Every minute in that damn near-empty restaurant felt like an hour. Lovina yawned while she swept the floor, humming to herself in an effort to stay awake. Every day was starting to feel like an eternity. There were barely 3 months left until she graduated. For some reason, Lovina's chest felt tight when she thought about having to leave next year. Everything would be so different. And she wouldn't get to see Antonio every day.
Lovina groaned when the clock on the wall read 4:00. Heracles was slumped over a table, and Feliciana was nowhere to be found. Maybe she had gone out to run errands. Lovina started to sweep more aggressively. Maybe she was with her stupid potato sucking boyfriend. All she did was spend time with that idiot. It would be one thing if they were going to be separated next year. But they both already committed to the same fucking university. It was sickening.
Dropping the broom, Lovina stumbled forward with an 'oomph' when her sister ran into her from behind. "Watch what you're doing, Feli!" she snapped, straightening her dress. When Lovina finally faced her sister, Feliciana's hands were practically shaking as they gripped an envelope.
"It's f-for y-you" she stammered anxiously. Lovina looked her over skeptically before taking it from her hands. Lovina's face paled and she felt lightheaded when she saw the return address. "Oh my God" she muttered to herself. Without giving it a second thought, Lovina ran out the doors, ignoring her grandfather's confused shouts.
(-)
Antonio looked through the quizzes that had been most recently been graded. They were alright…but he knew his classes could do better. Almost everyone was slacking off now, considering most already had plans set in stone for next year. There was still, of course, one student who tried her best at everything she did in his class.
Said student was currently running down the hall in an apron with an oversized rose in her hair. Antonio halted and jogged to meet her. "Thank god, y-you're still here" she panted. Antonio looked her over, searching for any sign of injury, because this girl was clearly not in her right mind.
Without another word, Lovina stuck the envelope out in front of his face. Antonio gaped at the paper before looking back to Lovina. "I haven't opened it yet" she continued, growing more nervous by the second. "I don't think I can. I'm scared" she whimpered. Antonio nodded and silently led her back to his classroom before quickly closing the door.
When he turned back around, Lovina was pacing nervously. "I'm about to find out if I'm going to rot in that damned restaurant" she mumbled to herself, running her hands through her hair. Lovina stared up at Antonio for a moment before pushing the envelope into his hands.
"Y-You do it. Please" she begged quietly. Antonio gently took it before pulling her closer, letting her wrap her arms around his waist. Lovina squeezed her eyes shut and held him tighter, not relaxing even when Antonio pressed a light kiss to the top of her head. Lovina's heart raced when she heard the sound of paper ripping.
It was completely silent for far too long.
"Lovi."
Lovina slowly lifted her chin up to glance at Antonio.
He was smiling.
He was flashing her the biggest, brightest, goofiest, most amazing smile she had ever seen. "You did it" he cheered. "I knew it. I knew you could!" he continued, laughing like a fool as he reached to embrace her, lifting her off of the ground out of sheer happiness. Lovina was still in a daze. But a smile quickly grew from cheek to cheek when it hit her.
"Oh my god…Oh my god…" she chuckled, placing her hand over her mouth in utter shock. Antonio continued to grin as he set her down. "Lovina, you're going to be the head chef of a five-star restaurant. You're going to have everyone lining up at your door" he giggled.
Lovina just laughed and nodded, her face beginning to ache from smiling too much. Antonio just nodded along when she eagerly blabbered in rapid Italian. He couldn't understand a word, but he felt the greatest feeling swell up in his chest, so he couldn't care less.
Lovina was smiling and laughing like he had never seen before. She looked like she might even cry. It was like the world was spinning twice as fast in the most dizzying way. God, he was so proud of her. He was so happy and excited and overwhelmed that he could just kiss her.
Antonio noticed it was suddenly very quiet. He also noticed that he had indeed kissed her. Antonio pulled away, leaving the two to just stare at each other wide eyed. But after only half a second's hesitation, both crashed their lips together once again.
Antonio wasted no time in snaking his arm around her waist and pulling her as close as possible. The man clearly knew what he was doing. And he really didn't care if they were in the school in an unlocked classroom. Well, either he didn't care or he didn't notice. Reason doesn't really come into play when you've got the most amazing girl in the world running her hands through your hair and letting you attack her lips.
Antonio had waited months for this. He had waited and pined, and kept himself at bay for this long. But it was amazing how easily his self control became unraveled. He couldn't help himself when he hoisted her up onto his desk so she could wrap her legs around his waist. Because she tasted and smelled like a kitchen and felt perfect against him.
Lovina whimpered a bit when he grabbed her thigh, gently stroking the skin above the hem of her dress. But she gave no indication that she wanted to stop. Neither did Antonio. But she did have to pull away to breathe.
Antonio froze when she panted his name. Everything simply caught up with him and he realized what he was doing. He had seen this scene play out. He had witnessed someone else lose control with her, and he was no better.
