𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐥𝐞𝐧 𝐌𝐚𝐟𝐢𝐚 𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬 ✍︎

22| 𝙲𝚘𝚗𝚝𝚎𝚜𝚝

Third person
Location: Ricci's Mansion, New York

The boys had been dared to do the best braid hairstyle. Whoever had the neatess and prettiest would get $50 from Ayla's father. Obviously, Lucia, Alice, Samantha, and Celia would be the judges.

Tristan and Dante were sent out of the room, along with everyone else so Lorenzo could work in peace.

Ayla's eyes start to feel heavy as her brother's fingers skillfully weave her long hair into a braid crown. He didn't tug or pull at her hair like Blue used to. He didn't snag knots or tangle her hair like Lucky would.

The youngest Ricci was never a fan of having others touch her hair. Her friends would pull and tug her hair in painful ways, making her reluctant to let anyone near her precious locks.

As comfortable as she is, she knows that he can see the ugly tattoo on the base of her neck. She knows he's staring at it. She knows how horrible it looks, but it's embedded in her skin. Permanent.

Nothing she did would make that stupid mark disappear.

No matter how many times she cut the skin, no matter how many times she scratched until she was bleeding. Nothing she did would make it go away.

Every time her brother's fingers accidentally brushed against it she wanted to flinch away, but forced herself to stay still.

Her thoughts stray from the mark on her neck when Dante walks in. He has a silly grin on his face as he walks over to his siblings.

Lorenzo looks up from his work and frowns. "Go away."

"No," Dante replies, continuing to walk towards them. Lorenzo rolls his eyes and chooses to ignore his younger brother instead of arguing with him.

Dante plops himself next to Ayla and pulls out a long roll of candy. The girl eyes it suspiciously as her brother pops out a small circular candy and hands it to her.

"It's chewy candy," Dante explains as he pops his own candy into his mouth.

Ayla follows his lead, her taste buds exploding in happiness when she bites down on the candy. There's a sweet, tangy flavour that makes her hum quietly in contentment.

"Hey I want one!" Lorenzo says, his hands still busy with Ayla's hair.

Dante smirks and shakes his head. "Nope. You told me to get out. You don't get any candy."

Ayla giggles as she holds out her hand to Dante. He grins evilly as he hands her another piece dramatically, rubbing it in his brother's face. His grin is quickly replaced with a shocked expression when his sister blindly holds up the candy above her head for Lorenzo, who brings his mouth to grab the candy from his sister's hand while laughing.

"Hey you licked me," she whines. Lorenzo snickers slightly, but presses a small kiss to the top of her head.

Never grow up.

"Dante! Stop bothering him!" Their mother yells from the other room.

"But I'm not!" He yells back.

"Yes he is!" Lorenzo counters.

"Dante!" Their mother yells. Her voice is giving an unsaid warning to her son.

Come now or face the consequences.

Dante sighs heavily as he stands up, muttering under his breath about always being blamed for things he doesn't do.

Ayla grabs his arm before he can fully stand up. She gives him a sympathetic smile and hands the candy back.