Chapter 37: I don't want things to change

SOFIA'S POV

"Why do they have to take out their phones?" I ask pulling my window up with Mila chewing on chips in the passenger seat.

"You're Sofia Vescovi. You're famous with or without your dad," she says simply. It's not what I wanted. It's what I thought was best. I'm his daughter and he deserves to be openly proud of me. He's done nothing but be present in my life, protect me and even put me before his own needs. I spent most of my life telling myself that i didn't earn it but he's never made me feel different. My sisters never made me feel different, just the older sister they felt inspired by. And mom? She always looked safe and present around him.

"Sof are you even listening to me?"

"Yeah yeah i am," I say parking the car.

"Good so after the final exams we're going to Maldives to cool off and Castiello is coming with,"

"What what?"

"I just said it earlier. It'll be fun because everyone is coupled up,"

"She's engaged remember? Not really a fan of being the other woman," she chuckles but I'm being serious.

It was easier when she was just her but now i feel like the whole world is watching.

Luca approaches us with my coffee and her milkshake. "A written down order for you Sof Pow and a strawberry milkshake for my babygirl," he says handing me my coffee. Mila chrashes her lips against his before they walk away talking about something.

"I can kiss you like that if that's what it takes to get your attention," a familiar voice says making me jump a little.

"You really have to stop doing that,"I say turning to face her.

"Coffee already?" Her raised eyebrow stays intact.

"I deserve one after the medication I took a while ago," I say genuinely. My phone rings the same time Nova reaches for my bag. A few phones tilt in our direction immediately. Like people are waiting for a headline.

"Hey dad,"

There's a pause. That came out automatically.

"Hey sofie. I just wanted to know if you're doing okay. Things are a little different now,"

"Yeah I feel better,"

"i also wanted to talk about your recent blood tests sweetie," he's barely called me that. He only softens that much when it's serious.

"Sofie your lung could fail at any moment and the blood tests show a decline with the medication. Your appointments will be more frequent until we can find a solution but please call me at any time. Even if it's a cough, and I'll be there," he says and the tremble in his voice is evident.

"I will. I'm strong remember?" Nova looks over to me.

"I know but your body is wired to also need help to. I love you sofie and i think you should come back to Rome,"

"Can we talk about this..umm after class?"

"Okay, I'll be waiting," he says before i cut the call. I feel my chest clench before Nova slips her hand in mine and it slowly feels normal again.

"Is everything okay,"

"Yeah just my dad reminding me about appointments for the week," I lie. I hate it. That I have to lie to her but her game is coming up and she's..well Nova.

We stop outside my lecture hall. She's reaches for the door but i stop her. The last thing I need is more people recording us hoping to get content. "Thank you for walking me to class. You should get to your practice,"

"Are you really okay?"

"Yes. But i like seeing you worry about me," I tease earning a smile from her. She closes in on me before planting a kiss on my forehead as students pass the hallway. It's like she forgot her reputation and has always been this soft.

"Text me after your class,"

"Think of me during practice,"

"You're all i think about ,Tinkerbell," I giggle before entering my class.

My step dad's voice echos through my mind as i find my seat. My life is just starting to feel normal again. I haven't gone to therapy because i feel better now. I can't tell Mila. She'd pause her life to help take care of me. She's done that for Luca before.

My phone lights up in he midfle of the lecture.

Nova: I'm gonna need a few kisses after this practice ;)

I chuckle a little louder than normal making a few eyes shifting to my direction.

me: Stay focused Captain( i like you a little distracted.)

Nova: By you, you mean.

me: I'll come to your practice after.

Nova: Can't wait.

When the lecture is over I'm the first to leave. Which is ironic because i usually wait for everyone else to. I just can't stand the sudden approaches about my stepfather's legacy and discounts.

"You alright? Your lips are a little blue," Paolo points out with a hotdog in hand.

"Yeah...Just a little dehydrated," I say picking my water bottle from my bag.

What is he doing outside my class anyway?

"I need a favour," There it is.

I take the huge gulps feeling my chest tighten a little. That's the second time it's happened.

"Are you sure you're okay?"

"Yes Paolo I'm fucking fine!"

He pauses.

"Wow,"

"I'm sorry...I just–"

"It's fine," Except it isn't. He's not fine with it. He'll probably find Mila.

"What was the favour again?"

"You bake really nice muffins and I was wondering if you could bake some for my boyfriend's birthday....I'll pay you," I chuckle softly.

"Done...but I don't want the money. You're my bestfriend, " I say and his face brightens. His phone rings and he jogs in the other direction so it's just me again.

I detour to the restroom feeling my throat dry up as i lock the stall. A few coughs escape my lips with the last one staining the tissue with red spots. I sit there for about ten minutes before getting out. My face cools a little with the splash of water.

A toilet flushes startling me abit.

I wait for someone to come out and she does.

"Quite the cough you have there Sofia," she says rinsing her hands.

"One that isn't your business," I walk out before she forces an admission out of me through rage.

The stadium is filled with cheerleaders practicing from a distance and the basketball ball team occupying the larger space. I spot Nova almost instantly as I find my seat in lower middle but she points to the courtside black leather seats.

Her teammates look over to her then me because she's distracted so i move down to the seats immediate to the court feeling eyes on me. But I'm not nervous, just alarmed.

"Okay 5 minutes then we're back," the coach yells and she runs to me like someone off a leash. She crouches infront of me, pulling her gym bag from under my seat.

"Here, put this on," she drapes her varsity jacket over me. Over the hoodie that personally clung to despite the C initial on it. Her captain initial.

"But i didn't –"

"You're hands are a little shaky, Tinks and your lips look a little blue," she lists like she's looked at me long enough to spot the problem. She plants a quick kiss on my forehead automatically before jogging back to the court. This time i feel eyes behind me, so I look back and there Delia is again. Except her smirk is replaced with something I've never seen before, shock.

When practice is over the basketball team huddles for a brief moment before pulling apart and walking the locker room. "I don't blame Nova, she's adorable," a team member says in passing.

"Let's go,"

"where?"

"The locker room...I can't leave you here,"

I scoff.

"Why?"

"Because you're fucking freezing in 30 degrees weather. It's not normal,"

"I know. But I'm not normal am I?"

She nods.

"Then wait for me in my car? We can go watch together," she hands me the keys to her car jogging off before I can protest.

She's so persistent.