𝐁𝐔𝐓𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐅𝐋𝐈𝐄𝐒 [ 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐞 𝐱 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫 ]

facing the past

"So, we going to that party on Saturday? I know a lot of people are going to be there," Sasha was drying her hair with a towel while Niccolo sat on her bed, reading a book.

"I haven't thought much about it, really," you replied, your mind elsewhere as you waited to see what grade you got on your photography assignment.

You had given your presentation yesterday and your professor loved the pictures you shared, especially the last one of you and Connie. You furrowed your brows together and shut your laptop in frustration. Your whole grade kinda depended on this project, but you also knew the professor had a lot of other stuff he was preoccupied with. Still, you were anxious.

"Everything okay?" Niccolo peeked up from his book, his wavy blonde hair just hanging above his eyes.

"Just waiting on a grade," you let out a sigh and went over to your desk, grabbing a hair tie and attempting to put your hair up. It was lazy and not much effort was in it, but anything to get it out of your face.

"Well you have all day and tomorrow to think about it, just let me know," Sasha smiled and fluffed her wet hair, grabbing her hair dryer and leaving the room, calling out she'd be back soon.

The party on Saturday was being held by one of the frat houses, and word on the street was that it would be huge and the best party of the semester. It was one of those frats that went all out, and their house was fairly large.

Though you were unsure, because a big campus party meant Floch would probably be there. And even if you had Connie, you couldn't be sure he'd be with you the whole time. Just because he knew your past now didn't mean you could force him to cling to you the whole night, even if you wanted him to and even if he would.

Connie was really the only person you told about Floch, you didn't feel like talking about it anymore or with anyone else. It was mentally draining and difficult, and something you had to prepare yourself for. Besides, it was a heavy subject, and not everybody could handle that stuff.

You peered your gaze over to Niccolo and his book. You weren't sure what he was reading, it was in a different language. You narrowed your eyes a bit, but Niccolo must've felt your stare as he looked up, his head leaning against the wall.

"The title is in a different language. The book is not," he flipped it over, revealing that the words on the pages were indeed english.

"What's it about?"

"It's for one of my classes. I'm taking a history of Greece course and I'm hoping to go there someday. Everyone says it's really ugly, but I don't mind. I still want to go," Niccolo smiled softly as his eyes stared straight ahead as if he were imagining Greece in front of him.

His green eyes were lit up, but this was a different kind of happy than you'd usually seen. With Sasha it was love, but this was personal, this was a wish of his own— a dream.

"Why Greece?" You asked and sat down on the bed next to him.

"My parents met in Greece. They were both there studying abroad. They didn't end up living in the same areas, but my dad fell for my mom so hard he ended up transferring for her," Niccolo looked at you, a small blush on his face as he said, "I know, it's really cliché and cheesy."

"But doesn't everyone wish for that?" You pointed out and Niccolo furrowed his brows together in thought.

"I mean, I guess. The fairytale romance is just about what everyone wants. But it doesn't happen because we live in the reality of a sad sad world," Niccolo sighed and set his book down beside him, doggy-earring the page.

"But look at what you found."

Niccolo smiled at that, scratching the back of his head. "You could say I'm a pretty lucky guy."