AllFreeNovel
Share Us
After a while of waiting, sitting on the ground and staring at the nothingness of the ceiling, I hear footsteps. Loud footsteps, like someone’s running. I look to the side and spot Lorenzo sprinting toward me. I straighten my spine, noticing the concern and stress visible on his face. I hurry to get up. As he approaches, I notice his curly black hair is messier than usual. He’s wearing black sweatpants and a white sweater. A faded black color circles his dark green eyes.
“Hey, are you okay?” I ask him, a slight worry in my tone. He stops in front of me, catching his breath.
“Elias, have you seen Violet?” he asks in a hurry, his eyebrows furrowed. Violet? Why is he asking about her? She hasn’t even arrived yet. Or has she?
“No, I haven’t. Why are you asking?” I reply. He brings his hand to his face and mumbles something in Italian. Analyzing his expression, I guess it’s some kind of curse. He starts to pace the width of the hallway, holding onto his troubled expression.
“What’s wrong?” I ask. “Is everything okay? You look both exhausted and worried, which is never a good combination.” He stops his pacing and turns to face me.
“I messed up. I messed up really badly, and now Violet won’t talk to me, and I don’t even know if she’s okay or not, and I don’t know what to do,” he explains, covering his face with the palms of his hands. His words come out fast, a small panic in hisvoice. Violet won’t talk to him. Are they fighting? Lorenzo told me they’ve been friends for five years with barely any problems, so this sounds far from good.
“What happened?” I ask, but I’m left with no response. Lorenzo walks to the wall and drops to the floor. His leg slowly bounces as he rests his chin on his arms. I sit down next to him.
“Is it bad?” I ask.
He nods, his eyes fixed straight ahead. I don’t know how bad it really is, but it seems serious if Lorenzo is so affected by it.
“Hey, I’m sure you two will figure it out.” I attempt to assure him. He shakes his head.
“You don’t get it. I let out the one thing I couldn’t let out. I can’t do anything to take it back or change it. It’s not as easy as figuring it out. Especially if she’s not okay,” he tells me. He isn’t worried about the problem itself so much as he’s worried about Violet’s reaction. A spark shines in his eyes. He won’t rest until he knows she’s okay.
“How about I try talking to her?” I suggest, realizing how bad of an idea that is. She won’t talk to me. She despises me with her whole being. But Lorenzo is my friend, one who I rate highly. My words catch his attention, and he finally turns his head to me. “I’ll try to get her to talk to me, even though she would likely rather die,” I continue. “I’ll make sure she’s okay for you.” His tense expression softens and he nods his head.
“Yeah. Yes, that might help. Please try. Just make sure she’s okay,” he requests, desperation in his voice. If Lorenzo knows she’s okay, it will take some weight off his mind. I just need to hope she’s willing to talk to me, let alone tell me anything at all. My presence is a curse to her. I’m lucky she even stands me to be near her. But if Lorenzo needs it, I’m going to try my best.
Chapter 19 – Sessantasei
Val
I sit in the hallway, staying close to the wall so I don’t block anyone’s way. My bag sits next to me as my only company. I don’t feel like talking to anyone today. And I definitely don’t think I can confront Lorenzo yet. I need some time. If I act now, I’ll most likely make a mistake, which I cannot afford. When I go to talk to him, I need to have my head clear.
But will I ever really clear my head? It’s not like a couple of days are going to change anything. And if I wait too long, I’ll lose any chance I have. God, what do I do? Why can’t my mind just stop and turn off. This is all too much. These thoughts are being put into my head, when all I need to do is stop them and everything will be fine.
Lorenzo isn’t bad. He would never do anything to hurt me, even if I told him I didn’t like him or rejected him. He would never try to hurt anyone. He’s an angel. So, why am I scared?Why am I assuming the worst possible outcome from someone who doesn’t deserve it? He deserves the world, not this.
The least I could do is love him. Return the feelings he has. Why can’t I? He has been the best person to me, he has done everything for me. Why can’t I give him the one thing he’s ever asked for. My eyes urge me to let out tears, but I deny them. I will not let myself fall apart again. Not now. Not here.
I hear the sound of footsteps, but I don’t bother to raise my head. I just wait for them to pass by. They don’t. They stop close to me, and I hear someone sit down not far away from where I’m seated. I don’t speak. I don’t say a single word. I wait for them to say something. To tell me what they want. To leave.
“Hey Violet,” a familiar voice says. Elias. What is he doing here? Why is he here? I don’t want him here. I want him to leave me alone for once.
“Leave me alone.” I cough, keeping my head down. He doesn’t leave though. He sits there for a minute, fully silent. Leave. Leave me alone. I don’t want you here.
“Are you okay?” he asks, acting like he cares. No. No, I’m not okay. I’m not fine, and you’re not making it any better. Just leave.
“Why are you here?” I ask. I focus on the white tiles on the ground, trying my best not to look up. I just want him to go. I want to be alone. This is why I came all the way here for lunch break and not to the lockers or cafeteria. I don’t want to have to deal with anyone. I don’t want to have to talk to anyone.
“You don’t look okay. Did something happen? Do you need anything?” he continues asking, avoiding my question. It soon becomes obvious why he’s here. Elias never seeks me out purposely just to ask if I’m okay. Of course.
“Lorenzo sent you, didn’t he?” He doesn’t answer after that. He’s here because Lorenzo told him to be. Because he’s worried. Elias wouldn’t come for no reason, I knew it.
“He’s worried about you. You both don’t look okay,” he mentions.He’s worried about me.He shouldn’t be worried about me. I’m fine. I should be worried. He didn’t do anything wrong.
“I’m okay. I always am,” I tell him, unsure of it myself.
“He told me to make sure you were good, and you look far from that.” I know I do. I might look dead for all I know. I didn’t get enough sleep, and all these thoughts have been running through my head since I spoke to Lorenzo.
“It’s nothing. I just don’t feel well,” I tell him. My body is weak and tired. I’m tired. Why can’t he just leave? Why doesn’t he get that I don’t want him here. He is one of the last people I want here right now.
