Afraid•Niccolo Genoveder Rossi •

Twenty-five

|Niccolo|

Just look at me.

Please.

But nope.

She didn't.

I want her to look at me.

I knew she wanted to.

Just give in.

My prayers were answered.

Her eyes gazed over at the girl on my shoulder.

No. Not her.

Me.

Her eyes filled with fury and heartbreak.

Her eyes went to mine, she was gonna look away quickly and I knew that.

But my heart just hurt.

Please just exit the room.

So I could exit too.

She looked back down at her hands that rested on her lap.

She picked at her skin around her nails.

Hey.

Stop that.

Please.

A small prick of blood came out, and she closed her hands into fists that rested in her lap. 

She caught me staring, and closed her eyes briefly. 

She tucked her fists into the sleeves of the hoodie she wore.

Virginia tucked her head into the crook of my neck.

I rubbed up and down her side, still staring at the girl across the room.

I wondered if she always did that.

If she was this stressed.

If her hands were always bleeding.

|Serena|

I quickly shoved my hands into the hoodie I wore.

Stop looking already.

I stood up.

I needed to wash my hands.

Niccolo shifted in his seat.

Don't get up.

Stay there.

With your girlfriend.

It would hurt less.

A hell of a lot less.

I gave him a look, then shook my head.

I locked the bathroom door.

The warm water washed away the skin I picked a little too hard.

I exhaled.

My reflection scared me a bit.

I was a mess.

I suddenly felt insecure.

Why?

I don't know.

Maybe it's my hair.

It's a mess.

My face felt puffy.

I splashed cold water on my face.

I couldn't stand what I was seeing.

What did anyone see in me?

I rubbed my eyes and unlocked the door.

Just face it.

I walked out, and walked down the hall.

Niccolo's room door was open and I saw him inside.

He was looking for something, and I stared a little too long.

|Niccolo|

She was staring.

I pulled out my phone charger, what I came to look for.

Why did she look so freaking beautiful?

Everything about her just flowed.

It was all seamless.

And I've run into her a lot tonight.

And each time I wanted her more.

I've seen her beauty.

Each time she became more apparent to me.

I saw her face was pink.

She must've had cold water on her face.

She walked away.

And I wish she didn't.

The movie was over at this point, and I knew what Virginia wanted afterwards.

I didn't want it though.

|Serena|

The movie ended, and Niccolo and Virginia went off.

"He really likes you". Camilla says, laying on her back on the couch.

"Then why's he with her?"

"He's scared". She says simply.

"Or he dosen't like Marco". I add.

Her face crinkles.

"He just wants you. Only you."

"Whatever you say, Cami". 

We talked for an hour, and she fell asleep on the couch.

I was still awake, however.

I walked to the kitchen to get a glass of water.

And he was there.

Of course. But, that water sounded so damn good right now.

I reached on my tiptoes to get a glass, when he came behind me.

His hand set on my hip as I arched my back slightly to reach the glass.

He kept his hand firm, tracing circles on my side.

"Oh grow up". I mutter annoyed, taking his hand off me once I grabbed the glass.

Though my stomach felt different than how I expressed my words.

"I need you." He whispers, turning me around to face him.

"And I needed you. And you're not here." I say, hurt, walking past him and filling my glass. 

I went to the opposite side of the counter and drank my glass, and walked back to the couch and curled up next to Camilla.