Love, Evangeline

3.

" Hey," Diego said as I walked into the house. I smiled at him as he stood up from the table and walked over to me. " Hi," I said as Diego pulled me into a hug. " How's school?" He asked me. " Good, I have a lot of work so I'm going up to my room," I said. Diego eyed me, " what?" I asked smiling. " Nothing, I've just never seen you this dedicated to work." I scoffed softly, " unlike you and the others, I'd like to get into college." Diego raised his eyebrows, " ouch." I smiled, " fine, go," Diego said. I turned and walked towards the stairs before saying, " I'm going over to Sofia's place to study in a few hours."

Diego turned and looked at me, " did you ask mom?" I turned around, " she's fine with it." " Evangeline," Diego said as he folded his arms. I scoffed, " she won't mind, we're just studying." Diego sighed, " call her." I nodded, " I will." Diego turned and sat back down at the table, work loads of papers and files surrounded him. I knew tonight was going to be a long one for Diego, I just hoped he'd be in bed by the time I got him.

Right as I sat down on my bed and placed my bag beside me, I got a call from Sofia. " Hey," I said as I brought my phone up to my ear. " I'm coming in an hour," Sofia said. I looked at the clock on my desk, " okay." I could hear Gaia and Andrea in the background. " The dress I have for you is perfect," Sofia informed me. I smiled, " I believe you." I pulled out my AP English assignment and my poetry book. " I also have some shoes that would make you look taller," Sofia informed me. I nodded, " I'll wear whatever you give me." " I'm holding you on that," Sofia said. " Just, don't make me look like I'm begging for attention," I sighed. Sofia scoffed, " we're going to a bar Eva, attention is exactly what you need." I shook my head and smiled, " whatever, I'll see you soon." " Okay bye, love you," Sofia said before hanging up.

A knock at my door paused me from my work. "Come in," I said. The door opened, Mateo walked in. " We need help down in the training room," Mateo said. I frowned, " you need my help?" " Yeah," Mateo sighed folding his arms. " I'm not allowed down there, everyone knows that," I said. Mateo scoffed, " Eva you're eighteen, not five." I sighed and stood up, " it'll be quick," Mateo said as I leaked up to him. " What exactly do you need help with?" I asked. " Dad got knew equipment, shits heavy," Mateo informed as we walked down the hall. " This isn't a good idea," I said folding my arms. " Mom doesn't like me down there, and you know how angry Diego will be if he sees me with you guys."

Mateo put his arm around my shoulder, pulling me closer to him. " This family needs to know you're able to take care of yourself," Mateo said. " keeping you locked up and away from the family business is something that should've ended years ago." " I'm not locked up," I said smiling. " You know what I mean," Mateo said. He walked down the stairs before heading down towards the basement. The sound of machines buzzing and voices filled the dim lit hall. " Just, don't touch anything we tell you not to touch," Mateo Instructed as he opened the door. I looked at Mateo before averting my attention to the trainers room. " Hold on," Alessandro said putting down a dagger. " What the hell is she doing down here?" " We needed help," Mateo said. Alessandro scoffed, " yeah, from literally anyone else on this fucking planet."

" I can do it," I said defensively. Dante chuckled, " you're funny." I clenched my jaw, " mom and dad aren't here, Diego's busy, I'm the only one left." Damien walked up to me, " the things in this room weight ten times your size, even more." I looked at him, " you haven't even seen me lift anything." " Exactly," Alessandro said. Damien picked up my hands, " these things haven't gotten dirty once in your life. If mom and dad, let alone mom, find a scratch on you, we're all dead." Damien dropped my hands, " we don't want your help." I looked at Mateo, " I can do it." Mateo sighed as he ran his hand through his hair, " let's just see if she can do it." Dante smiled, " maybe she's not as weak as we think she is." I looked at Dante, " I'm not weak." " Hmm, sure," Dante said.