Rosaline

8

Rosaline POV

The older man-no, dad-sat back down, with Ellie still tucked between us. "Rosy, what do you want to watch?" Nic asked, though he still felt a bit scary to me. I hid myself further into Dad's embrace, and he chuckled softly, gently rubbing my head.

"Rosy, would you like to pick a movie?" Dad asked. I shook my head no. I'd enjoyed the movies last night, but Father always told me I didn't deserve to have fun. I listened quietly as the others started talking.

"What about Alien?" one suggested.

"That's a horror movie-no way!" another replied.

"Finding Nemo?" someone else offered.

"That's for kids!" came the quick response. "I'm not watching that."

"E.T.?"

"Isn't that too old?"

"I like E.T., actually," someone chimed in.

"E.T. it is, then," they agreed.

I heard the TV turn on and quickly looked to see what they were watching. I watched the whole movie; I'd never seen or heard of aliens before. When it was over, I leaned back on Dad. Nic invited me to the game room, and I looked up at Dad for reassurance. He nodded and smiled, so I gave a small nod back. Nic picked me up, holding Ellie close too, and we headed off. I glanced back to see Dad smiling, and I realized I wanted to stay with him-Nic still felt a bit scary.

Nic set me down on a couch as he went to grab something. When he came back, he had a couple of things he called "controllers" and pulled up a game called Mario Kart. He looked even scarier when he started playing, and I tried my best, hoping he wouldn't get mad if I didn't do well. But I really didn't like this game.

Nic started yelling at the TV, and I felt my chest tighten. It was only a matter of time before his anger turned on me, I thought. Clutching Ellie tightly, I quickly hid in a small gap between a bookcase and the wall, hoping I'd be invisible.

"Rosy?" Nic called, his voice sounding louder than it probably was. I held back quiet sobs as I listened to him searching around the room. Soon, he left, still calling my name as he moved down the hall. Panic began to creep in-I was sure I'd get into trouble with Dad now. My heart raced, my thoughts tangled with fear. Were they going to be so mad they'd hurt me?

Lost in my thoughts, I didn't even realize Dad had entered the room. I heard him moving carefully, scanning every corner. "Rosy," he called, his voice calm and gentle, but that only made me more nervous. A calm voice usually meant big trouble. Slowly, I crawled out, knowing hiding any longer would only make things worse.

Dad spotted me quickly, coming over fast, and I flinched away. "Rosy, are you hurt?" he asked, his voice filled with concern. I didn't move, just kept my head down, clutching Ellie tightly and trying to make myself small.

"Rosy..." he started, but when I flinched again, he paused, staying where he was. "I'm sorry, Rosy. I'm really, really sorry," Dad said, his voice cracking as tears started to fall. I was shocked-wasn't I the one in trouble? Not him. Was this a trick?

My mind raced, trying to figure out what this meant. But then he gently hugged me, and I couldn't hold back anymore. All the fear, confusion, and sadness poured out of me, and I sobbed even harder, clinging to him as tightly as I could. He just held me, his arms steady and warm, and didn't let go until I cried myself into darkness.

Niccolò POV

I lost her. I lost Rosaline. I'd only just gotten her back, and now she was gone. Dad had told me not to do anything stupid, but I let her slip away. My chest tightened as I approached him; he was in the middle of talking to Marco and Matteo, mostly Marco.

"I lost her. I can't find her anywhere," I said, trying to hold back my tears.

When I explained that it happened after we'd played a game, Dad's expression shifted to something I'd never seen before-he was furious. He told me to go to my room and do my homework, and I felt my brothers' eyes on me, full of judgment. They didn't need to say it; I knew they blamed me. I blamed myself. I couldn't even look after my little sister. I was a failure.

I went to my room, unable to focus on homework, feeling a mix of shame and regret. I heard Dad walking down the hallway later, and I opened my door to see him holding Rosaline, sound asleep in his arms. I let out a long, relieved sigh. She was safe. But I knew I had to make it up to her. I'd been a terrible brother, and I had to find a way to make things right.

- Author note -

Hey peeps! Two new parts Hope you enjoy.

Here a question for you all. What your favorite thing so far