Crimson Roses

Chapter 2

(School uniform above!)

"You're definitely coming tonight, right? No excuses this time!"Reigna exclaimed as she slammed her locker shut.

"Y-yeah.....I guess so...", Sofia answered as she tucked her hair behind her ears.

"Hm...You're not ready for this at all, are you?"Reigna pressed.

Sofia shook her head and bit her lip. A habit that she had when she was deep in thought. Reigna, was Romano's cousin but became his sister when his parents adopted her because Reigna's passed away. Sofia, Reigna and Ryker immediately became close and had their own click, unfortunately she wasn't close to Romano.

"You're gonna 'fess up to big bro, aren't you?", Ryker joined in the conversation as he hung his arms around both girls, causing them to flinch.

"Shush!", Sofia exclaimed as her face became red.

"Sofia already did it.", Reigna added nonchalantly.

"Really? When? Wait- how did I not hear about this?", Ryker questioned.

"Because....you don't know how to keep your mouth shut!", Reigna exclaimed as she flicked his forehead, causing him to groan in pain and Sofia to cringe.

Reigna's head flicks were always the worst.

Ryker began to rub his forehead while his arm still hung around Sofia.

"How did Roman respond?", Ryker asked.

Sofia and Reigna looked at each other with a knowing look.

"It's...a long story..."

Flashback

It was a New Year's Eve party. Kai and Romano were to leave for England the next day for a business trip that was meant to take a year. Scared of Romano meeting someone better than her, she decided to let the cat out of the bag. Sofia had five minutes left, she ran across the empty hallways barefoot, searching every room to find the love of her life. She held her heels in one hand and the trail of the dress in another.

Sofia saw a familiar silhouette in the backyard gazing at the still waters of the pool.

Romano turned around slowly as his stoic expression changed into a shocked yet confused expression.

Sofia quickly dropped her heels and her trail. She grabbed the gift from her bag, looking at her watch and walked over to him.

'It's now or never, Fia!'Sofia gave herself a quick peptalk.

"Sofia? What's wrong? Is everything Sof?"Romano asked with his tone laced in concern but Sofia just nodded as she tried to catch her breath.

She looked at her watch again.

Two minutes left.

"R-Roman....I made this for you...", Sofia mumbled softly as she shyly looked away. "I....I had a crush on you for a very long time. I-I know that you're my brother's best friend and that you're a dangerous man. I've tried to stop feeling this way around you, but I just can't help it. I...You're my first love. I know...I'm not as good as the other girls that you have dated but....I think I'm in love with you. My heart is pure with love for you."

There was silence.

Romano sighed softly, causing Sofia to raise her head slowly. He took the letter along with the box of his favourite chocolates and a tie pin. He turned around as he placed the box on the table and towered over Sofia who was keeping time in her mind as she bit her lip.

One minute left.

Romano gently placed one hand on her waist and the other on her cheek. Sofia prevented herself from flinching away from his cold touch and his piercing gaze.

"You want this, Amore?", Romano whispered softly in her ear.

Not being able to trust her shaky voice, Sofia simply nodded. Sofia wasn't ready to back down after coming so far. She could feel his breath fanning against her face as she looked up to him with doe eyes. Romano placed his hand on her chin and lifted her head up to look at him. Sofia's eyes fluttered as he inched closer to her.

Forty five seconds.

"Close your eyes, love."Romano commanded her as he frowned.

He kissed her cheeks, her forehead and then her nose. Sofia opened her eyes immediately as she felt Romano's hands pull away, seeing that their lips were inches apart. Sofia leaned in closer hopefully,  Romano clenched his jaws as he sighed and tightened his grip on her waist, accidentally causing her to flinch in pain. He immediately loosened his grip in realisation that he was hurting her.

Romano huffed out as he ran a hand through his hair and walked away.

Sofia stood at the same spot awkwardly clutching onto her dress. She knew something was wrong.

Thirty seconds left.

"R-Romano...?", she mumbled.

"Sofia, you're right. You're not like the other girls I have dated. You're not my type. I am your brother's best friend and I hope that you act more mature the next time we meet. I don't like soft, clingy girls.", Romano stated before throwing the gift into the pool.

Sofia's body from head to toe heated up from embarrassment and being broken hearted. Tears began to form.

Five. Four. Three. Two. One.

"HAPPY NEW YEAR!"

Everyone began to scream as the fireworks filled the dark night sky.

Sofia's body jerked in shock causing a tear to fall. She quickly wiped it away and plastered a fake smile on her face. Sofia stood up straight and she walked up to Romano, holding her head up high.

"Thank you Romano, for expressing your feelings just as I expressed mine. I can't apologise for the way I am and I can't change it and even if I do so, I'm not planning to change it over some guy. I do appreciate the compliments of calling me pure and soft. I wish you the best.", Sofia said calmly with a warm smile plastered on her face.

Sofia held onto his arm and placed her hand on his shoulder to steady herself as she tiptoed to kiss Romano's cheek.

"Happy new year. I wish you the best. Goodbye Romano.", Sofia pulled back and walked away without turning back.

End of Flashback

"Come on, now. It couldn't have been that bad.", Ryker added.

"Trust me....it was. Argh! I don't even know how I'm going to endure this embarrassment. What if I just say that I'm sick? Should I get in detention?", Sofia asked.

"No!", Reigna and Ryker said in unison. "Your parents would obviously catch on.", Reigna added.

"Ryker...what are the chances of Romano telling Kai?", Sofia questioned.

Ryker scratched the back of his head.

"Wow... I'm not sure myself. Especially after what you told me. That whole scenario sounds nothing like what Romano would have done. Why didn't you tell me this? I thought I was your best friend Fia!", Ryker exclaimed as he began to cry crocodile tears.

"Excuse you! She's not your best friend, she's mine!", Reigna exclaimed as she pushed Ryker's arm away from Sofia, causing Sofia to chuckle.

"Guys...seriously speaking...should I just act like I don't remember anything and nothing happened last year?", Sofia asked.

"Hmm...sounds like a good idea to me. What about you Reigna?", Ryker asked.

"Sounds good. Now let's go to class and grab some pizza after school!", Reigna exclaimed as she marched onwards.

Sofia laughed softly to herself, just before she could take another step forward, someone from the shadows pulled her back.