PSPA

8

The solution is to radically rethink what truly makes us happy. - Shuttle_river.

BENEDETTA'S POV:

"Sorry" I muttered uncomfortably, noticing my phone ringing and the background illuminating the name 'The coolest' with a heart emoji next to it.

Aldo registered himself like that in my phone without permission, and I haven't bothered to change it since. I recognize him by that name now.

"Go ahead," he says, pausing at a traffic light.

This road is full of traffic lights, damn it.

"Hello?" I whisper very quietly.

"Guess who just landed?" he shouts, almost bursting my eardrum.

Despite that, I smile happy and ask excitedly, "You've already arrived? Great! I'm on my way home, see you there?"

"Yes, the flight was quite smooth and... damn, the sun! How much I missed the sun?" he exclaims happpily. It's so nice to hear him happy.

"Just the sun?" I ask teasingly.

"Maybe I missed a little beastie" he admits making me smile.

"I missed you too," I whisper biting my lip.

I suddenly hear the professor honking the horn, and swallowing, I lean towards the window murmuring, "We'll talk as soon as you get to me, okay?"

"Is everything okay? You sound strange" Aldo asks, worriedly.

"Yes, yes, we'll talk. A kiss," I hang up, not wanting to further distract the professor while he's driving.

"Sorry again, I had to answer," I mumble and put my phone back in my backpack.

"You didn't tell me you had a boyfriend," he snaps sharply, gripping the steering wheel tightly. Suddenly, the atmosphere in the car turns icy.

"I..." I start to say that he's not my boyfriend, just a childhood friend, once even a neighbor before he and his family moved north. His father got a promotion in Palermo and they came back here. Luckily, they took back the house next to ours, and tonight we're all going to have dinner together.

I'd like to tell him that there can never be anything between me and Aldo, because I consider him a brother and we practically grew up together. But his hostile tone and his hard look make me say: "I don't think it's any of your business.

The professor raises an eyebrow, surprised by my response, and grumbles annoyed, "Of course, you're absolutely right. After all, who am I to you?"

Another phone rings, this time his. "Excuse me," he snaps and immediately answers the call. Such speed.

"Hey, I'm the girl from last night. Remember me?" a sensual voice asks.

Oh dear, I suddenly stiffen, waiting for him to tell her to call back later or to put on his earpiece. On the contrary, he replies calmly, "Of course I remember you, Gemma..."

I swallow, pretending not to hear the call, too busy watching the billboards on the street. I'm dying inside.

"I'm Tamara, but it doesn't matter. Listen... I was wondering if you're free tonight. We could meet up with some of my friends; we had a great time last night, don't you think?"

"Pleasant evening, yes... we could do it again," I raise an eyebrow... doesn't he think it's absolutely awkward to make these kinds of calls in front of me?

"I've put in a good word for you; my friends can't wait to meet you," she says, licking her lips, and mischievously asks, tapping her fingertips on the steering wheel, "Oh really? And what did you tell them? I'm curious."