A New hope

Chapter 29-Goodbyes and Beginnings

Ciana-

Vani holds my hand, gently rubbing my knuckles. A driver pulls us up to the airport, and I see a small crowd around our jet. Lord, what a thing to say, our jet. I had asked to see my friends one last time, which Alessio was more than happy to accept. Although he wouldn't let me near the school. Therefore, all of my friends who I have gotten close to throughout my few months at school are here. In my family's private airport that connects to our house. I laugh at the thought.

Vani looks down at me, "are you going to be okay?" I smile towards him and nod, gently releasing his hand. I'm a little nervous to see my friends after what happened in the past week but I don't let that stop me. I register that my brothers friends are all here too, boys that sat at my lunch table and sometimes walked me to classes with my brothers. I don't know the names of most of them. I make a mental note to try to memorize more later.

Vani opens the door for me and helps me get out of the car. I see myself in the reflection of the door. I chose to wear long sleeves and pants today, which is fitting with the colder weather. Most of my wounds are covered. The cut at my hairline is slowly healing, no longer bleeding but is being supported together by some fancy looking bandage. The handprint on my neck is very visible, I didn't try to cover it with makeup. A small bruise is forming over one eye. A scratch runs down the length of my neck, not deep enough to bleed, but noticeable. My hands aren't much better, bruises and small wounds from blisters fill them.

I refused to use crutches, which Tullio was fine with because he said it would make my ribs worse off. He wanted to get me in a wheelchair but I had quickly argued with him. I'm paying for it now, my leg hurts more with every step towards my friends. Vani's hand is at my elbow, ready to grab me in case I fall. I shoot him a scalding look.

My friends take pity on me, running towards me when they see me coming. "C" someone says, "Cia" another, "Omg," someone else. Elle storms through the crowd that is my friends, glaring at Vani but when she turns to me it's full of empathy and sincerity. She gently leans into me, holding me by the elbows instead of the back, where I'm the most hurt. "Hey Elle," I mutter into her shoulder. She steps back from me, still holding me by the arms, "I'm so happy that you're okay! I tried to visit you after I heard what happened, but your idiot brothers wouldn't let me in. I even stormed up to your front door and yelled at the don, I mean Alessio," she finishes quickly. I look towards Vani, and he shrugs guilty. I scowl at him. "Oh Cia, I'm going to miss you so much! We'll all come visit!" she says, her sharp gaze turning towards Vani, "we will be visiting". Vani just sighs before turning and walking away. "We all will miss you".

My eyes turn towards the rest of the group. Sonia, Natalie, the twins Soren and Vano, Amara. I nod to all of them, "Hi guys". They all smile, taking turns gently hugging me, none of them touching my back. Someone must have warned them that I was hurt there. Amara comes up to me last and I find myself holding onto her a little longer. "Are you okay?" I ask her quietly. She nods, pulling away, a tear moving down her cheek, "though I think I should be the one asking you that". I laugh lightly, before turning somber, "do they know?

She hesitates, "A little. They know that we were involved though it was mainly you that got hurt. Other than that they know what the rumors are saying." I tense, concern filling me.

"Which is?"

"Crazy outlandish stuff. The school knows that Luca," I try not to flinch at the name, "was missing on Sunday, then his cousin and two of his friends are missing the next day. They also know that every single Ambrosi in the school shot up at the same time and ran out of their respective classrooms. That the youngest Ambrosi never showed up to the school following the party on Friday, and now that all of the Ambrosi's will be missing for two weeks. And that the two youngest won't return for God knows how long."