Chapter 15: The film assignment

SOFIA'S POV

"Sofia why are you still awake?" Mila asks groggily poring a glass of milk before falling on the couch next to me in the dark.

They TV lights up with the movie on mute.

It's better to watch the movie by reading the subtitles and guess the tone. It's just distracting that way.

"Castiello isn't back,"

My voice grows smaller.

She hadn't replied to my texts and part of me felt like I pressured her.

"Luca said she's at her parents. But its also why she acted the way she did in the morning,"

"Are her parents brutal?"

"Sofia, not everyone is like your stepdad. People like Nova have it hard, being the heir of a such a legacy. Just be careful,"

I pause. Taking in the information. I barely thought of it that way. That her life might not be fully hers.

Delia does play her stupid games and she allows it.

"What do you mean not everyone is like my step-dad?"

"He's loving caring, supportive. He literally pulled strings to move you here so the grief would be lighter. He keeps up with your checkups and calls just because. Heirs are raised to starve on affection and emotions and feed only on being empty,"

She explains, her voice growing thinner. Did she go through the same? She never talked about her parents a lot.

But she saw them on scheduled days routinely.

She never saw them just because and had to inform them days prior, if it wasn't on schedule.

Maybe I had easy. But would Matteo treat me this way if I was his biological child.

If I was a rightful heir?

She snuggled under the long blanket when the glass was empty.

Her happiness was Luca and he lived up to those expectations. Whenever he talked about a future, he included her.

"I love you Mila," I say and she hums.

I give the door one last look.

Hoping that she's brave enough to find out what her feelings meant.

When I open my eyes again Mila is still in the same position and my alarm has gone off a couple of times. Shit!

Mila get up we're late for class,"

I nudge her and she shoots up.

Hair messy from the blanket and I can't help but laugh.

"Hard to believe Luca wakes up next this and says all those cute things about you,"

"Such a hater,"

She retorts playfully rushing to her room to get ready and I do the same. I missed my medication and not by two hours.

I don't know what's going to happen but I don't want to overthink it.

My eyes linger on her folded hoodie, but I pick a baby blue mini dress this time.

I pack my camera, a journal and my iPad for notes.

My laptop too incase I settle for a Cafe break.

I leave my room with Mila standing by the door on her phone. Did she even shower? If she did then she didn't do her make up because it takes time.

"We're not having breakfast?"

"Luca is downstairs and he picked up breakfast on his way,"

"We're so lucky we have a thoughtful man in our lives,"

She scrunches up her face.

I giggle.

"That's MY man, young lady,"

She corrects playfully.

In the car I settle in the back seat of the range rover. She passes the croissants and coffee labelled 'Sofia made'.

I smiled. Mila gave him instructions on what to get.

The receipt stapled on the side had all the ingredients put in, listed.

She really listened. She cares about me the same way I do about her. She protects me.

"Please marry my bestfriend Luca. Please,"I plead dramatically in the back seat.

"Shut up Sofia,"

Their voices command at the same time. Shared tone and the glance at each other in surprise was proof enough that they were meant for each other.

He was in his final year, which meant that Mila would be on campus without him and he'd be a working person.

So would Nova, and maybe that's what made my actions bolder.

Paolo caught up with us, with Luca branching off to the school gym.

"What's up with you?" He asks fixing my hair.

I had it in a clip letting strands fall to my face. I cared about appearance and this was one of those signature ones.

"Exercising my fashion rights,"

They laughed.

"You're lucky you're hot,"

He shook his head, then moved to a conversation relatable to Mila.

They were in relationships, I wasn't.

"Heads up, Castiello is walking towards us,"

My head shot up.

No discretion.

She walked in the middle, Delia on her right side and the rest of her group behind her.

Her eyes met mine as she closed in on us.

My face curved slightly.

I couldn't help it.

Her absence had left a mark.

The closer she got the more my heart pumped.

Then she shoved my arm walking past me.

Delia looked back, the same smirk on her face.

Mila charged towards them but I pulled her arm back.

Eyes were on us now, and the new highlight of the rumors had been given.

The desperate, clingy sophomore ignored by Nova.

"What do you want us to do? She's messed with the wrong people,"

Paolo charged.

"I will fucking show her. So fucking-"

"That's enough. Both of you,"

They focus their gazes on me.

I didn't feel still.

The hurt that should be there when you're openly rejected.

But anger burned withing me.

Not towards Nova, but towards Delia.

No human being deserves dignity when they've gotten what they want through blackmail or threats.

Whatever Nova did, I'm sure its weighing on her.

And Delia enjoys being in charge of her fate.

We part ways to our respective majors but one thing was certain. My bestfriends would seek revenge and I'd have no control over it.

After the class, the professor asks me to head to the dean's office for the required film coverage. I plugged my earphones in, shutting everyone out.

I wonder what mom would say.

She always told me to follow my heart.

And I never doubted her. Hers led her to my stepdad.

I felt the glossing in my eyes so I bit on my lower lip to prevent them from falling.

I really miss her.

"Miss Powell-Vescovi, the dean is ready for you," the secretary informs and I get up from the waiting leather seats into the office.

"Sofia, just the girl i wanted to see,"

He pushes his files aside.

"Here's the folder. I have faith in you miss Powell-Vescovi. Make me proud,"

"Can I ask for something in return?"

"That's not how it works,"

"But my work is important to you so I need something in return,"

"Go on,"

"I'll ask for it when I'm ready,"

"Just like your father,"

His comment lingered. Did he mean Matteo or did he know the one before him?

I plastered a smile and left the office.

The basket-ball looked different when empty. I sat in one of the seats and took out the folder.

Just shots I already had in mind.

My eyes blur for a second.

Then my breathing slows, each breath harder to take than the last. The door that connected to the locker room opened and there Nova was. In her basket ball jersey, the number 22 In bold.

My age on her jersey felt ironic. If I was delusional enough I'd say it was a sign.

She hadn't seen me yet and I hoped she wouldn't. I take out my camera to film her in action.

I film for a few minutes before it slips out of my hand.

The sound echoes in the large empty space.

My vision blurs into darkness but her shouting my name wasn't an imagination.

She saw me.