Her feet hit the pavement as far as they could. Feeling the ground moving beneath her feet with each movement. Valerie didn't expect Ray to come chasing after her. He didn't owe her anything. It had been 10 years; so she didn't expect him. Why would he chase after a normal girl from Rhodes? He was a celebrity. Even if they grew up together; and he had been one of her closest friends. Times had changed. Val wasn't even sure where they stood anymore. If he even considered her a friend, still..after all that had happened. But she eventually slowed, before coming to a stop for him. Taking her a few moments, to even summon the will to look at him. Her face tear strained; her eyes red and puffy. Tears still glistening in her eyes.

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For a split second, she felt like her younger self. Anytime, she was upset. Valerie had always run off to Ray for support. It felt like all the air had escaped her; and became trapped in her lungs. Unable to say anything. Waiting, to see what he'd do or say. Part of her expected him to have a go at her, for trying to move on with her life. But instead, he was here apologising for Ryleigh's behaviour and his reaction to finding about Leo. Looking at the ground for a split second, her eyes flickered back up towards his face. Seeing the mixture of emotions in his eyes.

[Color=Teal] "You didn't have to come after me..." [/Color] Val said softly, with a hint of sadness. She was a big girl now. Having handled her own affairs for a long time now. Having put up with Leigh's actions for the last 10 years; she didn't expect him to try and help her deal with it. But still it felt nice, that he wanted to check up on her nonetheless. As he cracked the joke about them sharing a single brain cell, a sad smile flickered on and off her lips. It was brief. But as soon as it came, it went. Everything, even that reminded her of Austin and how he always tried to solve everyone's issues. God did she miss him. His brotherly reassurance and comfort. It felt like the group was hanging by a thin thread; even more so now with Austin's passing. He wasn't here, to try and talk sense into Ryleigh. To hold them together, like he once did.

She sighed. [Color=Teal] "I am not so sure about that. There was a time, where I happily told myself, that she didn't mean it. That her anger would pass...but.." [/Color] Trailing off, she shook her head. At the mention of Leo, she sighed softly. [Color=Teal] "It's okay. You didn't know....It wasn't her place to tell." [/Color] Val felt like she owed him an explanation. Even if he didn't want it. Valerie did want to tell him, herself. But it was hard; especially to find the words. As he seemed to trail off. Valerie bit the inside of her cheek. Waiting for him to snap, or express his anger towards her. 

Shaking her head, Val sighed. [Color=Teal] "Bit of a heavy question, given everything going on." [/Color] She said truthfully. At that point in time, she wasn't even sure if she was okay. No longer, the carefree, bubbly V she once was. Too much had burdened her over the last 10 years, to remain so. [Color=Teal] "I am sorry..." [/Color] Her words coming out weak. Not even sorry what she was apologising for. For him witnessing her argument with Val? for him finding about Leo the way he had? For everything else? Maybe everything and above. But she knew that sorry probably couldn't fix anything. [Color=Teal] "I know, you're probably angry with me. Feel free to let it out...I mean, I should be an expert with handling people's anger towards me by now." [/Color] Cracking a lame joke, but the sad truth. Having been dealing with Ryleigh's anger; for the both of them. She had enough experience by now. Not even sure, whom owed the other one an explanation. Maybe they both owed each other one. 

[Color=Teal]"I know you might be sceptical about it. But it is nice to see you." [/Color] Val finally said. It was the honest truth. She just wished it was under better circumstances.