse than that. My hands clenched into a fist, as always when I was around him. I can't believe I called such a man my father! That man had no gratitude, he was heartless! A messed up shit.

He called me useless and abused me because I was a- girl. I remember vividly how he kept on ranting on how he wanted male children not useless females. He would create problem for us and then accuse us for it, most times he'll tell me that I was the damn reason behind the problem. His abuse injured my heart and skin, sometimes even my mentality.

I know he hated me so much but at least he could've pitied Mom. She was never at fault, she wasn't the one to give herself male, she would sweat to get food on our table and then Dad would end up criticizing it. What a scumbag.

"I've had enough of your crap!" I yelled at Dad, my hatred for him increasing every second, "we've had enough of it," I rephrased, "I can no longer condole your abuses, you of all people should know Mom can't have males all by herself, you are at fault here. The better it sticks into your dumbass brain, the better for all of us because this isn't the nineteenth century where people select the genders they want as children. Enough of the discrimination!"

"How dare you?!-" my dad's angry voice boomed around the house, not bothering me one bit because I had once again lost all my self control.

I raised my right hand up, telling him not to utter any more word, "I wasn't done talking!" I seethed.

"What are you doing?" Mom asked, pleading for me to keep quiet but it all fell on deaf ears.

I kept hard gaze on him, "you've been a dingus and you know it, when I look at you, I'm ashamed to call you my Dad because I don't see a father in you. All I see is a beast. I'm not gonna hide in the shadows anymore because I'm not scared of you any more so I'm just going straight to the point," I brought my fingers to my chest, "I no longer see you as my Dad, I hate you-"

I was cut short when my dad's rough hands whipped across my left cheek. He mercilessly wrenched and yanked my hair, his fingers tangling in my messy waves. "Let go of me freak!" I barked, only getting him more furious as he yanked my hair harder.

"You're hurting her," Mom cried, trying to get dad's hand away from my hair but he pushed her away and she fell hard on the floor.

"Mom!" I shrieked in horror. At that point, my blood boiled frantically. How dare he?! I brought my knee up, and kneed him hard in the groin. He staggered backwards, letting go of my hair while I ran to Mom on the floor.

"Are you okay?" I asked, worried, lifting her up and taking her to sit on the couch.

"I'm fine, you really need to control your temper around your dad-"

"He's not my dad," I stood up, suddenly annoyed again. I glared at my dad who was groaning in pain opposite me, literally feeling the steam coming out of my ears. I needed to pour my anger out but I wasn't going to do it there or else I'd trash the whole house. With no more words uttered, I matched towards the door, ignoring my mom's questions of where I was going and ran out of the house, knowing exactly where to release my anger.

𖣘𖣘𖣘𖣘

"What a jerk!" punch. "How could he be this heartless to his kids?!" punch. "He's no longer my dad anyway." punch. "But I'll make sure he pays." I seethed, giving the punch bag another punch. Sweat rolled down my face as I glared at the punch bag, hoping to at least put a hole in it.

This was how I dealt with my anger, punching the bag in the gym. There was a time in my life when I had enough of being a weakling and not being able to stand up for myself. It was here. I learnt defense moves in this very gym and poured out my anger here. It was no secret gym because people did come there but my parents never knew I came here.

I was about to throw another punch when I heard a male voice, "You really have to take it easy kid, you're gonna put a hole in that punch bag."

I turned around to see the owner of the gym, Mr Paul. He was always around when I came there and he was in fact the one who thought me some defence moves. "That's exactly what I was praying for sir," I said, my tone humourless.

He let out a low chuckle, "well, I can see you're getting better."

My anger slowly faded away and I gave him a genuine smile, "Thank you sir."

He returned the smile and walked away. I turned my attention back to the punch bag and then imagined my dad's face. The anger grew up and then I gave punches cognitively.

I don't know how long I had been in the gym but it was late when I made my way back home, successfully sneaking into my small room. I made my way into the- also small bathroom and had a shower.

I looked into the mirror and winced at my reflection. There was a bruise on my neck, in the shape of my dad's hands. There was also a purple spot on my shoulder from where he had hit me with a stick the previous day. My entire body was covered in scars which I had to hide everyday.

I sighed and made my way to my bed, hardly getting comfortable in it, but I gradually felt myself loose to the claws of sleep. My eyes fluttered close and darkness took over.

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I was brought out of my sleep when I felt someone's hand on mine, incessantly tapping me-and I wasn't ready to get up yet as exhaustion still ran through my veins.

I hadn't been sleeping well-or rather slept at all. The bruise-like shadows under my eyes were enough evidence that nightmares did plague my nights, and it took everything to calm my racing heart each time I wake up to the sound of my own screaming, tears clinging to my lashes.

