Ultraviolence -Damiano David

3

"You're late. "

John says sternly and I can tell he's pissed.

"Sorry, my car stopped suddenly and I didn't know what to do. "

I answer him honestly.
"What happened to it? Let's go outside and fix it. "

I'm almost drowning.
I'm trying to quickly come up with an excuse. I know that if I tell him the truth, he'll be angry.

"It wasn't something. Good thing a stranger stopped by and fixed it. "

"Stella, you trusted a stranger?"
I blurt out, obviously tired and irritated by the conversation.

"I had no choice, I was late for work. "

The only one working is me, when I decided to move in with John at two months, I didn't think it would be so tiring for me.

"Excuse me, but I'm going upstairs to change. "

With quick steps I reach the bedroom and lie down, irritated.
I open my phone and read Damiano's message over and over again.

"Everything is okay with the car, I figured it would be a big hassle to go pick it up so I brought it out of the school. Good luck. "

He wrote.
I didn't think I'd see him again.

I didn't think I'd feel like this.

I thought I was completely over it.
My heart is tightening.

Today I felt again, like the first time I met him.

My mind is clouded by what has happened.
I know I shouldn't even care.
I'm sure he didn't feel anything.
I got it.

He was distant.
It's like we haven't lived things together.
It's like he's forgotten all about me.

. . . .

"In all of Italy, you fell for it. How strange?"

My best friend says. There is a look of surprise on her face as I explain what has happened in the last few days.

"Bella, I can't stop thinking about him from that moment. "

"You have to forget about him. You have a perfect relationship and he gets married. I doubt you'll even see him again. "

Our conversation is interrupted by a commotion outside the café where we are.
I see flashes of reporters and screaming.

I wonder looking at Bella, but the door opens and two familiar faces make their appearance.

And suddenly I see him.
Him.
And next to him, she.
The woman he's engaged to.
I'd be lying if I said I haven't looked her up on social media.
They are very fitting.
But at the same time I feel my heart stop.
His gaze falls on me, who hadn't noticed me for so long.

He realizes I'm staring at him and I turn my head to the other side.

"Don't look at him Stella. "

It is impossible.

How did I do it like this?
How has everything changed so much in just a few days?

They're sitting right across from us and some fans are taking a picture with him.

"Excuse me, I'm going to the bathroom. "

I say and with quick steps I head towards it.
I walk in and close the door, huffing and puffing.
Slowly, my tears appear and I am unable to hold back.
It was very difficult when we broke up. I made it through three whole years.
And now all the memories have come back for good.
I curse myself and get angry with myself.
I look in the mirror to see, my face stained

The door opens making me startle and I quickly wipe away my tears.
I hope whoever it is has not seen in this ridiculous situation.

"Is everything okay?"

My heart flutters at the sound of his voice, at the same time I want to send him away. At the same time I am angry with him for not following me then.

For not trying harder for us.

"Yes. It's all good. "

I put my head down so he doesn't see me.
I don't want him to know I'm still crying for him.

"Stella, were you crying?"

"No, just something caught my eye. "

I can hear him laughing.

"That's a good excuse. Everything okay with the car?"

"Yes, thank you very much, I'll owe you. "

"I think there's something you can do to pay it off. "

What could I do for him?

"Tomorrow we have a concert. Come"

"What? I can't do that. "

"You owe me. And that's what I want you to do. "

"I don't have a ticket. "

"I'll talk to the security. Just say your name and you'll get in. "

"Okay, I'll try to come. "

He doesn't say anything else.
I watch him wash his hands and fix his hair.
Without telling me anything.

He's so weird.
I know him so well but now I doubt it.

He comes out of the bathroom without speaking. Without paying any attention to me.

I decide to go out a few minutes later.
But when I get there, I don't see him anymore.

"They're gone. "

Bella informs me.

"Get ready, we have a concert tomorrow. "