Ryan greeted Taylor and Valarie as they neared the house. His cheeks were red and his hair messy. Obviously, Valarie had missed a lot while she was gone.
“Good, your dad is really worried, he…”
“Yeah, I know. Taylor already gave me a recap. What did Amy do to you?” Valarie asked. Taylor snorted, and Ryan gave her a death glare.
“She wouldn’t keep her hands off him. It was so embarrassing.” Taylor giggled. It took everything in Valarie not to laugh.
“Well, don’t worry Ryan, were not going to make you face that alone again.” Valarie said firmly. He sighed, then smiled.
“So you’re my protector now?” He asked. Valarie shrugged, turning back towards the door.
“Sure. I mean, what are friends for?”
“That’s not what he meant.” Taylor murmured. Valarie ignored her, striding through the front door and into the living room.
“Valarie!” Her father cried, jumping out of his seat. Valarie smiled, trying to reassure her father that everything was alright. Ryan’s parents, who were still sitting on the couch, were giving her odd looks.
“Sorry, I guess I just lost track of time…”
“Lost track of time! You were gone for nearly thirty minutes!” Her father cried. Valarie had to hide her surprise.
Thirty minutes, was I really out that long?
“I’m sorry.” What else could she say? ‘Sorry dad, I just ran into the strange man that lives in the sea that I met ten years ago, you may know him. He’s the one that I had to go see all those doctors about.’
She didn’t think her father would take that well. She wasn’t.
Linette placed her hand on Valarie’s father’s shoulder, meeting his gaze. He sighed.
“Fine, I understand. This is just…”
“Just a bit much for you, isn’t it dear? Well, no worries. Let’s just say goodbye to our guests and then you girls can go to bed, alright?” Valarie and Taylor looked at each other and nodded. It had been a long day filled with a little too much excitement, especially for Valarie in particular. She needed to think things over. And a good night’s sleep would help with that.
“Oh, not so soon!” Amy complained. She smiled at Ryan.
“I like being up all night.” Taylor gagged. Ryan’s parents stood, looking uncomfortable, and rushed towards the door. Valarie felt sorry for them. She really had screwed things up this time.
“Ryan, meet us at the car, okay dear?” his mother said, pausing on her way out. Ryan nodded.
“Yeah.”
“Bye Ryan.” Valarie said, standing there awkwardly. “It was a pleasure having you over.” Ryan smiled kindly, ruffling Valarie’s short, dark hair.
“Don’t worry about it,” he said, mistaking her silence as embarrassment. He was partially right. “I’m not emotionally scarred, I hope…” Taylor burst into giggles and Valarie smiled.
“Good.” Valarie replied. Ryan held her gaze a moment longer, then turned and walked out the door. His parents, who had been chatting with Valarie’s Dad and Linette outside, gave a quick wave before leaving as well.
“Well, that was awkward.” Taylor said. It seemed as if everyone in the room let out a sigh of relief at the same time.
“Yeah.” Valarie replied, though her mind was travelling back to the events at the beach. She really needed to sit down. She felt sick.
“Okay you two, bed.” Linette said, coming back inside. “And Valarie, don’t be angry at your father. I’ll talk with him.” Valarie nodded, seeing Linette in a new light. She realized why her father had fallen for this woman, and though she would never forgive either of them, she was able to grow a little closer to them both.
“Thank you.” Valarie turned and hurried towards her room. Taylor followed without a word, until the door to the room had been shut. Valarie fell onto the bed, staring up at the light blue celling and listening to the sound of the waves crash not too far away.
"So what really happened?” Taylor asked, sitting down on the bed next to her. Valarie sighed.
“Truthfully Taylor? I really don’t know.”
There are a few small typos that I would like to point out, though.
Also, there should be a space between where the quote ends and the next word. 