𝐿𝑜𝓋𝑒 𝒾𝓃 𝒜𝓊𝑔𝓊𝓈𝓉

*｡ *｡ Falling ｡* ｡*

*｡ *｡ Evangeline｡* ｡*

Taunting laughter echoes behind me. Just ignore them I chant in my mind over and over; but I can't help but think that their insulting laughs are about me. Instead of letting it consume me, I shove down that stupid thought and pretend to be occupied with the state of my nail beds. I shuffle up the line until my name and number are called.

I continue walking towards the registration table when unexpectedly, my feet are swept away from under me, and the air flies out of my lungs as I land hard on the ground. My registration papers spread out around me, some crumpling slightly as I lay on top of them. Letting out a little cry, and inspecting my scraped elbows, I turn to glare at the offender. Lorenzo, my ex boyfriend. Oh how I hate him and his smug, "I'm cooler than you" attitude.

"Oh wow Eva, didn't see you there"

Lorenzo sneered with mock consideration, looking down at me with disdain.

"Of course you didn't"

I retort, grinding my teeth together. Just like you didn't realize that kissing another girl would be a problem when you're in a serious relationship, I thought, relapsing to our breakup conversation where he acted beyond oblivious, his cool guy persona taking over. Even though I was able to keep my rage down, I still struggled to contort my face into a somewhat nonchalant reaction, like he hadn't affected me at all. Obviously, he had, but I couldn't let him know that. Lorenzo smirked and nudged his sidekick, Augustine, who was standing there with his hands in his pockets, a somewhat rigid look on his face. He looked almost uncomfortable but when Lorenzo's elbow made contact with his ribs, Augustine let out a small guffaw, forcing his laughter and a small grin. I quickly stood up and gathered my papers, hiding my face so that my embarrassment couldn't be detected by the few bystanders who had seen the whole thing go down. Even though I knew their loyalties would always lie with Lorenzo, I couldn't help but be a little disappointed that no one had even thought about sparing me a hand with my scattered papers. Regret of dating that absolute demon washed over me for the millionth time but I brushed it off, along with the dust that had collected on my corduroy skirt while I was sprawled out on the cold floor. Straightening my back and walking up to the mahogany, bank teller looking desk, I gently lower my papers and look up at the attendant. Giving me a slight look of pity, certainly seeing what had just transpired, she asked

"Evangeline was it?"

I nodded my head and mentally rolled my eyes.

Obviously, that's why I'm at this desk.

The attendant then stamps my papers, including the extra scholarship paper, and sends me on my way.

—————————————————————————

*｡ *｡ Augustine ｡* ｡*

I barely had time to register what was happening until Lorenzo had stuck his foot out in front of him and sent Evangeline tumbling to the ground, her papers flying out around her like a cloud of smoke. I cringe, seeing the embarrassment on her face and hearing the hush that fell over the room. I felt the sudden urge to help her up, then remembered that that wasn't an option, and forced my hand to stay at my side. After snarky remarks were shared by the both of them, Evangeline picks up her dropped contents and huffs away as Lorenzo turns to me with a wide- almost devilish- grin on his face. He notices my look of discomfort as I shift on my feet and his demeanor experiences a slight shift.

"It's just Evangeline, what's your problem?"

I shake my head and fidget with my wristwatch.

"I'm just tired, that's all. Long drive you know?"

He gives me a quizzical look, but drops the subject as he goes on about the back to school party that was going to take place in the back gardens that night. The tension is broken once again, and our names are called by the front desk. The office lady takes one glance and Lozano and starts looking him up on her system without even asking for a name. Everyone knows him, especially considering his father's hefty donations to the school. She looks at me and I say

"Accardi. Augustine Accardi"

She nods and hands me a stack of papers. Panic flashes through my head as I see the words scholarship renewal confirmation etched in dark letters at the top of the front page. Ok instinct, I quickly move to hide the paper. I'm not ashamed or anything, I think to myself as I breathe a sigh of relief, grateful that Lozano wasn't looking over at me when I almost got fully exposed. I keep repeating that phrase to myself as Lozano and I make our way down the hall, but I'm not sure
who I was trying to convince- myself?