Naughty Love (Love In Sondrio)

This morning the sky looks bright as if to witness a special day for me which will take place soon. I looked at the beautiful view of the day from the window. Butterflies danced around the flowers that were blooming beautifully. I touched the window glass that separated me from the beautiful scenery outside. I can't deny how much I want to join the butterfly to inhale the fragrance of the flowers or just to touch the flower petals that are blooming beautifully.

An object attached to the ring finger finally succeeded in diverting my gaze from the beautiful flowers. A golden-colored object coiled around my ring finger at this time. This thing is small but very charming in my eyes. Three gems adorn this object, but what made me so fascinated with this object was not because of its elegant and luxurious shape. But because this thing was given by someone very meaningful in my life. Someone I love who will soon be my life companion.

I looked at my body which was now wrapped in a beautiful, pure white dress with various decorations that made this dress look elegant. I left the window by stepping my feet into a place. This is where I am right now, in front of a mirror that is large enough to show me completely.

I stared at my body in awe. I didn't expect that I looked so different from my usual appearance. The beauty of this dress makes me look beautiful. This crown-shaped ornament on my head made me even more unrecognizable from my current figure. Is it me? I was only able to hide a smile on my lips to respond to my stupid question.

If I remember all the bitterness that I have felt so far, I never thought that the moment I had been waiting for for a long time would finally come. Being side by side with the man I love is my biggest dream since a long time ago. My gaze shifted to a large clock hanging on the wall. Why do I feel like time is running so slowly today? That was just an excuse, of course, time went on as usual. I just can't wait to see him soon, that's why I feel time goes by so slowly.

My patience seemed to have reached its limit when I stared back at the object coiled around my ring finger. I have a reason why I don't want to wait any longer. I'm just afraid ... afraid that he will leave me again. Leaving this fragile me alone. I would only feel at ease once I saw his figure standing there. Standing waiting for me greeted my arrival with a helping hand.

"Serena, get ready. The time has come."

Nervousness began to hit me as soon as I heard that voice, which announced that the moment I had been waiting for had finally arrived. Take a deep breath and exhale slowly. I stepped out of the room I'd been in since earlier. Soon I will reach my happiness that was delayed for a while.

My name is Serena Constanza. I'm 24 years old. And here is my story...

***

Seven years before...

"Serena!"

I got up from my chair when I heard my name being called. I approached Mrs. Carla who had called me and was now sitting in her chair. She handed me a piece of paper covered in scribbles and a number circled at the top. My gaze fell on the number and it instantly made me feel relieved.

"Congratulations Serena, you got a perfect score again," said Mrs. Carla while showing me a very friendly smile.

"Thank you, Mrs," I replied, smiling back at her kindly.

"I'm sure you'll be the class champion again. Keep it up,Serena."

"Okay, Mrs," I replied, nodding my head. After that, I walked back to my chair with a gaze that never left the paper containing the scores for the math test I took about two days ago.

After sitting down in the chair, I still stared at the number 100 which was written at the top of the paper that I was holding now. I'm happy and satisfied to see it, with this my hard work studying all night has sweet results. I do have to work hard to maintain my grades to stay good. I have to do this to maintain the scholarship I get at this school.

I study at this school. Sondrio International High School is the name of my school. Sondrio is my hometown which is an Italian town located in the Province of Sondrio, Lombardia region of Italy. This school is an elite school in Sondrio where only rich people can afford to study here. The cost of studying at this school is very high when compared to other schools. However, it is very commensurate with all the luxurious facilities that this school has. In addition, the teachers who teach are also selected teachers who have been strictly selected beforehand. The quality of students who graduate at this school is certainly very high. Many companies are competing to recruit students who graduate from this school. In short, students who graduate from this school will certainly get a bright and glorious future.

However, this, of course, cannot be simply obtained. Students who study at this school twice as much have to study harder. If it's not like that then we as students will not be able to keep up with the learning system at this school which is going very fast. Apart from that, this school also often has sudden exams that require students to study every night, anticipating that whenever a test is held, we are ready to face it.

