Page 61 of Brittle Heart

“Here, s-sorry,” he stutters before getting his chair back up and sitting beside Sophia, who’s trying hard not to laugh.

Carolina manages to clean off most of the cream, but her black hoodie is still stained.

“I think I have some spare clothes in my desk if you need to change,” Sophia offers.

Carolina gives her a skeptical look, “Thanks, but I think I’ll have to pass.”

Sophia winces as she realizes her offer wasn’t quite thought out.

So I step in and offer, “I have one of Xander’s hoodies in my locker. I could lend it to you.” She doesn’t move, and her expression remains the same. “I mean, since we like each other now, Karen, we can share my boyfriend’s clothes. I’m good at sharing,” I tease with a smirk, but she just pins me with a blank stare.

“What I absolutely do not like is you calling me that shitty name. But no, thank you, I can manage.”

“You’re right. Friends don’t use fake names. They use pet names.”

I need to thinkofone.

“OhDio,please let this day end,” she mumbles, looking up at the ceiling and placing a hand over her eyes.

Then, I catch a glimpse of her tattoo, where her hoodie sleeve is still rolled up. “Should I ask Xander for some more cream for you? I could bring it tomorrow,” I offer.

She lowers her hand and pulls down her sleeve. “I can’t afford it right now, but thanks,” she responds tersely.

“I’m sure Xander would just give you—” I start.

“Stop talking, or I am going to hurt you.” She glares at me.

“I’m just going to text Xander,” I say, going to pull out my phone, but before I can do that, I feel a sharp pang. “Ouch! Did you just pinch my nipple?” I ask, completely taken aback, noticing Carolina trying to conceal her smile. “She just pinched me, Josh! That’s assault on a police officer!” I pretend to frown at her.

Looking over at Josh and Sophia, I see they’re both smiling.

“In her defense, she did warn you.” Josh shrugs, gesturing with a nugget in his hand.

“I’m not going to let you take stuff from him. He works hard for his money too,” she states, crossing her arms over her chest.

Josh nods. “He sure does,” he agrees, taking a bite of his nugget.

“I bet Xander would rather know that one of his favorite pieces is healing properly than keep an extra tube of cream in his inventory,” I remark, dismissing the issue.

“What? I didn’t think he even liked it,” Carolina comments, looking puzzled.

“No, he loves it. It’s one of the most unique and beautiful pieces he’s done so far,” Josh says, and I notice Carolina’s lips curl up ever so slightly.

Checking her watch, she grabs her backpack. “I have to rush if I want to change before my shift. Is that okay?” She glances at Sophia, looking concerned.

“Of course, no problem. See you tomorrow.” Sophia waves her goodbye, and I watch Carolina hastily leave the cafeteria.

“We have to do something about that asshole. There is no way I’m going to let him treat her like this,” Josh grumbles, taking a sip out of his water bottle.

“Agreed.”

CHAPTERTWENTY-THREE

Carolina

Today, for breakfast, I made scrambled eggs. It’s Chiara’s favorite, and I figure it would be a good way to start a conversation with her.

I don’t want talk to her about it, though. I mean, what am I supposed to tell her about relationships? And how unbelievable does everything sound coming from me? I’m her older sister who hasn’t even been kissed, while she seems to have more experience already.

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