(About the Picture- Ilaria, Kiara and Carmella.)
- T H I R D P E R S O N -
"How dare he?" Kiara scowled. "You can't just let it go Aria. He is a dumb, ungrateful, stupid, crazy psycho-"
"Okay okay I get it. Calm down."
"Don't ask me to calm down. Your brother is the one who should do it!"
"I know, Kiara, I know."
"You should tell Aunt Serena." Kiara said plopping down on her bed. She has always hated her bestfriend's brothers but that was freaking low, even for them. And she thought Xavier was the worst one. Ilaria didn't respond and sat down next to her. Kiara was rightfully angry but there are many reactions to very action and right now, the twins' reactions will not be pleasing.
"I don't want to. He already feels I manipulate her and-" She said but Kiara didn't let her finish.
"You still care what he feels? Are you dumb?" She scoffed. "You know what I think? You are the one he is manipulating. How can you not see what he is doing?"
"It's not about him Kiara. I don't want others to stand up for me anymore. I don't want mom or dad or Lijah or you or Carmella or anyone else to speak up for me. I want to do that myself. And you need to understand that. Please." Ilaria said.
Kiara was trying her best to understand her friend but she couldn't. If it was her in Ilaria's position, she would've told her parents immediately. Physical violence is never fine. What if he repeats it again? If she won't tell anyone, nobody will know, it will be way easier for him to lie and get away with it.
But Ilaria's situation was different. Her family equations were different. And no matter what, you can never compare one person's situation with other. Ilaria knew everything will only worsen if she tells her parents. Things with only escalate.
"I get that." Kiara sighed. "I really do Aria but this whole thing is serious. Xander losing control like this is not by any means normal. And I have a feeling it's not gonna be the last time either. You need to at least tell someone in your family. Anyone. For your own safety."
"You are right." Ilaria breathed out. She was still shaken up from the incident with Xander and she knew all her confidence and strength will leave her body if she has to face that again. She has never been the best at confronting people. She has always believed in forgiving and forgetting.
But sometimes, you need to remember what people did to you. You can't forgive everything especially when the person hasn't even apologized. You are not responsible for how people behave with you but you are responsible for letting them get away with that behaviour over and over again.
"But I don't know who to tell. Dad will just get too angry and won't think rationally. Mom would be the same. Maybe she'll scold them but that would be it. They don't really listen to them."
"Then who do they listen to?" Kiara groaned. "Your older brother?"
"They used to listen to him. But they don't really talk since he sided with me on my birthday." Ilaria said quietly. A part of her still felt guilty for what happened that day. Xavier didn't leave any chance to remind her that it was her fault Elijah didn't talked to them anymore.
"But there is no harm in trying, is it? You guys have to live together for a long time Aria. The least they can do is being civil and respectful to you."
"Not for a long time." Ilaria laughed.
"What do you mean?"
"My scholarship was approved." Ilaria said. "And before you get angry, no one knows except mom and dad. And they know only cause I needed their signatures."
Kiara looked at her friend in shock. She knew Ilaria planned on going to California but this was too fast.
"What? When?"
"I got the email 2 weeks ago and the interview is next month. I wanted to tell you and Carmella but lot of things were going on and then this Xander thing happened. I didn't get the time and everything felt super rushed."
Kiara didn't reply for a few seconds, still processing everything. She was happy for her friend, she really was but a part of her hoped she would change her mind. She was sure they will continue to be bestfriends but still, there are certain things that distance changes. They won't go to school together, won't hang out together, won't eat together, won't be able to talk for hours together.
"Kiara?"
'Y-yeah yeah I heard you." Kiara said, forcing a smile and hugging Ilaria. "I'm so so so happy for you. And proud."
"Thank you. I'll miss you guys so much."
"Yeah me too. I wish California was here." Kiara mumbled.
"You sound so dumb." Ilaria laughed earning a playful slap from her friend. They chatted for a while when Carmella came to get them for lunch.
"Come on guys. Lunch is ready." She said and turned around to leave when Kiara pulled her inside, shutting the door behind them.
"What?"
"We have a good news for you!" Kiara cheered.
"Oh my gosh, what did you do now? I swear Kiara I'm not asking mom or dad for anything on your behalf this time."
"Shut up Ella!" Kiara said rolling her eyes. "You remember the scholarship she told us about? California one?"
"I have an interview next month." Ilaria smiled.
"Oh my god, Ilaria." Carmella whispered in astonishment. She walked over to her and hugged her close. Even in few months, Ilaria has become an important part of her life. She felt protective of her and in a way she saw herself in her. She was aware of her situations and she wanted nothing more than Ilaria's happiness.
"You are smarter than I thought, Aria." She joked.
"Do you think I would pass the interview though?"
"Of course you will. Have faith in yourself, baby. I am one thousand percent sure you'll get in, okay?" Carmella said holding her shoulders firmly.
"I'll miss your stupid motivation."
"Yeah? And I'll miss your stupid face." Carmella said and all three of them laughed together. This was family, Ilaria thought. These are the people she'll miss and these are the memories she'll cherish. Sisterhood was beautiful, liberating and empowering and now she could feel it. Although there are other people she loves in her life, none of them could compare to the comfort and belonging she felt when she was with these two. Female friendships are undoubtedly different but in a good way. Kevin is a great friend too but there are certain things he can only know and sympathise with. Carmella and Kiara understand. They understand because they have been there, they have had problems and they have dealt with them. There is a sense of mutual trust with them, like they won't judge, they would keep secrets. They share clothes, they share makeup tips, they share joy but they also share tears and that's the best part. Because it's easy to be with people at their best but it takes a lot of love and effort to stand with someone when they are at their worst.
"If you get in, which I'm sure you will, never ever look back, Ilaria. You deserve everything your heart desires."
"We may share experiences, make jokes, paint pictures and describe humilations that mean nothing to men, but women understand."
-Gloria Steinem
Hello pretty people!
How are you all doing? I hope you are happy, healthy and at peace wherever you are.
I know updates are very slow which is annoying to you guys, so please if you want you can remove this book from your library. Life can get super busy when you start college.
Question of the chapter- Have you read 'It ends with us' and 'It starts with us' by Colleen Hoover? If you have which character did you like the most and which character you hated the most?
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