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“Wait, did you tell anyone else?” I ask Ellie.
She nods her head, humming a smallMm-hmm. “Vi’s best friend,” She answers. I raise my eyebrow.
“You mean Lorenzo?” I clarify out, and she nods her head again.
“You know him?”
I look at her for a second, confused. “Of course I do, he’s my friend.”
She widens her eyes, surprised. Did she really not know that?
“He’s your friend?” she exclaims. I nod her head. “Oh no. Did Lorenzo give you that yesterday?” she asks, as she nods toward my black eye, concern on her face. I look at her, waiting for her to explain. “I might’ve told Lorenzo how Vi’s upset about you two, and he might’ve taken it badly. He also likes her, which is a key point.” She shrugs.
I stop and stare at her. Lorenzo likes her. Helikesher. And he knows about the kiss. A kiss that’s troubling Val. That’s why he was angry. “And you told him?!”
“I didn’t know you guys were friends! Vi’s going to kill me now, you two won’t last a day.” She rubs her forehead. My features neutralize. We won’t last a day.
“Won’t last a day where?” I ask her.
“I can’t say. You’ll probably know tomorrow.”
“I know about Val, Ellie. Where won’t we last a day?”
She freezes and looks at me, raising her eyebrows.
“You know. Oh my God, please don’t tell Elaina, I want it to be a surprise,” she exclaims.
“Ellie! Is Lorenzo going on the trip?”
She sighs, and it’s the only answer I need. But she says it anyway. “Yes.”
Chapter 62 – Ventitré
Val
Departing day. No day is as busy as the day you start a vacation, which defeats the whole purpose of the word. It’s stressful, too stressful. Especially for the host. Everything has to be ready and perfect, and you can never guarantee that. Sure, this is slightly different, as it’s a residency, but it doesn’t change the fact that it’s the organization beforehand that causes the most stress. Ensuring all the tickets and hotels are booked, checking the flights are on time. Making sure everyone is where they need to be. It’s a lot of work.
“Val, you’re going to be late!” Mom shouts from the living room, as I wander around my room to make sure I’ve packed everything I need. When the check is done, even with doubt still raiding my head, I grab my bag and take it to the entrance.
Ellie’s sitting on the couch, her bag already on her shoulders, looking through her iPad. “Sorry, I’m here. Ellie, go wait in thecar,” I tell her. She doesn’t answer before turning off the screen and running to the car. I almost laugh.
Mom looks at the door, then at me. “She’s excited” she points out.
“I know. She’s been waiting to go for two years.” I walk closer and drop my bag next to the luggage. Mom walks closer to me, putting her hands on my arms.
“You sure you’ll be fine taking her? You normally go alone, this will be more stressful,” she asks.
“I’ll be fine, don’t worry.” I smile. She nods her head. She’s just as stressed as I am, I know. Ellie has never gone with me before, so now she has twice as much to worry about.
“Just call me if you need anything. And have fun,” she says. I pull in and hug her. She does this every time I have to leave the city. She gets scared that I’m not within her reach. That she can’t do anything immediately if something happens.
I rub my hand on her back. “Don’t miss us too much,” I tell her.
“That’s going to be hard, so I won’t promise anything,” she replies. She then releases me, and I go to grab the bags and luggage, holding the handles with one hand.
I walk to the door. Before I exit, I turn around and say one more goodbye, then continue to the car. It’ll be fine. She’ll be fine, and so will we. This isn’t my first time doing this.
I place all the items in the trunk of the car, then sit in the driver’s seat. Through the rearview mirror, I see Ellie seated, practically jumping in her seat. I smile at the sight of her excitement. “You have everything?” I ask her.
