Dangerous Love

Chapter 12

I woke up to the sound of my alarm clock. It’s Monday, and I could already feel the weight of the week ahead. Slowly, I got out of bed, fighting off the sleepiness and anxiety. As I reached for my uniform, memories of Matteo from last Friday crept back into my mind. How would I face him today? I also thought about my parents—would things finally be better for them this week?

I sighed deeply and stared at myself in the mirror. The dark circles under my eyes betrayed my lack of sleep, but there was nothing I could do about it now. I brushed my hair, straightened my uniform, and prepared myself for the day ahead.

As I descended the stairs, I overheard my parents' hushed voices coming from the dining area. It seemed like they were once again discussing work. I wanted to ask if things were getting better, but I hesitated. What if I only added to their worries?

When I reached the kitchen, my breakfast was already laid out on the table. I ate in silence, my mind preoccupied with the uncertainty of what the day might bring. I wasn’t sure if I could bring myself to talk to Matteo, especially since I still hadn’t made sense of my feelings.

After finishing my meal, I called out to my dad as I headed toward the door. “I’m off to school now,” I said, forcing a smile despite the unease brewing in my chest.

“Take care, iha. If you need anything, we’re here,” he replied, his voice full of concern.

I walked to the garage and climbed into the car. Once inside, I exhaled deeply, trying to steady my nerves. Thoughts of the day ahead swirled in my mind, but Matteo’s face lingered the longest. After everything that happened last week, how was I supposed to face him now?

As the car moved through the streets, I tried to calm myself. I couldn’t let the anxiety win. “You can do this,” I whispered, willing myself to focus. Schoolwork and my friends should be my priority, not Matteo.

When I arrived at school, I immediately spotted Frea waiting for me. Grateful for the distraction, I walked over to her.

“Hey, how are you doing?” she asked as she sat beside me.

“I’m okay now, sort of,” I replied with a small smile, trying to push Matteo out of my thoughts.

We started talking about our assignments and the activities planned for the week. Her stories about her family and life at home made me laugh, and for a while, I felt lighter, as if my worries had taken a back seat.

“Are you really okay now?” Frea asked, looking at me intently.

“Yes, and let’s not talk about it anymore,” I said, nudging her playfully on the arm. “Let’s just focus on class, okay?”

I was grateful for Frea’s company. Her energy was infectious, and I decided that today, I would focus on being productive and cheerful.

“Good morning, Madam President! How are you feeling?” Raizen greeted as he walked into the classroom.

“I’m fine." I replied with a smile. Raizen always had this upbeat aura, and it never failed to lift my mood.

“Any updates about the event?” he asked, his excitement evident.

“What event?” I asked, confused.

“Themed Night for seniors and college students! There’s a lot to prepare—like invitations and decorations,” he explained enthusiastically.

“What? I didn’t know about that!” I exclaimed, suddenly feeling a rush of panic. “I guess I need to talk to our teachers about this.”

“Yes! We have to plan it carefully. This will be so much fun—it’s going to be unforgettable!” he said, his enthusiasm contagious.