VENDETTA || ɴ.ᴄ.ᴍ.

1. star crossed but love at first sight

above is an image of cierra ramirez, she's kinda who see cierra in this story as.

*

song; heartbeats by jose gonzales
[word count: 1737]

|| parting is such sweet sorrow ||

a few months before

Nick let out a stressed sigh, having the same conversation with his brother chris for the millionth time. His left leg was bouncing up and down rapidly, he was counting in his head to keep calm, the last thing he needs is to explode in front of his brother (because of course he forgot to take his meds earlier). "Chris, i swear to god," Nick said lowly, "don't test me," He pointed his finger at the older man who did nothing but gave nick a condescending eye. Nick was fuming, it was obvious, one last tip and he'd beat the brains out of his brother. It was late, and all Nick wanted was to sleep, to close his eyes and just temporarily cease to exist from this life he led.

"This is exactly why i'm saying this," Chris elaborated calmly, "Your anger can be used for this, Nick. We need this, you're needed. Don't turn your back on family," He patronised, tutting quietly knowing it'd rage the raven haired boy.

"We had an agreement," Nick said slowly, he placed his hands on the table, pressing his fingers on it with every word to emphasize the point, "Me and Z do the drug work. Nothing else. that was the deal dad and I made, that's the deal we're sticking with," He reiterated. Chris rolled his eyes, looking nick deadly in the eye, his voice lowering to a sneer.

"Listen, i call the shots around here now, and i'm saying you move from drugs to this. You're needed here," He said cruelly. "Dad isn't here to stop this, you whiny bitch," Chris ranted, "God, nick, this isn't up for a fucking discussion!" He yelled, voice rising with each word. He slammed his hands on the desk, causing nick to look up at him with an angry spark in his eye.

"I'm not gonna fucking do it," Nick refused, "I'm not that kind of guy, i don't want to... to kill people," He pleaded his older brother, his eyes proving that. "Zion gets the drugs, we pick 'em up, we pay, we leave. it's been that for five years, we've been good at it, we're bringing in money." He ran a hand through his hair, his footing tapping the floor quickly, he felt overwhelmed and oh god he did not want to explode now. not now.

"Trust me, nick." Chris replied, "This will be better for you,"

"My meds make me tired," was the only excuse he could gather together at this point, but he knew chris wouldn't buy it. nick hates taking his meds, he can usually control his IED without medication.

"Bull," Chris stated, "nick i swear, one more excuse and i'm gonna beat your ass,"

"What about Zion?" Nick asked, "What is he gonna do?"

Chris shrugged, mumbling something about doing the same as before, when nick opened his mouth to argue but decided against it. Instead, he stood up, ignoring his brothers protests to sit down and chill. He grabbed his jacket and left the room, storming out the house and into the dark night in an attempt to calm down.

He called Zion, who replied with a groggy voice that was laced with sleep, and told him he'd be at the cafe around the corner. Zion knew something was wrong, because he knew his best friend better than he knows his way around a basketball court - which was incredibly well.

**

Cierra sighed, releasing her stress calmly, keeping her cool. She was the only one working, she only usually worked Sundays, but she had to cover tonight. Who knew nights were the busiest? It was crazy, how many people came in here when it was dark, most were alone but a few were young spontaneous couples in love. She admired it, though. Taking her apron off as she checked the time, she took a seat and placed the red apron on the counter. ten thirty-six pm.