Breathe

by Tania Trozzo

  Copyright © 2019

  All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  ISBN 978-1-54398-815-4 (print)

  ISBN 978-1-54398-816-1 (eBook)

  Dedicated to you, Papa’,

  for your unwavering faith in me.

  I didn’t always know what I was doing,

  but you sure thought I did.

  Thank you for that.

  Contents

  Prologue

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  Chapter 31

  Chapter 32

  Chapter 33

  Chapter 34

  Chapter 35

  Chapter 36

  Chapter 37

  Chapter 38

  Chapter 39

  Chapter 40

  Chapter 41

  Chapter 42

  Chapter 43

  Chapter 44

  Chapter 45

  Chapter 46

  Chapter 47

  Chapter 48

  Chapter 49

  Epilogue

  Acknowledgments

  Prologue

  3.38 am

  The phone rings. Groggy from sleep, Nina picks up the phone grumbling, “Hello?”

  “Ms. Salvino?”

  “Yes, this is she.” She glanced at the time, worry in the pit of her stomach. Her hand gripped the phone tightly.

  “Nina who is it?” her husband Frank asked, sitting up and turning on the light.

  “Mrs. Salvino, this is Detective Constanza, Detective Blanchard told me to call you. I am so sorry to bother you at this hour but he wanted me to let you know as soon as we received news. The police department in Chicago just contacted us. They found her Mrs. Salvino, they found your niece and she’s alive!”

  Nina gasped and tears sprang to her eyes to actually hear those words. She wondered if she was dreaming.

  “Ms. Salvino – are you still there? I can imagine you are in shock.”

  “Yes, yes I’m here..I just…oh my goodness…where is she? Is she ok? Is she hurt? Does she remember us?”

  “Detective Blanchard is getting all the details, he didn’t want to wait to tell you knowing you needed to make arrangements to get here…”

  “Who is it?” Frank asked again.

  “It’s the police, Frank. They found her! They found Clara!”

  With tears streaming down her face, she handed the phone to her husband while she sprang from bed waiting to hear the rest. “This is Mr. Salvino, my wife just told me they found Clara. Tell us where we need to be and everything you know.”

  Nina ran from the room to wake her oldest daughter while her husband got all the details. It had been a little over 2 years but she never gave up hope that they would find Clara. Someone up there had heard their prayers.

  1

  Clara

  About 4 years later

  The bell rang. Clara slammed her locker. Deep breath. You can do this. Another deep breath. Although Clara was nervous she also felt that this year would be different. She looked down at her schedule. She had studied the layout of this school but her nerves were getting the best of her today. She wanted this school, it was bigger than the other local high school. Some would see it as a way to get lost in the shuffle, but not for her. She figured it was her chance to decide where she fit in since there were so many students, so many different groups, and therefore, opportunities.

  “Are you sure?“ Her aunt had asked her the night before, more than once. “Josie and Stephanie go to Harriston, you would know someone.”

  “I’m sure.” She wanted to start fresh, especially after leaving the catholic high school she began 2 years ago. She hadn’t fit in there and although Harriston High would probably have been nice, especially since she knew some people there, she still pushed for East Cynwood surprising everyone. She wanted to make her own friends and find her own group. She wanted to decide where she wanted to fit in. Surprisingly, it seemed her uncle understood this need for her to make her own way.

  Everyone knows Sal there, they would look out for you,” Aunt Nina continued.

  “I know. And I know you’re worried. But I need to do this. Plus this school has an amazing soccer team, and newspaper, more so than Harriston. I may actually have a chance to make the team even though I am late. All of you are close by, it’s not like I’m going away. I am still home every afternoon.”

  Her uncle spoke up. “Nina, leave her be, she isn’t moving to a foreign country for God’s sake. She’ll be fine. But if you change your mind, Clara, at any time we will figure it out.”

  “Clara, you’re lucky. If that were me, he would have said, suck it up Laura, you chose to go there, now you are going to finish there,” her cousin Laura said.

  Everyone at the dinner table laughed. Yes, he probably would say that to his oldest daughter. Clara looked down and as she glanced up, Uncle Frank was observing her. He whispered, “I’m proud of you” as he patted her hand.

  She looked at her schedule again. First period was Math followed by Spanish. Then third period made her smile: English. She could have probably taken Honors English, but she had heard about this teacher. He was on the younger side, loved by most students. He was known to be tough and not take crap, but he pushed his students to think outside of the box and most of all he pushed for creativity. Many times, he got students to talk about things that they normally wouldn’t with other teachers, but maybe that is why so many liked him. He was real and he was the teacher in charge of the school paper, so she knew this would be her best bet to make a good impression. So here she was. Looking down at her schedule, she tried to remember how to get to her math class, but as she turned the corner, she had nearly collided with another girl “OMG, I’m so sorry!”

