Principal Roberto, back in the days, was a teacher at Santa Maria. He had an insane network of connections and was more of a kingmaker. Through his opportunities, all three Angnelis got their scholarships. Alessia was close with him until she decided to work with Marco instead of Principal Roberto's recommendation.
Matteo gave an awkward laugh, looking down at his nails as he scratched them against each other, an action he did when he was nervous. "What are you talking about?"
"Deny it and I will shove this cake in your face," Alessia threatened, her eyes narrowing.
"No! Not the cake!" He panicked. "Principal Roberto told you?"
"Did you think I wouldn't approve of it?"
"I just didn't want to make you feel responsible for nursing my silly hobby."
"I'll be the judge of that."
"It's really not a big deal."
"It is, Matteo. What do you need for the TV competition?"
"Nothing."
"What do you mean you need nothing? Do you have TV-worthy clothes? I know you look good in everything, but you want to make a statement!" she said, slapping his back playfully.
"I know, I know. Let's go home now. Lisa is alone at home."
"Matteo, you don't have to worry about us anymore. I fear the way you're growing into another me. You never do whatever fun thing your peers are doing. I tell you all the time, take your dad act off, you'll only be a child once. You can cry to me, bother me, tell me what scares you. Matteo, please."
"I'm sorry I make you worry."
Just as they were talking, the pitter-patter of rain started to sound. "Oh God, my cake!"
Matteo grabbed her hand and they ran for it in the rain. Laughter echoed through the quiet streets as they ran hand in hand, rain pouring down around them. Alessia clutched the slightly squished cake, its frosting smeared, but they didn't care. The city lights reflected off the wet pavement, creating a magical glow. Her hair was plastered to her face, and his shirt clung to him, but their smiles were radiant.
"Do we look like actors in a romance movie scene now?" Alessia screamed.
"I think so," Matteo laughed aloud.
Alessia gave an eerie smile that showed she was going to do something rebellious. Her eyes were on the puddle of water, and you could guess what she did next. Splash! Matteo's body went into the rain puddle.
Alessia laughed until tears dropped. When they were younger, Alessia was the one who used to fall prey to Matteo's antics. She remembered when he pretended to slip close to a puddle, only for him to flip her in the puddle when she rushed over. They both went home looking muddied. Her mom had scolded her because Matteo had developed a cold by the time they got home.
She remembered how her mom gave them both a hot bath, and Matteo was telling her about how he pranked her, giggling and shivering at the same time. Those times, they were happy. Matteo wasn't the stuck-up adult he was now; he was bright, alive, and lovely.
Matteo also cackled where he sat in the puddle. "Get up now, you'll catch a cold," Alessia said.
They got home and were met with a pungent smell of smoke. "Lisa! Why did you try to cook without supervision? You can't even cut carrots!"
"Why can't I? I just wanted to make dinner for us. Why is everyone treating me like I can't do anything well in my life?"
"You know that's not what I meant, Lisa."
With tears streaming down Lisa's face, she barged out of the house.
"Don't worry about her, she's probably embarrassed. She'll come around." Alessia mumbled, taking off her shirt.
"I think it's more than that. Actually, we both get compared a lot in school, and sometimes, our classmates say mean things to her."
"Really? Oh my God. How many things are you both keeping from me exactly?"
"I guess we're at that stage," he said and sneezed afterward.
"You're burning up already. Go in and change, or do you want me to bathe you?"
Matteo had an expression of horror on his face as he covered his chest by hugging himself, earning a laugh from Alessia.
After Matteo ran away from her, she picked up her phone and called Sera. "Good evening, Alessia."
"Good evening, Sera dear, how are you doing?"
"I'm doing fine, Lisa is fine too."
"She's with you right now?"
"Yes, she is. I think she'll be sleeping here."
"I'll bring whatever she might need for the night."
By the time she came back from Sera's, Matteo was done in the shower.
"I got pizza and this," she said as she brought out three bottles of alcohol.
"You want me to drink?" Matteo frowned.
"Aren't you 18 already? Why are you looking at me like I'm a bad friend trying to influence you?"
"That's exactly what you're doing and I'm still 17. I'm not interested."
"You're not curious? You better learn to hold your alcohol before you make a fool of yourself like me."
The memory of how she took advantage of the gentleman from the hotel made Alessia cringe all over again. She wondered how many women could have done that to him, and her nose flared in anger.
She quickly corked open one of the bottles and sniffed the top. "Oh my, just smelling this makes me feel better, only a cup will take away my cold."
Matteo sat opposite her on the ground, ignoring her as he reached out for the pizza.
"Will you draw me?"
"I already have two portraits of you."
Matteo reached for a bottle of alcohol. His face contorted as he took a sip, and Alessia chuckled.
"Who is your muse, or what is your muse?"
"I didn't have one, but I think I found her already."
"Her? Your crush?"
"No!"
"Your gaze when you talked said otherwise."
"I don't know what it is."
"Take it from me, it's love. I have a vast understanding in that aspect."
"Your work experience says different, though," Matteo teased.
"Heyyy, that's different."
"My point exactly, no matter how I think of it, I can't just wrap my head around how you ended up with him."
"It just happened," she sighed.
Just as they spoke, the door flung open, and Matteo hurriedly took a vase, bracing himself for what was coming.