The rules are very strict, three times a violation will be immediately expelled from school. Usually, students who are expelled from this school will find it difficult to be accepted at a new school. That's because other schools consider students who are expelled from this school to be very bad. Neither in abilities nor in personality, although not all of them are like that. That was the opinion of the other schools therefore there wasn't a single student in this school who wanted to suffer such bad luck. It has a good impact on students because it makes students study hard every day. However, this became a difficult situation for me. All the students who study at this school are very intelligent so I, who was able to study here because of a scholarship, had a hard time maintaining my ranking in the class.

I don't come from a wealthy family like the other students, I come from an ordinary family. My father passed away when I was in junior high school. Now mothers work to meet our needs. Mother works as a secretary in a company. The salary is not too big so it will not be able to finance my expensive school. Luckily since elementary school, I always excelled so I also got a scholarship. But because of this, none of my classmates are willing to be my friend. They often even look down on me. I think that's a natural thing because it's clear that my status is not comparable to theirs. I've never had a problem with it, for me to be able to study at this school is a fortune. I will never waste it. I will continue to work hard until I graduate from this school and in the future will be able to replace my mother to earn money to meet our needs.

As soon as the bell rang, the signal for recess had arrived, all my classmates left the class, and so did I. I intend to eat the lunch that my mother deliberately makes every day. I walked alone to my favorite place. Not a special place, just an empty lot behind the school where there are shady trees with thick leaves. Because it was very quiet there, almost no one passed, I also chose to eat my food there every afternoon break.

Upon arrival, as usual, I sat under a tree which felt shady because the thick leaves protected me from the hot sun. I stared at the sky, the sun dazzling my eyes so that my reflexes narrowed my eyes. Today the weather is very sunny but the wind blows quite warm.

Not wanting to waste any more time, I started opening my lunch box. But suddenly three of my classmates came for some reason. Could it be that they want to annoy me since it seems impossible for them to come to join me here?

I know they must have come with evil intentions. Not wanting to mess with them, I chose to go. I got up from my seat.

"Where are you going?" asked one of them, Alessia, in a curt tone.

Alessia Belladonna is my classmate, she is very pretty and popular at school. Besides that, she is also very smart. In class, you could say she is my main rival. If I get the first rank then Alessia will get the second rank. Since studying at this school, I was in the same class as her and she was always rude to me. Even though I always try to be nice to her but for some reason, she seems to hate me so much. This isn't the first time she's bothered me like this. Together with her two friends, Elara and Carina, they always find trouble with me.

"Asked instead of answering instead gawking?!" Alessia snapped, pressing my forehead with her index finger so roughly.

"I want to eat lunch," I answered slowly with my head down.

Alessia's clicking sound sounded loud in my ear. "Take her to the rooftop!!" she said. Elara and Carina immediately complied. They immediately grabbed my hand forcefully, forcing me to come with them. I also had no choice but to follow because if I resisted, they would treat me even more harshly than this. Past experiences have taught me many things.

Upon arrival at the rooftop, they started to treat me very rudely and inhumanely. They grabbed my hair. They didn't seem to care even though I was moaning in pain.

"Heeh, so child, don't be arrogant, just because Mrs. Carla praised you earlier!" Alessia shouted while her hands grabbed my hair tighter.

"W-what do you mean? I-I've never been arrogant," I said as I endured the pain in my hair and head that was starting to throb. If I'm being honest, I want to cry right now, but I'm trying to hold it in because I don't want Alessia to think she's won.

"Did you think I didn't see you smile to yourself after receiving a compliment from Mrs. Carla? Don't be too confident and pretend to be smart. Remember, you can study here because of a scholarship. You don't belong here. You should go to schools that are for kids like you. I'm sick of seeing you. If you don't want to get hurt, you better get out of this school!!" Alessia snapped at the same time as her hands grabbed my hair even more tightly.

