Chapter Text
Juliana Valdés rides into town on a very normal Thursday evening. Her car cruises down the main drag of the town, and she slows to take it in, eyebrows raising slightly as she notices how many of the businesses seem to have the same name emblazoned on them- Caravajal.
She's been driving this highways for two days now, and this is the first with a population of over 1000 she's seen since she left town. She wants a level of anonymity, one she can't have as the newest arrival to a tiny town; but she also doesn't want to find herself in a place to big she's watching her back at every corner.
The town of Gruillo, population 3042, seems as good a place as any to stay, even just for a little while. Long enough for her to make enough money for a plane ticket. And potentially some petrol to get to the nearest airport, too.
She drives past a few shops, eyes scanning the storefronts to see what’s still open. Up ahead she spots a diner, so she pulls in and parks, making her way inside.
It’s a small, old-school diner; complete with a jukebox, linoleum tiles and vinyl seating. Juliana expects the place is decorated more with genuine age than newly kitted with a retro look, if the chips on the vinyl are anything to go by.
The store is mostly empty- there’s an old couple drinking coffees down one end of the bartop, and a girl of about Juliana’s age picking at her meal as she sit in a booth near where Juliana is standing.
She had been staring down at her phone, light brown hair falling over her face when Juliana walked in but as the door of the diner chimes she looks up, and Juliana has to force herself not to gasp audibly.
The girl is gorgeous.
Her eyes are a piercing blue, and she stares at Juliana with a look altogether too familiar. As though their eyes have met before, a million times over. Juliana shook away the thought and makes her way past the girl with a small half smile which turns into a grimace as her stomach rumbled loudly just as she passes. She slides into a nearby booth and fiddles with the menu, waiting for a server and hoping desperately that the beauty behind her hasn’t heard her embarrassing stomach.
“Kitchen’s closed.” There’s a bored looking voice above her, and Juliana looks up to see a waitress staring down at her, notebook in hand. “But I can get you a coffee or tea..”
Juliana deflates. When had she last eaten? Not since yesterday, at least. She hopes her disappointment isn’t too obvious as she replies. “I’ll just have a coffee, thanks.” The waitress doesn’t acknowledge the order But does walk in the direction of the counter, so Juliana hopes this means she’ll at least get a beverage out of this pitstop. Then she’ll find some quiet street to park her car, bunker down for the night, and tomorrow maybe start looking for a job...
”Do you want the rest of mine? I’m not that hungry.” A voice jolts her out of her planning and she looks up to see the girl from the booth standing by her table, plate in hand. Juliana raises an eyebrow at the offer, taking in what’s on the plate- an untouched looking burger and a huge serving of fries. Either the meals here are huge or this girl had barely had anything.
“I can’t just steal your entire meal!” Juliana is incredulous, and slightly suspicious. Who gives away a perfectly good burger? “Thanks, though. I appreciate the offer.” She expects the girl to shrug and walk back to her table, but instead she puts the plate down and slides into the booth opposite. She pushes the plate toward Juliana.
“Honestly, you’d be doing me a favour. I didn’t actually want the food to be totally honest- I was trying to prove a point to my boyfriend about him being late, again…but then he didn’t even bother showing up, so.” A wave of annoyance passes over the girl’s face before she looks back at Juliana. “It’s probably cold by now, though. So it’s not even that great of an offer..”
She starts to look a bit embarrassed, like she’s only just realising how odd it is to offer a complete stranger your meal. Juliana jumps at the chance before it’s taken from her, though- she’s not one to turn down a free meal. Or disappoint a pretty girl.
“I’m sure it’ll be delicious, thank you. I wouldn’t want it to go to waste, anyway.” She snags a few fries off the plate and munches happily, swallowing before continuing, “Seriously, thank you. I couldn’t find anything else open around here and to be honest, I’m starving.” She picks up the burger and takes a bite.
“I could tell. Your stomach is pretty loud when it’s empty.” She girl smirks at Juliana, who almost chokes on the burger as a blush fills her cheeks. Dammit. The taller girl clearly finds her embarrassment amusing, as she giggles lightly before extending a hand towards Juliana. “I’m Valentina, by the way.”
Juliana swallows quickly and wipes her hand on a napkin before taking Valentina’s. It’s warm, and slightly larger than her own. She shakes it slowly, lingering before letting go. “Juliana. Gracias. You’re a life saver.”
Valentina waves her away, eyes twinkling. “Hey, just doing a beautiful stranger a favour. What brings you to this festive pit of despair so late anyway? We barely get cars passing through during the day, let alone at this hour.”
Juliana blinks at the comment. Is Valentina flirting? Juliana knows she doesn’t look her best, with two days worth of crumpled clothing and messy hair. Surely the taller woman was just being friendly. She decides not to dwell too much, however, and shrugs off the comment with a gentle smile before responding.
“Oh, I was actually thinking of staying for a while. I’m headed East but I’ve got to make some money on the way. This place seemed as good a place as any.” It’s not the entire truth, sure, but it seems a bit soon to drop in the whole ‘I’m on the run from my hitman father and my homophobic mother’ into the conversation. Valentina is gazing at her with a look Juliana can’t place, but it looks enough like attraction that Juliana decided to take a risk. “Although, if the rest of the town is good looking as you, I might have to stay longer.”
This time, it’s Valentina’s turn to blush. She opens her mouth to respond when her phone blares out a song and she frowns as she sees the name on it. Eyes rolling, she slides out of the booth and stands to leave. “It’s the boyfriend, sorry. It was really nice to meet you, Juliana. Enjoy your meal.” She takes Juliana’s hand and gives it a quick squeeze and then she’s away, phone at her ear and speaking in an angry tone as she stalks out the door.
Juliana tries not to be too obvious as she watches her leave.