Omertà, Amore Mio

Chapter 11

School was a blur again. Still no call from Finostadi. Going back to that house seems like a good idea but then again, Finostadi told me to stay away. I was now sitting in the Starbucks parking lot waiting on Jaylee to come out. She always takes forever in there. I turned up the radio a little bit louder. My favorite song is on. Holding onto you by Twenty One Pilots. She finally walks out with a cup and a bagel. Starbucks isn't really my thing. I prefer Panera. "So, where do you wanna go?"

"Uhhh, let's just go to the library. We gotta get this finished before tomorrow"She said. I put the car in reverse and headed to the library. My mind drifts back to Aufiero and his well being. 2 days. 2 days without knowing where he is. 2 days without knowing if he's okay. Minutes later, I pulled up in the parking lot of the library. We got out, Jaylee throwing her things in the trash, and me carrying my laptop. The library is pretty full for a Thursday afternoon. The security checked us and we went up to the 4th floor. That's where most of the college students go to study and do work. We sit by the window in our usual spots. "Okay, so what's the topic?"

I shruged. I really didn't have time to think about it in class. "Oh come on Noelle. You gotta stop thinking about him for like 2 seconds and pay attention. We have work to finish. This is a major grade"She whined. "Okay , I'm sorry, you know I worry a lot"

She rolled her eyes. "You barely know him"

"Your mom barely knew your dad"I sneered. She laughed. "Okay, you've got a point but bump that, can you just focus for the time being"

I nodded and she smiled. "Okay, so maybe we can do it on being youself. Like, self esteem and all that. Being comfortable in your own skin."

"Okay but who are we gonna use as our role model?"

I shrugged. "We could use Caitlyn Jenner"

I burst out laughing and she did too. The library clerk glared at us making us laugh even harder. "okay, okay, we can't be so loud"I whispered. She laughed again and settled down "Anyways, so Caitlyn Jenner"

She nodded. "I think we should do it in a powerpoint"

"Yeah, that will be better than a trifold"

"Agreed. We gotta get some good pictures though. So you find the pics and I'll do the typing and stuff"

"Okay, let's get started"

She pulled out her laptop and started searching for pics while I started putting the presentation together.

Almost an hour later and we're done. The powerpoint actually came together pretty nice. "We work together so good"She squeaked. I chuckled. "Ew, why did your voice sound like that?"

She shrugged. "I don't know but save this on my flashdrive. I'm ready to go" I saved it on her flashdrive and we packed up. The clerk lady glared at us we walked out. Jaylee threw up her middle finger at her. "So rude"I said. "Let's get Mcdonalds"

I drove through the drive thru and ordered our food and then we were on our way home.

We sat on the couch laughing and reminiscing over old times. Not once did Aufiero cross my mind and it made feel bad. I sat up straight and my smile disappeared from my face. "How do you know if you're in love?"I asked her. Her smile disappeared from her face too. "You're in love with him?"

I shrugged. "I think so. But I have doubts. Like, it's too early to already be in love with someone but at the same time, I think about him all day and I miss him more than I should and I'm so confused" She sighs. "Well, love is different for everyone. It just depends Noelle"

"Well, tell me what it felt like for you"

"I don't know. I mean, he's was always the first person I thought about. I always think long term with him. I want to marry him of course. Whenever I make life changinng decisions I always think of him. He's just always on my mind. He makes me a better person. I feel like a better version of me when I'm with him. But it's also the small things that count too. Like when he randomaly tells me I'm beautiful or when he kisses me on the cheek ya know. The things that make your heart flutter"