I rolled over, trying to get more sleep but a familiar voice prevented me from doing just that.

"Carla," tap. "Please get up."

"Mom?" I asked incredulously, slowly opening my eyes. I blinked repeatedly until my vision cleared and I saw mom in front of me, looking worried in the middle of my room that was illuminated with dim glow by the lamp she must have turned on.

I shot out bed immediately, standing in front of her, "Mom what is it?" I whispered, my eyes trailing down her hands to the luggage she was holding. Was she leaving me? "Mom, I don't understand."

"Get your stuffs, we're leaving," she ordered in a whisper.

"We're leaving for good?" I asked and she nodded, "But it's late."

"Don't worry, I've got everything under control and we have to leave this night because your Dad is planning on doing something drastic tomorrow."

"Of course," I muttered lowly.

"Go pack." I did as she said and ran to pick up my bag of clothes. My wardrobe was really small so most of my clothes were kept inside the big bag. I packed everything I needed, clothes, toothbrush, undergarments, some shoes and hairbrushes before turning to face Mom.

"come on," she gestured for me to follow her. We tip toed out of my room, careful not to crash into anything as all the lights were turned off. We passed my parents room, hearing the sound of my dad snoring. Pig.

We successfully made our way out of the house, sighing in relief of not getting caught. I waited as mom closed the door gently behind her before turning to face me, "I had called my younger brother earlier and he's waiting for us at the end of the street so he could take us to a better place to start afresh."

I couldn't stop the joy that burst through me as I nodded my head in understanding. We both came down the porch steps and walked into the streets with our bags hung on our shoulders. I breathed in the late night air, not sparing one glance at the house that held so much miseries.

Even if we were able to successfully escape, would I be able to escape the painful memories that would play in my head in the future?



That's a wrap! :) What do you guys think of this surprisingly long prologue?





Three years later

| CARLA'S POV |

WITH my bag hung on my shoulders and my phone secured between the fingers of my left hands, I stood. The bright morning was tinged with mild mistiness, the temperature refreshing. My ecstatics were all over the place; it's glows spreading across and chasing the darkness away.

Fresh air filled my lungs as I pulled out the buds from my ears, leaving me exhilarated. I was amazed at how peaceful the world was compared to the loud music that had been blasting into my ears.

With my eyes fixated on the house before me, I tucked my phone into the pocket of my jeans and the first thing that ran through my head was- our new home.

My story definitely didn't start here. It had long started when I was born, when my world began crumbling-with scars and blood I can never forget. But today, my story was going to be fresh and rewritten with the ink of vengeance, broken hearts and bruised soul but strongest of all-with the ink of a tough, brave and valiant heart.

Today was the day to mend all broken hearts.

"What are you doing Carla?" my mom's voice pulled me out of my never ending world of admiration. With a deep breath, I turned around to face her. Opening my mouth to speak, she beat me to it,

"Come help us with the boxes," she carried out some boxes from the truck that was parked in the neat yard.

I nodded, breaking into a smile, "okay." I walked towards the back of the truck and looked for a box I could carry. I decided on the box with the inscription, 'Kitchen utensils' Not bad.

I lifted up the surprisingly heavy box and dropped it on the front porch. My eyes caught Allison, scanning through the trunk as I walked towards her. A messy bun laid on top of her head, few strands of her blonde hair dancing to the cool air that swept past.

"Seriously, blankets and pillows?" I asked her, incredulously when I sighted her place her slender fingers on the box.

Her head immediately turned to look at me, nature green eyes fixated on mine, "What? You know I don't have strength like you big cousin," she grinned.

I broke into a chuckle and grabbed another box, "If you say so but, you'll have to carry more boxes than the rest of us."

Not giving her a chance to respond, I let out a low giggle and walked towards the front porch to drop the box. Once again- like a fever of enthusiasm, I fixed my eyes on our home, my emotions dancing in the air. This choice was made by my uncle, considering the fact that I would be going to college in the next week and it was the second house we were moving into in three years.

Breaking away from the trance I had been in, I considered getting back to work before any of the two adults noticed. As if on cue, my uncle's voice overcame the silence of nature.

"Hurry up with the packing girls."

By the time Allison came to drop the box she carried, I started walking towards the truck to get all stuffs out. My lips stretched into a smile when my eyes caught my very box of clothes. I need to find my room now.

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FROM WHERE I STOOD BY THE DOOR, I could see the sunlight that filtered into my new room from the window, illuminating the bed swallowed in green duvet covers and surrounding the floor in glittery radiance.

The room had a feeling of calmness and optimism.

