Matteo sat beside the foreign girl, his body was taut, and his fist clenched on his thighs.
"That's Matteo," Principal Roberto introduced him to the girl seated beside him. "Matteo, this is Rosalie. She's like a granddaughter to me, the daughter of my friend."
That was the 5th grandchild Principal Roberto will introduce to him since they got close. "This one really is," Principal Roberto said like he knew what Matteo was thinking. "She's the child of my daughter's friend "
Matteo glanced at Rosalie and noticed her pale complexion and the sadness in her eyes. She extended her hand tentatively towards him. What caught Matteo's attention, however, were her eyes, they were the saddest eyes he's ever seen.
"It's nice to meet you, Rosalie ," Matteo said, shaking her hand gently.
"Thank you, Matteo," she replied softly, barely audible.
Principal Roberto continued, "I won't take much of your time. I know you're busy, Matteo. I just wanted to inform you about an international competition coming up. It's a big one—winning this will mean training under Mr. Cosmos, the current world's greatest artist!"
At the mention of Mr. Cosmos, Rosalie froze visibly, and Matteo saw her reaction.
"Thank you for your help, sir, but..." Matteo began cautiously, glancing at her.
"I've already paid for it," Principal Roberto interrupted with a rebellious smile.
Then Principal Roberto dropped a bombshell that shook Matteo. "The only potential issue is that you'll be on TV. You won't be hidden away in your makeshift studio anymore. You'll be in the public eye, where your talent deserves to be seen."
Matteo's expression shifted, uncertainty flickering in his eyes.
"If there's one thing I want you to achieve this school year, it's to overcome your fear of being known. I allowed you to hide away because you needed space to grow, but now the world needs to see your art. You create the most thought-provoking pieces I've ever seen. Be the artist who moves the world forward. The world is hungry for your art, Matteo."
"You and my granddaughter here face similar challenges. Rosalie sings better than nightingales, but she needs a push to step into the spotlight."
Matteo nodded thoughtfully, glancing at Rosalie , who kept her gaze downcast.
As they left the office together, Matteo attempted to break the silence. "How long have you known Principal Roberto?"
"I just met him today. We're new neighbors," Rosalie replied softly.
"Really?" Matteo chuckled. "You've just moved here?"
"Yes."
"From abroad?"
"No, we used to live in Seneca."
"Where will you be attending school?"
"Here, starting tomorrow."
"So I'll be seeing you often," Matteo remarked, more to himself.
They continued talking until they reached the school gate.
"Good day, Rosalie . Welcome to Santa Maria High."
"Thank you. Best of luck in the competition."
Matteo went to the school tracks and ran three laps. His mind still occupied with thoughts. Asides his fear, he thought that he couldn't be so selfish to pursue such an arduous and volatile career. He wanted to go for something stable and guaranteed, like a white collar job, four years from now. He couldn't burden his sister more, especially when his artist career can't happen by a scholarship.
The phrase "You are the next world-class artist" scared him. He wasn't sure if he deserved it. He had hidden his talent from everyone, even Alessia. If only his mother, his best friend, were still alive.
Matteo knew little about their father, but he knew enough to understand he didn't deserve the title. Everything wrong in their lives seemed to start with him. Looking up, Matteo caught Principal Roberto's eye from his office window, as if silently urging him on.
"Tell your sister today," Principal Roberto's voice echoed in his mind.
Shaking his head, Matteo turned towards his class. "I can't tell her now."
He had begun drawing in a basement behind the school two years ago. Only Principal Roberto, who stalked him when he had noticed his grades, knew of his talent. He funded all his painting expenses on the condition that Matteo maintained stellar grades.
As Matteo walked home, he passed by Lateo Coffee Shop.
"I'd like this cake," he said, pointing to a medium-sized cake with plain white butter icing and a cherry on top.
Walking out of the cafe , he Alessia in mind. Matteo knew Sofia must have taken her to a club and he was worried.
Turning a corner, he spotted Alessia.
"Alessia!" he called out.
Alessia smiled as Matteo approached her.
"What's the occasion?"
Handing her the cake, Matteo simply said, "For you."
"You didn't have to. This must be expensive."
"It wasn't."
"Thank you. I want as many sweets as I can get."
"How was your trip last night?"
"I got drunk in public for the first time."
"How are you feeling now?"
"Bored. You're early today."
"It's the first day of school. I had nothing to do."
Alessia looked at her little brother. He had always been considerate and mature for his age. While Lisa whined about everything, he never complained, no matter how hard it got. If only their mother were here, she would be proud. Memories of her mother still brought a pang of pain to her heart.
That night replayed in her mind—her mother's phone ringing softly as she lay in a pool of blood.
"Mummy isn't moving. I think she's dead," Alessia remembered saying to Mrs. Smith on the old, rusty telephone. Life had been hard, even with her mom around. After her mother's death, she had wanted to give up, but she stayed strong to protect her siblings from their father.
"Matteo, you know I love you very much, right?"
"What's this about?" Matteo chuckled.
"And you know I want the best for you."
"I know, I know."
"So whatever you want to do, do it with all your heart and don't look back. I've got your back."
Matteo stared into his sister's eyes, feeling a surge of emotion. "Why are you bringing this up now?"
"Matteo, Principal Roberto already told me."