“That’s why you called?” She sighs heavily, rubbing her temples. In the background, I can hear Papa snoring. “You need to handle that yourself, Francesca. We don’t have time to baby you right now. Do you even know everything your father and I are going through?”
She begins a long rant about losing our status. Even though she’s not being very nice, I’m grateful for the sound of her voice as I walk back to the room I share with Luciana. The campus can be a scary place when you’re alone at night, and it’s pitch dark outside.
“So, unless it’s an emergency, don’t call us,” Mom ends firmly. “Anything else, or can I go back to sleep?”
“Just one more thing,” I mumble. “Could I... Could I maybe come see you over the holidays?”
“See us?” she laughs bitterly. “Francesca, we’re living out of a single hotel room. It’s not even a suite. Just stay where you are and stop troubling us already.”
With that, she ends the call.
My hand trembles as I pocket my phone and walk into the dorm. I open the door to our room softly. There’s a night light on and Luciana instantly sits up in bed when I walk in.
“Oh, thank Dio.”
“You waited for me?” I manage a weak smile as I lock the door and sit next to her on her bed. “I’m so sorry I acted so awfully. I should have listened to you. You were absolutely right, Luciana.”
“It’s okay,” she says, patting my hand. “No hard feelings, ever. Are you okay?”
I close my eyes shut, remembering all the horrible things that happened to me tonight.
“I will be,” I whisper.
“Good. Let’s get some rest.” I nod and try to pull away, when Luciana grabs my hand and gives me an unexpected, tight hug. “It’s going to be okay, Francesca. These girls, they always find someone new to pick on. Your luck will turn around soon.”
I nod numbly. I don’t want to tell her the mean girls are the least of my problems now that the male students have noticed me.
7
JULIAN
The next day at school, I can’t stop thinking about Francesca. I keep remembering her at the party. The way everyone treated her, as if she were a toy for anybody to abuse.
I feel students’ eyes on me as I roam the hallways. None of them are brave enough to speak to me and I’m sure as hell not in a mood to speak to anyone, either. Not until someone steps in front of me, blocking my path.
“Hey, handsome,” Adrianna purrs seductively, running a long finger over my chest.
“What now?” I groan, ready for more of her bullshit. “Another fake pregnancy?”
“No, of course not! Don’t be silly,” she giggles, but the sound is syrupy sweet and fake as fuck. “I’ve put that long behind me… I was just wondering if you wanted to go on a double date today.” “A double date?”
Marco materializes next to us, swallowing up Adrianna with his gaze. I don’t comment on his lascivious ways. Frankly, I don’t give a fuck about Adrianna anymore and I couldn’t care less if he drools all over her.
“Yeah, you got a friend you wanna bring?” she purrs, winking at Marco, who smirks in return. “How about you?”
“So, a double date with you and me?” I raise my brows at her. “Why do you think I want to date you?” “I’ll make it worth your while.”
“And what makes you think I don’t have dozens of other girls promising to do the same thing for me?”
“Well, while that may be true… None of them are me.” She smirks, all satisfied with herself. “You should know by now, Julian… Nobody is going to fuck you like I’m going to fuck you.”
The promise of her putting out would maybe be exciting. But all that I can think of is Francesca and seeing her again last night after such a long time. I don’t want to waste Adrianna’s time, or mine. But then I see the long-legged brunette who’s taken up permanent space in my mind walking down the hallway, laughing with a petite, dark-haired girl with glasses.
Francesca comes to a sudden stop when she spots me, worrying her bottom lip between her teeth. I can tell she’s watching me, making me wonder how much of our conversation she’s overheard.
“You know what?” I smirk. “Let’s fucking do it. A double date, you, me, Marco and… who else are you bringing?”
“Who do you want?” Francesca winks, getting up close to me and pointing to a group of girls that look exactly like her. “Your pick… you can have any of them.”
Marco sizes up the rest of the girls. His hungry eyes take in their short uniforms and the way their crisp white shirts stretch over their tits.
“I want that one,” he mutters. Adrianna and I follow the way he’s pointing with his finger. It’s aimed at Francesca.