We step into the house.
I sit by the door with my arms crossed. My parents move around like everything is normal.
"Can I ask something?" I mumble, staring at the floor.
"Youmustask something," my dad says while taking off his jacket.
"Why dowehave to go to Spain? The three of us? Why not... literally anyone else? You didn't even ask me. You just announced it."
My mom ties her hair into a ponytail.
"It wasn't exactlyourdecision. The company requested it. You're the three youngest members, and they thought this would be a good opportunity for you to handle something on your own."
I sigh and rub my eyes under my glasses.
"Where are we staying?"
"I booked a room at your hotel," he says. My head snaps up. "What do you mean a room?"
"It was the only one left. It's summer in Spain. Everything is full."
I stare back at the floor, because I truly donotneed the image of sharing a room with Gio Fontana while trying to pretend I'm normal.
My dad steps closer. "You better behave and keep your hands to yourself. It's for your own good."
I clench my jaw. I hate when he talks like that.
"I'll behave because I decide to, not because you told me to."
"Good," he says.
"Because if anything happens and I find out that delinquent laid a hand on you again, I'll break his arms myself."
I exhale sharply.
Yeah. In no universe does telling him the truth sound like a good idea.
That I feel something for Gio.
That the thing he's terrified of... is already happening inside me. And it sucks.
Because if Gio were a girl, I could just say it.
Even if she was awful or messy or absolutely wrong for me, I could still say, "You know what? I like her."
But with Gio? I can't say anything.
Not a word. Not here. Not to them.
So I just nod and swallow everything whole. "Don't worry," I say, my voice sharper than it needs to be.
"He won't touch me."
42) Viva Espana!
Gio
The airport is a fucking zoo.
