Love, Evangeline

5.

Sofia talked a majority of class about last night while I sat in my chair, trying to process what had happened at the club. As much as I disliked Lorenzo, I had just begun to change my perspective on him, until last night. Lorenzo was a selfish, inhumane person with no desire for respect of others. And to think Lorenzo was so close to gaining my trust and liking. I've never hated someone more in my entire life until now. He attempted to get me drunk and got as naive as I was, his plan succeeded. Knowing what he did to me made my skin crawl. I wanted to tell someone, Dante, or all my brothers, but I knew Lorenzo wouldn't live till the evening. So I decided to keep what happened at the club to myself.

" Why'd you leave last night?" Sofia finally asked turning back around to face me. " I wasn't feeling well," I simply said. " How many shots did you take?" Sofia asked frowning. " Just one, I didn't want to risk it any more than I already did," I answered. Sofia smiled, " I don't remember quite much of last night, but where did you go before you left?" I wasn't going to tell Sofia that I left with Lorenzo, so I didn't. " The bathroom, the bar was getting crowded and I needed some air," I answered. Sofia nodded, " well it was fun for the little time you were there." I looked at her and smiled, " it was getting late, you know how my family is about curfews." Sofia scoffed, " everyone but you doesn't have a curfew." The smile on my face slightly faded, " they're treating you like some pent up animal, a baby or a puppy," Sofia said.

Mr. Rossi picked up the finished assignment as the bell rang. Grabbing her bag, Sofia stood up. Packing up my things, what Sofia had said remained in my mind. " So, how was your first night out?" Sofia asked as we walked out of the classroom and into the hall. " It was fun," I simply said. Sofia looked at me, " I'm not stupid, you can tell me." I smiled, " I was out of my comfort zone the entire time, but seeing you have fun and the others made me happy." Sofia scoffed, " cut the bullshit." I looked at her as we rounded the corner, " what?" Sofia smiled and shook her head, " what?" I asked again, holding back a smile.

We met Gaia and Andrea at Sofia's locker, they both seemed tried and completely out of it. " You two look good," I teased folding my arms. Gaia rolled her eyes, " I feel like I got hit my a car." I grinned, " I've never craved water so badly in my life," Andrea said. Opening my bag, I pulled out my water bottle and handed it to Andrea. " Oh, I love you so much," Andrea said grabbing the water bottle from me. I chuckled softly as Andrea gulped down half the water before catching her breath and handing me back my bottle. " You're a lifesaver," Andrea said to me. The smile on my face immediately disappeared once I saw Lorenzo and his group walking down the hall.

" I'm going to the bathroom," I said, putting my water bottle back into my bag and zipping it close. " We just got here," Gaia said. I sighed, " I'll see you guys later okay?" I turned around, quickly slipped through the crowded hall, and down to the bathroom before Lorenzo and his group approached Sofia and the others.
- - -
I couldn't hide from Lorenzo forever, sooner or later I'd encounter him again. Washing my hands, my eyes averted up at the mirror as a soft sigh left my lips. The bell announcing the start of class filled the bathroom. I dried off my hands and grabbed my bag before opening the bathroom door and walking out into the hall. Right as I turned, my heart nearly jumped out of my chest. Lorenzo was walking down the hall. His dark eyes met mine, I swear I saw a muscle in his jaw twitch. For some odd reason my body refused to function, my feet were literally glued to the floor. Bruising had formed on Lorenzo's nose, nearly looking broken. Inhaling deeply I turned and walked as fast as I could, but only made it a few steps when Marco, Carlo, and Mattia popped up in front of me.

My breath hitched as I came to a sudden halt, a thick knot formed in my throat. " Did you think you'd hide from me forever?" Lorenzo asked, his voice cutting through the air like a knife. I turned around, " you know I liked you," Lorenzo said, his eyes piercing into mine. " But you are nothing but a fucking, psychopathic bitch," Lorenzo spat out. I could hear the others walking up behind me as I stared at Lorenzo. " You almost broke my nose, you know that?" Lorenzo asked calmly but sternly. " I'm sorry," I murmured. Lorenzo scoffed, " you're fucking pathetic." I swallowed, " it's fine though, because you're going to pay for what you did," Lorenzo said.