Chapter 3
Everyone burst out laughing, making crude jokes about which random street guy the “dog” might have been.
Luigi’s face went dark, and he slammed his hand on the table. “Alright, everyone’s here. Let’s order.”
Once he spoke, nobody dared keep running their mouths. Tyler jumped in to smooth things over.
“He’s right. After tonight we’ll all be scattered across the country. Let’s eat and catch up while we can.”
Everyone started sharing their summer plans-some heading out of state for work, others planning road trips or getting their licenses.
After dinner, we hit up the pool hall next door.
During a game, Rosalia got dared to let one of the guys lift her onto the pool table and spin her around.
The guys started hooting, and Rosalia looked shyly at Luigi. “Luigi, could you do me a favor?”
„uigi’s jaw clenched before he set down his cue stick. Without warning, he grabbed her waist and effortlessly lifted her onto the felt, spinning her in a
low circle.
Hold on tight,” he murmured, way too intimate for my comfort.
tosalia giggled and grabbed his shoulders for support, practically melting into him.
he guys went wild: “Damn, Luigi! Those hockey muscles aren’t just for show!”
Vatching this pathetic display, I dug my nails into my palms and forced myself to look away, trying to pretend I didn’t exist.
[aturally, the next dare picked me. I had to either take three shots of tequila or make out with one of the guys for thirty seconds.
ll the guys were grinning like wolves as I automatically looked toward Luigi.
le was still standing close to Rosalia, deliberately avoiding my eyes.
[ already did my good deed tonight. I’m out.”
lis dismissal felt like being gutted with a rusty knife.
uck it.
grabbed the first shot and threw it back, then the second, then the third. The alcohol burned like acid down my throat, and tears streamed down my ace before I could stop them.
barely made it to the bathroom before throwing up everything.
fter splashing cold water on my face and rinsing out my mouth, I finally looked in the mirror.
Bloodshot eyes, smeared makeup, hair a disaster, hickeys still visible on my neck. I looked like I’d been hit by a truck.
tried to fix myself up and forced a smile at my reflection.
‘Aurelia, pain makes you stronger, You’ll get through this…”
I couldn’t go back in there. I texted Tyler that I was heading home and escaped.
On the bus, I opened my phone and scrolled through two years of messages with Luigi.
Aurelia, I’m so into you. Will you be my girlfriend?
Can’t sleep again. All I can think about is you. Miss you so much.
There were hundreds of photos too-him showing off on his bike, scoring goals at hockey practice, selfies of us together at school.
I’d transferred all of this to every new phone, treasuring every word and image.
Now, with trembling fingers, I selected all 6.9GB of our history and hit delete.
Two years of love-erased.
Like it never happened. Like we never happened.
When I got home, I barely made it through the front door before Dad’s hand connected with my face, sending me sprawling.
“You worthless little slut! Out all night, then coming home reeking of alcohol-have you lost your goddamn mind?”
Half my face exploded in pain. Through watery eyes, I saw Rosalia and Mom on the couch, watching my humiliation like it was entertainment.
“It was just a graduation party,” I said, tasting blood. “I barely drank anything and threw it up. Rosalia was there-she can tell you.”
Rosalia’s eyes went wide with fake innocence. “Well, there was a party, but Aurelia disappeared halfway through. I have no idea where she went afte
hat.”
‘Graduation was literally five days ago and she’s already acting like a complete slut. Do you want the whole neighborhood thinking we raised a
vhore?”
Her words were gasoline on Dad’s rage. Mom’s face twisted with disgust.
Aurelia, we’ve told you a thousand times to follow your sister’s example. If you had an ounce of Rosalia’s class, your father wouldn’t be losing his min ight now.”
stayed on the floor, blood dripping from my split lip, my cheek on fire.
.ooking at them cuddled together on the couch made me want to vomit again.
A travel brochure on the coffee table caught my eye: Post-Graduation Bali Family Trip for Three.
All three signatures were already there-Dad, Mom, Rosalia.
You’re taking her to Bali? Without me?”
Mom wouldn’t meet my eyes. “Rosalia won this in a contest at school. Only three spots available-naturally we’re going with her.”
You can stay home and think about your choices. Maybe next time there’ll be room for you too.”
laughed, bitter and broken. “Next time? When the hell is next time?”
Rosalia had been born premature and sickly-doctors blamed me for “stealing her nutrients” in the womb. Ever since, Mom and Dad treated her like the was made of glass and me like I was some kind of parasite.
Growing up, every prize I won, every toy I loved, had to be handed over the second Rosalia showed interest.
Dinner was always “let your sister eat first,” birthday parties were “we’ll celebrate yours next weekend,” Christmas presents were “share with Rosalía, be a good big sister.”
“Next time” never fucking came,
When Mom stayed silent, Dad raised his hand again.
“Keep running your mouth and see what happens! Get upstairs and don’t come down until you’ve learned some respect!”
I dragged myself to my room, everything inside me screaming.
My phone buzzed with a text from my homeroom teacher.
Aurelia, come in tomorrow morning to go over your scores. We need to talk college applications.
Sure, I typed back, curling into a ball on my bed.
College was my ticket out of this nightmare. My chance to disappear.
The next morning I went straight to school and reviewed my test answers with Mr. Miller.
After calculating my projected scores, he lit up with pride.
“These are incredible, Aurelia. I remember you talking about Boston University-with numbers like these, you could get into any program you want.”
“I’ve got their admissions packet right here. Take it home and start planning your future.”
His enthusiasm made my chest tight with guilt.
I’d only wanted Boston University because of Luigi. Now I needed to think about saving myself.
“Actually, Mr. Miller, I want to apply to New Mexico Tech’s government research program.”
I was going to leave this house I’d been trapped in for eighteen years, and leave Luigi too.
Get as far away from all of them as possible…
14:57
