( & . far better things )

“aw that’s cool, none of my family are anything but american – well i think my mom’s australian but still that’s not exactly that exotic – i learnt greek in school but that was as far as it went. i really wish i could speak and not look like a tourist but it really didn’t work for me. you obviously are.”

“you look a little too tan to be america, so i could believe that. unless i’m ignorant and most of australia is actually pale. you studied greek in school? odd. our choices were normally the spanish/german/chinese route! yeah, you messed up there, buddy. anyways, i’m so excited to be here and take in this beautiful country...what if i make friends with the natives? ugh, that would be so cool!”

“Why not? I’m a loner”, he grinned. “King Ronan is better than KR”

“King Ronan it is!” she declared. “I expect a special name in return, though.”

“Right? They’re the best thing to eat in the morning – or at any time. I don’t know how people survive the day without them. And no, go ahead. I can’t eat anymore. I’ve had enough. Enjoy yourself.”

“some people hate chocolate...and pancakes.” she told him, shaking her head. “which...not a life i’d want to live, but whatever. their choice! thank you.” she accepted the pancakes, pouring syrup all over them. “yummy food in a beautiful place...what could be better?”

“ um excuse me, ma’am !! i understand that you’ve gone silent since our run in but have you gone deaf as well? nod once for yes and twice for no. ”

val let out a defeated sigh, turning on her heel to look at him, her makeup bag in her hand. she knew she’d have to face him at some point, but she didn’t think she’d have to do it so soon. “yes ?? can i help you, babe?” she raised her eyebrow at him.

“— whoa. hey, val.” she smiled with tranquility, letting the chides slide off of her feathers. “come on, come and sit with me. there’s no need to be doing anything to spend time together.” 

“how are you always so calm?” blue had always been her peaceful balance. whenever valentina got herself too excited, there was her trusty blue, easing her nerves and slowing her heartbeat considerably. as if boundaries didn’t exist, she sat on the edge of blue’s chair, smiling at her. “i missed this. you. it’s been awhile since someone has been able to get a lasso around me and pull me back down to earth and just chill.”

“I made some extra chocolate chip pancakes if you want any. They’re by the stove. I promise I didn’t put any poison in it.”

“chocolate chip pancakes!?” she gasped. “i love chocolate chip pancakes! they’re my favorite breakfast food! are you sure you don’t mind?” valentina smiled, taking out a plate.

“Are you sure you can handle the truth?”

val paused when she heard the familiar voice, wondering if she should run or pretend not to hear him. she chose the latter, continuing to decorate her room like he didn’t even exist.

“If it makes you feel better, I don’t have many friends”, he shrugged. “Ronan”

“ normally i’d live out of the suitcase, but i guess i’m making an effort for the cameras. i don’t want to dissapoint my dad’s the first thing i do, they’d hate seeing my room being a mess. that would be nice ! food is always good, always.  “

“i normally live out of a suitcase as well, and i’m so used to it that the idea of unpacking right now is crazy to me. being settled into one place like this is odd. they wouldn’t be disappointed, they’d just have that fatherly instinct to try and parent you from afar! we should get dinner tonight. you know, explore the wonders of the house fridge.”

“i’m scandinavian. it’s not that cold.” she shook her head softly, her eyes still closed. she was wearing a long flowing fabric with a short white dress underneath, the contours of her body obscured by the thin robe. the night did nothing to stop her from laying out by the pool, figuring it was unlikely that she’d be disturbed. 

valentina couldn’t stop the passion driving her eye roll, giving her friend a nudge. “you promised you’d spend time with me!” she huffed. “we’ve been separated for weeks because of my movie, and now i’m back with the love of my life and she doesn’t even want to see me!” she dramatically teased her.

King chuckled along with her. “You can call me King and make it sound more royal”, he grinned. “Most of my friends call me King”

“you see, i was so on board...until you told me all your friends call you king. i don’t want to be like all them! what is your last name?”

“ i totally forgot about snapchat, i need to update my story. people aren’t going to be annoyed, just very much jealous. i want to use today for the boring but needed things, like unpacking and finding the kitchen. but hopefully i’ll be able to explore a bit tomorrow  “ 

“ah, i guess i’ll be able to feel the steam coming from my screen. ugh, unpacking. it never goes back in the way it originally did. i can show you where the kitchen is, if you’d like. i had to find it first thing since the food on my flight was subpar and too little for me.”

“I’m just messing with you”, he grinned. “I’m Kingsley”

“oh, you got me there! i was like...shit do i have the wrong guy?” she chuckled. “Kingsley! what a royal name. i love it.”

“I guess they do”, he smiled. “Nice to meet you, Valentina”, he shook her hand. “Are we? How do you know? You don’t even know my name”

“you’re...american and look like the photo the producers showed me?”

“since when do you know all these greek words, it’s pretty impressive, pretty being the operative word. i tried pointing, they just kinda turned out wrong i think. well thank you walking travel guide, i’ll be needing you in the future.”

“since forever. well, obviously not forever, forever. but a few years. my auntie taught me since she’s greek, and i asked her to help me brush up on my language skills so i don’t have to solely rely on the broken english the natives use for tourists. it’s really cool, i know. what can i say, i’m a viable and important asset to your adventures here!”

“Yeah, but I never thought I would be actually doing this. It just seemed like a silly tiny idea”, he shrugged. “I love it, it’s fucking fantastic”

“dreams really do come true.” she smiled. “it is so beautiful, i agree. i’m valentina, by the way!” she greeted, extending her hand out to him. “we’re housemates!”

“ it’s honestly so much better than i could have imagined. i just want to instagram every corner of this place. it truly is !! i can’t wait until i get to explore it all  “ 

“oh honey, i’ve plastered this all over snapchat already! i’ve sadly become that three minute snap story that annoys everyone...oh well! hopefully they’ll give us something to do that involves exploring the island, even though i’m already about to do it anyway.”