COME IN WITH THE RAIN || Coriolanus Snow

❝YOU THINK YOU'RE FUNNY, RIGHT?❞

CONAN GRAY, CHECHMATE

Sitting in the backseat of the peacekeeper van with Coriolanus Snow was awkward, to say the least. The two Academy students had been sitting in an uncomfortable silence, Valentina was still displeased with how her morning had gone and how perfectly Coryo had taken advantage of the situation.

Yet, deep down, Valentina knew her anger was not suited towards the incident with the news and more so about seeing Coriolanus give someone a rose, the redhead would never admit that though, not even to herself.

Instead she focused on him stealing her spotlight and Coriolanus knew how it would seem but his reputation was on the line. Deep down, the pair knew it was just an unfortunate situation for them both.

"I didn't know he would be there." Coriolanus spoke up first, breaking the silence they were drowning in. "I didn't mean to be there." He sighed, looking away from the screens plastered over the Capitol - the one inside the backseat was broken - and looked towards the girl sitting next to him.

Looking at Coriolanus, Valentina saw a small softness in his eyes, something she didn't get to see often from the blond boy, and gave a small smile. "So much for getting along this summer, huh?" She joked, bringing up their past agreement.

Summer was the one time where they could both get along and simply just exist with one another. There was no academic competition between the teenagers, no expectations, no assignments.

It was an unspoken rule between them - they would leave the academic year behind them and enjoy their dysfunctional friendship while it lasted before they would return to the classroom just a few weeks after their paradise.

It was something Valentina could look forward to each year. Coriolanus would show her sides of himself she wouldn't see during the school year and Valentina could relax, not worry about every little movement being judged by the superiors of the Academy staff.

But Valentina's favourite thing about the summer was how Coriolanus would become a true friend to Sejanus. All their peers were under the impression it was an act, a thing he tolerated for Valentina - who had taken a lot of verbal abuse from her classmates for bonding with Sejanus - but during the summer, away from the selfishness, the need for power and dominance, Coriolanus treated Sejanus like the brother he never had.

Being friends with Sejanus was the one of two things Valentina allowed herself to have that was based on pure emotion - no calculated intent, no care about her appearance to the Capitol for associating herself with a District-born citizen.

The other thing was of course Coriolanus Snow.

The very boy she was trying so hard to be angry at for stealing her thunder when introducing her tribute to the world. "As soon as these games are over, Raindrop." He said, giving her a small smile in return.

"I'm so beating you." Valentina grinned, bringing back their playful essence they'd learn to enjoy over the years.

Coriolanus scoffed, glaring down to the girl. "Says the one who couldn't even score an exclusive interview from her own uncle." Valentina returned his glare, suddenly being reminded why she was so angry at him.

"At least I wasn't stupid enough to be on the wrong side of the bars." She spat back at him, crossing her arms and looking out the window with a smirk as Coriolanus laughed at her remark. Watching the screens passing by them, Valentina hummed as she noticed herself and her tribute, Bobbin, plastered over them. "Seems like the Capitol already likes my darling tribute, Snowflake." She smiled up at him, who was glaring out at the screens she was just watching with cold eyes.

"I can't wait to watch him die." Coriolanus snickered as the screens replay Bobbins short introduction.

Being sat in a lab with Coriolanus Snow, Dean Highbottom and Dr. Gaul was not what Valentina had expected when she got back to the Academy. Valentina had never gotten in trouble before, she would never let herself get into any situation that could harm her pristine record.

So far, neither Dean Highbottom or Dr. Gaul hadn't said a word to her and as much as watching Coriolanus squirm was rather entertaining, her nerves would rather they focused on her and give her some indication on what predicament she was in.

"Now you," Dr Gaul hissed, bringing her attention away from Dean Highbottom as they discussed the mentorship being a failed experiment. "You certainly know how to play the games, don't you?"

The doctor slithered her way in front of Valentina, who was insanely nervous but refused to let it show on her face. "Getting the news there was certainly a sly move, consider me impressed."

"As Coriolanus stated, we must go to where the audience will be. I just have an advantage that I can make sure the cameras are where I need them." Valentina shrugged, her voice confident, a complete contrast to the swirling pool of anxiety in her stomach.

Dr. Gaul, who seemed content with the redhead's answer, walked towards the door. "I'll have my eyes on you." She spoke before mentioning mutts and reptiles, walking out the door leaving the two students with their Dean.

"Valentina, you are excused." He dismissed her, telling the girl Dr. Gaul needed her presence and she was not in any trouble. 'Coriolanus is in trouble? That's new.'

Giving a small nod, she shot a look at Coriolanus before leaving the room and headed towards the Plinths', having had plans with Sejanus.