[i]Since childhood, Valerie was used to her little group of friends being a tight well formed group. Never in a million years would she have thought, that their group would have crumbled down, falling apart like an old cookie the way it had. Going from 5 members, to 3. 3 that seemed to be hanging by a thin thread; trying to keep the rest of their group somewhat together. If anyone had asked, a lot of people considered Raymond leaving to be her fault...or a huge chunk of her fault. Those few people included her friend Ryleigh and than Raymond's parents. Valerie hadn't seen or really spoken to them, since Ray had left Rhodes. His mother angry with Val, for not stopping him leaving Rhodes after the night at Austin's Lake house. Being one of the factors that had driven him away, apart from his search for the life that he wanted for himself. It was probably down to how things had ended between them, that fateful summer where they had given into the attraction, feelings and sexual tension between each other. Val never regretted sleeping with Ray. But she had never been secure in herself, emotionally to feel confident enough to tell him how she really felt. No one truly understood just how scared she was, to tell him the truth about how she really felt. Not that she had the chance to, make things right. No one in Rhodes had seen him for the last 10 years. No letter, no call, nothing. Having written more than her fair share of letters, Val never had the courage to send them to him. Nothing ever sounded right, even on paper. But Val seemed to have given up, on trying to contact him; when he made no effort to get in contact either. Telling herself, it was probably for the best to move on with her life. After all, Raymond seemed to have moved on himself and living the life, he seemed to day-dream about. Being one of the biggest movie stars out there. Val wasn't going to interject in him living out his dream.

Then came the tragic death of Austin. The glue that had seemingly held everyone together, was gone. Taken far too young and leaving the entire town in mourning.[/i][hr]
[Color=Gold][Center][h3]Day of the Car Accident*flashback*:[/h3]
[img]https://64.media.tumblr.com/2c18c59769eb8e35bc173e15de2bca6c/48fda03c59e5fc83-f0/s400x600/3e07625de50533a63b8fb27a7f574f1cdc6ee59e.gifv[/img][/Center][/Color]
Sitting in a small coffee shop, Val held the steaming cup of coffee between the palm of her hands. Feeling the heat from the plastic cup, warming up her hands as she sipped on the hot beverage. Half of her brown hair pulled up into a messy bun, whilst the other half was loose. It was her day off, from working at the Museum; not feeling overly fussed about having her hair perfect and tidy like she would have most days. Sporting nothing but a normal t-shirt, with a over-sized hoodie she liked for comfort and her favourite pair of jeans, and boots. It was as casual, as Val would dress some days. But the young woman was paying attention to the man in front of her. The one and only Leo Dominguez. One of Rhodes new beloved and hard working police officer, whom also was a talented musician. Valerie could certainly vouche for him; having heard his music. And admittedly his southern, husky drawl sounded sexy when singing. A small on her face, as she was invested in the story he was telling her. Valerie couldn't help but admire him; he was always dedicated to helping protecting the people of Rhodes, as well as his hidden talent. It was amazing, that he found time to do both.

Feeling her phone buzzing in her pocket, Val glanced down into her pocket seeing Ryleigh's name on her screen. [Color=Teal]"Sorry, I probably should answer that. I won't be long."[/Color] she promised, giving Leo an apologetic smile.

[Color=Gold]"Of course, don't worry."[/Color] Leo assured her with a simple nod. Letting Val answer the phone. His gaze still fixated on the beauty in front of him. Finding her smile to be somewhat hypnotising, anytime she glanced in his direction with that smile of hers.

Picking up the phone, Val was met with a panicky, squeaky voiced Ryleigh. [Color=Teal]"Leigh? What's wrong? Are you alright?"[/Color] Val asked, her brows furrowing with worry. The two might have not been on the best of terms, these past 10 years. But she still worried when Ryleigh called her; especially when she sounded this weird over the phone. Leigh was usually bubbly and sassy. Never one to be panicked or squeaky over the phone. Something was seriously wrong. Wherever Ryleigh was, she had bad reception; as she could hear static in the background. [Color=Teal]"What?..sorry, I didn't catch that."[/Color] Val told Leigh over the phone. Doing her best to make out whatever Leigh was mumbling on about.

Sniffling over the line was still heard. [Color=Crimson]"I...I am at the hospital with Jimmy. Austin...he's....bad car accident."[/Color] Leigh mumbled out, between shaky breaths. [Color=Crimson]"The doctors don't think...he's gonna...survive."[/Color] It felt like someone was tugging at her insides, trying to strangle her. Making it near impossible to tell, one of her friends that their Friend possibly couldn't make it, through the next few hours in the hospital. Her words coming out all in a jumbled mess.

It was like, Val had seen a ghost when she finally heard what Leigh had said over the other line. Her face looking ghostly white. Eyes wide in horror. Feeling a sinking pit in her stomach. [Color=Teal]"Oh god...I'll be right there."[/Color] Valerie promised, before managing to hung up the phone. Standing up, Valerie looked at Leo. [Color=Teal]"I am sorry. I...have to go. It's an emergency."[/Color] Not really wanting to trouble him with the full details; when she herself didn't know the full extent of the details herself. Rushing out of the café, with her coffee in hand. Feeling the breeze rush through her hair, as she dashed through the familiar streets of Rhodes town. The hospital a few blocks away, from where she had currently been. Valerie didn't recall the last time, she had run so fast. All but bursting through the hospital main doors, out of breath. Seeing her friends in the waiting room, along with members of Austin's family. All looking pasty white with worry, and teary eyed. Valerie had no words of comfort, for anyone. How could she? Never having been in a situation like this. She could only hope, that Austin would pull through, and that the doctors could save his life. Sitting by Leigh on one of the chairs in the waiting room; it seemed like time dragged on before standing still when she saw one of the doctors heading in their direction, after what felt like hours. When it was a few mere minutes after her arrival. Everyone looked up at the doctor expectantly; waiting to hear news. Any news.

"I am sorry....we did all we could, but unfortunately there's nothing more we could have done in his condition..." Seeing the doctor's lips kept moving. But the rest of the words just seemed like a blur to everyone in the waiting room. Hearing the news that Austin had died. That he was no longer there, with them hit hard. Feeling Ryleigh collapse against her, in tears. Valerie wrapped her arms around her, as tears slide down her cheeks. [hr]

Neither Val nor Leigh had slept very well, the last few nights. Both haunted with Austin's death and already feeling his absence. Austin was no longer there to keep Ryleigh in check; even if she had matured over the last 10 years, no longer there to offer any of them advice, no longer to cheer Valerie up, when she felt like everything was her fault. Neither of the girls knew, that Jimmy had gotten in touch with Ray since Austin's death. And that soon enough, that Val would have to face the ghosts of her past with Raymond's return. Sitting on her bed, Valerie was staring at her wardrobe; debating with herself if she should pack her things for the lake house, or just stay at home. The girls, along with Jimmy had learned that Austin wanted everyone to reunite at the lake house for one last time. Valerie hadn't been at the lake-house in so long. Not since they all had graduated. After Ray had left Rhodes, it just didn't feel the same; going there without him. Yet the place held so many memories, for all of them. Maybe it would be worth going there, one last time? Just Maybe...