  “Don’t worry about it! Lost, huh? It happened to me my first day here last year too. The school is huge. Where are you going?” It took Clara a few seconds to gather her bearings. She almost narrowed her eyes trying to decide if the girl was being sincere or not but stopped herself. Calm down.

  “I have math, in room 119.” Clara replied.

  “Oh, follow me, I’m going that way anyway. I’m Rosanna, by the way, but most people call me Rosie. What’s your name?”

  “Clara, nice meeting you. Thanks for helping me out.” You can look people in the eye Clara, they won’t bite.

  Rosie turned towards her and shrugged. “No worries. Nice to meet you too. We newbies got to help each other out, right? You’ll get used to the school. It’s pretty big but once you get the layout, you will be rocking these hallways in no time. Are you a junior?”

  “Yes,” she sai
d almost whispering. Why was she so nervous? She cleared her throat. “Are you a junior too?”

  “Yep, where did you transfer from?” Rosie asked.

  “Mount Saint Peter’s.”

  “That’s the all girls school, right? Ugh, you said that with such dread in your voice, I take it you don’t miss it too much,” Rosie laughed.

  Clara nodded and smiled. “Yeah, I guess you couldn’t call it exciting.”

  “Well, I can guarantee this school is much more fun. First and foremost, we have guys and that already makes it better, right? But we have some cute ones to top that off. And tons of activities. To meet those guys at, of course!” Rosie smiled. They continued to chat as they walked. Clara had to admit, she seemed nice. With long black hair, brown eyes and long lashes, Rosie had a petite body with curves all in the right places and a gorgeous smile. But as usual Clara was always skeptical. Girls were not that nice at her old school but Clara promised herself she would give people a chance and she promised Sal that she would open up a bit more. And her therapist. And her aunt. Ok, so maybe she promised she would open up a bit more to a few too many people. In a way she did it so someone would actually hold her to it. She wanted to be more than she was, if that wording made any sense. She wanted to live but it was just so frightening at the same time. She took another deep breath.

  As they walked to her next class, she continued speaking to Rosie and answered various questions while asking questions in return. Hell, she was super nervous but she felt bold, she felt strong and she hadn’t felt this way in a long time. She definitely didn’t talk this much at her old school. She also kept looking around as they walked, cognizant not only of the direction they were heading in but of various other things along the way. She also noticed some of the looks people gave her, but she wasn’t surprised since she was new.

  “Here we are, room 119. I have to rush to my class but what is your next class?”

  “Um…Spanish with Mr. Aguirra? That’s in the other building, right?”

  “Yep, I have Spanish with him too. It’s a sign, we were supposed to meet! I just realized I totally distracted you so you probably didn’t realize where we walked. Sorry!”

  “No worries, I’m usually pretty good at remembering my surroundings, typically you don’t have to show me twice,” Clara replied. That was something that she learned quick and something she would probably never lose. Be aware of your surroundings. Pinpoint where you are, remember specific details that will help you find your way back. Always find your way back.

  “So, you’re one of those, huh?”

  “One of what?” Clara tensed.

  “Gorgeous and smart! Great. Thank goodness I got on your good side.”

  Clara stiffened and then Rosie burst out laughing. “You should have seen your face. I was kidding! Well, not really. I just meant it in a nice way. You seem like you’re the whole package.” Clara rolled her eyes and smiled. If she only knew. But, this girl had spunk. She admired that. “Ok, well, see you later then.”

  Rosie replied, “Absolutely, see you right here. And Clara?”

  “Yes?”

  “Breathe. I know you’re nervous, but you’ve got this.”

  Clara was shocked that Rosie had read her so easily. Maybe she was already being more open or maybe Rosie was just perceptive. For some reason, that comment reminded her of what one of her aunts always said “Clara, some believe angels live in heaven but I believe they live on earth. They are that every day person we meet that helps us or says something to us to remind us to continue along that particular path. It’s that right person at that right time. The one that makes us smile or feel hope. You just have to be open to it and to them.” Either way Clara was going to find out. She took a deep breath, squared her shoulders and walked into first class. She was going to be just fine. New school. New Year. New life.

  2

  Gabe

  “Dude, you missed a kickass party this weekend. Where were you? It was epic!”

  “Hey Bobby, I was busy. I do other things you know, other than party. You should try it sometime. And besides, you say that about every party.”

  Alex laughed. “Yeah, you do.”

  Bobby chuckled, “Ok, maybe I do, but it was really a great party. You guys were missed.”

  “I am sure that there will be plenty more and I am sure we didn’t miss anything spectacular,” Gabe replied. “Let me guess, Joey was probably trashed since he slacked at practice this morning. Mave got together with Gracie again. If Leo was there, he hooked up with Claudia. Jamie and Sarah were being their usual bitchy selves etc.”

