Ravi gave me a new identity, Irina Hernandez. I applied to a new school with this identity. I had a new identity, went to a new school, and lived in a new city. No one here knew me, except Ravi, of course. As long as I was careful enough, I wouldn't let Raul or Albert's people find me.
Ravi and I had a rule: I must go home immediately after school. I wouldn't attend any parties. I wouldn't tell anyone about my past identity or his.
Ravi sent a bodyguard to drive me to school. I got out of the car and saw my new school. It was an ancient university. Almost all the buildings in it were centuries old. Students sat on the steps while eating their sandwiches, sat on the lawn while reading, or chatted with laughter. I liked it here. There was finally something I liked to do in my 17 years of life. I wasn't thankful towards Ravi. After all, I was going to trade my chastity for all of this.
I walked into the classroom and sat down in an empty chair.
A girl wearing glasses reached out her hand and said, "Hello, I'm Emma." Her hair was curly and she had a few cute freckles on her face. Her tan skin made her look especially outgoing and healthy.
"Hi, I'm Ce… I'm Irina." I wasn't familiar with this new name yet, and I almost said my real name.
"You're new? Where are you from?"
"I came from Philadelphia."
"You probably don't know yet, but the professor for this class…" Emma was very talkative. She kept telling me about the characteristics of every professor in every major class, which professor had the most readings and which professor was the strictest. I liked Emma's personality. She was lively and cheerful. I felt relaxed when I saw her.
Before I knew it, half a month had passed. Every day, I went to school, went home from school, and read. I barely met Ravi at home. He went out early and returned late every day to deal with all the issues in the Mafia. He had never sent me a message or called. I knew he didn't lack women. It just so happened that I didn't need a man either.
I sat on the lawn alone in the sunlight during an autumn afternoon. Going to school was my favorite thing to do, because once upon a time, I could stay away from my eldest brother, Raul, when I was on campus. Now, I could stay away from Ravi. My coffee had chilled a little, but I hadn't finished the book in my hand.
I glanced up and saw a boy sitting at the other end of the lawn opposite me. He was wearing a white baseball cap and a baseball jacket. His right hand was propped against the lawn and he was throwing the baseball into the air with his left hand as he swung the bat again and again. His face had a mixture of Caucasian and Asian features. He had black hair, and he was smiling at me.
I smiled and nodded at him as a greeting. He stood up and walked straight towards me. I closed the book and got up to leave.
"Cecilia, is that you?"
I paused for a second, and my mind quickly searched the face in front of me in my memories.
"I'm Brian." He smiled.
At almost the same time I heard the name, I remembered this person. He was my playmate in elementary school. Then, he moved and transferred schools. We hadn't been in touch since.
"My name is Irina," I said confidently with a proper smile.
"Alright, Irina. Are you interested in watching my match?"
"Sorry, I have to read. I haven't finished the book list the professor gave me." I shrugged and held the book up.
"I can read it for you." Brian took the book from my hand and glanced at the title. "Macroeconomics," he mouthed the title before returning the book to me.
"I have to go. Bye." I took the book and walked past him.
When I reached the long hallway, I saw Emma.
"Hi, Irina!" Emma ran over excitedly and gave me a big hug.
"Hey, what's wrong?" I patted her freckled face and smiled. Emma had the ability to make everyone around her cheer up.
"There's a baseball game at school tomorrow. My crush is the first pitcher. Come watch it with me." Emma stomped her feet in excitement.
"What time will it be?"
"Four o'clock."
"Okay, but I can only stay for a while, no more than half an hour." I didn't want to dampen her spirits, but I didn't dare break my three-point covenant with Ravi.
"You're so nice, Irina." Out of excitement, Emma gave me a bigger hug.
I smiled at her. Who wouldn't like an outgoing and cute girl like her?