On the Run

6- Lost

It was May 3rd, around a month until graduation and after that night Vinnie and I haven't talked since. As the usual creep I am, I spied on him through my window. It was the typical routine of him crying and getting smacked around by his dad. It was to the point he was getting black eyes and cuts on his face. Everyone started to know but didn't say anything or tell anyone.
**
"You need to do something. I know you've seen a change in him." I sighed, sliding down in the school counselors chair.
"Aurora honey, I admire your care for Vincenzo, but I highly doubt that his father whom is the chief of police, would abuse his family."
"Lady are you blind? Everyone has seen his face and change in mood. You're going to sit here and tell me.." She cut me off, "Boys are going to be boys, they will rough eachother up. Highschool boys are always fighting dear."
I rolled my eyes, "You guys are pathetic, what is the point of being here if you won't help someone who needs it."
**
"Ror maybe the counselor is right, I mean how do you know it's not his friends?"
I picked at my food, "Kendra you don't know what I know alright?"
I scanned the cafeteria for Vinnie. He was sitting with his friends with his head down, merely talking.
"Kendra come on, look at him."
"Rory. I love you but come on. He's fine."
Still staring at him, I let out a loud sigh. Hoping he'd hear and at least glance at me. He's been avoiding me, and acting like I was a ghost.
"Explain to me why he's been avoiding me. He literally knows that I know."
"Orrr maybe he thinks you're delusional.." Kendra said waving her spork at me. "Stop staring, he's gonna think you're a creep."
I got up from the lunch table and Kendra grabbed my arm, "What are you doing?" I yanked my arm back.
"Aurora I cannot let you go up to him, the whole school is going to think he gets abused if you say it infront of everyone."
I shook my head and scrunched my brows, "I'm just going to talk to him."
Continuing to walk towards him, I saw more scrapes and bruises on his face than before. It made me sick. I slowly sat down across from him and touched his hand, "Vin?"
"Ayee Rory my girl what's up?" Owen gave me a huge smile. I gave a slight smile back and turned my attention back to Vinnie.
He spat, "What do you want Aurora?"
I looked up at his friend group to see their reactions, they all shook their heads vigorously to give me a hint to leave him alone.
"I just wanna talk to you. You've been avoiding me ya know?"
"Vaffanculo."
Once in 6th grade he taught me fuck off in Italian. I don't know if he didn't want to embarrass me in front of everyone but him telling me to fuck off in Italian just felt colder.
"Okay." I replied quietly and left.
His friends gave me an "I don't know what's wrong with him either" look. I shrugged and walked away.
**
The day longed. I missed Vinnie so much. I missed his smile, his scent, his voice, his everything. I felt helpless. It was so bad, I decided to turn to my mom for help.
"So what your saying is, Vinnie's father is a woman and child beater?" My mother almost found it hysterical that I would even say something like that.
"No you're not listening. It happens frequently. I see it happen."
"What do you watch from your window?" She chuckled and I stayed silent.
"Aurora Rose that's an invasion of privacy.."
She sat there clinking her ring against her coffee mug. "So if what you're saying is false, do you know how bad it'd look on me? I'm the mayor for crying out loud. Accusing the chief of police as an abuser is absurd. Rory do you hear yourself?"
"Everyone is so useless. You know how important this is."
She slammed her hands on the table and stood up, "Aurora don't go there. Don't. You know how much, Mr. Romano helped us in the situation with your father. Don't you sit there and throw out these extreme accusations."
I scoffed, "Big fucking whoop mom. Takes an abuser to know one." I stormed up to my room.
"Don't you dare leave this table, I am talking to you. Aurora!"
**
I locked my door and went to my window. It was music blasting tonight. Glancing down at their living room window their parents were arguing. Jeffery, which was Mr. Romanos first name, landed a punch on his wife. She started sobbing hysterically holding the spot where he had hit her. My stomach turned into knots. My adrenaline started to pump and I ran downstairs. I didn't know what I was about to do but something needed to be done. My mom was in her office, typing something for work. I crept out of the house.
**
I slowly walked up to their doorstep and swallowed. My mouth had gone dry. I took a deep breath and knocked. The yelling and crying stopped. I waited for a few seconds and the door swung open to a sweaty man with a loosened tie whom smelled of liquor.
"Ah, Aurora.." He glanced at his watch, "What brings you here at, 10 at night?" He let out a chuckle.
I opened my mouth to say literally anything and nothing came out. Vinnie came stumbling down the stairs, another person who reeked of liquor, "Sorry dad, Rory had to walk me through some school work. I had no idea she was coming."
Jeffery clenched his jaw, "Alright, make it quick. Annie has got to get to bed soon."
Vinnie dragged me up to his room. I've never been in it before, regardless of us being friends since childhood. He slammed the door.
"I'm sorry." I began.
"Aurora. No. I know you know. I'm telling you to mind your business, I'm handling it."
I ran my fingers through my hair and sat on his bed,"I can't mind my business. Vin you mean so much to you and seeing you deteriorate is killing me."
Vinnie sat next to me and grabbed my hand, "I'm begging you."
It looked almost as if he was going to cry. My heart broke for him.
"Okay." My voice cracked.
Vinnie looked down for a moment. I could tell he wanted to let it out and explain everything to me. He glanced back up and tears started to form in his eyes. He sniffled and got up from the bed.
"You gotta go, okay? I'll text you, later."
I knew that "later" meant never but I still accepted the defeat. I got up from the bed.
"Hey Ror?"
I raised my eyebrows at him.
"I'm gonna take care of it. Love you, as a friend." He nudged my shoulder.
I giggled and he led me out of the house.
"Goodnight dear." Vinnies mother, Caterina, squeezed my hand on the way out. I gave her a gentle hug and she squeezed me like her life depended on it. Vinnie and I said our goodbyes and I returned home. Exhausted, defeated, and helpless.