Chapter 23: The campus déclaration

SOFIA'S POV

"Sofiaaaaaa!" Mila called out despite me being the one that woke her up two hours ago. She did come back home after all, insisting that Luca's place is far from school and he'd make it hard to leave.

"You do know walking is an option, right?"

Her face hardens and I just chuckle at the sticker worthy expression. I didn't expect her to have an outfit set for the day already.

I make a few more changes before settling on a baby blue mini dress I got two months ago. It has a backless pattern and floral by design.

"You've never been this stressed out about an outfit. Spilll," she says as we walk out of the building, down to the car.

"What do you know about Nova's parents?"

There's a heavy pause as I put my totebag in the back.

"You're meeting them?"

"God no. I just want to understand Nova. She's so sweet and caring and warm until you line her up with her bitchy friends," I explain and she just focuses on adjusting the window on her side.

"From what Luca told me and being around her family, her dad is hard on her. Her mom is usually reserved but smiles when expected to. When I had dinner with them on Paolo's birthday, Nova walked out on him. Something about thinking about the future of the business. Personally, I think she's going through something but chooses to mask it by being a part time asshole and whatever you guys have going on,"

She lets out a sigh resting her head on her hands, letting the wind blows through her hair. I knew there was more to it.

I drive through the parking lot to my usual parking spot but there's a sign placed in the middle.

"Not for rental cars"

Mila gets out of the car storming towards it and throws it at the group of students who probably put it there. I park my car and get both our bags from the back.

"One of these days I might hospitalise a bitch,"

"Calm down Mila. You and I both know they look stupid being that clueless,"

She chuckles. Her mood softens as Paolo joins us. I part ways with them because I asked Castiello to meet me last night. I have an afternoon class but I'm here early just for this. I enter the empty hall to set up my laptop so it projects on the big white board behind me.

I've helped the professor set up a couple of times so I know my way around things. I stand there nervously because she might not even show up. What if she doesn't show up? Should I try again or should I ambush her?

My white sneakers screech a little against the wooden floor. The rows of layered empty seats stared back at me in expectation.

Twenty minutes go by slow and linger painfully. Maybe she meant it by staying away from me. Was it a game of convenience for her because I was available?

The door opens as I'm about to disconnect everything. She leans against the door frame with a knowing smirk. She should have stayed away. I really like straight forward people.

"Why bother coming if you're going to do it last minute?"

"I had to lose a tail. My friends were following me," she says simply, but even then that sounds genuine.

"You should make up your mind about wanting to be seen with me on campus. Rumor has it I'm forcing you into being around me,"

"And I pity you for coming on to me so strongly so I'm scared to tell off,"she says and we both laugh.

She was keeping up with the school gossip page on Instagram. Mila showed it to me. The birthday show she put up for me. Someone recorded it and posted it. In school it was more about me but outside viewers saw a side of Nova Castiello that boost up their numbers from the PR. Yes I looked it up and the Castiello name is trending, after the Vescovi name because of fashion week.

"What were you doing?"

She pokes my sides making me jump at the sudden contact with my tickle spots.

"I wanted to show you my film submission," I say. Maybe if she saw what I saw through my lense she'd realise she's deserving of more than whatever future might be dictated for her. She jogs up a few rows from where I am before taking a seat. I play the ten minute video with 5 extra minutes of uncut and raw moments I didn't add to the final draft. I walk up to where she is, taking the empty seat next to her. Her cologne just sits in the air like a spell following its target.

I expect her to walk out because this is literally about her as the basketball captain but she just sits there calmly. Hands crossed over her chest.

When the film is over she looks over to me. No words, just looking into my eyes.

Then her lips part slightly.

"Why me?"

"Your story is so different even without words,"

"Daughter of Victorrio Castiello huh? I've heard that alot," she scoffs.

"No. Nova Castiello the basketball captain with so much drive its clear that she's running away from something and basketball is a perfect distraction, "I say.

Evey word i say to her now is not calculated, but a risky assumption.

"You called me Nova,"

"That is your name, you weirdo,"

"Just one you don't use,"

I chuckle at her playfulness.

She gets up, fixing her blue baggy jeans that cover most part of her sneakers. Her white tank top under her blue button down long sleeved shirt.

"What do you think?"

"I think I haven't been as kind to the one person who really sees me,"

"Well i haven't been as curious about your life as i should be. I want to know more about you Nova Castiello, I mean it," I say feeling her hands cup my face with her thumb running over my lower lip. She crashes her lips on mine in the middle of the empty hall. No caution, skepticism or facade.

She waits for me to pack up my stuff still watching me. I suggest meaving separately but she grabs my hand pulling me out of the lecture hall. The stares are sudden but she doesn't let go of my hand. Not when we pass the group of cheerleaders or her basketball team.

"Are you hungry?" She asks noticing my hand disappear inside my totebag. I usually have a sugar free energy bar or crisps.

"How did you know?"

"I've lived with you,"

She hands me the same energy bar brand, i have stacked in my room.

"Nova!" A familiar female voice calls out and we both look over to the booth with her friends seated probably talking about parties if not me.

I wait for her to walk away from me to meet them, her facade back on like it was that easy to switch. Instead, she grabs my hand gently fastening her strides making me jog a little to catch up.

I look over to Delia whose face looks constipated. I think that's the first time she's not felt a step ahead. Open rejection clearly doesn't suit her.

"You ignored your friends,"

"They didn't make a short film about me, told everyone they liked me and see me for who i really am. So I picked you Tinkerbell,"

Her words may come out casually but the grip on the hem of her shirt tightened a little.

"Then i should be honest....I'm so hungry and an energy bar won't do,"

"Got time for a little adventure before your class?"

"How do you know my schedule?"

"You forgot about the book gesture huh? Shame Tinkerbell. I was starting to like you,"

She walks off dramatically but at a close enough distance to let me know she wants me to follow.