But of course, I couldn't possibly do what she wanted, still, with the pain, I replied to her words, "I will never leave this school. I never bothered you or anyone. You shouldn't bother me either, what did I do wrong to you?"

Alessia hissed with a red face because her emotions were rising to the surface after hearing my answer. "Damn you!!"

Alessia was very angry, she finally let go of her grab on my hair and now turned to take the lunch box that I was still holding.

"Return!!" I begged while trying to get my food back which was now in Alessia's hands. However, Alessia's two friends quickly grabbed me so that I couldn't even move.

Alessia opened my lunch box and with a look of disgust on her face, she spilled the food that mom made on purpose, right on top of my head. Her two friends just laughed at me. My eyes watered until finally, I couldn't hold back the tears anymore. Now, these tears are flowing so fast and running down my face. My uniform was dirty with the food Alessia spilled on it.

"Open the shirt!!" Alessia's order, which of course Elara and Carina immediately complied with.

I screamed for help. This time I do not want to remain silent about their outrageous treatment. I can already guess what they want to do to me. I kept screaming without holding back the tears that never stopped flowing. Seeing my condition, Alessia and her two friends looked even happier. They laughed loudly even no less loudly with the sound of my screams.

"No one will hear your screams in this place, you idiot!!" shouted Alessia, who was now helping her two friends take off my clothes. The sound of my crying was getting louder when I felt my uniform being torn.

"What are you doing? Noisy you know."

Instantly Alessia and her two friends stopped trying to take off my uniform and looked towards the source of the sound, and so did I. Right in front of me now, he was standing. Popular student at my school with a handsome face and tall athletic body. His long, red hair made him even more handsome. There's no way I don't know him, that man is idolized by almost all the girls at my school.

"L-Luigi..."

Alessia and her two friends stuttered to say his name, with a nervous expression on their faces that was so obvious.

Luigi Triad Clain, that's his name. The student I estimated was 18 years old like me because he was also in the 3rd grade like me. It's just that we're not in the same class because, at this school, boys and girls are placed in different classes. I think this is done to maintain the concentration of students in learning. Luigi is also a transfer student, he studies at this school starting from the beginning of this semester.

Luigi is very popular and even his popularity beats students who used to hold the title of most wanted before Luigi's arrival. It's no secret that almost all the girls at this school idolize him. Not that I idolize him either because I've never even spoken to him. Often I looked at him from a distance but I did not dare to approach him. Although very popular but Luigi is a naughty student, in my opinion. I say this because seeing his sloppy appearance proves that he isn't a good student. Just by looking at his appearance, it was clear he had broken so many rules in this school. Her long hair for the size of a student's hair and his hair that was deliberately dyed red made me even more sure that my assessment of him was correct. It's just that until now I don't understand why he is still being kept at this school.

"I asked, what are you guys doing?" he asked, which made Alessia and her two friends panic even more. Of course, they are panicking and nervous at this time, because their actions that were so cruel to me have now been caught red-handed by the man they adore so much.

"N-No, we're just reprimanding this kid," Alessia answered while pointing at me. "Are we bothering you?" muttered Alessia in a trembling voice. It was clear from the look on her face that she was terrified.

"Very annoying. Can you guys get out of here?" With a straight face, Luigi said that. In that instant, Alessia, Elara, and Carina looked at each other, before they nodded together and hurriedly left me alone with Luigi.

I lowered my head to look at my messy state. My uniform was torn in several places so that my bare shoulders were now exposed. My long hair was soaked and dirty from the food Alessia spilled on it. The food even stained my forehead and face. Don't forget my face flooded with tears. I'm also sure my eyes must be puffy and red by now. I crossed my arms, covering my upper body so he wouldn't see me. I feel embarrassed to be in this kind of situation in front of this most popular guy.

Because his voice could not be heard even though he was standing in front of me, I tried to work up the courage to look at Luigi. The feeling of embarrassment immediately turned into panic when I realized Luigi was staring at me.

