The car ride is packed with sizzling tension. My eyes are nervously on the road as Alessandro drives fast and recklessly, earning us tons of honks in the city traffic. It's deadly silent between the two of us, neither one uttering a single word. He doesn't drop me off at home, instead making his way to his apartment. When he parks, he doesn't wait for me or open my door like last time, he walks to the elevator quickly, prompting me to follow. He presses the buttons for the code like they personally offended him, and I'm not gonna lie, he's making me slightly nervous with his volatile mood. I must admit we make an odd pair, him dressed in a charcoal business suit today, and me in baggy sweatpants and a sweater. I'm sure he and his blonde fiance fit way better together. Just the thought gets me riled up again and as soon as the doors open to his apartment and we step out, I bang him hard on the chest. The fucker doesn't even flinch, allowing me two more hits before he grabs my arm

Two pairs of accusing eyes are waiting for me as soon as I walk through the apartment door. Phoebe's eye is no longer swollen shut, although the color has taken on a harsh purple. "Where were you?" Green eyes narrow at me. If it was only Sammy, I could've come up with a quick fib and she would have accepted it, but I know Phoebe is behind this interrogation. I throw my keys on the kitchen counter and deposit my backpack on the stool. "I was with Alessandro." Phoebe's eyes widen as if she expected me to lie, but what would be the use if they're going to find out anyways? "Are you dating him now?" Sammy asks with a frown. "What about his fiance?" "Technically we haven't been on a date, so I'm not sure what to call us." I shrug. Maybe I should ask him, since he knows exactly what we are without discussing it with me first. "And he's not engaged, it's complicated." "I really think he's trouble." Sammy is genuinely concerned. "Of course he's trouble." I walk to the fridge

I never want to leave this place. I've been looking over my shoulder since I can remember, scared of the men my mother used to bring home. working and studying to get out of that situation. I've always been in a survival mood. But right now, I'm being held in strong arms and I feel as if nothing can touch me here. Not even my mother's bad decisions. "Do you think she's going to be okay?" Sammy whispers from next to me, looking skeptically at Alessandro like she can't really believe he's a real person. "She has one of the best surgeons working on her, I'm sure she'll be fine." He answers reassuringly, but I'm not so sure. He didn't see the amount of blood on that bathroom floor, I was covered in it. A friendly nurse gave me some scrubs to change into, but there's still some blood on my sneakers, and just the thought of Phoebe not being with me has me kicking off the shoes. Alessandro kisses me softly on the side of my head. "I'll get someone to get you new shoes." I woul

I fall asleep much quicker than I anticipated, the day's events taking a toll on me. This excitement has really become too much for me to handle. It's like Alessandro's appearance in my life has sparked some volcanic reactions that I would have loved to avoid in the past. I'm still not sure if all of it is worth it for the feeling of being alive. Feeling dead was much less complicated. I dream of two little girls playing in a deserted house, no parents to feed them or bathe them, or give them the simple touch of a parent's love. I feel someone in my room before I see them. My hand slowly goes underneath my pillow to grab the small pocketknife I've kept there since I was ten years old, and as soon as the person touches the comforter, I lift the knife to stab anywhere that I can. but a strong hand grips my wrist and then the room is flooded with light from the bedlamp. "What the fuck?" Alessandro hisses down at me before letting my wrist go. "Oh, it's you." I release the bre

The thing about sketeltons is, is that it always come up to the surface. No matter how well you bury them, or how well you conceal the evidence, the truth always comes out. Like the time I stole two chocolate bars at the convenience store because both Phoebe and I were so hungry. My mother hadn't been home for two days and we already ate everything we could. I thought I got away with it when a hand stopped me at the door... Wait. The doctor the night that asshole hit Phoebe. It was her, she stopped me at the door that night and told me good girls don't steal. I remember feeling so embarrassed, but my stomach was growling and she must have heard because she bought us a loaf of bread and cheese, plus the two chocolate bars. Then she walked me the two blocks back to my house and asked me where my parents were. I told her they went to work, and about a week later child services came knocking on our door and took us away. The group home we were placed in was terrible, so we lied