Page 21 of Brittle Heart

I roll my eyes at his antics and pick up my pace, hoping to find my way as quickly as possible.

Seeing Del Moro has become a trigger, and I wish I could stop the memories before they start.

The cafeteria is buzzing with the usual high school chatter. I find a quiet corner, settling down at a table by myself. The peanut butter and jelly sandwich in my hand is more than just lunch. It’s the first thing I’ve eaten today. Because of how tight money has been for the last few days, I have to make sure that there is enough for Roberto and Chiara first.

A shadow looms over me as I’m about to take a bite. I don’t need to look up to know who it is. Del Moro stands there with his posse, smirking down at me. Before I can react, he slaps the sandwich out of my hand, sending it tumbling to the floor.

“Trying to put on more weight, fatty?” He sneers.

His friends chuckle behind him.

I take a deep breath, refusing to let him see how much his words sting. “You have your entire life to be an idiot,” I retort. “Why not take today off?”

His eyes narrow, clearly not expecting me to fight back since it’s the first time ever today. “If I looked like you, I’d kill myself.”

I raise an eyebrow, refusing to let him get to me. “If I had a dog with a face like yours,” I shoot back, “I’d shave its ass and teach it to walk backward.”

His friends holler, some even clapping. Del Moro’s face turns a shade of red I didn’t think was possible. In a fit of rage, he grabs my backpack, holding it out before turning it over. My books, pens, and personal shit scatter across the floor. He drops the empty bag beside me with a smirk, and they walk away, leaving me with the mess.

I take a moment to compose myself, then slowly start picking up my things.

I won’t let him just walk over me.

Not anymore.

* * *

Somehow, I actually find the lab and knock before opening the door that readsLee.

“Are you fucking kidding me, Carolina?” Sophia bursts out as I step in, freezing me in my tracks.

Shit, what did I do?

“Why are you knocking? This is your office too!” She gives me an eye roll, then goes back to digging through her desk drawer.

Exhaling, I apologize, “Sorry. Everything all right?”

Sophia grabs her phone, furiously typing away. She looks annoyed. “It’s way past lunch, and I haven’t had my tea yet. How can everything be all right?”

“Seriously? Tea?” I question, but her dirty look makes me zip my lips real quick.

Sophia sighs and slumps into her office chair. “Fuck.”

“Do you want me to grab some for you? I saw there is a cafeteria here,” I offer.

“No, I texted Josh. He’ll bring some when he gets back from their info session.”

Nodding, I boot up my computer. “All right. So, what’s on the agenda today?”

I get the message loud and clear from her icy stare—now is not the time to ask her shit. So, instead, I review yesterday’s papers to stay out of her way.

After maybe an hour, the door opens, and Clay walks in.

Sophia practically bolts toward him, snatching the to-go cup from his hands. Before she can take a sip, Clay stops her by putting his hand over the lid.

“Whoa there, woman. Careful! It’s hot.”

Sophia makes a sound almost like a hiss before turning and stomping back to her desk. But once she sits and starts sipping her tea, she looks blissful, humming contentedly.

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