Oblivion ✓

B| A date II

Highschool

THIRD PERSON

"When do you think he's going to ask her?" Domenico glanced at his brother, who had just lifted his gaze from his screen. Before Vito could respond, the sound of car doors slamming shut echoed from outside, followed by the front door creaking open.

"You guys are such idiots!" Josephine's voice rang through the house, sharp and unmistakable. "Both of you!" The brothers exchanged surprised looks.

"Oh, yeah? Then go ask Vito! He'll say the same thing!" Matteo yelled, and they heard the sharp sound of the front door slamming shut with a finality that suggested their argument was far from over. Vito slowly closed his laptop and stood up, moving toward the hallway. Domenico followed, a slight grin tugging at his lips.

"I think he asked her," Vito said, his voice low but sure. 

"Can't I just think for myself for once? Is that too much to ask?" Josephine's voice rang out, filled with frustration, as the brothers heard the sound of her footsteps moving deeper into the house.

Domenico [4:01 p.m.]

Drama ahead.

Valentino [4:01 p.m.]
Already on my way!

"But you can, Josie. Just not when it comes to something like this!" Riccardo's voice cut through the thick air, sharp and unforgiving. His words hung in the room like a challenge, as if daring her to disagree.

Josephine, who had been pacing back and forth, stopped abruptly, her heart pounding in her chest. She turned to face him, her eyes blazing with a mix of anger, confusion, and something deeper she wasn't ready to admit. "Not when it comes to something like what?" she shot back, her voice trembling with the weight of her emotions. "You mean, when it comes to me trying to make a decision for myself?"

Riccardo's jaw tightened, and he crossed his arms over his chest, his posture defensive. It was a stance she knew well—one that said he wasn't just about to back down. "Exactly that," he said, his voice hardening. "You're not just going to do whatever you want without considering what could happen. This isn't about you, Josie. This is about him. You don't know him like we do."

Josephine's pulse quickened, her chest tightening as she fought to hold onto her composure. She opened her mouth to speak, but the words came out sharper than she intended. "And you certainly don't trust me enough, right?" she snapped, her voice cutting through the silence.

Riccardo's eyes narrowed, a flicker of something unreadable passing through them, but he didn't waver. "It's not about trust, Josie. It's about protecting you. You're not seeing the bigger picture here."

"Oh, so now I'm too naive to see the bigger picture?" Josephine laughed bitterly, the anger rising in her throat. "What, because I don't see the world through your eyes, I'm not smart enough to make my own choices?"

The door to the hallway creaked open, and Vito and Domenico entered the scene. Both of them stopped short when they saw the tension between Josephine, Matteo, and Riccardo, their expressions shifting to something more guarded. The air was thick with unspoken words, and it felt like the entire house was holding its breath, waiting for someone to break the silence.

Vito gave them a long look, his gaze flicking from Josephine's flushed face to Matteo and Riccardo, both standing stiff as statues. "What's going on?" he asked, his voice steady, but there was a trace of concern behind his words.

Before she could answer, Valentino jogged towards them from behind, his sneakers squeaking slightly as he came to a halt. He leaned in toward Domenico, his voice low as he whispered, "What did I miss?"