♥ Prologue ♥
Axel Norvelli.
United States. '' New York.
I walked to Chloe's house with a smile on my face. My heart was racing, I couldn't believe my luck. Today, I had finally plucked up the courage to propose to the most beautiful girl in school, and I was even happier to know that she felt the same way about me. Chloe, with her sparkling eyes and charming smile, had accepted my confession and, to my surprise, invited me to her house after school.
" Sure, Axel, let's meet there after school. "She said, writing down the address in my notebook. "
I should go straight home. I knew my parents wouldn't like it at all if I was late, but the excitement was greater than any fear or doubt. The girl I liked also liked me, it was unbelievable.
I arrived at Chloe's house, a little nervous, but still smiling. I knocked on the door and, to my surprise, heard a voice coming from inside:
'' Come in!
I opened the door and took a few hesitant steps into the room. The first thing I saw was a room full of my classmates. Everyone was there, laughing and whispering. Chloe was in the center, with a cruel smile on her face.
''Look who's here!'' Chloe shouted with a mischievous laugh. ''The strange, ugly little boy who thought I might like him!
The room erupted in laughter. Each laugh was like a blow, shredding my confidence to pieces. My face burned with shame, and tears began to gather in my eyes.
''Did you really think that I, Chloe, would like you? What a joke!" She continued, mocking. "You're a loser, Axel. No one will ever like a weird, pathetic boy like you.
'' Disgusting! '' A colleague shouted, laughing. ''Did you really think you'd have a chance?
'' It had to be a joke. '' Another colleague said, mocking. ''Look at you-all peculiar and awkward. Who would like a slob like you?
''You'll never get anyone, Axel,'' another colleague added. ''You'll always be a loser.
I was paralyzed, in total shock. The laughter and insults echoed in my head as I struggled to keep my composure. But I couldn't. Tears started streaming down my face, and, without thinking, I ran out of there.
I ran through the streets of New York, the tears blinding me. The pain of humiliation was unbearable, and I couldn't get the cruel words of Chloe and my colleagues out of my mind. When I finally got home, my heart was still pounding uncontrollably.
My parents were in the living room, and as soon as I entered, my father stood up, a furious look on his face.
''Where were you, Axel?'' he shouted, his voice full of anger. ''Do you know what time it is? You should have been here hours ago!
Before I could reply, he crossed the room and, with one swift movement, slapped me hard across the face. The impact sent me reeling, and the physical pain added to the emotional pain I was already feeling.
''You're an ungrateful bastard! '' My father continued, his face red with fury. ''Always letting us down. You can't do anything, right?
My mother just stared, saying nothing, her expression cold and disapproving.
''You'll never amount to anything in life, Axel,'' my father shouted. ''You only know how to embarrass us!
The tears continued to fall, and I felt crushed by the weight of humiliation and rejection. The security I had felt in the morning was completely destroyed.
I went up to my room, each step heavy, as if I were carrying the weight of the world on my shoulders. I closed the door and threw myself on the bed, wanting to disappear. That night marked the beginning of a dark period in my life, where insecurity and fear became my constant companions. And at that moment, I promised myself that I would never trust anyone again.
*****
Hours later, lying in bed, the pain, and humiliation still echoed in my mind. I couldn't bear to live in that place, in that city. The memory of my parents' cruel laughter and words was unbearable. I decided it was time to leave.
I slowly got up and began to pack my things. Furthermore, I took the little money I had saved with all my hard work and hid it in an old tin at the back of my closet. I put some clothes and belongings into a backpack, trying to make as little noise as possible.
With the backpack on my back, I looked around my room one last time. There was nothing holding me there anymore. I opened the door carefully and went downstairs in silence, my heart beating fast with the anticipation of being caught.
When I finally left the house, I felt a mixture of relief and fear. I didn't look back. I walked through the dark streets of New York, determined to leave behind a life of pain and humiliation. My destination? Valdoria. A city far away where I could start over, far away from everyone who had hurt me.
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