Funny how fate works. I was hoping that we would never cross paths again. I thought that his threats were proof enough that we weren’t supposed to see eye-to-eye. Sigh, why does he have to live eight hours away from my small town? I mean, he knew that I live in the US but then again, I’m aware that the country is vast with greener pastures. A part of me is hoping he would rather stay in Italy there for good.But here I am, just one door away to finally reunite with the man who almost made me pee on my pants. Yu doesn’t seem to notice my anxiety as he slowly and gently knocks on the front door.No response.A few knocks.Still no response.“Tch!” Yu grimaces, his eyes glaring towards the door. His clenched hand trembles and I stare at him with anticipation.“Y-Yu?”The usual cool and kind Yu won’t get mad, right?Right?Then he starts banging the door.“LUCA! OPEN THE FUCK UP!”This is the side of him that I didn’t expect. I instinctively backed away from him.Is it normal

The sound of knocking breaks this awkward situation. I back away from him, making him release his gentle touch on my hair.“Luca, this is Yu.”Luca sighs as he stands up, not a single glance at me after my sudden response before muttering something Italian again.He proceeds to go get the door.If it hadn’t been the knock on the door, I didn’t know what would happen next. I should really apologize for screaming and well for saying something I shouldn’t.Yu is coming, you should greet him, I mentally thought.The door opens and Yu is standing there, looking amused. “Hey, boss.”“Yu,” Luca says, flatly. “Have you ever considered calling me before you arrive?”“I gave away my phone to your kid sister, remember?” At that moment, Luca’s lips curve into a frown. Then Yu perks up from Luca’s direction and scans the room. When he sees me, he smiles.“Good morning, kid.”“Good morning, Yu.”Then he makes his way inside, going in my direction. “I brought the charger, the USB cord, and

NINA I think my eye is getting better. Looking closely at the bruise, it used to be bluish-dark color but now the discoloration becomes lighter, like yellowish-green. It still looks hideous but thanks to the topical arnica gel and of course, the occasional placement of the ice bag, I think within two or three days my eye is fully healed. Just as the bruises in my body. Looking at my stomach, waist, and wrists, I’m happy to say that they are no longer visible now. It would be a problem if Yu starts questioning my preference for oversized hoodies. I start dressing up in my new uniform to see if it doesn’t look too big or too small for me. First I put on the light blue dress shirt. I was at first worried if it’s too loose on me (that makes me look like a child) or too tight (I’d rather not get attention) but thankfully, it fits right on me. From what I’ve been told, Rodrigo and my mom were the ones who picked the size for my uniform. Then I slip the blue and white plaid pleated ski

“Nina, over here!” A cheery voice catches my attention as I enter the cafeteria. I look at the corner of the room and there is Clarence, waving his hand at me. I smile, almost hesitantly, giving a slight wave in return. I feel like after I did it, eyes are still looking at me. I’m not sure whether Clarence was right about me being a transfer student or…it’s something more than that. As I make a beeline towards his table, I haven’t expected him to be alone. I don’t usually judge people based on the book of its cover but normally, people like Clarence Benz are usually the center of attention. So he should be surrounded by a lot of friends, right? “I save a seat for you.” “Thank you,” I nod and sit across from him. No matter what I think, maybe my gut feeling is wrong. Clarence might genuinely want to befriend me without anything in return. But the funny feeling I felt earlier is still there when I sit down. “So, are you getting used to the school here? How is it differen

I just keep running. I don’t know why I just keep running. Even though Clarence and his friends never attempt a cat-and-mouse chase. Even though Clarence intentionally let me escape, even though I knew deep down that what he did was a scare tactic.But despite that, I run.I don’t know where I am going. I just run straight without stopping. Curious passersby stare at me with wonder and sometimes I almost got hit by approaching cyclists.A few quick apologies here and there if I bump someone but I don’t stop.Once I am finally out of breath, I put myself into a sudden halt. Wobbly legs restrict me from going further and I am panting a lot, as I walk slowly to the wall next to a Japanese-looking restaurant and lean my back on it.While trying to catch my breath, my mind that was once numb from running, like a fleeting adrenaline rush, yet,While trying to catch my breath, my mind was once numb from running, like a fleeting adrenaline rush, yet it reverts me back to my own thou