"No! Shit, No!" he snapped, backing away. "Lovina, you have to leave" Antonio demanded, gripping his forehead.
This couldn't happen. No, if he was backing out now, that meant he'd probably never speak to her again. He'd draw away when she merely hinted at anything; imagine what he'd do now. Terrified, Lovina immediately rushed to his side, pulling his hands away from his face. "A-Antonio, i-it's ok" she whimpered.
Antonio miserably misinterpreted Lovina's fear. "Go!" he barked. This was wrong. This was all so, so wrong. Lovina flinched when the harshness in his voice struck her. But she couldn't move. She'd forgotten how to use her legs.
"Lovina, go!" he hissed. Lovina scooped up the abandoned papers and ran. She wasn't good enough; he had realized she wasn't what he wanted. He was mad at her and she had done everything wrong.
Lovina smacked into somebody almost as soon as she had rounded the corner. Lovina wiped away the tears forming in the corners of her eyes when she saw Bella glaring at her.
"What the hell was that?!" Bella hissed. Lovina just stared at her, too stunned to speak. "You lied to me! I believed you, but everyone was right!" Bella snapped.
"Bella, what are you-"
"I saw you letting him shove his fucking tongue down your throat! 'Not sleeping with my teacher' my ass! God, I was only ever joking about him, what the hell?! And it was so fucking obvious too."
Lovina quickly shook her head and stepped closer. "Bella I swear to God-"
"Are you really going to tell me you tripped and fell and your face accidentally landed on his?!" Bella snapped. Lovina hunched over and covered her face with her hands. "Bella, nothing's happened before today, I promise. I would never…You know that's not me…" Lovina whimpered.
"Bullshit" Bella hissed. "Why would you lie to me?! What, is the same thing going on with the history teacher, or your counselor?"
Lovina snapped her head up and glared. "What the hell kind of person do you think I am?! You're just as bad as everyone else!" Lovina screeched.
"Well you're just as bad as everyone says" Bella shot back. Lovina bit back a sob and shook her head. "Bella, don't be stupid! I'll admit I did something stupid today, but-but…"
Lovina stared down in utter defeat. She had no way to justify herself. "Please don't tell anyone" she begged quietly. "If he got in trouble because of me…Oh god, Bella. Please. You can't tell anyone."
"Why should I keep your secret?" she hissed in disbelief.
"Do it for him!" Lovina sobbed. "Please, he already hates me as is."
Bella shook her head in disbelief. "Whatever. I just can't believe you, Lovina" she huffed, being sure to knock into Lovina's shoulder when she brushed past.
Lovina's bottom lip quivered when she stared at the paper she had all but completely crumbled in her hands. It said 'congratulations', but Lovina really didn't feel very accomplished.
(-)
The next day, Antonio had a new seating arrangement for his first period class.
Lovina was in the back.
(-)
Lovina raised her hand to answer every question Antonio asked. He didn't call on her even if she was the only one.
The only words Antonio spoke to her now were 'I'm busy', 'Not now', and 'No'.
But Lovina tried not to let it bother her. Because at least he was still there. At least he still had his job.
(-)
Feliciana had always liked Mr. Carriedo. She liked chatting with him because he'd always smile and laugh. And he was really funny too.
But he didn't smile with her sister anymore. And Lovina was always the first one out of the classroom now.
(-)
Roma was growing concerned. Lovina was acting differently. He thought maybe she'd actually try to enjoy herself every so often now that she had a bright future ahead of her. But instead, she only spent more time in the restaurant. Usually, he wouldn't complain about her hard work.
But Lovina refused to work in the kitchen now.
(-)
Mr. Carriedo decided to start going back over Romeo and Juliet, since it was one of the biggest texts they had read this year. "Does anyone remember what literary devices Romeo uses in this passage?"
Mr. Carriedo's eyes scanned over the classroom, fighting to skip over Lovina. "He uses-"
"He uses oxymorons" Lovina interrupted. Mr. Carriedo glanced up to find her glaring at him like never before. After a quick nod, Mr. Carriedo cleared his throat and paced in front of the rest of the students. "Does anyone remember what this says about Romeo?"
"It means he needs to grow a pair and stop acting like an immature brat."
The class erupted into whispers and snickers when Lovina answered out of turn. "And I'm pretty fucking sick of him just ignoring everyone while he mopes in a corner."
The class as a whole let out an audible gasp. Mr. Carriedo only barely lifted his head. "Lovina, do you need to be excused?" he mumbled. Lovina let out a bitter laugh and rose from her seat. "What can I say, Mr. Carriedo? I'm just your worst student, aren't I?"
Everyone's eyes were glued onto Lovina when she picked up her bag and waltzed to the front. "Maybe some time with Mr. Bonnefoy will turn me into a well rounded person" she hissed. Mr. Carriedo quickly glanced up at her.
"Go" he sighed. Lovina gripped her bag so tightly, her knuckles turned white. Bella stared at the ground and tried to pretend she didn't see the pain in Lovina's eyes as she walked out.
