Goddard's Home for Troubled Teens

Ryder

I shake my head, "No, it's alright. I would have had something earlier if it bothered me. It was fine."

Val

I nod, biting my lip and looking out at the trees again, "Okay."

Ryder

I study her and hesitate before taking her hand again.

Val

He takes my hand again and I glance at him before flashing a small smile and squeezing his.

Ryder

I flash a similar smile back and study her before looking out at the view again.

Val

I glance at him once more before looking at the trees. What are we?

Ryder

I study everything below thinking. This is stupid. She leaves the moment she finds that document. How is this fair for either of us?

Val


I forget I have the microphone in my ear still and the quarters talk to me, "Valeria Gomez, check in," They say. I sigh, pressing the record button, "I'm here. I...I think I'll find the document in around...a month or so. This place is big."

They tell me to take my time and I nod, disconnecting and looking up at the sky, "Sometimes I wish I could just step away from reality and into my own special world where I don't have to work."

Ryder

I watch her, "A special world would definitely come in handy."

Val

I hesitate before saying the next part, "And actually get to think about my future," I barely whisper.

Ryder

I catch what she says, tilting my head, and look at her, "You could always make time."

Val

I shrug, squeezing his hand, "I guess."

Ryder

I squeeze her hand back, flashing a smile.

Val

I study him, sighing, before looking at our hands.

Ryder

I study her as well, following her gaze to our hands, "How will this work?"