9

Adrianna
Natalya’s new friend, Eva, notices me in the library, where I’m trying to complete my interrogation assignment.
It’s a little strange having a newbie in our group. And I can’t help but feel like Nat is trying to replace Giorgia, which I don’t like. Eva seems nice, if not a little judgmental about people like us, because she wants nothing to do with the world she was born into.
“Hey Adrianna, can I sit?” she asks.
I nod in response.
She smiles and takes a seat next to me. “This place is crazy. You know, I just witnessed a sword fight in the quad.”
I arch a brow. “Your point is?”
Eva shakes her head. “I never knew a school like this existed, that’s all.” She runs a hand across the back of her neck. “How is it that they keep any governing body out of this place?”
“They don’t,” I reply, still skimming the book in front of me that I’m meant to be reading for interrogation class. “School inspections are carried out now and then. We have to attend normal classes and put on a show for the inspector.”
“Really?” Eva’s brow furrows. “How do they explain all the weapons in the gym?”
“They hide them.” I play with the end of my hair. “You’ll probably see what happens sometime this year. There’s always at least a visit once a year.”
Eva nods. “Fair enough.” There’s an awkward pause as she taps her fingers gently against the table. “It’s really kind of you, Nat and Azira, to befriend me.”
I glance up. “I hate Jeanie. You know she used to be friends with Nat?”
Eva’s eyes widen. “Really? What happened?”
I shut my book and sigh, knowing I won’t get any work done now. “Alexander Morales happened.”
Her brow furrows.
“He arrived here in sixth grade and took an instant dislike to Nat.” I think back to the time, remembering Nat was just one of the bitches that hang out with Jeanie and her crew. “She was as thick as thieves with Jeanie, but Alexander was the hot new guy who everyone had a crush on. So, naturally Jeanie invited him to sit with them at lunch, and Alexander insisted he wouldn’t eat with them if Nat was there.”
“He didn’t even know her and made that judgment?” Eva confirms.
I nod. “Yeah, weird isn’t it?”
“Very.”
“So Jeanie, being the bitch she is, kicked Nat off their table and out of their friendship group.”
Eva shakes her head. “I hate her.”
“Something we have in common. So, I invited her to sit with us as we knew each other from class and the rest is history.”
Eva smiles. “Best friends ever since?”
Adrianna nods. “Yeah, me, Nat, Azira and Giorgia.”
“Nat has mentioned Giorgia. Why did she leave?”
“None of us really know the full story, but her family live in Sicily and they pulled her out of school the end of last semester. It’s weird not having her here.” I put my pen down. “We think that they were freaked out by the war in Boston, since her father’s boss, Fabio, has made a deal with Milo Mazzeo.”
Eva looks confused. “I don’t know who any of those people are.”
I chuckle. “You must have been living under a rock. Are you sure your family is mafia?”
“Positive.” Eva clears her throat. “But I’ve never had any interest in it.”
I nod in response. “We’re like the polar opposite.”
Eva nods. “Yeah, I guess.”
“I don’t remember a time in my life that I wasn’t involved in some kind of criminal activity, even as a kid.”
“That must have been difficult. Not being able to just be a kid growing up?”
I think about it and I guess my family did force me to grow up early. I shrug. “Never really thought of it like that.”
“Hey,” Azira says, approaching the table. “What are you two up to?”
I sigh. “I was trying to get an assignment done.” Slamming the book closed, I sit up straighter. “But the likelihood of that happening with motormouth here is zero.”
Azira holds a hand to her chest. “I’m not a motormouth.”
Eva laughs. “In the short time I’ve known you, I’d say you could take the prize for the amount you can talk.”
She gasps. “I am offended.” And then she takes a seat, leaning over the table. “Have you heard the news?”
“What news?” I ask.
“Nik and Rosa are officially over. I thought it would never happen.”
I swallow hard, as for a while now Azira has been harping on to me about how we’d make a cute couple. Nik isn’t my type. He’s attractive, but a complete asshole.
“The guy treated her like shit,” I say.
Azira nods. “Yeah, but only because she let him. He needs a stronger woman.” She arches a brow suggestively.
“I’ve told you I’m not attracted to Nik.”
Azira sighs. “But you don’t have a date for the winter formal. Nik would be perfect. Why don’t you ask him?”
I grunt in frustration and turn my attention to Eva. “Has anyone asked you yet?”
Eva’s cheeks flush a little. “Not yet. Do you think it’s too late for anyone to ask?”
Azira shakes her head. “Of course not. It’s early to be honest. Alek asked me last week though, but as friends.” She purses her lips together. “I’m pretty sure he’s gay, but too afraid to come out. After all, Alexander is his best friend, and we all know he’s not exactly kind.”
“Are you going to go with him?” Eva asks.
She nods. “Yeah, I’d rather go with a friend who I know won’t grope me inappropriately than some guy I don’t even like.”
“Makes sense,” I say.
“Has anyone asked you, Adrianna?” Eva asks.
“No, thank God.” I shake my head. “These dances aren’t really my thing.”
“Even though you are a fucking national salsa champion in Mexico.” Azira makes a frustrated sound. “If I had half the talent you do for dancing, I’d be on that dance floor as much as physically possible.”
“Well, that’s where you and me differ. I don’t like to draw unwanted attention to myself.”
“Wow, are you really champion?” Eva asks.
I nod. “Yes, five times.”
Her eyes widen. “Impressive.”
I don’t comment on that, as it’s just another achievement for my parents to tout about when they talk about me. It’s all they care about, making sure I’m the best at everything, so that when they want to marry me off, they can brag about how amazing I am and secure the perfect match, not for me, but for them.
“I don’t really want to talk about it.” I stand, intending to leave, as I’m not in the mood right now for dealing with Azira’s overly happy attitude. “I’ve got to get going.”
Azira checks her watch. “The next class doesn’t start for twenty minutes.”
“I have some things to get from my dorm room.”
Azira stands. “Okay, I’ll come with.”
I shake my head. “No. I want to go on my own.”
Her eyes widen. “Alright, we’ll see you at dinner later, then?”
I nod and shoulder my rucksack before walking away without a word. I know that it’s not their fault that I’m in a bad mood. It’s Coach Daniel’s fault. He won’t stop trying to get me into his bed practically every single time I see him, and it’s already tiresome.
If he’s going to keep this up for the rest of the year, I’ll probably end up murdering him.