Chapter 5
“Aurelia, what the fuck is this supposed to mean?” Luigi’s voice was ice cold with rage.
I didn’t give him the satisfaction of an answer. I turned away and walked back into the dorm, my hands trembling as I finished shoving my shit into
boxes.
Luigi must have called me a dozen times, but I let every single one go to voicemail. I switched my phone to airplane mode and tried to pretend my chest wasn’t collapsing in on itself.
When I finally emerged from the girls’ dorm with my stuff, Luigi was planted right at the entrance like a fucking guard dog.
He opened his palm, revealing every tiny scrap of the torn photo.
Explain. Now.”
he bastard had stood out there in the blazing heat, collecting each pathetic piece like they were precious artifacts. Sweat was dripping down his face is shirt sticking to his chest.
forced my voice to stay steady even though I felt like screaming. “I was packing and my roommate saw it. You said we couldn’t go public, so I had to ear it up to avoid drama.”
uigi’s anger seemed to deflate slightly, like he realized I had him cornered.
It’s not that I don’t want to go public. The timing just isn’t right.”
almost laughed at how pathetic he sounded. “Sure. I get it.”
ranslation: he was waiting for the perfect moment to dump me for Rosalia, and I was supposed to sit there and take it like a good little practice
irlfriend.
uigi must have sensed this conversation was heading nowhere good. He shoved the photo pieces in his pocket and pulled out some test papers.
I brought the SAT answer keys. Let me help you calculate your scores.”
Don’t bother. Mr. Miller already did that.”
shouldered my backpack and headed for the gates, every step feeling like I was walking through quicksand.
uigi just stood there watching me leave, but I was done caring what he thought.
he summer air was thick with the sound of cicadas and teachers lecturing underclassmen. I took one last look at the sunset over our school, knowing d never see it again.
ighteen years of my life, and this was how it ended.
led clouds stretched across the sky as I walked down the tree-lined path toward the bus stop, feeling like I was sleepwalking through a nightmare.
ust as I reached the crosswalk, a bicycle bell started ringing frantically. I looked up to see Rosalia barreling straight toward me at full speed.
tried to jump out of the way, but there was nowhere to go.
CRASH.
The impact sent me flying backward onto the concrete, my body exploding with pain. My backpack went skidding across the asphalt.
Rosalia and her bike slammed into a huge advertising billboard, and she let out a bloodcurdling scream as she tumbled to the ground.
“Rosalia!”
Luigi’s voice cracked with panic as he came sprinting over.
Chapter 5
He saw both of us sprawled on the pavement, and without hesitation, rushed straight to her.
“Aurelia, what the hell were you thinking?! You could have gotten her killed jumping in front of her bike like that!”
Blood was seeping through my torn jeans, but I managed to gasp out, “She ran the fucking red light! She hit me!”
Rosalia collapsed against Luigi’s chest, tears streaming down her face.
“I just wanted to say hi to my sister, but my brakes weren’t working and I couldn’t steer. I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean for this to happen…”
“Shh, it’s okay baby. I’m getting you to a hospital right now.” Luigi’s voice was so gentle it made me want to puke.
He was lifting her up when a bunch of security guards came charging over, looking absolutely pissed.
“That billboard cost us five grand to install! Whoever wrecked it is paying full replacement value, right fucking now!”
Their eyes swept over the three of us like we were criminals.
Rosalia shrank into Luigi’s arms, then slowly raised a shaking finger.
ointing directly at me.
Sir, she was the one on the bike. She hit me and destroyed your property. If you want money, get it from her.”
My blood turned to ice as I watched her completely flip the script. The guards were all staring at me like I was some kind of delinquent.
That’s bullshit! She was riding the bike!” I looked desperately at Luigi. “Tell them! You saw what happened!”
Il eyes turned to Luigi. My heart was hammering so hard I thought it might burst.
le stood there for what felt like an eternity, his face completely blank.
hen he raised his hand and pointed.
it me.
She was on the bike.”
he world tilted sideways. I felt like I was drowning in broad daylight.
migi-the boy I’d given everything to, the boy I’d loved with every pathetic piece of my soul-had just thrown me under the bus to protect his precious
osalia.
