CALLI
Isit on the floor of my new bedroom with my tablet on my lap and the products I’ve designed over the past few weeks surrounding me.
This hobby is new, something inspired by the custom lettering I put on our pink ladies jackets back in October for the Halloween party.
Something good had to come out of that night, I guess.
And with everything that’s gone on recently with my new friends, it’s helped take my mind off the fact that they’ve both dived headfirst into my world and immediately found themselves more exciting lives.
Things might have changed for me in the past few months—I’ve done things I never thought I would, experienced things I believed I was destined to miss out on—but still, here I am.
Alone.
I might have moved into Nico’s den of sin and turned it into my little piece of craft heaven, but still, I’m alone.
I blow out a breath, wondering what my friends are up to tonight.
They all made their excuses earlier, so they’re probably having a night in with their fellas.
Everyone’s been on high alert this week, stressed to the max with everything going on. But as usual, I’m not party to the details. Even now, I’m kept on the periphery. All I know is that it involves Jodie’s father and the Italians. But what’s new there? Both have been causing trouble for long enough that their drama is just part of normal life now.
Anger and frustration swirl in my stomach. The need to do something to make them all trust me, to let me in just as deep as they are burns within me.
I let out a sigh as I allow my thoughts to flicker between two guys—neither of whom should be taking up space in my head. But in spite of everything, both of them seem to have taken up residence over the past few months.
I shake my head, trying to force them out. Wanting to rebel and break out of my sheltered life was meant to be a bit of fun. I wasn’t meant to find myself obsessing about two guys I shouldn’t want.
As if he knows I’m thinking about him, my phone vibrates on the rug next to me.
Ant: You busy tonight?
I stare at the message, my fingers tapping on the side of my phone as I regret opening it.
He’ll have seen I’ve read it and will be expecting a reply.
It’s not that I don’t want to talk to him. I do. I always want to. But as the weeks have gone on, the chance of us getting caught only grows. And now, with the war between our families only escalating, it makes the risk so much more real. I’m terrified. Not so much for me… But for him.
If—when—our time is up, he’s the one who’s going to suffer the pain from spending time with me. More than he already has.
I still vividly remember the day Nico and Seb laid into Ant and Enzo outside the cinema just for hanging out with Stella and me.
If they discovered even after all these months later that we were still in touch, that we still hang out…
No.
That can’t happen.
Ever.
They might think Ant is the enemy because of his Italian blood, but it’s not true.
Ant’s a good guy.
I know he is.
I feel it when we’re together, every time he looks at me. Every time he kisses me…
Calli: Nothing. Home alone. *sad face emoji*