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Chapter 15

Valeriana's pov

I've been in Miss Wells class for three weeks. I actually enjoyed the class but the past week I've not been doing my work. It was my goal she would bring it up to Aurelio. As class got to the end everyone started to pack up their belongings.

"Valeriana, stay behind please," Miss Wells says. The bell rings a moment later. I stayed behind. Aurelio walks into the room. He had a guest pass stuck to his shirt. Yes!

"How long will this take? I'm hungry. I skipped breakfast but now I'm starving. Can I go get food then come back? I'll be quick, Don't talk about me while I'm gone!" I shout while running out of the room. I come to a stop a little ways from the door.

"Sorry about her. She's still adjusting at home. I thought she was settling in alright but I may be wrong. We haven't really talked about how she feels about losing our mother. She was getting along with the boys a few weeks ago now she's hiding from us again. So I hate to ask this but can you cut her some slack. She moved in with 6 strangers. Moved to a new town. Her mother died. I'm sure it's been hard on her now she has switched to an advanced class. Maybe we shouldn't have pushed her to take the class," Aurelio says. My chest tightened. I was hiding from my brothers again. After school I will either hang out with Jaylin and Ellis or go over to my dads. I even stayed there some nights. I had fun scheming with my brothers. We got along well but then the thought of them turning on me hit me and I decided to back off.

"Valeriana was doing great the first two weeks but I have seen a change in her. I feel you may be right about us forcing her to change classes. She should have done it at her pace since she was pushed into everything without even having a choice. The move, new school, new family members. It will take time for her to adjust. She'll eventually come around. It's a big change for all of you. Your brothers talked about having a younger sister but she was living with your mother. I know they were always excited about one day reuniting with their sister. How when they were reunited again they wouldn't stay apart after that. I no longer have your younger brothers in class but how are they coping with this? Or you?" Miss Wells asked. A small smile forms on my face. Teachers are so nosey. She asked about Aurelio. That's cute.

My brothers talked about me to her when they had her as a teacher last year. A frown appeared on my face. Maybe I don't need to keep distancing myself from them. They wanted to be with me and they didn't plan on leaving me if we were together again. My dad and papà were right, it wasn't their choice to be apart from me. My mother made that choice for all of us. I hate her for that. For everything she did to me! I'm glad she's fucking dead. That bitch can rot in the ground while I get to be with my family she took me from. I feel tears rolling down my face causing me to harshly wipe them away before I rush to the cafeteria. I wiped my face once more to make sure the tears were gone. I look at the lunch line.

My eyes drift over to my brothers. They were laughing with their friends. I blink the tears away. I clear my throat before heading towards the line. I waited until it was my turn before getting the bare minimum. I got a salad and some juice. I paid before walking away.

"Were you crying?" Alice asked, walking in front of me.

"Go away," I say while walking away from her.

"I guess you aren't as strong as you thought you were. You're crying like the little bitch you are," Alice laughed. I continue walking away from her. She followed me.

"If you're in love with me just say so, you don't need to follow me around like a love sick puppy," I say. Alice stopped walking, causing me to smirk.

"You don't need to be a bitch because you were caught crying. I can care sometimes!" Alice shouted at me. The cafeteria went quiet. I stop walking before turning around. I set my drink on the table next to me. I walk back over to her.