Page 31 of Niccolo

He looked up at me with a bored expression like he always did, then started to get out of his chair to accompany me to the bus.

“How did class go?” he said as he stood, which is what he always asked.

“I saw you with that girl,” I replied.

He froze in place.

Then he tried to play stupid. “What girl?”

“The one you were kissing,” I snapped.

For a brief second, he looked afraid –

And then a coldness settled into his expression.

“I wasn’t kissing anyone,” he said, trying to sound shocked at the accusation. “You must be mista– ”

“Don’t lie to me!” I shouted.

He quickly rushed past me and shut the door to his office.

“Keep your voice down,” he hissed.

“Then don’t lie.”

“…fine. Alright, yes, I’m seeing someone – ”

“SEEING someone,” I repeated in disgust and disbelief. “Is she a student of yours?”

“No – ”

“Isaiddon’t LIE.”

His face took on an expression of contempt. “It’s none of your business, Sofia.”

“Maybe not, but Mama will probably think it’shers.”I screwed up my courage and said, “If you don’t tell her, I will.”

“Go ahead,” he sneered.

I stood there, shocked at his defiance.

“Alright, I will,” I said.

I opened the door halfway –

Until his hand shot out and slammed it closed.

“Keep your nose out of it,” he whispered angrily as he loomed over me, his hand still pressed against the door.

For the first time in my life, I felt unsafe with my own father.

At many points in my life, I’d felt belittled by him…

Humiliated…

Insulted…

Ignored…

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