Two feet away from my bed, was a reading desk that was set up with my reading lamp and three books- I'm not much of a reader. A hair's width away was a wooden, empty bookshelf that leaned against the cream colored wall and stood on the wood paneled floor.

I made my way towards the bed and flopped heavily on it. With eyes wandering around the room, I was amazed at how beautiful the room was- I even had a goddamn personal bathroom. My eyes stared out the window and into the amazing scenery of the city. In a week's time I wouldn't enjoy this.

Damn college.

Tilting my head towards the door, I glared at my luggages that sat by it, motionlessly. All I wanted to do was get my ass to sleep but I still had to set up my room as well as get ready for college. With an exaggerated sigh, I picked myself up from the bed and walked over to pick up my bag.

I emptied the contents of one of the bags on the bed, revealing my clothes that mostly consisted of tops and jeans- I wasn't the fashion type.

My eyes caught on to something in the bag. A diary. With trembling hands and a crashing mind, I picked it up. As I leafed through it's content, a wave of nostalgia overcame me. With tears threatening to cloud my vision, my mind ambled down the rusty, old memory lane.

I kept replaying each incidents as I took in the unique write ups of the diary. But the happy thoughts morphed into grief at the remembrance that nothing would ever be the same again. I stopped reading when I caught sight of a- paper laying sprawled on the floor. Diary still clutched in my left hand, I crouched to pick up the item. It wasn't just a paper, it was a pic taken when I was a toddler- all three of us.

She still had this with her.

My vision became blurry as I stared absent-mindedly at the pic. I hadn't looked at any family pictures since everything happened. I blinked repeatedly to stop the tears from making their way out. I'm strong so, I shouldn't be crying over spilt milk.

Not wanting to set up at the moment, I placed the diary and the pic back into my bag and walked out of my room. The warmth of the living room was inviting as I walked past. All I wanted to do was get some fresh air, not expecting to be stopped by my mom in the kitchen.

"Where are you going honey?" her motherly voice called to me. I turned around and made my way to the kitchen, plopping myself down on one of the stools by the counter.

"You know, jogging," I told her nonchalantly.

"We just moved in, can't you wait till later?" she asked softly.

I shook my head. "I really need it now," I stared at the counter absent-mindedly, "I need to clear my head."

Understanding what was going on with me, she placed her loving hands on my shoulder. "I understand honey but I really hope we can move on in this city."

Hope shined on me like the rays of sun, spreading its warmth on the green plants. It is said that hope is an act of true courage from the bravest part of our soul. To open my eyes and see there's a road to better things was a difficult task for me.

Moving into different places was not something I would always be happy with because it seemed to me that my nightmares chose to follow me everywhere I go. So, the rays of hope that suddenly shined on me scared me, I quickly moved away and shaded myself with hopelessness.

What happens when all this couldn't stop? What if we can't move on from our past either? Mom might start starving herself when she thinks about everything we've lost especially thinking about her. Anxiety was terrible and my lungs fought, but it was my fate.

"I hope so too," I responded, voice clouded with unsureness.

She broke into a smile, "Now tell me, what do you think of the house so far?"

"Honestly it's amazing," I took a look round the kitchen, turning around also to admire the living room. "And it feels more homey," I added when I turned to face her again.

"You're right about that," I heard my uncle's voice behind me. I tilted my head head behind me to look at him, breaking into a small smile.

"Of course, I'm always right," I bragged, jokingly, my smile as bright as day. He patted my head as if I was a little kid, making let out a grunt in response.

"Don't you think we know that?" he chuckled, "You're heading for college next week so, I want you to freshen up so we could discuss about it."

"Yes sure..." I paused, "after, I go for a walk?"

"Alright," he permitted and I immediately left the house but making sure to say 'thank you' because the two adults wouldn't want any form of excuse for not being polite.

As I walked down the porch steps, I looked up at the clear blue sky with sunlit clouds drifting across and the burden I bore on my shoulders were suddenly lifted off. It wasn't new to be feeling that; being buried by sorrow and all the oxygen stolen away from me. But the cool air seemed to have been able to calm my nerves and fill every holes in my damaged heart- temporarily.

I took in a deep breath and got on my toes, jogging ahead. I have no idea why I had decided to go for a jog in the first place because, I didn't know anyone neither did I know my place around the big city. - I should call myself stupid right now. I had no idea how the people in the city were like yet, I still had to jog so far.

I hadn't even realized that perspiration had clouded my forehead and soaked my top until I halted to catch my breath. Standing in the middle of what I called nowhere- though with few houses, I almost gave myself a punch in the face. Couldn't I have just jogged a short distance? But no, the memories clouding my brain pushed me to the edge.

