Misty

After spending twelve weeks in the hospital, the doctor released me from my sterile prison. I can't say I would miss this place. Okay, I will say it: I won't miss this place. Between the doctors, nurses, and therapists, I had enough. At least Valentino made it bearable.

My parents brought me home and showed me around the house. Nothing seemed familiar to me. It wasn't like I couldn't tie my shoes or feed myself. Nope. My surroundings and the people in my life were unfamiliar.

I stared at the items in my bedroom like they were invading someone else's space.

"Misty, I understand you feel out of sorts right now. It won't always be that way," my dad reasoned.

"I'm living someone else's lifetime of memories." I glanced at my dad, unsure how to proceed with my life.

"Would it help to see pictures?"

"Maybe."

My dad nodded and left the bedroom to retrieve photo albums. I stood in a bedroom that was mine but wasn't mine simultaneously. How can your life get flipped upside down in a matter of minutes?

I walked toward the dresser and picked up a picture frame with a photo of Valentino and me. Valentino was beyond hot, but I could remember our life together—or him, for that matter. I set the frame down and turned to the corkboard on the wall with several pictures. I was in every single one but couldn't remember anything about them.

"I found a few albums that might help jog your memory," my dad said.

I walked over to the bed and sat beside my dad. He flipped open the first album, showed me pictures, and explained them. I listened, hoping it would jog my memory. It didn't.

"Can't we stop?" I asked.

My dad furrowed his brows.

I grabbed the photo album from him and slammed it shit before standing and throwing it across the room. The photo album slammed into the wall, fell to the floor, and opened. I rubbed my face in frustration before running my hands through my hair and turning to my dad. "Someone took my memories from me. Photos won't replace what they stole from me!" I pointed at my chest.

My dad stood up from the bed and held his hands to me. "Misty, I understand you're frustrated. I wish I could give you what you lost that day. Unfortunately, I can't."

"I hate this."

"I know, sis." My dad nodded in understanding.

Someone knocked on the opened bedroom door. We turned to see Valentino standing in the doorway. He picked up the opened photo album, closed it, and placed it on the dresser. "I won't ask how it's going. I can guess."

"I'm living someone else's life if that tells you anything." I sighed.

"Aren't we all?"

"Huh?"

"Nothing." Valentino shook his head. "I'll tell you when you're ready."

I lifted my brow. Why was Valentino acting weird?

"We're heading to get ice cream? Did you want to come?" He thumbed at the doorway.

"Sure. Why not? It's better than looking at nothing that seems familiar." I shrugged.

Valentino nodded.

I walked toward him as he slid his hand into mine and intertwined our fingers. He led me downstairs and outside to his car. We climbed into the car and closed the doors. Valentino backed out and drove us to an ice cream stand. He pulled into the parking lot and parked. We got out and walked toward a group of people.

"Hey, Misty. I see Nash broke you out of your prison," Preston said.

"It's better than staying in a house that doesn't look familiar," I said.

"It won't always be that way," Ryan said.

"Doubtful." I turned and walked toward the window to order my ice cream.

A pair of hands rubbed my shoulders to relieve the tension building. "I got you, baby girl."

I furrowed my brows before sobs wracked my body. My legs gave out as Valentino caught me before I hit the pavement. He wrapped his arms around me and helped me to a picnic table. I gripped his shirt sleeves as I cried out of frustration.

******
Valentino

My cousins and the girls furrowed their brows while I comforted Mags. Mags wanted her memories back, but something was blocking them. If she tried to force them, she grew frustrated and overwhelmed herself.

I kneeled before her and held her hands, rubbing my thumbs over their backs. I gave my cousins a look to order their ice cream. I would handle Mags.

Mags pulled her hand from mine and wiped her eyes. "Sorry."

"You have nothing to apologize for," I said.

She sniffled. "I didn't realize how overwhelming it would be to leave the hospital."

"You left your safety net. The world is scary, but it doesn't have to be. You have me, your family, my family, and our friends to help you. No one will fault you for having a mini breakdown."

Mags giggled through her tears.

"See. I got you to smile." I smiled with a slight shrug.

She nodded.

I stood and pulled her to her feet before leading her to the window. She ordered an ice cream with sprinkles. I ordered a sundae. Once we got our ice creams, we sat at a table with the others. I would be playful with my ice cream, but now wasn't the time. Mags was already overwhelmed as it was.

I shoved a spoonful of ice cream into my mouth before she scooped some of my sundae and slipped it into hers. "Did you want to try my sundae?"

"You don't mind if I had a bite, do you?" She stared at me in fear.

"Nope." I shrugged and pushed my sundae toward her. "Have some?"

Her lips curved slightly as she took another spoonful and shoved it into her mouth. She slid her ice cream toward me while glancing at me shyly. I scooped a spoonful and slipped it into my mouth.

My cousins and the girls watched us and smiled. They understood Mags was trying to navigate her way again. It's not like we haven't been through this before.

Mags and I shared our ice creams instead of wearing them. I prefer this way better.

******
Misty

I wasn't sure how Valentino would react to me stealing his ice cream. Some people don't like that and make it known. He seemed okay with sharing. It was like the best of both worlds.

"We should hit the park after this," Kass mentioned.

"I think that's a great idea," Preston said.

I studied them for a few minutes before leaning forward. "Are you a couple?"

Preston's lips curled upward as he leaned toward me. "Yes."

My lips curved upward. "You act like a couple. I was right." I thrust my finger at them before dancing happily in my seat.

"We're all couples," Ryan said.

I stopped dancing and lifted my brows in surprise.  "Really?"

They nodded.

"Oh, so no one is single?"

"Not for the past three years," River said, shaking his head.

"Or years," Michael mumbled.

"What?" I asked Michael.

"Nothing." He shook his head and smiled.

"No, I'm sure you said years."

"Mags, we need to head to the park before dark." Valentino stood up and dragged me from my seat.

"If you wanted to manhandle me, all you had to do was ask!"

"Is that a promise?"

"Only if you play your cards right!"

"I think I like this Maggie much better," Ryan told the others.

They rolled their eyes and followed us to their cars.

Valentino opened the car door and wrestled me inside. I fought him because I enjoyed it when he touched me.

"Mags, stop struggling," he ordered.

"Ooh, so bossy." I sat in the car seat and grinned at him. "If you wanted to boss me around in other ways, I'm not opposed to it."

Valentino stared at me and blinked. "Behave before I bend you over my knee and spank you."

"Hard or soft?"

Valentino put one hand on his face and raked the other down his face, keeping his other hand on the car door.

I leaned toward him. "You seem flustered."

"Oh, you have no idea." He moved my legs into the car before shutting the door and rounding the car to climb inside. "Seatbelt."

"Oh, right." I pulled the seatbelt and pushed it in until it clicked.

Valentino started the car and pulled out of the parking spot to head to the park. I don't see the problem with wanting Valentino to boss me around. Have you seen the guy? One look turns my panties into a sopping mess. Note to self: invest in more pretty panties.

I wonder what will happen when we return to school.

Maggie doesn't remember her past life as Maggie. She also doesn't remember demons hunting them. Expect to laugh when Nash and company try to hide this fact from her.

Get ready. In the next chapter, the kids return to school, and the results are hilarious.