The four of them had spent all day hanging out in Roman's game room, one of the dozen or so rooms that made up his wing of the Fiori mansion. They had started off hashing and rehashing last night's shocking events, with Roman getting progressively redder and angrier each time, until Zack, Carlo, and Parker all threatened to jump off the balcony if they didn't talk about something else.
From that point on, Roman had alternated between sulking in the corner, no doubt planning the demise of that poor girl, and venting his anger at the dartboard. The other three had amused themselves with the endless entertainment the game room provided, but it was hard to enjoy themselves when their friend was being such an obvious downer.
Roman didn't answer; instead, he ferociously hurled yet another dart at the board. It went whizzing through the air and precisely pierced the tiny area between two other darts.
Parker and Zack exchanged glances.
"Maybe we should start drinking," Parker half-joked, even though it was barely four in the afternoon.
"I'll get the vodka," Zack offered helpfully. He started to make his way over to the fully stocked bar in the corner.
Before he could take two steps, Roman turned and stormed over. As Zack had predicted, he was scowling.
"Who does that girl think she is?" he demanded to no one in particular. "To have the nerve to talk to me like that? Doesn't she know who I fucking am?"
Parker yawned, bored. He'd already heard this rant at least thirty times by now. "She's hot," he commented, completely ignoring Roman's previous statement.
Zack nodded enthusiastically in agreement.
"I mean, she can't possibly fucking think she'll get away with that," Roman continued. "I need to teach her a fucking lesson."
"I'm kind of surprised I haven't noticed her before, though," Parker mused thoughtfully, obviously a little put out that a cute girl had slipped past his radar like that.
"Maybe you're losing your touch," Zack offered innocently.
"When I'm done with her, she'll regret the day she ever stepped foot in this town!" Roman rambled on. His monologue seemed to be making him feel better, since his face was no longer a fire-engine shade of red, but his eyebrows were still drawn together so fiercely he could probably re-kill an army of zombies with just one look.
"That'll never happen," Parker stated confidently in response to Zack’s remark. "I think I've found myself a new goal."
"You mean conquest."
Parker looked offended. "I do not have conquests, I have…fleeting girlfriends."
"Euphemisms," Zack scoffed.
Neither noticed that Roman was now glaring directly at them.
"ARE YOU EVEN LISTENING TO ME?" he roared so loud Zack swore he saw the glasses at the bar rattle a bit.
There was silence as his friends stared blankly at him.
"No, not really," Zack finally answered earnestly.
Before Roman could fly off the handle again, Carlo spoke up for the first time. "Why are you getting so worked up?" he asked, not even looking up from his book. He was leaning leisurely against one arm of the couch while his feet were crossed on top of the other arm. "Just do what you usually do."
"But he doesn't usually do anything," Zack pointed out.
"Exactly."
The meaning behind Carlo's words had obviously already registered with Roman, and his eyes narrowed thoughtfully. "You're right. Why would I trouble myself dealing with her when I can let everyone else do it?"
In previous cases, of course, the other Valesca students had taken it upon themselves to get rid of anyone who offended the Scions. There was no reason this time would be any different.
Roman's lips curved up into a small, triumphant smirk. "She won't last a week."
* * *
Well, D-Day was here. Surprisingly, it didn't feel particularly different than any other day as I trudged toward school, basking in the warmth of the sun against my skin and letting it comfort me. But then again, that could be because I dreaded going to school every day anyway.
As I neared the school, however, my calmness left me little by little. I could feel about 10,000 butterflies fluttering away in my stomach, my heart felt like it was going to jump out of my chest, and I might even possibly throw up. It didn't make it any better that Venice had contracted the flu over the weekend and wouldn't be able to come to school today.
Although, now that I think about it, it might be better if she wasn't here for the carnage that was about to ensue.
When I arrived at school, the parking lot was empty. This might be due to the fact I've arrived a full hour and a half early.