Chapter track: Scared to Be Lonely by Martin Garrix & Dua Lipa.
[ DELLA'S POV ]
"Mom! Did you get an envelope with my report card?"
It was past five and I could not understand why my report had not been sent to my home as yet. I had a preference in physical delivery than going online despite it being hassle free. Something about holding my achievements gave me a further sense of pride.
"No!" She answered from downstairs. "Is something wrong?"
That was strange.
I sighed, wondering if I would have to wait until tomorrow to ask the office at school to send it via email.
The light from my phone caught my eye from the bedside table.
My heart froze at a familiar number.
Even though I had deleted it my mind still had it engraved.
I watched it ring.
After contemplating and deciding to answer, it stopped ringing as my hand outstretched.
A sudden sense of disappointment hit me.
Then excitement came when it began ringing again and I had answered before I could breathe.
My mouth opened but no words came out.
It was like my mind had been short circuited in the best way possible. I hated that a simple call was bringing back such silly emotions all over again.
His uneven breath filled my ears followed by his voice.
God, his voice...
Why couldn't he had not been a beautiful mistake?
"Della," he said.
I took a deep breath at the pain striking way my name rolled off his tongue.
A beat passed then oxygen began traveling back to my brain.
"Why are you calling me?" I hissed harshly.
His teeth ground against each other. "I find it amusing that you know it's me based on one word I uttered, Della."
"Shut up."
And stop saying my name like that!
"I would but you see, a mouth like mine deserves the pleasure of being put to good use."
Oh, god. Oh, god. Oh, god.
Why did that sound so...
My hands went to the side of my head as I shook it left to right hoping to filter my thoughts.
"S-Shut up!"
His laughter brought vibrations.
I sucked in a sharp breath at the wonderful sound.
This entire conversation was sinful. It would be in my benefit to bring it to a quick ending.
"If you don't tell me the reason for being insensitive and calling me like this after everything that happened between us I'm going to hang up."
His voice went flat and cold. "Insensitive? Last time I checked your face is what comes up when that's typed into google."
"So mature of you, brick head."
"Said the girl that just called me 'brick head'."
"Aaaargh!"
He was so frustrating!
I swiped the call to an end before the string of curse words that threatened to be said came out. Thinking that was the end of it all I was in for a sour treat when a text message popped up.
Your report card was delivered to my house like old times. Come and get it.
- Brick head.
***
Never in a million years did I think I would find myself in front of the Meyers palace. Oh, I was not exaggerating there. Their house was located in the more residential part of the city where all who came from riches and glory lived.
I guessed the constant installation of words of being better than everybody else his mother gave was not empty.
Glancing done at my old beat up sneakers I felt regretful for not dressing more presentable.
No. That was unnecessary. It was not like we were involved with each other anymore.
To save myself from the judgement of his family that I still had not properly met (the fact hitting close to home having had a year plus relationship) I texted him saying I'd wait by the tree outside.
He read my message but did not reply.
What an asshole.
Ten minutes later I spotted him jogging over. He stood in front of me, a towel slung around his neck. He was adorned by a joggers and plain tee. Sweat gleamed on his forehead, having trickled down from his messy brunette hair that had a halo of gold because of the artificial street light. The outline of his impressive chest could be seen for the liquid had soaked through the shirt's material a bit. He had been working out, I realized. There were small bandaids wrapped hastily around his fingers and a scratch on his arm.
"You're working out this late?" I asked without much thought.
His eyebrows raised at me. I cursed myself for the slight concern in my tone.
I cleared my throat. "Not that I care or anything..."
He tilted his head, studying me. I held my ground even though I wanted to squirm.
"Is there something that's bothering you, Della?" He pried. His face was haughty as if he already knew the answer to his question.
He knew I hated when he did that.
"No."
He took a step closer. "Are you sure?"
I went back a step. "One hundred percent."
The corner of his lips twitched but he said nothing. Instead a white envelope was handed to me.
"I don't know how the school managed to have this happen- anyway this is yours."
I took it from him feeling anxious all of a sudden. Suppose I didn't do as well as I'd hoped? The main reason my report went to Luca instead of myself before was to shield me from the potential first-hand disappointment. God, if that was so it would really take a toll on my confidence as well as my straight A profile.
"Congrats on coming first by the way."
My head snapped up to look at his smiling face.
"Are you serious?" I inquired breathlessly.
He nodded.
I squealed.
From the sidelines, he took me in as I jumped up and down in joy.
"Thank god! For a second there I thought...I don't know what I thought."
"I could see the doubt written all over your face," he pointed.
A giggle slipped out.
Both of us froze at the sound.
Shit.
I tried to get myself out of this one as fast as I could.
"Who said you could invade my privacy anyway? My grades are for my family and my eyes only." My words didn't give the effect I anticipated.
Luca didn't utter a word in response. Just stared.
"What? Is something on my face?" I colored my voice with annoyance.
He tugged at his hair. "Yes."
Then he approached me with a slow, predator-like walk, his blue eyes so intense and filled with unsaid words. I had became a statue. Unable to move, protest and it didn't make me as mad as it should. If anything I was excited.
Something electrical was floating in the air between us. It was dangerous. One wrong move and it could be the end for Luca and me.
How ironic.
He stopped only a mere footstep away from me. I could feel the heat radiating from his body. Unwordly thoughts of how it would feel to have it against me, even just for a second.
When his eyes locked with mine that was when I deciphered the true nature of what it was.
Desire.
He wanted me.
And hell, so did I.
"Do you ever think, when you're all alone, what we could've been?"
I swallowed the lump that had formed in my throat. "What?"
His hand reached for my hair and tucked it gently behind my ear. My hands fisted by sides, wide eyed and in disbelief.
I held my breath as he stepped closer.
"Because I do," My body was on fire at the sudden frustration in his voice. "All the time."
My back hit the trunk of the tall tree when he was now closer than ever. One more movement of his head and our lips would touch.
The anticipation for that shocked me. What was wrong with me?
Was the long term abstinence from intimacy getting to my head by a single flick of his finger?
I bit my lip and braved myself as I looked up at him.
His eyes suddenly softened.
A tentative palm rested upon my neck and traveled up to my cheek, thumb brushing affectionately.
"What happened to us, princess?"
That goddamn nickname had me weak in the knees.
He could have asked me to do anything for him in that moment and I would have agreed. His puppy dog eyes and his loving tone had done it for me.
For the first time since we split I aired my inner confusion. "I don't know."
Suddenly, he sat on the grass and tugged me down along with him.
He rested his cheek on my shoulders, inhaling me. Reminding himself of my scent.
I stiffened.
God, what was I doing?!
"I'm sorry," he mumbled against my skin.
The contact of his lips made me melt. It was all too much to take in. I was buzzing. My fingers twitched to run through his hair, knowing it was a source of comfort.
I hated it when he blamed himself.
But then reality knocked on my door.
He was indeed the one to blame.
I was not the one that forced us to drift apart.
I loved him. I loved him with all of me.
And it sucks because I know I still do.
It sucks because he never did me.
So with my last string of dignity I pushed him away.
His eyes widened in shock before they turned passive.
He brushed at himself then stood up to my level.
My lips quivered in rage. Luca had pierced my bubble. The one that protected me from being emotionally hurt, especially by the likes of him. And that made me angry.
Angry at myself. Angry at him.
The need to say something lingered and just when I got the courage a posh voice aired from behind us.
"What in the world is going on here?"
***
A/N: Oh shit. I wonder who that could be?
Things are heating up for Luca and Della. Have any guesses on what happened in the past to make them split?
Thanks for reading! Xxx