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Chapter 17
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The Life The Beginning Chapter 18
GIANNA I woke the next day with a start. It had taken the whole night for the reality of what Victoria had done to set in, and as is usual after one of our encounters, I'm left feeling like I'm suffering from PTSD. The therapist I'd been allowed to see before Becky put a stop to it when I was ten had been getting close to that diagnosis, I'm sure. Though at the time when I overheard her talking to dad, I had no idea what that was and how exactly I'd caught it, it was years later that I figured it out and also understood why Becky had freaked and talked dad into ending my sessions. One more year. That's the secret mantra I've been repeating to myself since my seventeenth birthday. Grandma Eloise had promised that it would all end as soon as I reached that magical age of eighteen. In the meantime, I just had to put up with the sisters grim. I laid there for a few seconds more, getting my bearings and preparing myself for whatever fiasco awaited me beyond the door. My mind was still
The Life The Beginning Chapter 19
GABRIEL Fuck it! Unlike the day before, I didn't look for any out-of-the-way places, just took her to the first open seat I found, which was easy because the onlookers knew to get the hell out of my way when they see me coming. I'd been holding onto my temper pretty well until I sat down across from her and saw her face again. I didn't say anything for the longest while, just looked at her. "Who slapped you?" The bruise had to be more than a few hours old at least, and I hadn't seen any of the twits that surrounded her raise their hand, which is the only reason I walked away without laying them all out. In case you haven't noticed, I do not discriminate when it comes to dealing with assholes. Male, female, the only time they get a pass is if they're under the age of ten. "It's nothing, don't worry about it." I got up without another word and got a jolt when she reached out and grabbed my arm. "Where're you going?" She sounded terrified, but I couldn't put too much focus on that
The Life The Beginning Chapter 20
GABRIEL "I'm breaking into the school tonight, something I need to see. If anything happens, you're the only one who knows where I am." "Dammit, Gabe, can you like find some other hobbies that do not involve breaking the law? I won't get into the academy with a record." "I didn't invite you, asshole." "Yeah, like I'm letting you go alone. Go around back. I'll meet you there." He hung up before I could argue. I didn't have time to mess around with him, and I know from experience he wouldn't listen to shit I say anyway, so why bother. But we'd both promised each other when we were like twelve that we'd keep each other in the loop if no one else. I did it in part to keep his scrawny ass safe when the local assholes were messing with him on the regular, and he'd used that opportunity to switch shit around on me, so that now I have to do the same. If I'd known back then that he'd become such a nosy parker, I maybe would've come up with something else. The house was relatively qu
The Life The Beginning Chapter 21
VICTORIA I settled into bed with my phone feeling more secure about the message and with a new tingling sensation, something more than excitement. Gabe Russo is like every girl's dream. I've known about him for years, but of course, I never thought I stood a chance. His family is like mega-rich, while ours isn't too shabby, but we're nowhere near their level. Not to mention almost every female on campus has been trying to catch his attention since middle school. He's that guy everyone talks about—the sophisticated, standoffish type who somehow always seems light years ahead of everyone else. Not only is he rich, but he's also one of the smartest, if not the smartest, boy at school. Going by his sisters, their family only mingles with those on their level, families of similar wealth, or at least that's how it seems. Then again, Gabe only hangs out with that idiot Lance, who doesn't even belong if you ask me. His family isn't wealthy, and as far as I know, he's only going to
The Life The Beginning Chapter 22
GABRIEL "Moving right along." I kept my tone dry as I told them how to go about doing their part, playing down my interest as best I could. They were hyped, and I had to caution them a time or two before they gave shit up and landed me in the spotlight. "Repeat everything I just said." They rolled their eyes in unison but did as I asked. "Don't forget, just bring it up in conversation at the breakfast table. Ma will do the rest." I guess you can say I'm using my family's weakness against them, but there's no guilt because it's for a good cause. Never said I wasn't a shit kid. I let them head down before me while I hung back for a few before following after them. By the time I reached the kitchen, everyone else was there already. "Morning, son, you look mighty handsome this morning." "Thanks, Ma." I gave my round of cheek busses and took my seat while the conversation picked up again. Smooth as ice, Rosa dropped the first little nugget, and I felt my blood sing. Weird freaking r
The Life The Beginning Chapter 23
DRACO Shit! She's noticed. I've been wary of that very thing happening, have done everything in my power to keep two very volatile situations from clashing without either party realizing that I know. My wife is asleep on my chest, her soft breathing still affording me the same peace and comfort it always has since the beginning. But I worry for my son. I doubt she had any idea what her divulging the truth to him would do to him, my softhearted girl. I kissed her hair and felt a bit of sadness at the situation. For the past few years, I've been keeping an eye on the situation. I didn't know right away, of course, but over time I started to notice the strange changes in Gabe. Not to mention the fact that he suddenly had a very pointed interest in 'the life,' going around me to the old man to ask questions. At first, the old man didn't realize what brought it on. I never shared Sophia's past with him or anyone else. But since he knew I was trying to take our family business legit an
The Life The Beginning Chapter 24
GIANNA I spent the rest of the afternoon waffling between excitement and dread. Everything was finally settling in, and when I was called up to the desk just before the last bell where I was asked if I was prepared for my first tutoring session, it all became real. Even the teacher seemed a bit flustered since, from what I know, this is not how this is done. I've never heard of anyone being chosen to tutor on such short notice, and especially not someone who hadn't signed up for the task. But they all swear I had, that my name was on the list. This is one of the things that confuse and scare me. Victoria, for all that she's scholastically challenged, will know as well that that's the way tutors are made. There's no way she or her mother will believe I had nothing to do with this that I didn't purposely put myself in the way of Gabriel Russo, who seems to be the new trophy on her to-do list. The thought of what she'd do once I return home had me on pins and needles, warring agains
The Life The Beginning Chapter 25
GIANNA Their words made me nervous and excited all at once. Nervous because even as I sit here with them, I can't help thinking about what awaited me at home and excited because they were the first people since mom died who'd wanted just me as a friend. I'm not sure what Victoria did to piss them off, but I couldn't help being secretly pleased that someone at least had seen through her bullshit. Add the fact the Russo twins are like royalty in our community, and that just makes it all the sweeter and that much more terrifying. Then a sudden thought struck, taking some of the gleam from the afternoon. "Wait, is this a joke?" From their surprised looks, I doubted that it was, but it never hurt to ask. This way, when it turns out that I am, in fact, right, there'd be less egg on my face. "A joke? What do you mean?" I think it was Anna who spoke, but I'm not sure since I can't tell them apart. "Yeah, like a prank." "Of course not. Why would you think that?" The other twin spoke u
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