"They are so cruel. That's why I don't want to harass women. They are terrible," Luigi said suddenly while holding out a handkerchief to me.

I was reluctant to accept it, but remembering how bad my current state was made me finally accept the handkerchief. I remove the food that is still above my head and I wipe the stains on my face as well as my uniform. The tear in my uniform was quite large upon closer inspection, there was no way I could attend class in this condition.

"Wear this."

I averted my eyes and now I'm looking at Luigi who is still standing in front of me holding out his jacket. The black jacket he had been wearing earlier was now in his hand, I didn't even realize when he took it off. This time I was reluctant to accept it so I just stared at the jacket in silence.

"Take it and wear the jacket," he said as he forced my hand to accept the jacket. Now I can no longer refuse it. I took the jacket that was still stretched out and put it on to cover my torn and dirty uniform.

"Come on follow me. I'll take you home."

"But I still have class in a bit," I replied quickly after I managed to control my surprise at hearing him offer to take me home.

Luigi snorted, "So you still want to take classes in that condition? If I were you, I wouldn't do such a stupid thing."

I can only be silent to hear what he said that I think is true. There's no way I can continue studying with this appearance.

"Come on follow me."

Luigi took a step without waiting for my response and I felt I had no choice but to follow him.

He took me to the parking lot where his red sports motorbike was parked. After handing me his helmet, he told me to get on his motorcycle.

"Then how about you? You're not wearing a helmet."

I said that after receiving the helmet he gave me. Yes, I feel I have troubled him a lot today.

Luigi smiled faintly, "It's okay, you just wear it. Come on up."

Even though the doubt still clung to my heart, in the end, I couldn't argue anymore. After I put on his helmet, I rushed to ride his motorbike.

"Hold on tight," he said, but I ignored it. However, the speed of the motorbike was so fast that I unconsciously wrapped my hands tightly around his waist. This red sports motorbike also took us away from the school area.

I panicked when he stopped his motorbike somewhere. Somewhere quite far from my house.

"What place is this?" I asked without reducing the panic I felt. To be honest, all the negative thoughts started popping up in my head at this point.

"Wait a moment here, I'll be right back."

Again and again, without waiting for my response, he ran away from me. I thought about leaving here while he was gone, but all his kindness made me discourage that intention. I feel ungrateful if I just leave without saying goodbye to him.

After a while, he came back with two ice creams in his hand. He gave me one of his ice creams. Even though I was surprised by this action of his, I couldn't help but refuse.

"I like to buy ice cream here, it's delicious. You try."

Seeing him licking his ice cream from this close, somehow made my heart beat beyond its rhythm. I can even hear its ticking sound. I was worried he could hear it too. I've always recognized Luigi's handsomeness, but I didn't think that seeing him this close would make me even more fascinated by his handsomeness. I also began to understand why the girls at my school idolized him.

"That's why they bullied you?"

His voice was deep and suddenly it made my heart almost jump out of my chest cavity, maybe because I was too much daydreaming too.

After trying my best to control my unusual heartbeat, I answered his question, "I don't know either," I answered briefly.

"This is weird, I'm sure they have a reason to do that cruelty to you."

Silence returned between us because I no longer answered. He continues to eat his ice cream, and so do I. After eating this ice cream that tasted so good, my feelings started to calm down. My heart rate slowly returned to its normal beat. Remembering all of Luigi's kindness to me today, it makes me feel really bad if I don't answer his question earlier.

"They don't like me because I'm not a rich kid like them. I was able to study at Sondrio International High School because of the scholarship I received. It seems they can't accept that I'm not on the same level as them, that's why they bullied me to get me out of school."

Luigi chuckled as he turned to me, "Huh? What an odd reason. I think people like you have the right to study there. Smart and accomplished students like you, not students who use their parents' money even though they have no ability. That's why I don't like that school."

His words made me gasp. I never thought that Luigi would not like our school, an elite school that all students dream of. Or maybe I misheard, his words sounded strange to me.

