CHLOE'S POV
I was fully aware of what was going on now. I actually got arrested and fucked up my relationship with my parents.
There they are. Walking into the police station looking more disappointed than ever. I think what really pushed them over the edge is having to leave Italy a few days early because their sweet and innocent child got arrested.
My parents walk right past me and go to the front desk. I could already tell they were beyond mad.
Ethan and Grayson were sitting on the bench. I sat in a separate chair that was near the officers desk.
"Let's go," my mom says. I stand up with a confused expression. "Mrs. Varela, I-"
"Go home. Both of you," my mom snaps. I look at Ethan and he mouths 'it'll be okay.'
"What's dad doing?" I ask as we leave the building. "Paying for your fucking charges."
"He doesn't have to do that. This is my fault."
"The fuck it is! You fucked up big time. Your dad and I want you going back to Florence with us," she explains as we get into the car.
"What? No!"
"Your experience here has been terrible, Chloe. You just fucked up even more. In what way has your experience here been good?"
I don't respond. I just look out the window and let tears escape from my eyes. "I assume the house is destroyed?"
"Probably," I mutter. "Wow, I just... I just don't have any words for you right now, Chloe."
"I'm sorry for being such a disappointment," I cry. "Oh, shut up!" She yells, making me flinch.
———
I cried the entire time I cleaned up the huge disaster in the house. It took me hours to get it all cleaned up.
When I thought I had finished, my own room was a mess. Some couple had came in here to fuck around, same with every other room.
I was ashamed and embarrassed. Sometimes I just don't understand what makes me do such idiotic things.
———
My mom made me get a councilor. She thought it'd be good for me and my mental health. She wasn't wrong, but I just didn't feel like seeing one.
I don't wanna talk about my feelings and problems. Most aren't easy to talk about.
"What's on your mind today?"
"Well, I'm a terrible daughter who fucks up everything."
"You know, every student that comes in here has told me the same thing. You all think the smallest mistakes ruin you. They don't, Chloe. Doing something bad does not make you a bad person. It was a mistake and that's normal."
I nod and sigh, knowing she's completely right.
"Are you in a relationship right now?"
"I wouldn't call it that. I have this one friend, and we both like each other. He's really awesome. He's very supportive and all."
"That's good. It's always good to stick around good people that make you feel good, especially when times get rough."
"So what are you saying?"
"I'm saying you should hang around this boy and seek support from him. I know you're going through something rough right now, we all are, and I think it's best if you find someone to lean on."
———
My mom, somehow, allowed me to hang out with Ethan because it was 'homework stuff,' which was actually true.
I'm falling behind in all my classes and my grades are suffering big time.
"No phones," he takes my phone from my hands. "I was texting my mom."
"No excuses. Do your work," he says. We sat on the floor in his basement, working on algebra.
"You're bossy," I smirk. "It's my speciality."
Wow, kinky.
"Can we take a break?" I sigh. "Chlo, you've literally done three problems and you have thirty more to go."
"It's tiring," I whine.
"You're ridiculous," he shakes his head. I pause and frown.
"But you're adorable," he says with a cheesy smile. "Can we watch a movie?"
"I guess," he stands up, "what movie?"
"I don't care," I shrug. "Well, that doesn't help me at all. Wanna watch a classic?"
"Sure, like what?"
"Titanic?"
"I've never seen it," I say. "What?! You've never lived before!"
"I don't watch a lot of movies," I shrug. "I'm gonna change that," he grabs the remote and turns on the tv.
I sit down on the couch and wrap myself with a blanket. He sits down next to me and looks for the movie on Netflix.
"Did I ever tell you I talked to Violet yesterday?" He asks. "No, about what?"
"We were just working things out, I guess. She keeps telling me I'm the father, but I don't believe her."
"E, you never know, so don't say that. Just... prepare yourself," I say. "I don't like to think about it," he closes his eyes and sighs.
"Okay, then let's not talk about it. Let's watch the movie."
He looks at me with a weak smile and nods.
"So what's titanic about? I already know about the iceberg and all."
"So, basically, it's about a girl that's engaged to some guy that's an asshole, and she falls in love with some other good dude. She's kinda pressured to be with her fiancé, but she eventually breaks away because she fucked that one good dude and that's when she knew he was her soulmate."
"Wow," I laugh, "great description."
———
This movie is exhaustingly long and I was falling asleep. "Hey," I nudge Ethan. "Hm?"
"Do you wanna go for a walk or something?"
"Never thought you'd ask. This movie is boring as shit."
———
We walked over to a beach that was right by his house. It was really nice out and we got there at sunset.
He took a picture of it and put it on his Snapchat story. I thought of doing the same thing, but I kinda just wanted to take in the moment.
"I come here a lot," he says. "You do?"
"Yeah, I come here to just think and write. It's nice to just escape from reality and take some time to clear your mind."
"I agree," I say. The gold lighting made him ten times more captivating. It made me fall in love with him even more.
He was so honest and real. I haven't met many people like him. He's really special.
———
