Breaking Down His Walls

9 - Meet any cute boys?

The morning was quieter than usual in the King household, the tension from the past few days lingering in the air like an unsaid argument. Amelia sat in front of the vanity in her room, styling her curly hair and trying to settle the nerves twisting her stomach. Her first day at university had arrived—something she had been waiting for, but now that it was here, the prospect felt daunting.

She had decided on actually making an effort with her hair for this special first day and put it in a half up-half down hair with a white claw clip at the back. Pulling on a simple but chic outfit she had bought during their shopping spree—black tennis skirt, a white sweater vest, with a shirt underneath and her trusty white sneakers—she grabbed her backpack, which now looked far less lonely. She had packed all the essentials: notebooks, pens, and a few personal items, though her nerves still felt unprepared for the day ahead.

There was a knock at her door. Luca stood there, leaning against the frame, looking effortlessly relaxed as always. "Ready for your big day, princess?"

Amelia smiled, though it was tight. "I guess. Kinda nervous."

He walked in, offering her a reassuring smile. "You'll be fine. You've got this. Besides, if anyone gives you trouble, I'll show up and sort them out."

Amelia chuckled softly, but the lightness in Luca's tone helped ease some of her nerves. "You can't fix everything with a smile, Luca."

"Maybe not," he said with a grin. "But I can use something else." He smirked, reaching out and gently brushing a strand of hair from her face, his touch lingering just a second longer than necessary. "You'll do great. Trust me."

She nodded, though a part of her wished it wasn't Luca driving her to campus today. Greyson had been distant, more so than usual, ever since the night of the storm. They hadn't spoken much, and even during breakfast, he'd barely looked at her. She felt a strange pull towards him despite his coldness, and his absence this morning only amplified the odd sensation of being stuck between the two brothers.

The drive to campus was relatively quiet, with Luca cracking the occasional joke to keep things light, but Amelia's mind was elsewhere. She couldn't shake the feeling that her presence was complicating things more than she'd anticipated. By the time they pulled up to the university, her nerves were in full swing again.

"Here we are," Luca announced as he parked. "Want me to walk you in?"

Amelia shook her head, appreciating his offer but knowing it wouldn't help. "No, I'll be fine. Thank you, though."

He flashed her one last smile, the kind that could make anyone's heart skip a beat. "Text me if you need anything, okay? I'll be around."

"I will. Thanks, Luca." With a final wave, she stepped out of the car and made her way towards the large campus buildings, feeling the weight of the new chapter settling on her shoulders.

Amelia's first day at college was a whirlwind of introductions, orientations, and trying not to get lost in the sea of students. She met up with Tasha, the girl she had bumped into at the mall, who helped her navigate through the maze of buildings and class schedules. They spent most of the day together, attending lectures and grabbing coffee in between classes, which helped distract Amelia from the gnawing anxiety she had about her new life.

Yet, even surrounded by students, Amelia couldn't shake the feeling of being out of place. As much as she tried to focus on her studies, her thoughts kept drifting back to the Kings—the complex dynamic she found herself entangled in, and the ever-growing tension between Luca and Greyson.

It wasn't until she found herself alone during a break that her phone buzzed. A text from Dad, lit up the screen.

How's uni? Meet anyone cute yet?

Amelia smiled, though the thought of the King brothers made her heart race a little.

Dad??? She replied with what felt like a million laughing emojis.

Just joking honey, hope you had a good first day. He sent with a thumbs up.

She hadn't even told Tasha about them yet—not because she didn't want to, but because she wasn't sure how to explain the strange, chaotic feelings stirring inside her.

It's good, a little overwhelming, but I'm getting there. No cute guys, just a bunch of stressed-out students like me lol... I miss you dad.

Love you kiddo.

She sighed, slipping her phone back into her pocket as she continued her walk around campus. The rest of the day passed in a blur of classes and lectures, and by the time Amelia was finished, her head was buzzing with information and exhaustion.  She missed her dad and she missed home.

˚ʚ♡ɞ˚

Back at the mansion, Amelia trudged into the kitchen, where Matteo was lounging at the counter, munching on some fruit. "Hey, how was your first day?" he asked with a grin.

"Tiring," she said, grabbing a bottle of water from the fridge and collapsing onto a stool. "I don't know how people do this for four years."

"You'll get used to it," Matteo said casually. "Besides, you're smart. You'll manage."

Amelia smiled at his confidence in her. As they chatted, Luca strolled in, still dressed in the same casual way he'd been that morning, but his energy seemed different—more serious, less playful.

"How'd it go, princess?" he asked, pulling out a chair beside her.

"Not bad. Just a lot to take in," she admitted, sipping her water. "Thanks for the ride this morning, by the way."

"Anytime." Luca's gaze was soft, but there was something in his eyes—an intensity that made her heart race again.

Before anything else could be said, Greyson entered the kitchen, his usual cold demeanor even sharper than usual. His eyes briefly flicked to Amelia, and something passed between them—a tension that neither of them acknowledged but both felt.

"You're back," Greyson said, his tone neutral but his gaze lingering on her for a beat too long.

"Yeah," she said, not sure what else to add.

Luca stood up and stretched. "Well, I've got to head out for a bit. Business calls," he said, ruffling Amelia's hair before he headed out of the kitchen. "Don't miss me too much."

Amelia couldn't help but smile at his lightheartedness, but the moment he left, the room felt... different. It was just her and Greyson now, and the silence between them was heavy.

Greyson, never one for small talk, finally spoke. "College isn't going to be easy, you know."

"I didn't expect it to be," she replied, meeting his cold blue eyes.

For a moment, something softened in his expression, but it vanished just as quickly. "Just don't get too distracted."

She frowned, unsure what he meant by that. "Distracted by what?"

He didn't answer, instead, he just turned and left the kitchen, leaving her more confused than ever.

————————-
Greyson bae if you want me just say??? Jk Luca stan for like. Btw guys I keep getting mixed up with college and university and GrAyson and GrEyson, so if I made any errors let me know for a cookie ;)

17 views I'm gonna cry lads. If we ever get to 50 I'll add one of you in the story, that would be fun right? If you read this far, can you please vote! thank you loves <3

QOTD - What do we think of Lia's first day at college outfit??
AOTD - Very cutie patootie if you ask me. Is the skirt a little short? maybe. Do we care? no way josie.