Behind the Facade | Vittorio, baby

I want you, I need you

,,Isabella,” Vittorio called out, his voice quiet but firm, cutting through the ambient noise. ,,We need to talk... "
Stepping closer, Vittorio’s tone became more determined. “You’ve been avoiding me for days, Bella. You can’t keep doing this."

“What do you want, Vittorio?” Isabella asked defensively, her voice shaking slightly.

Frustration and hurt flashed across Vittorio’s face. “What do I want? I want to know why you’ve been ignoring me ever since… that night. We were finally talking again, and now it’s like we’re back to where we started.”

Isabella tightened her grip on her arms, avoiding his eyes. “I’ve just had a lot going on, okay? It’s not about you.”

Vittorio stepped even closer, searching her face for answers. “Not about me? Isabella, we kissed! You can’t just pretend that didn’t happen.”

“I’m not pretending, Vittorio,” Isabella’s voice wavered as she struggled to hold back her emotions. “I just… don’t know what to say.”

Vittorio’s frustration softened, concern creeping into his voice. “Then say that. Don’t just shut me out. We used to be best friends, remember? We could talk about anything.”

Finally, Isabella met his gaze, her eyes filled with a mix of sadness and fear. “That was before high school. Before everything got so complicated.”

Vittorio’s voice carried a blend of frustration and longing. “What’s so complicated about us, Bella? We drifted apart when we started high school, but when we reconnected… it felt right. Now suddenly everything’s different, and you’re acting like I don’t even exist.”

“Because everything has changed!” Isabella’s tone became defensive, though her anger seemed directed more at herself than at him. “That kiss—it wasn’t just some random thing, Vittorio. It brought up a lot of feelings I didn’t expect. And I don’t know how to deal with that.”

Vittorio’s hurt was clear, but he fought to stay calm. “So your solution is to just cut me off? Again? That’s not fair, Bella. We were finally getting close again, and now you’re throwing it all away because you’re scared?”

“I’m not throwing it away!” Isabella’s anger peaked, tinged with desperation. “I’m just… I don’t want to ruin what’s left of our friendship. If we start something more and it goes wrong, then what? We’ll lose each other all over again.”

Vittorio stepped even closer, his voice dropping to a softer, more intimate tone. “Maybe… but we could also gain something more. Isabella, I’ve missed you. And when we kissed, it felt like… maybe we were supposed to be more than just friends.”

After a long, awkward silence, Vittorio finally broke the tension. “I’m going to America soon, for the student exchange,” he said quietly. “I don’t want to leave with things like this between us, with you being mad at me.”

"I'm not mad, Vitto," Isabella replied, her voice softening. "I'm just confused. I don't know what to think."

Vittorio looked at her intently. "How about we stop thinking and just enjoy the moment?"

Isabella shook her head, her expression pained. "No… I can’t do that."

She stood up, tears welling in her eyes as she held his gaze. "Have fun in America, Vitto. You deserve it."

Before she could turn away, Vittorio quickly stood and grabbed her hand. "No, Bella! Not like this. We won’t separate like this... Come to my goodbye party on Friday at Nico’s place. Please. I want you there. I need you there."

Isabella felt her throat tighten, the words catching as she struggled to speak. "I’ll try to be there."

Without another word, she pulled away and left Piazza Navona, the night air cool against her cheeks as she made her way back home, her heart heavy with uncertainty. As Isabella began to walk away, she paused, turning back to Vittorio one last time. Without a word, she stepped closer and gently kissed him on the cheek, her lips lingering for a moment.

She pulled back, her eyes searching his before she whispered, "Goodnight, Vitto."

Then, with a heavy heart, she turned and walked away, leaving Vittorio standing alone in Piazza Navona, the warmth of her kiss still lingering on his skin as she disappeared into the night.