Hellfire • L.A.

Another Constellation

A/N: I can't believe this book is halfway to 1,000 reads?? Honestly I'm shook. This chapter has taken a bit to write because, you know, I'm not really great at romance. I'm more of an awkward romantic. Please be active and leave commentary if you can, it really helps me to understand more of how you guys are interpreting everything!!

"No, I'm sorry, I don't believe you." I shook my head and laughed as Levi told me a story from when he was younger. The two of us were walking around the castle after having gotten bored with just sitting at the table. Instead of going our separate ways, I suggested walking around for a bit since I haven't been awake for the past week. I still had so much energy in me.

"Why not? I'm being serious." The corners of Levi's lips barely pulled up into a smile, and I shake my head.

"So let me get this straight," I stop and lean against the wall to rest my leg for a bit. "This man that you grew up with, what was his name, Kenny?" I glance at and he nods, so I continue, "he gave you whiskey instead of apple juice?"

"Yes. That's why I don't care to drink: I did all of my drinking business in my adolescent years." His face is so deadpan serious that I can't help but begin to laugh.

"What about you?"

"Hm?" I quirk my eyebrows up.

"Your childhood. How was it?"

I sigh and push myself away from the wall, and we continue to walk down the hallways.

"I guess it was..." I pause for a moment trying to think of how exactly to describe my childhood. "It was definitely not stable, I'll just go ahead and say that." I frown.

"Tch. Who can really say that their childhood was golden?"

I look at Levi from the corner of my eye. His jaw is set in a hard, stern line, and the crease in his forehead from the permanent scowl he wears is deeper than normal.

What are you thinking?

"No one around here, I suppose."

I push away from the wall and we begin to walk again. Silence overcomes us and the only sounds to be heard are my crutches hitting the floor and our footsteps. It's nice, just walking around with Levi like this. He doesn't force me to talk about myself. In fact, this evening he's done most of the talking.

It's surprising, really, for him to be so engaged in a conversation. He seems different this evening. I can't decide if that's a good or bad thing, but it intrigued me and encouraged me to keep the conversation going.

"How was it unstable?" Levi's deep monotone voice breaks the silence. His words startle me for a moment. How do you tell someone your father was a gambler and led your sister to suicide?

You don't.

Last week if someone would have told me that I would even be considering telling Levi about my childhood and about myself in general, I would have laughed in their face. But now? Something feels different. Something has shifted just slightly to where it almost feels like it would be okay to become vulnerable.

I take a deep breathe before answering. Levi slows down his steps a bit, and turns his head to face me.

"My mother died when I was five. She was ill during her pregnancy with my sister, but she still had the baby. My sister survived, but my mother didn't." I force myself to block out the memories I've held onto of my mother while I speak. I've cried too much lately, and I don't want to cry anymore.