Little Queen

26

It's been a few days since Gio first came in, now every time Draven leaves the house for work Gio comes in and sits quietly with me. I spend most of that time staring at him, memorizing every part of his face. I know that he has a small scar that cuts into his eyebrow and part of his eyelid, he has a freckle hidden in his hairline up by his temple and that his face only ever moves if he wants to express something to me, it never moves involuntarily. I know that when I'm especially upset his face softens just a bit and he makes more eye contact than normal and when he gets me to smile the corners of his eyes seem to lift.

On the fourth day of him sitting with me, I got him to let me hold onto his finger. My entire hand wrapped around his one pointer finger. Draven comes in multiple times a day and kisses my forehead but when he's here I feel pressured to be better. Not that he's pushing me to do anything other than listen to him talk but with Gio's silence I feel comfortable, accepted. Like no matter what I do or don't do he'll never expect anything else from me. Every time Gio comes in he sits against my nightstand and I hang my arm off the bed gripping his finger, most days we don't even speak.

I turn onto my back and hesitantly pull Gio's hand up past the edge of the mattress. I feel him tense momentarily but he lets me explore. Both of my hands hold his, playing with each finger. He lets me mess around, moving them back and forth and then curling them into a fist. I uncurl his fist and place my opposite hand against his. The tips of my fingers barely pass the first knuckle. His palms have calluses and cuts from his workouts while mine are unblemished. I stare a little longer but give him his hand back, minus the one finger I'm still gripping.

He wiggles it in my fist making me giggle loudly at the unexpected movement. His eyes flicker to mine and he lifts a curious eyebrow. A soft smile still sits on my lips and his eyes lift. Gio rests his head back on the wood of the nightstand, staring up at the ceiling. We sit like that, me with a small smile and him staring at the ceiling until he gets up an hour later. He leaves without saying anything and I curl up into my usual ball once the door closes.

I don't know why I'm still in bed. I don't feel as upset about missing my family since Gio started spending time with me and I try not to think about why I'm sad when I'm just laying here. Mostly I just stare out the window. It's pouring rain right now which makes me happy. As much as I love sunny days, rainy days feel cozy. Just the thought of a warm fire and a fuzzy blankie makes me have a better day.

My door is shoved open suddenly, making me jump. Draven is in front of me before I even have a chance to look over my shoulder.

"Get up," His voice is firm.

I'm so shocked at his change of tone that I don't move.

His eyebrows raise, "Get up Little one. I need you to be a good girl for me, get up and get in the shower."

I know my eyes are wide but I'm still trying to process his sudden demand.

"Vuoi essere una brava ragazza, vero? Vuoi farmi felice?"

I nod my head sitting up so he isn't towering over me so much.

"Good, the only thing that will make me happy is for you to get up and shower. So can you be a good girl and go shower?"

I give him another nod and drop the blanket from my shoulders. I try to stand but his hand cups my chin coaxing me to look at him again.

"Use your words."

I knot my fingers together and stare down at them. He tugs my chin back up as soon as I break eye contact.

"Yes, Sir."

Draven gives me a rare smile and takes a step back so I can stand.

"Good girl, I'll be waiting here when you're done. Would you like me to pick out your outfit while you get cleaned up?"