The Other Half [ON HOLD FOR REWRITE] / MAFIOSA

Chapter Twenty

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Sebastian Valdez

 High School wasn't the experience I thought it would be, it ended up being ten times more stressful. Coming into the school, I was already known by everyone because I was a Valdez.

 My father and the twins came to this school before I did and they left quite the legacy. This, of course, led to everyone expecting me to meet all their success, or even go past it.

 For my first two years that's all I spent doing, working hard on my academics to be the top of my class, of which I did become. I should have been happy with that, but I wasn't. My teachers always compared me to my father or the twins, causing me to live in their shadow. This only caused me to become frustrated and angry at myself.

 One day after school, I wandered off to the soccer fields. At first, I was only going to to walk around and think but then I found a soccer ball sitting on the fields. I started to kick the ball around and run some soccer drills on my own, letting myself get lost in the game. Apparently, I was so invested on what I was doing that I didn't notice the crowd of guys with a lone girl standing with them watching me.

 I didn't pay it much attention until they approached me. They guys and girl introduced themselves to me, the guys were a part of the team, while the girl, Francesca, was the daughter of the coach. Among the guys was my friend Xavier, who just so happened to move back in town. I instantly clicked with that group, creating more friends. Although I have some before them, they were never real, but these guys were. They encouraged me to join the soccer team, and I did. Not only did I get in but I got the opportunity to be captain.

 Things were finally beginning to look up for myself, I was starting to make a name for myself, not living in the shadow of my family. People were finally seeing me as Sebastian, not a Valdez. I managed to balance my academics and my position as captain, everything was smooth sailing.

 As I grew more popular, Francesca's interest in me also grew. Girls weren't in my focus area in my last two years but she started to wedge her way into my life and, soon enough, my heart.

 Francesca didn't exactly have the cleanest reputation, being known for her numerous encounters with some of the soccer players. But I didn't pay much attention to it because she made me feel liberated and awake for the first time in my life, it was a change of pace for me and I liked it. As we started to get closer, I felt hesitant in starting something with her but she proved to me that she was a changed person, I felt like I was the person who was changing her.

But damn was I wrong...

 "Sebastian, if you want want to tell me what she did to you, that's fine. You already shared enough about your high school experience." Alarice's soothing voice breaks me away from my thoughts as her hand caresses my cheek gently, causing my insides to warm up.

 I take a deep breath then lean my forehead against hers. "No, I have to get this out my system. You already know everything, except what she did to me, and you have the right to know. I need you to know."

 Alarice pulls back and her lips slowly curl up as she bites the sides of her lips. Fuck, she's gorgeous in the most simplest ways. The way she bites one side of her lips when she's flustered or eager to know more, it drives me insane. When she gives me a smile full of happiness, I get happy myself. However, lately, it just hasn't been that way, and damn does it hurt.