Amardad Swan, the older sister of Bella Swan, was dying. But at this point, she knew that she just had to make the best of the situation she was placed in.
What happens when that situation becomes having to live in an ancient castle in Volterra wit...
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I walked out into the blinding sun, the unexpected call from Bella was nice, though I was sure Edward's whole family was listening in. I had been in Volterra for just about three days and loved it already. I had planned on only staying here two days, but for a reason, I did not understand I could just not make myself leave.
It could maybe be the sense of longing that I always had since birth that felt lighter now, in Volterra. I still had the little 'tug' in my heart, when I had asked a doctor about it they had no clue what to do and recommended to take an Advil if it got worse and come back.
I walked around receiving friendly waves from the citizens. "Amardad!" I quickly turned and smiled at one of my many new Italian friends, Luciano. "Luciano! How are you?" I walked towards him, giving him a hug.
"Well, well Mara. Would you umm," He blushed a bright shade of pink, running a hand through his chestnut locks. I smiled softly, "Yes?"
"Would you like to go out with me... Tonight?" His cheeks tinged a shade darker, I nodded. "That would be lovely, thank you." Luciano looped his arm through mine and led me towards the nearest restaurant, 'La bella Italiano.'
The server led us to a booth and handed us our menus, "So what do you want to be? Are you going to university?" He asked me, I smiled as I answered, "I would really like to be a physician, and I'm planning on going to university next year."
Luciano nodded as our server approached us again and asked us for our orders, "Cosa desiderate ordinare?" I glanced at Luciano, who ordered a steak for himself and a hazelnut salad for myself.
"You're beautiful." I blushed at Luciano's praise,
We ate mostly in silence, but we talked and at the end of the night I felt happy. Though the pain in my chest grew slightly. "Do you want me to walk you back?" I shook my head and kissed Luciano's cheek.
"No, it's okay. But it's nice of you to offer." Luciano nodded and made his way back to his apartment. I sighed and looked around fondly.
I liked it here, it was nearing dusk as I noticed a small alleyway leading to a garden hidden from sight. I pushed open the rickety metal door. And gasped at what was in front of me. There had to be at least a dozen types of flowers, but the garden was not pruned, weeds grew everywhere and everything was practically destroyed.
I tentatively walked inside and scoped out everything, the garden seemed to be attached to a passageway. Upon further observation, the door turned out to be locked. I sat down on a rickety bench and sighed, there would be a lot of work to be done.
I walked out of the concealed garden and made my way back to my recently purchased apartment. I quickly fell into bed, shutting my eyes, and fell asleep.
The next morning I got up and put on a light red dress that bordered on pink. I threw my hair up into a ponytail. The went outside and walked into the market, street vendors milled around, setting there booths up.
I walked to a garden supply booth and bought two dozen leaf bags, I then walked back to the garden. I set to work quickly, first clearing the paths of debris and picking up garbage. By sundown I was tired, but a lot of work had been completed as I had not taken a break. I reached for my water bottle and finished it off.
I had filled a half dozen leaf bags and placed them neatly in a corner besides a pile of leaves and sticks that I had not had time to put in bags.
I drifted off to sleep on the bench, being so exhausted...
I woke up to someone snapping at me, "Who are you?" The voice accused, and I blinked and opened my eyes, it was morning so the garden was covered in a shadow. "Huh?" I got up, the voice belonged to a young girl who looked about thirteen.
"I'm Amardad Swan, I love your hair can I braid it?" The girl was surprised, "What are you doing here Miss. Swan?" I smiled "I found this place two nights ago, I was working to clean up this lovely garden. Is it yours?" The girl nodded slightly, "Its my..." She trailed off, "Is it okay if I work here? I won't be a bother. Only if that's okay will you..."
"Jane, my names Jane. And yes, you can stay... If you want." I smiled again, "Would you like me to braid you're hair?"
Jane paused then nodded once, sitting down besides me. I made quick work of taking out the bobby pins that held her hair in a sort of mixed bun/French twist. I brushed out her hair with my hands.
"What's you're favorite color?" Jane was obviously confused by this question, "I like... I don't really know, Miss Swan." I smiled starting to braid her hair. "That's fine, mine has to be yellow. And you can call me Mara."
Once I finished braiding her hair Jane started to get up but I stopped her. "Wait just a moment." I got up spotting some sunflowers and picked one. I quickly went back to Jane and took the bobby pins to attach the flower to her hair. I then pulled out my phone and took a picture.
"Here," I showed her the picture and Jane smiled, "Thank you Miss. Mara." I nodded getting up, feeling dizzy from lack of food, "You're welcome fiore." Jane nodded and got up, walking to the locked door, quickly opening it then with a small wave shutting it behind her.
***
End of Chapter Question: Do you think Luciano and Amardad would be a cute couple?