"Do they often do that to you? Tortured you like before?"

This question made me remember some bad memories that happened to me in the past. An incident like today is not the first for me. Alessia and her friends have often done that. I don't want to talk badly about my classmates in front of Luigi, but I don't want to lie to him either.

"Not often but a few times," I replied. I don't want to lie to him.

"That's the name often, Miss. Hahaha ..."

My heart, which I had managed to control, was now racing fast again, looking at him who was laughing at my words.

"Are you always silent like before when they hurt you?"

Now I answered him with just a nod.

"You should have fought. No wonder they like to bully you. Have you ever reported them to the teacher's side?"

Watching me shake my head, he seemed to understand everything that happened to me at school. He exhaled slowly while shaking his head. "You are. You shouldn't be silent like that. Don't let them bully you."

"I don't want to make things worse. Besides, I'm sure one day they'll get tired of bothering me."

"Haah... what a stupid thought. You're too innocent," he said. I'm speechless.

Silence returned between us, I have nothing more to say to him. It seemed like he didn't even have the desire to continue our conversation.

"Oh yes. What's your name?" he asked, breaking the silence that made me uncomfortable.

"Serena Constanza," I answered briefly.

Luigi smiled faintly, "Serena huh, nice name." Luigi suddenly looked at my face closely which was very bad for my heart which was beating again without being able to control it.

"Because I don't like seeing people being bullied. Alright Serena, starting today I will be your protector. Don't hesitate to ask for my help if something bothers you again," he said with a broad smile.

I didn't say anything because my tongue feels numb now. What's wrong with my hearing? Say I didn't hear wrong just now? Did Luigi say this dreamlike thing?

My mind keeps on thinking about what happened today. After saying something that was like a dream, Luigi walked me home. I'm grateful because mom is still working so she doesn't see my messy appearance. If mom sees it, I don't know what answer I should give her. So far, I have never told my mother how my friends at school treated me, I didn't want her to be sad or worried. Every time my mother asked me about my relationship with my friends at school, I always lied to her.

I really can't believe what Luigi said earlier, I'm sure he's joking with me. A very popular guy at school and a very naughty student in my eyes, how could he possibly offer to be my protector? To me, this sounds absurd.

"Excuse me, Miss. Hellooo..."

Instantly I was shocked and everything that filled my mind dispersed when I realized someone was calling me. A man was standing in front of me with some of his groceries already on my table.

"I'm sorry," I begged while repeatedly lowering my head. The man just smiled at my panic. I immediately continued my work after I had time to relax until I daydreamed because of the quiet conditions, no customers came to my table to pay for their groceries.

To help my mother, every time after school I work part-time at a mini market which is not too far from my house. I work as a cashier in this mini market. I've been working here for about a year. Yes, since I was in senior high school. I didn't want to bother my mother too much so I thought I could hold pocket money from my salary. With this salary money, I can also buy school supplies.

"Looks like you've been daydreaming since earlier?" asked the man kindly. I have often met this man because he often shopped at the mini market where I work.

"Yes, I'm sorry."

He just smiled in response to my apology. After he finished paying for his groceries, he left after previously flashing a friendly smile. Hah, say I'm lucky to be caught daydreaming by a kind-hearted customer like that guy. I can't imagine what if my daydreaming activity was caught by a curt customer, maybe he will scold me.

"Why, Serena? What did Dante say to you?"

A woman whose appearance showed she was more mature than me, suddenly approached. She's my co-worker here. Her name is Bianca Vedetta and she is two years older than me. I'm pretty close to her. I've even often told her all my problems. Compared to friends, I think of her more as a sister.

"Nothing," I replied simply shaking my head repeatedly.

Sister Bianca snorted, "Liar. I saw him talking to you earlier. He also smiles at you. Come on, tell me what he said just now?"

