Saint Ambrose Academy: Unlikelies

21

ANGEL
My nerves are shot as I stand with Matteo, being lectured by father on the family business. My father is like Jekyll and Hyde, college recruiter for the elite by day, shady underworld dealings by night, his business trip will take him away for a day or so and he wants to lay out the rules as if he hasn't been giving us the same lecture since we were kids.
"Eyes up here Angelo. I asked if you understand. I swear it's like you got a brick for brains, don't make me repeat myself again." I nod and he punches me right in the face.

"Speak up like a man and respond verbally. Don't disrespect me."
"Yes father I understand," I keep my hands clasped behind my back to keep from rubbing my jaw where his fist connected. I'll have a decent bruise but it's nothing serious, it'd only anger him more if I showed signs that it hurt.
Matteo is barely breathing, and I nudge his foot when my father turns his back, I mouth for him to breathe and he does. He's been so vulnerable since the incident and he can't show any signs of it to my father or all my work covering it up will be for nothing, my father would literally kill Matteo if he finds out that he caused trouble like this and on campus no less. He'll probably kill me for my part in hiding it from him.
There's a large thud from upstairs, and I feel my mouth go dry, as my father questions what it was. I know what it was, Nova must've come out of the trance like state she's in and I need to do damage control before everything blows up in my face
"I'm sorry father, I had been with a friend when you called the meeting, so I sent her upstairs to wait for me. She's been in an accident and is-"
My father cuts me off, his stare is cold but not angry.
"Is she pretty?" I'm thrown off guard by this, I didn't expect this reaction, I'd never brought girls home before.
Thinking about Nova, it's undeniable she's a pretty girl, she's not really my type, but she is still very pretty. "Yes Sir, very."

"Atta boy." He slaps me on the arm roughly, "I'll be honest I was beginning to think you were a faggot. She can stay for break, I want to meet this girl when I get back. Consider it my being in a good mood." With that he leaves and I turn to Matteo who is looking at me horrified.

"Tell me you didn't bring her to our house Ang?"

"I couldn't leave her alone in her dorm, you didn't see her Matty, I tried to get her to let me take her home but it only made her worse. I got the message to come here and I just took her with me." I am so tired honestly, it's been a rough few days and I've barely slept, but I have to make sure everyone is okay.
"She's gonna be more upset when she realizes you brought her to her attackers house." I don't respond to this, I'm not sure how too.
"What about Cassia, if she finds out about this Ang she's never gonna forgive you?" He's right, I know this, but Cassia is out of the country right now, and my intentions with Nova are purely platonic. I just want to make sure she's okay. I'd like to believe that Cassia would understand if she saw how bad things were for Nova.

"She's not going to find out, so it's a non issue. Just try to avoid Nova, it's a big house I'm sure it's doable." Annoyed I head upstairs to check on Nova, as it's been quiet since I heard the thud.

I knock before I enter and see her laying on the floor facing the ceiling. I rush over to her thinking she's hurt, and she sits up startled by my fast approach.
"Jesus, Nova I thought you were unconscious or something, why were you just laying there?"
She points to the floor and I see she tripped over the rug, then she slowly traces out the letters sorry on the floor as she doesn't have the white board on her.
"It's okay, sorry I startled you, do you want help getting up?" She gives a hesitant nod and I get up myself and help her up by the hand and guide her to sit on bed, I lean on the desk across from her.

"I know you're probably confused on where you are? There was an emergency and you were in a state that made me nervous to leave you alone, so I brought you home with me." Her eyes go wide and she frantically scans the area.