Chapter 11: Chapter 11

As I left the classroom, I wasn’t aware of how I looked. I only realized it when I saw Aly’s face, observing me by the side of my locker.

“Who were you practicing wrestling with? A vampire?” she asked me with a mocking and judgmental look that made me understand she already knew the answer.

“Do I look that bad?”

Aly handed me her hand mirror, and I could see how impressive my neck looked. It was exactly as she had described, and it seemed like I had been in a fight to the death with a vampire who had managed to leave me with several bruises and love bites on my neck.

“You’re going to need this,” Aly said, pulling a scarf out of her locker.

“A scarf? Despite the heat?”

Aly shrugged.

“That or facing questions and all sorts of assumptions at the restaurant.”

She was right, so I put on the scarf.

“Anyone can have a sore throat, any time of the year,” I said.

Aly smiled.

“Now, are you finally going to tell me what happened? Was it the twins?”

I nodded and promised to tell her everything once we were in the car. After recounting everything that had happened, I felt terrible about myself.

“Am I just some random girl?”

Aly shook her head, although throughout the whole time I was telling her, her eyes seemed like they were about to pop out.

“I understand because, truth be told, the twins are quite handsome,” Aly said when her mind finally connected with her mouth. “Any girl would have given in.”

I knew her words were trying to soften what I was feeling at that moment and how I had judged myself. Then, I saw her jump in her seat and completely change the subject.

“I almost forgot. I have something for you, and I want to give it to you before we get to the restaurant.”

I was surprised that Aly had managed to find time to go get it, taking advantage of a red light, she reached for the box from the back seat of the car. It was a small box, wrapped in gift paper. As I felt the weight in my hands, I could imagine what it was.

“I’m not going to accept it, Aly. I’m sorry, but I already told you no…”

“You haven’t even opened it.”

I pursed my lips. I didn’t need to open it to know what it was, but in order to avoid being rude and ungrateful, I unwrapped it. My eyes almost popped out of my head when I saw what it was because although I suspected it would be a cell phone, I didn’t expect Aly to give me the latest model of the iPhone.

“This is too much, no. Aly, I can’t accept it, really. I already told you I can’t even afford a plan for this.”

Aly started the car and refused to take the box back.

“You don’t have to reject it, Sussan, really,” she said as she drove. “I got it with my phone plan, and it wasn’t as expensive as it seems because I got it with a promotion.”

I suspected she was lying, but I remembered that I already had the impression that Aly’s parents must have a lot of money, so something like this shouldn’t be a big deal for them, even though it was for me.

“Alright, Aly, I’ll accept it, but with the promise that someday I’ll pay you back for it.”

Aly smiled and briefly looked away from the panoramic window.

“I knew it, and don’t think I’m giving it to you just for you,” she said. I didn’t understand what she meant, and she must have read it on my face because she quickly added, “I need you to stay connected.”

I nodded with a smile.

“I promise, yes. Thank you.”

I would have hugged her if she wasn’t driving.

The evening at the restaurant went by without any news, except that I had to explain several times that I had the beginnings of a cold, which is why I was wearing a scarf.

“Try not to cough over the plates,” Angelo said.

I assured him it wouldn’t happen, but he still made me wear a face mask. I was thankful that the twins didn’t come to the restaurant that evening because I looked awful.

Upon arriving home, Lia was waiting for me on the porch. I said goodbye to Aly, thanking her once again for being so good to me and sighing at what awaited me.

“Did you talk to the social worker?” Lia asked as soon as our eyes met.

“Good evening, how are you? How was your day? Did you have a nice day?” I asked, with evident sarcasm.

“I’m sorry, you’re right, it’s just that, seriously, Sussan, I couldn’t think of anything else today.”

“I haven’t talked to her yet, but I’ll leave her a message,” I replied as I entered the house.

“Will you let me know when you do? And will you tell me what she says?”

I nodded and went into my room as soon as I could because I saw Dub standing up, giving me a look that could mean anything bad, nothing positive.

Once in my room, I set up the iPhone, and when I finished, I saw Aly’s first message.

»20:48: See you tomorrow, around 10?

»21:09: Yes, sure. Do you have any plans?

»21:11: Nothing specific, but we’ll come up with something.

I suspected that they must have had something in mind, and I could imagine what it was, but I went along with the idea.

»21:13: Alright. Anything to get out of the house.

»21:14: Okay. See you tomorrow. Sleep well.

»21:15: You too, and thanks again. The phone is great.

»21:15: 😉

I heard Lia entering the house and remembered her request. I called Elizabeth, but she immediately sent me to voicemail. I left her a message with Lia’s request, pretending it was mine and that I had reconsidered it. After hanging up, I suspected that she would only reply on Monday because that must be her work number.

I wished I could fall asleep immediately, but I was in such a hurry to get into my room that I didn’t go to the bathroom. I waited behind the door, trying to imagine where Dub might be. Not hearing anything, I suspected that either he had already locked himself in the room with Lia or he was asleep on the couch with the TV on. I opened the door and saw that all the lights were off. I carefully went to the bathroom, tiptoeing.

Just as I was getting up from the toilet, the bathroom door opened, and I barely had time to put my hand up to prevent it from opening, but Dub’s strength was much stronger than mine, and he managed to open it.

“What’s wrong with you?! What are you doing?” I asked.

He didn’t answer. He just looked at me, his eyes bloodshot from alcohol. I could call Lia, but I didn’t like the idea of owing her something without being sure yet if I would need her or not. I looked at Dub, and our gazes locked for a few seconds.