OUR BOND

Fragments

Noel's POV

I stormed out of my room, shutting the door behind me a little harder than I intended. The sound rattled down the hall, sharp and final, but it didn't quiet the storm inside my head.

Stupid Cyrus.

He just shows up, out of nowhere and somehow thinks that everything will be the same as it was.

I should have said more hurtful things, maybe that would have jumpscared his heart into realizing how serious this situation was.

By the time I hit the bottom of the stairs, laughter roared from the living room, a wild representation of how I was feeling at the moment but opposite emotion. The twins, Luca and a group of strangers sprawled across couches, the giant flat screen TV lighting their faces.

Alessandro spotted me first "Noel" he called.

But I ignored him and headed straight for the door. I needed to get my thoughts together. Clear my head before I exploded, but Luca had other plans. He caught up to me before I could make it out the door. "What's wrong? Where are you going?"

I smiled a little, forcing the armor back on. "Relax, I'm not running away. Just trying to add to the drama after that session with Cyrus"

"What happened?"

"I'll tell you later" I brushed it off, because how could I even begin to describe what happened.

Luca just gave a half smile "I'm holding you on that"

Before I could slip outside, Alexander called me from the couch "Hey Noel - come sit. You're making the guests think we keep ghosts in this house"

Half a dozen pairs of eyes were already on me, all curious. I sighed. Running would've been too easy but it would have turned me into a Cyrus so I walked back and dropped into the couch.

"Hi guys" I said, easing the awkwardness a bit and different responses rang out. And Alessandro started with the introductions.

"Noel, these guys are our friends, this is Matteo" he pointed to one of the gorgeous beings who only smirked to that introduction and I knew right then and there, he was a playboy. That smirk was the kind one could trademark. No effort needed.

I gave a little smile back.

"This is Seb and his brother Elio" I looked at the brothers and they did look alike. Just that Seb had that calm energy and Elio had that clown energy to him, especially with the way he was grinning at the moment.

"That is Rocco" no smile. No nod. Just that steady practiced glare, jaw sharp enough to cut grass. The bad boy of the group. Classic leather jacket and chains gave it away. I'm sure he practiced that face every time before he went to bed.

"That is Amadeo" Shut up, he looked so cute with his curly hair and glasses.

"And finally, that is Carlo, the dad of the group" Alessandro said and the guys laughed. But I got where he was coming from, dude was too calm and collected compared to his friends.

"And guys, this is our cousin from LA, Noel" Finally the introductions concluded.

"Nice to meet you guys" I said but still the stares lingered. I arched a brow.

"Do you guys always stare at strangers like this or am I just tonight's special?"

That cracked them - Elio laughed first, Matteo smirked wider, even Rocco's stone expression faltered.

After some time of getting really comfortable with them around.

I finally leaned back into the couch, letting the TVs glow wash over me. Maybe this wasn't so bad.