thirty

Luca

~

My body consumes rage that I didn't know I was capable of having. The increasing heart rate was enough for someone to go into a full-blown heart attack or stroke. The adrenaline my body was producing came through me unannounced.

I've never felt anything like it. Him mentioning Cassie in that intimate way was the last straw. Before I knew it, I clenched my fist against my hands and lunged toward him, pushing him across the coffee table—full of weed and alcohol.

Everyone gasps, trying to break us apart or taking their phones out for a decent recording. Because that's more important to stupid high school kids. Marcus is able to lift himself off the floor to swing another punch to my jaw. He barely hit my skin as I ducked and went after his face as well. Blood flies from his mouth as my knuckles graze his unshaven skin. He wipes his mouth with the back of his hand, staring at the red liquid.

"Come on pussy, is that the best you got?"

"What is going on?" Anderson shouts, making his way down the stairs with Sydney.

"Andy to the rescue," he chuckles, still wiping away the blood from his lip.

I straighten myself up, leaning against the couch. "You were right, Anderson. He can't be trusted."

"And you think you can trust him?"

"What?" I look at him confused.

"Cassie didn't tell me about this deal between you two, Andy here did."

I look back from Marcus to Anderson. He is standing there with his arms crossed looking embarrassed.

"Why did you tell him?"

His shoulders shrugged. "I'm sorry Luca, I was upset with you at the time, and I vented to him about it. I didn't think he would do something like this."

"Of course, he would have. He's so obsessed with her; I should have known how fake he was... this whole time."

Scott was right.

"I should go find Cassie." Sydney mumbles, pulling away from Anderson.

"No, I will."

I storm through the basement, pushing past Anderson to walk upstairs as I hear Marcus' voice descend through the air.

"Cassie will NEVER be with someone like you so remember that!"

His words sit deeper within me, right down to my soul. A part of me that I never wanted my doubts to enter.

But here I am.

Grabbing a half empty bottle of whiskey that is lying on the cold tile floor. I've never tried whiskey before, so, here's nothing. A few sips in and I think I'm doing all right. Of course, I'm gagging with every sip I take, but I manage not to puke.

My head starts to feel lightheaded and it's hard for me to catch my balance. I quickly walk away from the corner I was standing in and make my way into the living room, sitting down on a black leather sofa. The music creeps in louder as I lay my head against the back of the couch, staring up into the ceiling.

"Luca!"

I keep my eyes on the ceiling, counting every square and paint spot that is chipped.

"Luca!"

My eyes roll into the back of my head before I move my neck down to see a very confused Cassie.

"Are you drunk?"

I hold out the bottle of whiskey that is still cemented to my hand. "Guilty."

"Never thought I would see this day," she giggles. "Come on, let's get you home."

"You don't have to pretend anymore; I'll get my grandma to come pick me up."

"What are you talking about?" She raises her voice over the loud music. "What happened?"

She must have noticed the scratch on my neck from when I tackled Marcus on the coffee table.

And yet I'm the pussy?

"I'm fine." I hiccup, taking another sip of the burning liquid. The taste gets surprisingly better once you get used to it.

"I'll drive us back, where's Anderson?"

I shrug, standing up from the couch. "Telling everyone our secret."

"Okay, what is wrong with you?"

"Me?" I look back at her, who is giving me questionable eyes... eyes that I would hate to upset.

"You went to find Marcus and then—wait... what did he do?"

"The real question is what hasn't he done?"

"All right," She grabs my hand into hers, pulling me toward the front door and we both walk outside to my truck. "Keys?"

"Cassie—"

"Keys!" she demands.

"What about Anderson?"

She huffs. "Sydney is here, she will bring him home."

"He's staying with me."

"I know that.... what's the problem?"

I lean against my truck crossing my arms. "I don't want to be around him right now."

"Don't be such a baby, get in."

A few seconds later I jump into the passenger seat, stretching the belt across me. Cassie gets in first, adjusting the mirrors and scooting the seat up some. The drive felt like two seconds since I drifted asleep, and Cassie had to wake me up. She brings me inside, tucking her head under my arm, and quickly walks me into my bedroom.

I fall onto my bed, stretching my arms across the cool plush blue covers. The coldness felt amazing against my skin. I don't know if it's because I'm drunk, but I never want to get out of this bed. Cassie laughs once she sees me basically do snow angels in my bed.

"Here," she sets a small trash can beside my bed. "You might need this."

"Thanks," I say, still rubbing my arms against the covers. "How are you going to get home?"

"I can call my parents to come get me."

I check the clock on my nightstand.

"It's one in the morning, just stay over."

"Luca—"

"Hey, you said you'd sleep in my bed to make sure I slept okay, didn't you?"

She rolls her eyes. "I need to watch what I say around you."

I chuckle and slide over to make room for her. Suddenly, I feel a lump form in my throat making it hard for me to catch my breath. Reality starts to set in, and I start to second guess myself. Vomit quickly comes up.

My head hangs over my bed before emptying the whiskey into the trash can. "Ugh," I groaned loudly. "This is disgusting."

"Told you, you would need it," she laughs, lying down beside me. "You, okay?"

I grabbed the wet rag she handed me earlier and wiped it across my mouth. "I'm fantastic."

Her giggle fills the room making me laugh instantly with her.

Her laugh is my favorite sound.

"I love your laugh."

The way she scrunches up her nose and covers her mouth in hopes that she's not being too loud. The way she looks at me as she bites her bottom lip. The way I feel when she stares into my eyes, letting me know she has the same feelings I do.

I know she does.

Marcus is wrong.

This isn't fake.

It can't be.

• • •

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