Chapter 13
Rosalia stared at the message in complete disbelief, reading it over and over until the words burned into her retinas.
Luigi was dumping her. Just like that.
She frantically tried calling him, only to discover he’d already blocked her number.
Meanwhile, Luigi was wandering the streets like a ghost, drowning in regret and self-loathing. He’d never imagined Aurelia’s home life was that fucking toxic.
Every fiber of his being wanted to see her, to pull her into his arms and tell her, “You’re not alone. I’m here.”
But no matter how many desperate messages he sent or calls he made, there was only silence.
Luigi found himself gravitating toward all their old places-the school track where they’d walked hand in hand, the library where she’d helped him with calculus, the burger joint where they’d shared countless meals.
Everywhere he looked, Aurelia’s ghost was there, haunting him with memories of what they’d had.
The realization hit him like a sledgehammer: their connection had been deeper than anything he’d ever experienced.
or two years, Aurelia had become the foundation of his entire existence.
very corner of his life was saturated with her presence, and now that she was gone, everything felt hollow and meaningless.
uigi stumbled home feeling like he was suffocating and spotted the leather journal Aurelia had given him at graduation.
uigi, thank you for choosing me. I love you more than words can say.
watched you sweating through practice today and could see how hard you push yourself. Hockey looks brutal, but I know it’s worth it. I can’t wait ntil we’re both in college and don’t have to hide anymore.
ometimes I dream about our future together. Maybe that’s silly, but you make me believe in forever.
eading her handwriting felt like being stabbed repeatedly in the chest. He could picture her curled up in that tiny room, pouring her heart onto hese pages while her family ignored her existence.
y the time he finished reading, Luigi felt completely destroyed.
lis parents were never around, always jet-setting for business deals. Aurelia had been his anchor, his home, his everything.
Vithout her, he was just… empty.
uck this.
uigi was going to New Mexico to find her and fix this mess.
ust as he was booking flights, Tyler sent him a message.
‘o Luigi! Last night of freedom before we all scatter to different colleges. The boys are hitting up Vertigo tonight-you in?
our years of brotherhood were about to end. This might be their final hangout until Christmas break.
.uigi hesitated, then decided one last night with the team couldn’t hurt.
The second he walked into Vertigo, Rosalia materialized with a massive bouquet, her eyes shining with manic desperation.
‘Luigi! I invited all your friends here tonight so they could witness this perfect moment. I’ve realized how much I like you too!”
Seeing her made Luigi’s skin crawl. He brushed past her without acknowledgment and cornered Tyler.
14:58
“I thought this was supposed to be the team hanging out. Why the fuck is she here?”
Tyler didn’t pick up on Luigi’s dangerous tone and grinned. “Dude, you’ve been obsessed with Rosalia since freshman year. She’s finally giving you a
shot-this is awesome!”
Luigi’s jaw clenched. “Who said I was obsessed with her?”
Jake looked confused. “Bro, are you serious right now? You’ve been simping for the class princess forever. Everyone knows you’re in love with her.”
Marcus jumped in, “No way Luigi’s actually into that weird nerd twin. Rosalia’s obviously the better choice.”
Brad nodded enthusiastically. “For real! Luigi spent four years being Rosalia’s personal servant-buying her coffee, helping with her locker, fighting anyone who looked at her wrong. That’s true love right there.”
The team started debating, but Luigi felt like he was drowning in their voices.
Ever since Aurelia vanished, his mind had been a war zone of regret and longing.
All he could think about were the stolen moments they’d shared-her laugh when he made stupid jokes, the way she’d blush when he kissed her orehead, how safe she’d felt in his arms.
Rosalia noticed Luigi’s distant expression and moved in for the kill.
he grabbed a champagne glass and pressed closer to him. “Luigi, I’m so sorry I didn’t realize how much you cared about me. I was just scared to dmit my feelings. But I like you too. Let’s toast to us.”
Meanwhile, his teammates were getting drunker and more obnoxious, bragging to Rosalia’s friends.
You girls have no idea how whipped Aurelia was for Luigi,” Tyler slurred. “She followed him around like a lost puppy. It was honestly pathetic.”
ake laughed nastily. “Luigi had her completely trained. She’d do anything he asked-it was like watching someone play with a dog.”
Marcus grinned. “The funniest part was how she thought she was being sneaky about it. We all knew she was stalking him.”
Losalia’s friends erupted in vicious giggles.
Oh my God, she was probably so desperate for Luigi’s attention,” one of them sneered. “When he wouldn’t touch her, she probably got mad and slept vith some random loser just to feel wanted.”
Right? Who cares if she’s smart or whatever-her personal life is clearly a disaster.”
Such a slut. So embarrassing.”
uigi felt rage building in his chest like molten lava as their cruel laughter filled the air.
These people were talking about Aurelia like she was nothing, like she was some pathetic joke instead of the most incredible person he’d ever known.
Without warning, Luigi grabbed his glass and hurled it at their feet, where it exploded into a thousand pieces.
‘It was ME who was with Aurelia the night after our SATS ended!”
