Page 30 of Lilies from Hell

“I don’t like him that way anymore. I’m already over him,” Jason scoffs behind my back, repeating the same thing I told him yesterday.

“I don’t know what you saw, but it’s not what you think.”

“Don’t worry, I didn’t see anything out of the ordinary. Just how he stuck his tongue down your throat. Normal things that guests do with their hosts, I guess.”

“We were just talking.”

“Oh, sure. Let me go talk to Romina like that next time she pays us a visit.”

“What’s wrong with you now? Again bickering?” The weary voice of my father makes me shut my mouth immediately.

“Nothing,” I murmur, forcing a smile. “Oh, I almost forgot. I’m meeting Romina and a friend this afternoon.” My father looks at me, raising his eyebrows. Bad sign.

“What friend?”

“One from college.”

“As your father, I know what I’m about to say will sound a little irresponsible, but…” he opens his lips, searching for the right words. “It’s not good for us if you hang out with people who don’t belong to our world. It would cause us problems. And believe me, we already have enough,” I blink, analyzing what he just said. I expected anything but that.

It’s true that most of my friends belong to the same world as me, because I happen to study at schools that not everyone can afford. As in Grace’s case. And because of the mafia parties I sometimes go to behind my parents’ backs, but this is new.

“You want me to hang out with other drug dealers?” I ask, more in disbelief than in question. “If you want, I can also team up with hitmen. Although that’s almost the same as being a drug dealer, isn’t it?” I say with bitter irony under his gaze.

“Do you have any idea what would happen if you talked to someone you shouldn’t? I just want you to be careful who you hang out with. That’s all,” I don’t dare look him in the eye as I nod my head.

My good mood vanishes instantly. That oppressive feeling of being trapped in a cage threatens to ruin the rest of my day, and it won’t be the only time this week.

I’m in the middle of the mall waiting for Romina to come out of the bathroom. My feet move toward the shop windows nearby, driven by my impatience. One window catches my attention, although it’s not very difficult. All it takes is something black or some bag. I’m so distracted by the black dress on the mannequin that I almost bump into someone.

“Sorry,” I murmur, picking up the bags of the person I bumped into. I didn’t see—”

“Lena?” I look up and stare into those brown eyes that I know all too well.

“Oh. Hi.” My voice changes to a drier tone.

“What are you doing here?”

“Shopping, like almost everyone else who comes here.”

“Yeah. What a stupid question.” He bites his lower lip, his cheeks blushing shyly.

“See you later.”

“No, wait!” I turn my head, motioning for him to speak. “We can go for a drink. Or dinner.” I try hard to hide the grimace on my lips. What do I have to do to get rid of him? He’s like a limpet.

“I can’t. I’m waiting for someone.”

Romina, just get out already, I’m begging you.

“Fine. We can wait together then.”

“Fine,” I mutter under my breath. Anything to get him to shut up. I know he’ll follow me around until I agree if I say no.

“How’s your day going?”

“Could be much better,” I reply, looking at the plant in the room, not hiding my disinterest.

“Listen. I’d really like us to talk about what happened that time.” I let out an exhausted sigh before looking at him and speaking.