PSPA

13

"You can't understand the good you do to me" - Mecna

BENEDETTA'S POV:

"And this is my room, I share it with my sisters. This is where I sleep, Vivi is in the middle and Eleonora over there," I say, throwing my backpack onto my bed.

I watch Bilel walk around the room and stop to look at a picture frame of me and my sisters when we were little, at Monte Pellegrino.

I put my hands in my jeans pockets and, feels a bit hesitant for ask "Everything okay?"

He turns around, nodding, glancing at me briefly, and then looks at Eleonora's law books on the shelf.

"You... seem quiet," I dare to say, nervously twisting my nails.

"I'm just annoyed," he says, picking up Eleonora's private law book.

"By the mess? I'm sorry, I'm always running late in the morning and..." I trail off, picking up the pajamas from the bed, but he shakes his head and mutters, "By you."

I furrow my brow immediately, what is he talking about?

"By me? And why?" I ask, raising an eyebrow.

He opens the book, concentrating on reading something, and asks, "What year is your sister in Law School?"

"She's in her third year, can you... answer my question, please?"

"I don't feel like talking about it right now, I'm very annoyed," he says, closing the book and putting it back in place.

I immediately make a grimace, how does an annoyed person maintain such disarming calm?

"Okay... but if you don't help me understand what I did wrong, I..."

Bilel leans against the bookcase, crosses his arms, and interrupts me, asking, "Was it because of Aldo that you refused to see me after school?"

I raise my eyebrows, widening my eyes and smile amusedly. "Is that why you won't even look at me?"

"Yes, Benedetta. You should take this matter more seriously, my patience has its limits and is about to be exceeded" he snaps, sternly.

I refrain from rolling my eyes.

"We went to pick up a gift for a mutual friend and then he gave me a ride home, that's all," I explain immediately.

"You could have asked me for a ride, you know," he says.

I tilt my head, is he joking?

"It seems to me that you're exaggerating a bit, I've already told you that Aldo and I are just friends."

"He calls you 'baby'," he retorts, annoyed.

"He's been calling me that since we were 3 years old," I mutter, annoyed.

"It doesn't seem normal to me," he insists.

"Neither does this thing between us," I gesture to the space between us, and he falls silent, burning me with his gaze.

I sigh, trying to stay calm. "Listen, Bilel... it was just a kiss. I don't even know if..."

"Just a kiss," he snaps, repeating my words with a grimace.

"Save the speech, I've understood loud and clear. I'll leave you alone" he adds, brushing past me and leaving the room.

I put my hands to my face and sigh in exasperation. What kind of situation have I gotten myself into?

I change my shirt, opting for a lighter dress that I can wear at home, and leave the room to search for Bilel.

I have to solve this thing as soon as possible.