DAMIEN: Book 2 of The De Luca Brothers Series [COMPLETED]

2:

Beep! Beep! Beep!

I groan and smash my alarm clock with my hand, before staring up at the stoney ceiling in pure hatred. I got home at three in the fucking morning, now it's seven and I'm to go to class at eight. Joys! Usually I manage the late nights, early mornings, never really needing sleep. However I suspect my pregnancy has something to do with my newfound tiredness. With an exasperated sigh I sit up and look around the basement.

It's a simple rectangular room with a tiny bathroom to the far right; the walls aren't painted, the floor is covered in a thin, grey carpet and a single LED light covers the room in a sickening white light. My mattress is in the corner of the room, with decent bedding consisting of a quilt, sheet and one sad pillow. There is a clothing rail with my outfits and a moving box next to my tiny fridge and sink. The room is otherwise bare with the occasional box, but nothing homey. No place for a child.

My eyes well up but I push it back, standing up and padding towards the bathroom. I get a quick, horrid shower between warm and cold before jumping out with chattering teeth, wrapping myself in a thin towel before hastily getting dressed. I open my fridge to find a ready meal, stabbing it with a fork I then put it in the microwave that is sat atop its surface. I eat it quickly, pick up my college bag and rush out of the door, locking it with my key and ascending the stairs up to the back garden of the old lady.

I rush through the streets towards my college, nodding to familiar faces but otherwise keeping to myself. I walk up the stairs only to get stopped by Nathanial, I complete flirt and a waste of my time. He flashes me a beaming smile, his signature smirk causing any girl to swoon- any girl other than me, "Hey Chloe, you look really good today."

I give him a flat look and brush past him, walking straight into chemistry. I hear his friends laugh at him but I brush it off; I'm not in the mood for silly boys, I'm pregnant for fuck's sakes. I slump in my seat and pull out my old stationary, waiting for the professor to begin the lecture. Let's get this over with, I wish I could be more enthusiastic about this class, but I just feel so drained, as if I want to just curl up and sleep.

Pushing it aside, Professor Liversage walks in, her hair up in a messy bun, quirky glasses on the tip of her nose threatening to fall off; clad in a striped top, exotic scarf and an easy pair of denim jeans with heeled boots, she's a really beautiful lady if you look past her oddities and obvious weirdness. She casts the classroom a wobbly smile as she drops her folders onto the desk with a loud thud, "Good morning?" Shaking her head she mumbles something about her dreams, she switches on the projector before explaining what we are doing today.

I sudden wave of nausea hits me and I shuffle in my seat, clearing my throat slightly. The feeling doesn't fade, rather intensifies, I feel my stomach roll in protest and bile rise in my throat. I clamp my mouth closed and rummage through my rucksack for my bottle, however once I grip it, the overwhelming urge to heave overcomes all my thoughts. I slap a hand over my mouth, stand up abruptly and dart out of the room, skidding down the hall to the closest restroom. Upon entering, I barely make it to the toilet boil before spilling my guts out, the sound of my retching echoing throughout the room. I sigh, sagging against the stall and burying my face in my hands.

For the second time today I want to cry. Cry about how shitty my situation is, how my baby-daddy is sleeping with other woman and I know nothing about him, let alone the fact that he took me out on a date then went off the grid. Thinking back on that evening, it was perfect. He took me to a restaurant, paid for everything, we talked about life and what we want to do, some personal things (he hid quite a bit) and then we went to my place, got drunk before sleeping with said man. It hurts the fact that that night had no impact on him, he instead chose to waste money on me just to satisfy his needs.

It wasn't a date, it was merely a set up.

A tear slides down my cheek and I shut my eyes closed. I pray that it's the hormones that are making me feel sensitive and not the usual bitch I'm recognised for. I take in a shuddering breath before clenching my fists. Mama didn't raise a quitter, get the fuck up and prove them all wrong. So I do just that, forcing my limbs to comprehend and shutting down the pity party before it could possibly go into full swing. Unlocking the door, I bump into a bright eyed girl with long brown hair, rosy cheeks and a couple of blemishes on her forehead, "Hi, I'm Rita."

"Uh-" I clear my throat. "Nice to meet you, I'm Chloe."

"I know who you are," she beams a perfect smile, somehow making her face look even more angelic. "I'm a fan. Not really a fan per say, but a firm supporter is certainly appropriate."

I blink, "Fan?"

"Of course! You are like an ice queen- not that I'm trying to call you cold- since you don't take crap from anyone and have your priorities straight despite how pretty you look," she gushes, excitement bubbling her words. "My friends and I have theories, about why you never take Nathanial up for his offer. My friend thinks you swing the other way, personally I think you like someone else."

I frown, "Excuse me?"

She pauses, "I didn't mean to offend you... it's just that you're really cool, seem really distant and carry your identity hidden. So when you ran out I got confused, only to find you vomiting. Have you gotten ill? I can tell Professor—"

"I'm fine," I cut. "There's no need. Thanks for the attention but I don't want it."

"Can we go out for lunch?"

"No," I think about my budget. "Thanks for the offer, but I really can't."

She pouts but nods, "Fine. That's fine. Do you need gum?"

I nod and thank her quietly as I pop it in my mouth, wash my hands and dry them before turning to leave. She stops me with a hand and grins, "If you ever want to talk to someone, I'm here."

"Sure," I mutter, tugging my arm free before slipping out towards the classroom. What an oddball.