[right][color=ADFF2F][h3]VALENCIA GREY[/h3][/color][/right][hr][hr][center][img]http://33.media.tumblr.com/ce0e767c1401c7729c7877c3ee27e320/tumblr_inline_o1xmh1Fhon1sc3ygs_500.gif[/img][/center][hr]currently at [b][color=ADFF2F]GRIMM HIGH SCHOOL[/color][/b]
interacting with [b][color=ADFF2F]NPCS, GYM OCCUPANTS[/color][/b][hr]
[i]Breathe. Just breathe. Sure, you haven't been here in a decade, but some memories never really go away...you know what to do. So breathe and just [b]do it.[/b] Three...two...one—[/i]

The old goalposts of the Grimm High soccer field creaked as Valencia sent the soccer ball slamming into the corner, right past the goalie's oustretched hands. A chorus of groans went up from the field, but Val only grinned as she planted her hands on her hips, barely breathing hard even after her lightning-quick break down the field.

"Damn, Grey, you've still got it!"

[color=ADFF2F]"I do this for a living, Tanner,"[/color] Val replied dryly, turning to face one of her old teammates as she approached, the other woman panting and red-faced but smiling. [color=ADFF2F]"I never [i]lost[/i] it."[/color]

"Sure, but when else are we going to see Val Grey play for free?" Amy Tanner shot back, clapping Valencia on the shoulder. Val laughed as Tanner moved past her, grumbling about still getting outplayed after all these years. Her old friend went to chat with the other teammates, but Val turned back towards the school building. Her smile faded.

In all honesty, Valencia had been dithering in the parking lot for almost half an hour when she saw some of her old teammates wandering down to the somewhat dilapidated soccer field and had tagged along. It had been a great way to both break the ice with some old pals, and to delay actually entering the school. She wasn't going to break down crying, nothing like that, but even just seeing the gym from the outside made her skin crawl.

Now, though, Val squared her shoulders and set her jaw. After a quick wave and goodbye to the others, she walked to the edge of the unpainted field, picking up her high heels from where she'd carefully removed them at the sidelines. She was still somewhat dubious about her [url=http://sev.h-cdn.co/assets/cm/15/09/980x1306/54ee855690f89_-_sev-shay-mitchell-red-carpet-looks-teen-choice-s2.jpg]outfit[/url], but then again a few people far more fashionable than she had given it a thumbs up. Val kept her heels in her hand until she got off the grass, then she brushed off the specks of dirt, slipped them on, and held her head high as she strode towards the gym. 

Despite her outward calm appearance, she felt like she was shivering inside. The image of Simone hanging from the rafters haunted her, just like, she suspected, every other member of her senior class—but that wasn't what gave her chills. No, just like Cynthia McMillan, Valencia had been standing almost directly under the netting when the balloons were released. Just like Cynthia, she'd been completely unaware of what was hanging over her head...until something liquid hit her.

Sometimes she still thought she could feel the still-warm blood sliding down her skin, unimpeded by her backless prom dress. Those were the worst nightmares by far.

But life moved on, and so, Val told herself firmly, did she. The sun was just going down, making her hair look like it was made of gold around the edges as she approached the building. Only through force of will did she keep her hands from shaking as she reached out and pushed open the doors.

Blinking a bit to adjust to the darker interior, Valencia slowed for a moment as she took in the room, smiling slightly. Adelaide was already there, which came as no surprise, seeing as part of the reunion was going to be at her home. Riley's brightly colored hair shone in the fluorescent lights, and Val's smile brightened for a moment before she saw the other two present. Atlas and Jae. Because of course. She paused for a moment a few steps inside the door, before mentally shrugging. Standing next to Ada was a woman who seemed familiar, someone she'd met before but couldn't remember where...Facebook, maybe? She'd gone on a friending spree once the reunion was announced, there were plenty of familiar-ish half-remembered faces floating around in her head.

Val stepped forward with a grin, one hand raised in a wave as her heels clacked across the floor.

[color=ADFF2F]"Dios mio, everyone, your profile pictures don't do you justice,"[/color] she said diplomatically as she approached. Possibly not the most tactful of greetings, seeing as it just hammered home the fact that she hadn't been back to Grimm or anywhere near it in ten years, but the sentiment was honest.