In Summer We Started

10.

Valentina

Ten minutes and Luca wasn't still out. I wondered what was going on? Didn't he say he wanted to collect a parcel? I got down from the motorcycle, nervously pacing while playing with a blade of grass between my fingers. The longer I stayed, the longer it got darker and darker. I could hear the loud beat of the music from here, pulsing through my veins like I was inside the house. What kind of party was it? A birthday party? A few people were trooping out, clinging onto each other's arms as they chatted and laughed about what I couldn't decipher. They threw me weird glances as they passed, probably wondering what this girl was doing outside with a bike. If her lover had run off and left her here. Although that seemed very unlikely since I had a lot of stuff going on. Did they know Luca? I was tempted to ask. But, they were so into their conversation, heading for the car parked some distance away. Right! There went my chance of finding out where he was.

I looked from the bike to the dimly lit house with the drawn curtains, wondering if I could go in. Was the party strictly by invitation? If so, I could just say I was looking for someone, right? But, I couldn't work up the nerve to make the short walk to the front porch. I stayed where I was, leaning on the side of the motorcycle, the blade of grass catching the light. That was how I didn't notice the drunk guy creeping up on me. He grabbed my shoulder with icy fingers and I instantly turned around, my body going into a defensive mode.

"Who the f**k are you?" I asked, gasping for breath.

The guy laughed wildly, his legs set at an awkward angle. "Oh, did I scare you? I just wanted to have some fun."

Fun? Did he really call that fun? Was this just some sick joke? And where was Luca? "Get the f**k out of my way. My friend will be here soon." I winced, referring to Luca as my friend. It was weird, considering how our relationship or friendship or whatever was.

"I don't care about that. What is it? You don't like me?" He asked, advancing unsteadily.

I took a step back, holding my breath. The guy reeked of beer. "How would I like you? I barely even know you."

"Well, what do you want to know, huh? You wanna go for a ride?" He took his eyes off me to look at the shiny motorcycle. "You'd like that, huh?"

He lunged at me, grabbing my arm. I tugged, begging him to let me go. But, the more I begged, the more the dude remained adamant in getting me on Luca's bike. I dug my feet into the sand, unwilling to go anywhere with someone I didn't even know. "Let me go, i***t. Let me go, or I swear I'll kill you. I already told you, I don't want anything to do with you." I ripped my arm out of his grasp just as Luca swung in, punching him in the face.

"What the f**k, man. Get the hell away from her!" Luca exclaimed. I gasped, shell-shocked. Luca threw himself on the guy, throwing a series of punches in rapid succession. The dude writhed in pain underneath Luca, trying to defend himself with his pretty useless hands.

"Luca, stop! It's okay. I'm fine." I tried to wrestle Luca from the guy, but he blew me off, muttering some nonsense about teaching him a lesson. A small crowd had started to gather, urging them on. The guy managed to overpower Luca and turn him sideways. The next thing I saw when I leaned in to drag the guy away from Luca's deathly grip was a punch flying in my direction, aiming for my eye. It was too soon to dodge, and I screamed out in pain.

Luca.

Her screams rent the air, and I stopped, my hand in mid-air. Valentina was clutching one eye, trembling badly. I let the guy go, and he scrambled up, taking off in the opposite direction–back where he'd come. I watched the house light up and then the dude slammed the door shut. The crowd that had gathered began to disperse, muttering under their breath, avoiding my eyes.

"What are y'all looking at?" I shouted at the ones who still stood by the side, watching. They jerked at the sound of my voice, turning away. That's what I thought.

"Valentina, I'm so sorry. I was only trying to protect you." I approached her, but she flinched as if my presence itself haunted her. It could as well have been. She'd pleaded with me, and I didn't listen.

"Get away from me," she said, running toward the road, and away from the environment. My guess was she couldn't stand the sight of me. I raced after her, yelling her name. A few others stood, staring as I took off after her.

"Valentina, I'm so sorry. Please, come back." But, Valentina didn't stop. She continued, heading for the streets. I stopped, out of breath. She was far from me. There was no way I could catch her on foot. I turned, racing back to my bike. I mounted it, hurriedly clipping my helmet. Starting the engine, I put the motorcycle in motion, going after Valentina.

"Valentina, please. I'm so sorry. I know I f****d up," I said when I got to her. But, she didn't turn to look at me.

"f*****g stay away from me. I'm almost home. You don't have to follow me around anymore." She still clutched her eye, this time quickening her steps.

I felt slighted by her refusal. "Alright, fine. Have it your way." I picked up speed, driving off, not bothering to glance behind my shoulder at her. Whatever she wanted to do she could do it. She didn't need my help anyway. Valentina had made that perfectly clear. When I got to the street leading home, I made a turn in the opposite direction to a popular nightclub, not ready to face my aunt and the insults she'd give me.