  Bobby grinned, “Yeah, pretty much but it was the last one before school so I guess it seemed different. Not to change the subject, but there are not only some cute freshmen, but some pretty cute upperclassmen roaming these halls this morning.”

  Alex replied “I have to admit, I saw a hottie this morning coming out of the office, she definitely was new and not a freshman. No way I would have missed that last year.”

  “Hi guys!”

  “Hey, Rosie.” Gabe replied as she was walking down the hall. He tilted his head, she wasn’t walking with her usual friends.

  “See you in math, Bobby!” Rosie smiled.

  Who was that? Gabe thought.

  “Gotta go guys, I’ll see you later. I have history and then creative writing.”

  “Creative writing? Why are you taking that class?” Alex said.

  “I like Mr. Brooks, he’s cool. Challenging as he is, he’s real and not like most of the douches here, that’s why,” Gabe replied.

  “Hmmm…I guess. I still wouldn’t be able to take that class. I hear he makes you share personal shit and write about experiences. You’re not going to start getting all sentimental on me, are you?” Alex said.

  Gabe laughed. “Whatever, I’ll try not to get all mushy and sentimental around you, ok, cuz? See you later.” Even though he did. Alex knew him better than anyone. Hell, he was more than his cousin, he was a brother especially since Alex spent most of his time as his house. Not that he could blame him with his mom and all. She was a very difficult woman focused solely on her friends and never around, failing to show support at any time for either Alex or his sister Sonia. They had grown up together and they were extremely tight. Everyone knew not to get between them. Sonia would soon join them. She was starting a week later than expected, transferring from boarding school thanks to his dad putting his two cents in and getting her out of there. This year would be interesting. He felt it. There was a buzz in the air and he was looking forward to it.

  3

  Clara

  Finally it was time for Creative writing. Spanish wasn’t too bad. She sat next to Rosie who seemed really nice. Clara would have preferred to wait until after class to introduce herself formally, but she knew she had to approach the teacher with the sheet that the office gave her. She walked in and approached his desk. Mr. Brooks was standing there, dressed in light blue dress shirt with gray pants and vest to match. He wore a leather cuff on one hand which gave him a certain edge.

  “Mr. Brooks?”

  “Yes.” He responded, not lifting his gaze.

  Clara cleared her throat. “Hi, I’m Clara Salvino. I’m a new student and the office told me to give this to you since I probably would not be on your original roster.”

  “Welcome, Clara.” Mr. Brooks looked up at that moment and looked straight at her. He tilted his head just a tad as if ready to question her but then he smiled. “Take a seat wherever you like, I’ll make sure your name is added.”

  “Thank you.”

  “Wait. I believe Ms. Mancini spoke to me about you. You want to join the newspaper, right?” Mr. Brooks asked her.

  “Yes.” Oh boy. Ms. Mancini, the school counselor/psychologist probably told him about her. But how much did she tell? “Yep, that’s me. I wanted to talk to you a
bout that if possible. If I could have a few minutes of your time later?”

  “Of course. Stop by on your way out and we can discuss,” he said reassuringly.

  “Ok, thanks Mr. Brooks,” Clara replied. Breathe. Right at that moment, she glanced up and saw these startling blue eyes staring right at her. And it was at the moment that she felt the world stopped. Breathe.

  4

  Gabe

  Gabe walked into his English class. As he glanced up he noticed Kristin and Sarah. He groaned inwardly. He was definitely not sitting next to them, Kristin already couldn’t take a hint. He had regretted paying her attention this summer and he was trying to let her down easy but she wasn’t giving up. He chose a seat a few spots away and stretched. This morning seemed to be going by very slowly. This morning, he was glad school started, but at some point he became irritated. Everyone wanted something from him, in particular his time or his attention and he didn’t give those two things freely. He couldn’t wait for practice later. Out on that soccer field, he could leave it all behind. Gabe didn’t mind the pressure from coach and the school to win, he thrived under that pressure and loved it.

  Connor sat next to him on the right offering a buffer between Gabe and the girls. He nodded to Gabe and smirked. “What’s up, man?”

  “Nothing much, you? Ready for practice today?” Gabe asked.

  “Yeah, coach is going to kill us but I’m ready for it,” Conner said.

  “Hi Gabe! How are you?” Kristin asked.

  “Fine, thanks,” Gabe answered.

  “We missed you at the party during the weekend. It wasn’t the same without you,” Kristin pouted. Here we go, Gabe thought to himself.

  “Yeah, where were you, Gabe?” Sarah asked.

  Connor raised his eyebrows and turned around before Gabe could answer ready with a comeback. “Since when did any of us, especially Gabe, have to answer to you?”

  “We didn’t realize that we couldn’t make conversation,” Kristin replied as she continued to pout thinking it was cute.