MATTIA POLIBIO A FRIEND MORE THAN A LOVER

Chapter 25

Dedicated to Daryl

Roshaun made me cancel my flight. He asked for one week to change my mind on going back home. I told him I'll give him a week if he lets me crash at his place for the week. We agreed to each others terms and conditions. The hardest one for me would be hanging out with the boys.

MONDAY

Roshaun said he'll start with baby steps. I had to sit with them for lunch and watch soccer practice. I couldn't argue with him, my flight already left. i was walking slowly to the lunch area until someone started pushing me forward. I turned around, "Damn you Rosario." Alejandro just laughed at me and dragged me with to his table. Daisy gave me sympathetic eyes. It seemed like everyone knew Roshaun's plans except Cynthia and Mattia. Cynthia was busy shooting daggers my way while I ate. "Anna you've gotten fat." I dropped my fork and everyone looked to Alejandro as if he cursed the holy one. I was just about to jump across the table and strangle him. "I just mean you haven't jogged with me in a long time. Tomorrow morning 4am, no excuses or do you want your crush to see how fat you get." That's it. He is dead. I threw my fork at him and it hit his large forehead. Because it was only plastic, it scratched him lightly. "Uhm bro, aren't we going jogging tomorrow," Mattia asks. I felt my heart start to race. When I get a moment alone with Alejandro I will make sure to strangle him to death. "We can all jog together, no problem." I could see Roshaun and Alejandro shaking hands under the table. I wasn't the only one who picked up what they are doing. "Babe don't you rather want to hang out with me tomorrow," Cynthia pouts at Mattia. He kissed her cheek and I almost puked. Oh how I would love to run a knife across her throat right now. Okay that was a little too violent. "Babe you don't wake up till 8am anyways I'll hang out with you after the jog, I promise." I promise. My blood ran cold and the memories started flashing in my mind. I couldn't breathe. It felt like I was back underwater. Everyone started looking at me funny. I got up to leave. I ran all the way back to the outhouse. My body was aching like it did right after the accident. Memories of Mattia were all that I could think of. I was gasping for air. I fell to my side and blacked out.

I started to wake up with someone rubbing my head. "Mattia." I looked up to see Kairi giving me a sad face. "Common Anna, it's time to get up. Soccer practice is starting soon. The more Mattia sees you the better." I got up, my legs were still asleep. Kairi helped me pick myself up. We walked slowly to the soccer field. We were a bit early so he sat with me. "Heyo Kairi, stop flirting with your girl we got to go practice," Mattia shouted across the field. I so badly wanted to shout back that I am not Kairi's girlfriend, I am yours. The boys played a good practice game. They all huddled up by me when it was over. I begged them to go hit the showers, but they wouldn't listen to me. Mattia came out eventually. "Y'all are pigs. Go wash you smell like road kill." He told them while holding his nose. My mind flashed back to when he said that a few months ago. When I just got here. "Uhm, Mat can you take Anna back for us? Okay, thanks!" after Alejandro's comment the four boys ran to the lockers. Oh so that's why I had to come to soccer practices. These boys are all in for it. Mattia started walking back to the outhouse. "It's fine, I'm staying at Roshaun's place, I'll wait for him to finish up. Mattia gave me a confused look. "Hey, I remember you." My heart started to race. "We live together. Why are you staying at Roshaun's place. No offense or anything, but your aren't his type." With my world shattering around me I couldn't care less about the boys or Mattia right now. I just needed to go. I started my walk back to Roshaun's place. "Hey Anna don't be stupid. I'll drop you off at his place." It was dark and even though I am scared. I cannot look at Mattia for another minute. Mattia wasn't having any of my attitudes. He picked me up and threw me over his shoulders. He walked all the way to his car to drop me off. "Thanks." I got out of the car. "Don't be a stranger," he said out of the cars windows. After this week you won't even remember me. Not like you do now anyways.

TUESDAY

"Roshaun Diah's funeral will be held on Friday at 8am. I killed him and I will gladly live the rest of my life in prison." I said nonchalantly. "Common Anna, don't be over dramatic. It's only 3:30am. You need to get ready for your jog." I'd put Roshaun in a red tuxedo when he is in the coffin. Red is really his color, little devil.

Alejandro was at Roshaun's at 3:55am and Mattia got here at 4am on the dot. My body was not made for this shit. Luckily Mattia's knee was still damaged from the accident. Alejandro couldn't push us as hard as I know he wanted too. We stopped at the opening. Fuck you Alejandro. It still looked beautiful. The sun was rising and made the morning dew sparkle. Mattia looked around confused. "This place is dope. Why do I feel like I have been here before?" I couldn't look at him. Why do they have to break my heart like this? "Maybe you were here, but don't remember. The accident took away some of your memories, but they are still there somewhere." Mattia was focusing really hard on this place. He won't remember. "I was here with someone wasn't I. It was probably just Cynthia." I can't take this. I started the jog back home. Why do they always have to do this to me? He remembers small bits, but I am not in a single one of them. He only sees Cynthia. I got back and my legs were paining and my heart was aching. Roshaun got me some ice cream and we watched an episode of Hawaii 5O until it was time for school.

I didn't realize how sympathetic the kids at school were. They all started coming up to me saying sorry and that things will get better. It's been almost three weeks since the accident. Why would they only be sympathetic now? I got a notification on my phone. Mattia posted on instagram, 'She said yes!' Roshaun held me up as my legs caved, but he couldn't help me when my mind slipped.

I woke up in the nurse's office. She said I should take a break from school. The stress was putting too much pressure on my heart. If only she knew the real stress in my life wasn't school. It was watching the love of my life get engaged. How could he even? He's only 20! Someone please save me from this nightmare.