Chapter 21: The drama

SOFIA'S POV

"Careful Tinks, you might never get over me," Nova teases before my bestfriend calls out to me.

"Are you still up for the afterparty?"

"I'm not even going to drink so just go on without me," I say genuinely. I know she has my best interests but i don't want to be out in loud music pretending like nothing else matters.

"Nova? You up for it?" Mila asks her and she looks over to me for approval. I let out a chuckle because she doesn't owe me anything and she's not my property.

"You should go,"

I rub her shoulder gently.

"I want to spend the little time I have left with you,"

She kisses my hand that's still on her shoulder. Did someone put her up to this? I'm not complaining but it's unlike her to not care about her reputation.  Later on be seen openly with me. Like I'm her girlfriend.

Mila covers the bill despite my insisting. On paying. "You can pay for most things already so let me do this for you," is all she says. We part ways with Paolo riding with his boyfriend, Mila with Luca and from the looks of it Nova didn't bring one of her flashy cars with her.

I walk over to my jeep, opening the passenger door for her. "Such a gentlewoman," she mocks getting in àd i settle in the driver's seat because I'm the only ine that didn't drink.

"If you don't mind me asking, how did you-"

"Didn't pick you for the hear say believer, Castiello,"

I stir the wheel making a turn out of the parking lot and she just focuses on my hands.

"Just curious. It's a nice car."

"My mom got it for me," is all I say not wanting to get into details. She probably doesn't even want to hear that right now.

"She must have loved you alot,"

"Mmh hmm,"

"Where are we going?"

"The apartment. I thought you'd like some privacy,"

"No. Let's just drive around,"

She shifts in her seat uncomfortably. Did I say something wrong? She checks her phone before tucking it away again.

"This might sound crazy but do you want to meet my friends?"

I pause.

"They don't like me,"

"Only Delia, and I don't like her either," she says making me chuckle. That much is obvious but it's hard to figure them out together.

"Okay, I guess that's fine. When do you w-"

"Right now. Just drive to Lombardy,"

Her leg bounces from time to time with her head turned towards the milanese view under the moonlight. I decide not to pry because she's already done quite a few things that are out of her comfort zone tonight.

When I get to the neighborhood, she offers directions to the house. It's quite big and and a proper blend of modern and ancient architecture. There's people scattered outside as I park the car a close distance to the exit. When she gets out there's already an array of girls trying to talk to her. She reaches for my hand once I'm standing next to her leading me past their glares into the house.

All eyes are on us, reminding me of what happened the last time I was at a party. Her grip on my hand tightens a little as if she read my mind.

"I'm right here," she reassures me pulling me further into the maze of a house.

"Nova fucking Castiello, you brought a date?" A girl I've seen with Delia a couple of times says pulling Nova in for a kiss on her cheek. Her lips linger for a few seconds but even that thought alone makes my blood boil. Doesn't she have boundaries with her friends or she just lets anyone get that close?

Her attention shifts to me, analysing me.

"That dress must have cost a fortune. It really suits you. I'm Riley," she says and i hesitate but reach for her extended hand, shaking it. The insinuation on the price of what I'm wearing feels like a backhanded compliment.

"Thanks,"

I plaster a smile and she just pulls Nova away feeling Nova's hand slip out of mine. She doesn't look back and that tells me she's where she wants to be. With people who can relate to shallow topics and compare rumors. She waves me over to a section with a couch and I make my way to her.

"Guys this is Sofia. Sofia these are my friends. You've met Riley, this is Rafael, Delia's brother, James ,Lucas, Paige and the rest are somewhere,"

I nod in acknowledgement with their eyes on me like they were seeing me for the first time.

"You're hotter than how Delia describes you. Damnn! Nova can I be next in line?" Rafael asks before the group laughs like it was an inside joke meant to remind me of my place. What the fuck did that even mean?

"You're bold for bringing her here. She clearly looks lost," James says and Nova just scratches the back of her head not defending herself.

They hand her tiny shot filled glasses and she takes them. The same girl I thought I had. A special moment with is showing me who she really is and I don't know how to take it.

Riley pats the empty space next to her and I take it. It's bad enough that I'm in heels and haven't taken them off since I left the apartment.

"Do you like Nova?"

She's blunt and straight forward.

"Yes,"

The rest of the group leans forward at the same time sharing glances. Then look over to Nova, who's eyes are on me and only me. Like I just revealed something without her consent. Something secret.

"Why is everyone looking at Nova like that?" A familiar voice asks snapping them back to reality. Delia looks over to me with her eyes growing wider but it only lasts a second. She flips her hair turning to Nova.

"Why did you bring her to my house?"

"Because I like her. She's the one I'd rather be seen with,"

Her words are blunt and piercing. Her jaw clenches as she takes another shot. Am I missing something? Why did she insist on bringing me if I wasn't even invited?

"The sophomore likes her too," Riley chimes in, fueling the fire. Was it so wrong to like her? Or they liked making her feel like she wasn't worthy of love.

"A word? In private, " Delia says pulling her away before she can even agree to it.

"This is one messy love triangle,"

"Why is it a triangle? Nova is single,"I say finally.

"Nova "likes" you but had a thing with Delia. Nova likes messing with her by doing things like this," Riley says immediately covering her mouth like she accidentally spilled something. Except she didn't and wanted to throw that in my face. I also noticed the air quotes around the word like. Did they think Nova was playing a game and I was the pawn?

Nova reappears with Delia smirking now. Her lip gloss is a little smudged when she gets closer. Nova doesn't face me. She focuses on the bottle Riley is holding up for her.

I get up, feeling my chest clench at the thought. She took advantage of her situation.

"Look at me Castiello!"

My voice is higher than usual. It came out outomatically.

She ignores me so I spin her by her arm. There's hints of a shiny pink gloss on her lips. Did she bring me here to humiliate me or did they ask her to, so they can show me who she really is?

"Nothing happened Tinkerbell,"

"So she just offered to share her lipgloss with you huh?"

"Don't let them get into your head," she says so casually, like that is explanation enough. Her being this calm makes me want to believe her but I'd rather be at home instead of standing in the middle of a circle full of people who like messing with people's lives.

"Why don't you just go?"

"Delia stop it. I mean it. Don't you fucking talk to her like that," she snaps suddenly and the room grows quiet. This must be the first time they've seen her this way.

"Careful, Nova. You're forgetting your place," Delia warns raising her hand to place it on her chest but she grabs it, and yanks it away.