Survivor

37 (part 1) > "Bingo." ~Giovanna

Armella' pov:

I sat in the bus quietly with my head hung low.

Whether it was in fear or shame, that would remain unknown.

However, I couldn't focus entirely on myself or begin to even comprehend what exactly had occurred. Because what I found strange, was Giovanna.

She was sitting to my right, sandwiching me inbetween the window on my left and herself. The gesture was something I greatly appreciated. She had basically cut me off from any human contact and it felt as if she were shielding me, protecting me from the world.

But that wasn't the strange bit.

She was silent.

Just as silent as a dead man. I know that she isn't all that talkative, but she had lately come around - participating much more in conversations and giving her opinions and suggestions during family discussions and debates.

Her silence - to be honest - freaked me out.

After what had occurred, she had quietly handed me her hoodie to slip on over my now torn shirt, and then lead the way out of school. She occasionally threw me a glance, but remained tight-lipped as she hailed a cab about 300m away from school.

Turning my attention away, I simply stated out the window- people watching and counting the numerous amount of trees we passed by.

The cab came to a halt rather harshly and my hand shot forward - bracing against the seat before me - to steady myself. Beside me Giovanna still hadn't shifted.

I gently nudged my elbow against her side and she shook her head before turning to face me - a questioning look on her face.

When she took in our surroundings she gave me a quick nod before handing some money over to the driver and reaching over me to open the door - ushering me out. Swinging both of our backpacks onto either one of her shoulders, she began the rather long walk up the winding road that led to our shared home.

"Sorry about that." She apologized and I was confused.

"Huh?"

"I figured it'd be best to ask the driver to stop down here. Didn't wanna risk asking him to take us all the way to the gate."

"Ohhh." I replied still not understanding why. "Yeah."

She turned around to face me, walking backwards. "Plus," she shrugged. "It'll just make it easier to sneak in."

My mouth formed an 'O' shape when I realised. We were basically bunking school. "Right." I agreed.

"Can't exactly just go waltzing through the front gate."

"Bingo." She shot a fake bullet at me using her thumb and index finger to form a gun.

Sighing softly to myself, I continued behind the once again silent girl who I had slowly come to accept as a sister.

There was a slight chill in the air and a cold breeze that caused me to sink deeper into her hoodie and my thoughts.

The more I thought about what had occurred, the more questions arose.

What did I do to deserve that?

Was is partly my fault?

The second question stumped me.

Could it be?

I mean the clothes I was wearing were decent enough, weren't they?

I thought back to the outfit I picked out this morning. A simple pair of  black skinny jeans and black T-shirt with a black and white flannel to go over. My eyes remained trained on the pair of white sneakers my feet donned as I thought over it carefully.

It couldn't have been my fault, could it?

Majority of the time when girls are sexually assaulted or even raped, they are blamed. Either the clothing they wore had been to revealing, or something or the other.

But why is it always a female's fault?

No.

It wasn't my fault I decided. I mean really? No one asks for such a crime to be committed against them.

I didn't give him consent.

And I sure as hell didn't openly invite him to do whatever the hell he pleased.

It might be a free world, but there are boundaries.

Lines drawn, which we simply do not cross.

Being a dick would be a prime example.

My protests should have been more than enough of sign that:

A) I wasn't comfortable.

and

B) I warned him not to.

That's should have been reason enough!

All of a sudden I began feeling really hot. And it was either because I was angry at myself for even considering that it was my fault for even a second, or just the newfound hatred that I acquired for him.

I despised him.

I jerked back slightly when I heard a soft thud that shook me out of my thoughts. Looking around I realised that we were standing by the fence that was at the side of the large property owned by the Accardi'.

Luckily the place where we stood, his us away from the eyes of any patrolling guards.

When I glanced at the grass ahead, I noticed a backpack wedged between the wall of the pool house and the fence where we stood. I turned to face Giovanna just in time to see her launch my backpack over the fence.

She took 3 large steps back before sprinting forward and leaping onto the gate, gripping the fence tightly.

"Coming?" She asked, her hand outstretched in my direction.

The unease must have shown on my face because she gave me a reassuring look. "Just take a few steps back, run and jump. Grab onto my arm and get a good grip to steady yourself. Once you good, I'll hoist you up, you stand on my shoulders and climb over the top of the fence. I'll help you down."

"You make it sound like a piece of cake." I told her honestly.

"When you've been jumping fences your whole life, it really is."

------------------------------------------------------
Back from war (aka exams)
Woo hoo!
I survived! (Pun unintended)

Hey guys
How are you all doing?

I just finished off with my last paper yesterday and just wanted to get an update out for you guys asap (to show that I don't plan on leaving you guys hanging).

Sorry about the long wait.
I've got a short school break coming up starting on Friday, and I'm hoping to get out as many chapters as possible then. (And possibly finish Survivor?)

Anyways I'm gonna love and leave you guys. ❤️

Byee
-Rain🖋️