Angel With A Shotgun | 18+

thirty five

ALEC ROMANO 

There was officially four days til Christmas and I was in the worst mood ever. 

Usually, I would celebrate Christmas. I'd go to my parents house, pretend to be happy, drink eggnog and then open a present that was either socks or a new gun. There was never any surprise.

But now I really don't want to celebrate it.

It's even two days since Amara has spoken to me. 

She walked into the kitchen all giddy wrapped around Giovanni's arm. Their little charade they've put on to keep me safe. Something I never thought they would continue with.

But now father has been around every day since then claiming he wants to 'spend time with me' even though I absolutely despise him.

I have no idea how to feel about the whole 'marriage thing'. I've never even thought about it before. Because I've never been one for relationships. I've never even had a girlfriend!

Father sprung it on me and we're getting married two weeks after New Years day. I'm terrified.

And I think that's why Amara isn't speaking to me. No, I know that's why.

Giovanni told me she cried in his arms after she found out. I wanted to punch something. Or someone, mostly my father. 

He's such a prick, always has been. But he's my father and deep down, somewhere - I love him.

I'm walking down the hall with my hands in my pants pocket, eyeing Amara's door. It's cracked open and I peek my head inside. She's not there, but the windows open. In a panic, I look down. We're on the second floor, she's not that stupid!

But there are no footprints or anything. And then I notice the ladder wrapped up in the vines and I look up, seeing feet hanging off the edge of the roof.

"How in the hell?" I mumbled, exiting her room.

However when I found her, I didn't expect it to be so... sad.

Amara was now sitting with her knees pressed against her chest, arms capturing the warmth as her hair blew around in the soft wind. There was snow all around us, snowflakes landing in her silky hair.

I shivered, noticing the dark sky that seemed angry.

I took a seat beside her, immediately regretting not wiping the snow off before I sat down, as the ice cold water seeped through my clothing.

"You're going to get hypothermia." 

I shrugged, "I thought you said you're not talking to me." I smirked. She still hasn't looked at me, "Sorry that I care for your wellbeing. I won't do it again." She said in an annoyed tone, turning her head to the other side.

"Why are you out here?" I ask her, "I can't go anywhere else. Your guards will shove me back into my room and then tell on me." 

I sighed, "It's just to keep you safe." 

This time she looked at me, her tan skin now pale, eyes that were a captivating green were now dull, tired. And her face looked hollow, like she'd been crying for days, "How much longer are you going to keep saying that until you tell me the truth?" She said.

"What?" 

"You and I both know that you're just trying to keep me here. It's been weeks, Alec. I'm bored. I am sick of being in this house!" She groaned, gripping the snow and shovelling it between her fingers. 

"I'm sorry. I am, I wish there was more I could do." I told her honestly.

Our eyes locked for what felt like years, when it was only a mere few seconds, "I know. But you're not doing anything about it, which is why it sucks." She rubbed her eyes with the palms of her hands, sniffling unshed tears that she had failed to keep in.