"Carla?" a very familiar voice called out behind me and I was on full gratitude that I could find my way back. I turned around to face her, walking towards me in her ripped jeans and blue top.

"Heyy," I waved, "what brings you here?" I went ahead to ask instead of asking her for help. Stubbornness was a bad habit of mine.

"Just a little grocery shopping," she grinned, lifting the bag of items I hadn't noticed. I wasn't surprised anyway, she was capable of doing just that but, the confusing thing was why she didn't wait- I mean we just moved in.

My eyes were fixated on her, eyebrows raised. Sheet out a sigh and understanding what was going on in my mind, responded, "I know, I know, I should've waited but I really needed them."

Not bothering to go in further, I ordered, "Let's get home."

"Come on, not just yet."

"Ally," I warned.

"I still need to explore a little more, you can go home yourself."

Damn! Can't you see I'm lost?!

"You can explore tomorrow," I coaxed.

A smirk tugged on the corner of her lips after few seconds of her not responding, "Don't tell me you don't know your way back."

I scoffed, "Of course not, I can't get lost." but I am now.

"Then bye," she attempted to walk away but I grabbed her by the arm, jerking her back.

"Fine, I lost my way now can we please get back?"

"Of course but let's explore a little."

"Listen Ally, we don't know ANYONE in this big city so there's no way we can just go around aimlessly, just know I wouldn't save you if there are bad guys," I huffed.

"You know you love me," she grinned, annoyingly. While I rolled my eyes at her, the grin on her face never left. She was a really beautiful girl that belonged on the cover of fashion magazines. Her hair was in long waves, her green eyes suddenly wide at something behind me.

"At least can we get a snack?" her eyes never left what was behind me. I turned around to see a barbecue stand. Okay, we're definitely getting a snack.

I made my way towards the stand, Ally following behind. I purchased our snacks with the little money I had taken with me.

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THROUGH THE WINDOWS WELCOMING THE PASSAGE OF LIGHT, the dining room was lit vibrantly. Clatter of forks and spoons on ceramic plates echoed as we ate our dinner amidst laughter that took part in the noise. I really loved the comfort I was feeling, seated with my family and even their words-no matter how little it was comforted me.

I needed to make most of the time with my family before I headed for college, I didn't know how I would cope without them but as my mom always said, it's part of life. All we needed to do was catch up because life seemed to be fast-forwarding and things were changing.

"Alright family, this is a time of celebration you know," my uncle's voice broke the chit chats, "I'm really glad that Carla got accepted to CSUN and I'm positive you'll make us proud." The last statement was directed at me.

"I promise not to disappoint."

"And not fight," Allison chipped in across the table, earning a glare from me.

"What?!"

"You're heading for college so try not to get into trouble." She added jokingly, "don't fight."

"I don't just fight Ally."

"Oh really? Do you want me to list the number of people with broken noses as a result of your fist?"

"It's not my fault I'm short tempered, besides they deserve it, next time they'll learn not to mess with a girl," I retorted.

"Enough girls, this isn't the reason I began this conversation," uncle told us. "Anyway, Carla I really need you to focus on your studies and as Allison said, try to stay away from trouble."

Seriously?! I'm not some trouble maker so, why do they keep telling me that?

I let out a sigh, "Yes uncle."

"Listen Carla," my mom's smooth voice began, warm hands resting on mine, "don't worry my dear, I'm pretty sure there'll be a lot of sensible people there that are smart enough to mind their business. I know you'll make us proud my baby because, you are much stronger than you think, both mentally and physically. "

I broke into my widest smile, "Thanks mom, I'll always keep your words at her heart," I placed my right hand over my chest.

"You don't have to worry aunt she'll make us all proud," Allison once again chipped in.

"You also have to make us proud Ally, it's your senior year in highschool," Uncle told her.

"That's not a problem," she grinned while I let out a giggle.

When I finished up, I went to the kitchen to wash my dishes in the sink, Ally joined me seconds later. We both hummed to the soft music that played from her phone whilst cleaning the rest of the dishes. The music was soothing, enough to keep my whole system calm and ready for bed.

It didn't take long for me to retire to bed as my eyes weighed more than it should. I sat on the bed and stared out my slightly opened window. The moon was in it's full shape and bathed the earth with it's luminous glow. There was peace in the room, calming down my senses. It was time to get my life back on track, that was why we moved in the first place.

As I laid down on my bed and under the duvet, my eyes instantly went shut, my soul having a sense of peace. My brain checked out, my whole body slipping into REM.



This is the very first chapter of VALIANT, and I was pretty excited when I wrote this, please let me know what you think of it.