The next morning Luca woke up from the desk he slept on the whole night, to the dull monotony of his usual morning. His mind is messed up and sleepy thanks to the few hours he tried to but the dark circles underneath were getting prominent day by day it could get worse he knows and he dreads it. Not wanting his mind to dig up some ugly memories he heads to the bathroom to take a quick shower and prepare for school later.
As expected he took his sweet time under the warm showers almost forgetting he was running late soon, "shit" he quickly took his books and packed them back in his bag luckily he finished the assignment, unfortunately the same assignment he was supposed to do with Hope, but they can't do that yet but he knows it would be a bad idea if he does it all alone after all this was a group assignment in pairs. Tying his shoelaces real quick he heads out but a little light gets his attention, like something shinning. Walking closer was the ring on the table just.. laying there "I almost forgot about it" he groans picking it up and there is an instant flick of intrigue to try to wear the ring he was curious but it's just a ring not that it would work miracles out of nowhere "It's getting late Love hurry up" he heard his mom downstairs and reality hit him, he was getting late! Quickly he placed the ring under his pillow and headed out to meet his mom who was ready like him "let's go and drop you off like promised before I change my mind" she joked as Luca quickly headed to the side of the car getting into the passenger seat, if it would have been any other day he would come alone because they would think he was still a kid still being dropped off by their parents, but today he was late and his mom could drive her new car, well second hand, a win win
.
.
"Aishhhh.. look at this idiot is this all?" Sam's loud voice was all over the hallways as students flocked around to look at what was happening "take out more if you don't want me to embarrass you in front of everyone" he whispered to the trembling boy whose bag had been discarded on the floor along with it's contents "but... that's for my mom's medicine..... She's sick" he tried to explain helplessly as Sam only rolled his eyes not a bit bothered at all "bring it" he snatched it away and smiled bright pulling the boy by his shoulders "if you gave it quietly we wouldn't have got all the way here, and...I could care less for your mom now get lost from my sight" he pushed him as the boy fell and quickly tried to pick up his stuff.
Luca who's been watching all this hid behind one of the pillars feeling stress wash over him, if they got a glimpse of him he would face it rougher. The moment Sam and his little minions were out of sight he sighed and walked to his locker passing by the boy on the floor not glancing at him, he feels like a jerk not helping him but he was in no position to help anyone, his life was literally hide and seek at this moment, with a heavy heart he took his books and headed to his morning class.
.
As expected Hope was not here again, not even in the whole class, where was he? He couldn't help but worry, were they making him their little maid? he thought hard he wasn't liking this one bit "Where is your partner?" the professor asked when he handed out the assignment, trying to dig in his mind what to say maybe try and lie "he's not...here" "look this is a group assignment sorry but the two of you should be handing it over or losing your points. Knowing you have good grades am giving you a few more days work together on it" Luca was relieved "thank you so much sir" he thanked as he took back his books and walked out.
Thinking a lot on his mind he mindlessly opened his locker only to be startled a bunch of papers falling from his locker, well more like garbage, on his locker written on 'trash'. Everyone around him was laughing at him and pointing fingers. At the corner of his eyes be could see Sam and his friends snickering, of course it was them, he could feel anger but at the same time he could feel tears prickle in his eyes, that would be so embarrassing if he cries here without wasting more time he ran out as echoes of laughter wouldn't stop ringing in his ears.
He ran through the woods just outside school with a blurry vision he was sure he was crying by now but he doesn't care he just wants to get away from everything and in the long run he found himself at a riverbank. "Huh" he looked around all confused "I have never seen this before" he sniffed looking around and he was 'mesmerized' "wow" he had a smile on him as he looked around the area. The air around here seemed peaceful, the water flow creating such a serene melody in its steady undercurrent. Unfortunately it was getting late and he wouldn't let his mom worry but one thing for sure he would come back here again.
.
.
Luca made his way in the house, ... limping "I hate them" he groaned to himself as he tried to stand straight but the kicks he got to his back weren't helping. He thought he wouldn't bump into Sam but he did and it's like they made it to their life mission to always beat him up and what he didn't understand is how Hope was with them, he misses all the school day but was with them? what was even happening.
Making his way he greeted his mom giving her a side hug and putting on his acting skills. He even skipped dinner with a reason he would eat later after a short nap but truth to be told he didn't feel like it. The moment he saw his bed he slumped on the soft sheets welcoming his slumber immediately.
.
.
Luca
As I drift off to sleep, whispers echo in my mind, seductive, dark murmurs that seem to come from nowhere. I couldn't comprehend the words but the voice was familiar, it speaks my name oh so softly but then with urgency as if calling me to something I have forgotten.
Suddenly shadowy figures swirl around me, I feel myself failing endlessly into darkness of cold hands clutched at my wrists, and the voice deeper now, commanding and telling me to 'choose'
I wake up with a jolt, heart racing and my breath shallow. My eyes dart around the room, the whispers have stopped. I place my hand beneath the pillow finding the cool smooth surface of the ring as my hands tighten around it, I don't even know why I am doing it. I can feel the weight of its presence, not just physical, but something else entirely, the urge to wear it is overwhelming but fear gnaws at me. My mind whispers warnings, but my heart pounds with curiosity and unspoken yearning..