AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Lorenzo
Val walks into the kitchen, leaving her mom and I in the living room alone. It’s great to see her again. When Val first told me she had to leave for LA, I was so happy for her. I still am, but I underestimated how painful and lonely it would be without her.
Her happiness means everything to me, just as she does. It wouldn’t matter what’s happening in the world, if she’s happy, I am. Just like now. I would do anything for her. She’s one of the brightest and sweetest people I’ve met, even with everything she’s gone through. But I know no matter what I feel, and no matter how much she loves me being around, she would never like me, not like that. Not like I want her to. She’s not in a position to right now, and I accept that. I have accepted that.
It was such a hard feeling. To come. I know it will hurt her, and that it would risk her never seeing me the same way. But I needed to. I needed to see her. No matter what. My dad and Elias are just excuses. She’s every reason and the only reason I’m here right now.
“So, Lorenzo. Two months, huh?” Carol says. This isn’t going to get past her. But I could stall.
“Yeah. It’s been a long time, so I thought I’d stay more,” I replied. She smiled. That was her “I’m not impressed with youranswer” smile. I could recognize it from a mile away; I’ve seen it enough times to memorize it.
“How’s Daniel? Seen him lately?” she asks. She’s going to make me say it, I already know.
Daniel used to be Val’s neighbor back in Portland. They grew a pretty strong connection with him before they moved, even I did. I’m not surprised she asked about him.
“He’s good. Haven’t seen him much since you guys left though.” I reply. She nods. God, she scares me. I’m on her good side, but she still scares me.
“You know not to keep secrets from me, right Lorenzo?” she says.
“Of course. There’s no point in keeping them, you’d figure them out somehow, anyway,” I reply. Carol Hart can discover anything if she puts her mind to it. It doesn’t matter who you are or where you are. If she wants information from you, she’ll get it. Nothing gets passed her.
“Good. Just making sure,” she tells me, continuing to smile. She’s obviously suspicious. She always is. I probably won’t be able to keep things hidden for too long before she makes me tell her, or figures it out herself. Either way, she’ll know. As long as Val doesn’t know, I’m fine with it. I want it to be something I tell her myself. Just not now.
“So, how’s Val? Is she doing any better?” I ask, changing the topic.
“She’s good. Changing her surroundings was a great help. She doesn’t have panic attacks anymore. Her work is distracting her enough, although sometimes she finds it tiring. But in general, she’s doing better,” she replies. I smile. As long as she’s doing better. I would live on the moon if it meant she would be okay. “So, when are you planning on telling me?” Carol asks. I gulp.
“Tell you what?” I murmur, scratching behind my ear. She tilts her head and smiles.
“About Vi. You obviously beam when someone talks about her,” she points out. I raise my head to the ceiling, biting my cheek to avoid smiling too much, and I hear her chuckle. I drop my head back to look at her.
“I just . . . I don’t want her to know,” I admit. “I don’t want it to ruin anything between us. I’m her best friend. She trusts me and I don’t want that to be compromised because of my feelings. I know she doesn’t want to be in love right now, and I accept that. It would only stress her out if she knew.” She means everything to me, and I would never try and hurt her for the sake of my feelings.
Carol looks at me with a pitiful look, lowering her head. “Vi loves you, Lorenzo. You mean a lot to her, I know that. But, as you said, she isn’t ready to fall in love again. When she is, I know you have an advantage,” she tells me.
No, I won’t. I know I won’t. She won’t fall in love with me, I won’t let her.
“Well, I hope she isn’t ready until I leave,” I tell her, smiling.
Carol looks at me eagerly. “You know, long distance works,” she states. She’s testing me. I know that.
“Well, it does, but it doesn’t last long,” I tell her. It’s a known fact that long distance relationships rarely survive. Carol stands up and walks toward the couch I’m sitting on and sits next to me. I shift slightly in my seat. Did I say something wrong?
“You look scared,” she mentions. I am.
“I’m terrified,” I admit.
She laughs. She doesn’t hate many people, but God can only help the people that she hates. Luckily, I’m not one of those people. I know that as long as I don’t hurt Val, I won’t be. She knows I wouldn’t hurt Val, but I feel like she’s always there, on the sidelines, looking out if I slip up. Honestly, it scares me fromtime to time. Her daughters are her priorities, they’re everything to her, and she would do anything for them. Anyone who hurts them should live in constant fear.
“I’m glad. Fear is good. But you shouldn’t be scared. Your friend, Elias, however, should be. He isn’t on the best side with me right now,” she says. God help Elias. I blame his dad. Roland should’ve thought twice before he said anything to Carol. I smile back in response, nodding.
“So, about the no keeping secrets . . .” Carol continues.
Now I know I’m in trouble.
“What about it?”
Chapter 4 – Ottantuno
