Chapter 3 Episode 3

Alessia's POV

"Come on girl, don't let that bastard ruin your day," Sydney said while driving her SUV to the mall we were going to meet Jack's group.

"We really have to hook you up with someone," Isabella said from the back seat, I sat in front, next to Sydney.

"Yeah, we have to work on that today" Sydney added adamantly.

I rolled my eyes, I don't want to be in a relationship with anyone, Matteo did some permanent damage to my heart.

I don't want to hurt myself anymore.

We finally arrived at the mall, Jack was standing at the entrance.

Once the car stopped, Isabella opened the door and ran to Jack like a 3-year-old would when your dad comes back home. She engulfed him in a hug.

Myself and Sydney just rolled our eyes, We came out of the car and managed to get to where Isa was.

"Calm down Gatinga," he said, we knew she was probably hugging the shit out of him. (Portuguese translation: pretty girl)

"Just promise never to go on long trips ever again" she pouted.

"Se ti rende felice, ti porterò con me la prossima volta," he said stroking her hair, She finally let go and kissed him on his lips, and they started making out. (translation: If it makes you happy, I'll take you with me next time)

Sydney cleared her throat to get their attention "Please don't do this at a mall, get a room" Sydney said, which earned a giggle from me.

Isabella rolled her eyes at us, "So how are you, Nat?" I asked.

Jack is just a nickname everyone has had for him since high school, his real name is Nathanial. He doesn't mind at all thankfully.

"I'm good, you two?" he asked directing at both of us, "I'm doing great" Sydney stated.

"I'm fine", I lied, I'm not fine. Not at all.

"Are you ok?" Isa asked looking concerned I just realized I was frowning.

I quickly smiled, "Of course, I'm ok, where are the others?" I said quickly changing the subject.

"I told you this was a date" Sydney mumbled, "No, they're inside, I just wanted to see my Gatinga," he said looking at Isabella.

"You know ignoring your girlfriend's best friends is a dangerous route, You'll have to get through us if you want to even dream of marrying her" Sydney spoke.

"Calm down, you gonna scare the poor boy away" I started "But believe me you'll have to get through us," I said in a darker tone.

He raised his hands up in mock surrender "Fine".

He walked us in, thankfully The mall wasn't busy because I hate busy malls.

We got to the food center and I saw them, all of them. (total of 8 boys)

I mentally smiled, I kind of missed all these hooligans no matter how annoying they were.

Some I saw last at uni, the others in high school.

We stopped in front of them when they noticed us they looked at us.

"So girls, you should remember but I'll refresh. That's Liam, Benjamin, Michael, Ethan, Daniel, Owen, Matthew, and Leo" he said pointing at all of them by name.

"Lee is that you," Owen said squinting like an old man.

"Yes," I said rolling my eyes at him "Wow, you grew taller, and I thought that was impossible," he commented, I rolled my eyes, "And she still has her shitty attitude," Daniel said.

"And both of you are still idiots," I shook my head.

"Syd long time no see," Matthew said "Are you still the slut you've always been?" Michael finished.

"Of course, what else do you expect from Sydney?" Isabelle laughed "And I'm proud of it," Sydney said flipping her hair for emphasis.

I giggled "Still the high school popular kid personality" Ethan added. "Shut up Ethen" Sydney protested.

"We all got reunited just a minute ago and we're already arguing, only we can achieve that level" I facepalmed.

I heard Isa giggle at my comment, "About reuniting, where's Matteo?" Owen asked, "Yeah, aren't you together as usual?" Daniel asked directing at me.

My heart sank "Uh...No, we're not a thing anymore, not even friends" I say holding my tears back.

"How you two were like...the ship of the year for the whole 4 years in Varsity and that's not including high school," Matthew asked confused.

"And weren't you guys engaged too?" Ethan said.

"Well.." my voice drifted off I didn't think I could say it, I knew I'd break down and I didn't want to do that here.

Isabelle, as though reading my mind that I wasn't gonna make it "Matteo... cheated on her, so she broke up with him" she said.

All of them were wide-eyed, "Okay I'm done" Owen said "Someone hurt my little sister so who's coming with me to destroy him?" all of them raised their hands up at Owen's statement.

Owen always called me his 'Little sister' despite the fact we're the same age. He was always a brother to me too, he was always so protective and annoying too, but I can't live without him.

"Finally, someone came up with my plan!" Sydney said. We all laughed.

I smiled at what all of them were willing to do for me, "Thank you guys, but not the best idea" I said.

"Come on Lee" Owen begged, "No, I want to be an adult about it, I should just carry on," I said.

"Fine, do what you want but I can't promise what I'll do if I see that son of a bitch again," he said "I agree" Matthew joined.

Have I mentioned that Matthew and Owen are identical twins, but for some reason once you know them you can tear them apart easily?

"Anyway, I prefer not talking about it, let's do something fun to forget about this," I say trying to change the mood.

"Yeah, it's better, why don't we go to the arcade" Daniel suggested. "Good idea, let go," I said, everyone agreed.

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We got to the arcade, we agreed to go bowling first and then play games.

The arcade was pretty empty leaving us to dispose of it and do whatever we want to to do.

I hated the pain I had inside but I always hid it because I didn't want to worry people.

Life is shit and I should not add up to other people's problems by telling them mine.

I was mentally drained, I sat on a bench not far from them.

"Sorry about that" I heard, I looked up to see Leo. I just realized this is the first thing he's said to me ever since I came.

"About?" I asked confused, "About Matteo," he said sitting across from me.

"Oh, I'm fine" I lied as always, it still hurt it really does.

"Believe me, I won't fall for your mask of 'I'm fine', you don't look fine Alessia. Who'd be 'fine', I know you liked him a lot, we all know that" he said looking into my eyes.

I looked down "It's really that obvious?" I questioned, "No not really, I had to pay attention" he finished.

"But what should I do Leo? I don't want to worry anyone" I say putting my face on both my hands.

"No one truly celebrates their win without a past loss," he said calmly.

"You know I sucked at philosophy," I said looking at him.

He chuckled "If you never lose, winning won't feel as good as it could, but after numerous failures, when we win we feel more accomplished" he explained.

"I still don't get it, how does it refer to me?" I asked very much confused.

"Alessia, you just lost, but one day you'll find out why this loss was necessary for you to win" he continued.

It made sense, but how will I win? What will I win?

I laid my head back on the wall, "Life sucks you know?" I groaned.

"It really does, but maybe someday you'll look back at yourself and laugh at the drama you made out of it" he suggested.

I nodded "I want a sweet, calm, and simple life" I admitted.

"Really?" he asked, "Yeah" I sighed.

"What about your career?" he inquired further "I love my profession and everything about it but I'll never put friends or family behind it, family and friends come first," I confessed.