I just smiled listening to her words that seemed sulky. I know for a fact that Sis Bianca admires the man I know earlier named Dante Xaverio. I found out the name of the course from Sis Bianca. The man named Dante does look mature and friendly. He always smiled at me every time he met me. Even though he always seems to be friendly to everyone. He is also quite handsome, though not as handsome as Luigi. Luigi ... today somehow his name and face always pop up in my head?

"Hey, answer me, Serena."

Sis Bianca looks starting to get annoyed with my residence.

"He just asked if I was daydreaming."

"Then what do you answer?" Asked Sis Bianca so enthusiastically. Her eyes twinkled as if she couldn't wait for my answer.

"I said I wasn't daydreaming. That's all we talked about, Sis."

Sis Bianca looked at me questioningly, leaving me speechless for a moment.

"What do you think, Serena? I also noticed that since coming here you've been daydreaming."

I fell silent again, a dilemma between having to tell her what happened today or not. But I remembered that all this time I couldn't tell my problems to my mother who was too busy at work, that's why it was to Sis Bianca that I usually complained about all the problems I faced. In the end, I chose to tell everything that happened to me today at school including Luigi's strange words.

"Wow, I think that guy named Luigi likes you, Serena."

Those were the first words that left Sis Bianca's mouth after I finished the story.

Instantly I was nervous and embarrassed. "That's impossible. A man as popular as him, how could he like me? After all, he could get whoever he wanted. Even at school, many beautiful women idolize him," I muttered, dismissing all of Sis Bianca's thoughts that were impossible in my opinion.

"You're beautiful too, Serena. I'm sure he likes you."

I shook my head resolutely repeatedly, "Impossible, that's impossible. Even if what he said was true, he must only feel sorry for me."

I'm sure my thinking is what makes sense. For a man as handsome as Luigi, it's impossible to like a woman like me who is completely incomparable to the beautiful women who idolize him.

"You always put yourself down, Serena. I still believe he likes you. Want to bet?" Asked Sis Bianca while winking one eye which made me quickly shake my head, of course rejecting her offer.

"Have you thanked him yet?"

Sis Bianca's question made me realize something. True, I have not thanked him earlier.

"Surely not, right?"

I nodded "Y-Yes."

"Then, tomorrow you meet him. Thank him for saving you today, and ask him what he meant by that earlier, OK?"

Sis Bianca just walked away after patting my shoulder hard enough, leaving me before I could respond to her words. No! I can't possibly ask that of Luigi. But I was determined to meet him tomorrow, not to ask what he meant but to thank him for all his kindness today.

***

Early in the morning, I arrived at school. Not as usual where I would go straight to class when I got to school. Today I deliberately stood not far from the gate. The gate was almost closed and I haven't seen Luigi's figure yet. Maybe he didn't come to school today? I, who had been waiting near the gate, finally decided to walk to class. There are only ten minutes until class starts.

Even though I'm in the classroom, my gaze is still fixed on the school gate which can be seen from here. I'm still disappointed because I didn't see Luigi appear. I'm increasingly sure he's not going to school today because the bell signaling the start of lessons, just sounded. The class that had been busy before suddenly fell silent when one of the teachers was seen entering our class.

My gaze was straight in front of the blackboard when for some reason I wanted to turn my head back towards the gate. And how relieved I was when I saw someone wearing a red jacket and helmet had just entered the school gate riding a red sports motorbike as well. I wondered if that person liked the color red because everything that was attached to his body was only red.

There's no mistake, that person must be Luigi. However, a strange thought stuck in my head. It is written on the bulletin, one of the school rules is that students who are late will not be allowed to enter. Once the gate is closed, it will not be opened again unless it's time to go home. Students who are late three times will be expelled from this school. But earlier ... I saw the school guard open the gate as soon as Luigi came, even though he was late. This is weird in my opinion.

Trying to ignore all the weirdness, I looked back at the blackboard and decided not to think about this weirdness for now. But, maybe someday I'll investigate and I'm now sure I'll meet Luigi at lunchtime. I'll follow Sis Bianca's advice to thank him. Yes, just saying thank you, nothing more.