“Carolina,” she starts softly, causing me to look up. The concern in her eyes is palpable. “You know, I noticed the lump earlier, although you did a good job trying to hide it.” I open my mouth to deflect, but she continues, “You don’t have to tell me everything or anything at all, really. But if you ever need to talk, you know I’m here, right?”
Swallowing hard, I nod. The sincerity in her eyes is hard to ignore. “Thank you. But it was just an accident.”
She approaches, placing a comforting hand on my shoulder. “Even accidents can leave scars, visible or not. Always know you have people around who care…” She pauses, her gaze searching mine. “Are you okay?”
For a moment, I contemplate lying, saying everything’s fine. But with Sophia’s empathetic gaze on me, I murmur, “I will be.”
She doesn’t have to know it will take two years to get there.
“Whenever you’re ready, just spill the tea, sis.” She indicates my mug with a gentle smile, offering a moment of levity.
Feeling a little lighter, I manage a small smile. “Thanks.”
TWENTY-ONE
Donny sauntersover as I’m wiping down the table left behind by the last patron. “Looks like it’s an early night tonight,” he says, “You can head home now. I still have some paperwork to sort out in my office, but I forgot my key. Give me yours so I can lock up later?”
I glance at him and then check the time. It’s only twelve thirty, but I won’t argue about getting some extra sleep.
Digging out my keys from my back pocket, I unhook the bar key and pass it to him.
“Thanks.”
I make my way through the kitchen to the back, where I find Lennard and Matteo by their lockers, pulling out their jackets. Joining them, I reach for my own.
“You’re finishing up early today, Carolina,” Lennard observes.
“Don’t jinx it,” I say, pushing through the door with them into the cold night.
“Do you want me to walk you home,carina?” Matteo offers.
“I’ll manage,” I say, walking away.
It’s cold. I can see my breath misting up under the streetlamps. But the walk is short, and soon, I’m in ourapartment. I shed my jacket, placing my backpack beside it before heading to our room.
I want to check on Chiara and gather my things to get ready for bed, but when I open the door, my little sister is getting pounded from behind by a tall but scrawny guy with a mop of blond hair on his head.
“Chiara!” I yell, my hand gripping the cold metal of the doorknob so tightly that my knuckles turn white.
Chiara’s eyes widen in shock when her head snaps toward me. A gasp escapes her lips before she lets out a horrified scream. The boy, equally startled, freezes for a split second. Then, in a frantic rush, he slides down next to her, their hands fumbling and tangling as they both desperately scramble for the discarded blanket to cover themselves.
For a moment, I’m rooted to the spot, my mind struggling to process what I just saw, but finally I raise my hand to shield my eyes, wishing I could erase the last few seconds from memory.“Che cazzo fai?”
“Why are you home so early?” she squeaks out in a panicked tone.
“Why am I home?” I let my hand fall and watch as Chiara pulls the blanket closer to her chest, exposing the scrawny guy I assume is Leo and his dick before he takesmyfucking pillow to cover himself.
“I can’t deal with this right now,” I say, spinning on my heels to exit the room and shutting the door behind me. Then I lean against it for a moment, taking a deep breath.
Just then, I hear the front door creak open. I dart into the bathroom, leaving the door just slightly ajar. Peering through the gap, I watch Roberto stumble into the living room, promptly turning on the television with the volume up high.
I linger a minute longer before moving to the front door, grabbing my jacket and backpack, and leaving the apartment. Once in the stairwell, I dial Chiara.
“I swear I didn’t—” She begins, but I cut her off.
“Roberto just got home.” I hear her inhale sharply at my words. “Keep that boy in your room. Set an alarm for five thirty. Roberto should be asleep by then, and he can leave. Don’t risk anything. If Roberto sees him, he will hurt both of you.”
“Okay,” she whispers back with a shaky breath.
