✰ ✰

"𝐊𝐧𝐨𝐜𝐤𝐞𝐝 𝐎𝐮𝐭"

I walked into business class with a scowl set on my face.

Unfortunately, it was that time of the month again, and mother nature chose this morning to welcome me with it.

I sagged sloppily in my usual seat and drew a palm across my face. I had placed my head on the table, trying hard not to groan in pain from my stomach's persistent burning.

Sometimes I despised being a woman.

My head lifted slightly to look over when I heard the chair beside me move. When I saw Roman sink in the chair next to me, my gloomy mood lightened a little.

To adjust himself, he fell back in his chair, spreading his legs and raising his body slightly. He ran his hand through his hair before looking over at me, and the searing ache in my gut shocked me again. I flinched and turned away.

I grumbled to myself subconsciously about how inconsiderate my stomach was being right now as I threw my head back between my crossed arms on the table.

The professor's words drew me away from my complaining, and I sat up straight for a moment, before slumping back down. I leant over to pull my laptop out of my bag, but when my hands felt nothing, I panicked.

I slid the bag onto my lap and began anxiously searching through it, only to come up empty-handed once more.

How the fuck did I take my bag to school and not pack anything?

I don't even recall what I did this morning, now that I think about it.

I sigh and toss the empty bag on the ground next to me, staring blankly at the professor.

Guess I'll have to use my brain.

My focus was brought to my desk, where a notepad and a pen was set in front of me. I frown as I glance in the direction it came from and look at Roman, dumbfoundedly.

His gaze was drawn to the front, but he detected my stare and turned to look at me. He peered into my eyes without emotion, then moved them to the notebook and nodded at it.

"Are you sure?" I whispered.

He rolled his eyes and returned his gaze to the front, nodding once more. I smiled widely at him and resisted the need to give him an appreciative hug.

I began jotting down everything and made a mental note to put it all down on my laptop together with the rest of my notes when I got home.

My stomach began to ache again, halfway through the lesson, and I was having none of it.

I put down my pen for the time being since I couldn't concentrate.

I stared mindlessly at the front of the class, my thoughts corrupted with the need for food and the nagging of my stomach.

I attempted wrapping my arms around my stomach to stop the cramps, but it didn't work.

My thoughts then had drifted to the boy sitting next to me.

Maybe he'll have Tylenol or something.

Why would he have Tylenol on him?

I don't know, just give it a shot.

Rolling my eyes at inner conversation, I turn towards Roman and tap him lightly, on the shoulder.

He gave me a blank stare and waited for me to say talk.

"Do you have any Tylenol?" I asked him with hesitation.

"No," He said bluntly, "What's wrong?"

I look down at my belly and pat it with my palm then, raise my head to face him.

"Not feeling too good,"

He looks down at the spot I had patted, bringing his gaze back to my eyes, nodding and returning to the front.

I sighed deeply through my lips and settled into my seat. Closing my eyes, I patiently waited for the day to end.

✰

After another thirty minutes, I was out of the room in a flash. I was in severe need of food, so I dashed to the cafeteria and queued.

"Fucking hell," I groan angrily, my stomach was killing me unfairly.

I bought some fries and an apple pie after I thankfully had made it to the front of the line.

I walked away after paying and went to an empty table. I had no idea where the rest of the crew was, but eating and sitting were the only two things on my mind at the time.

I started eating as soon as I sat down and, I hadn't noticed the person who had taken the seat beside me until my name was called.

I was slightly startled in my seat and placed a palm over my heart, as I turned to face the deep voice.

Roman only glanced at me, unimpressed by my jump scare.

"Hi," I muttered and looked back down at my fries.

My eyes widened when the coloured Tylenol packet was placed in front of me on the table. I looked at it in what seemed like relief that rushed through me, but also shock.

My eyes fell back on Roman and I smiled so widely that I could practically feel the happiness coming off of me. I threw my arms around his neck and mumbled numerous amounts thank you's.

He had caught my body, curling his arms around my waist as I kissed his cheek and mumbled one last thank you to him. I was too overjoyed to have realised what I'd done and had just pulled away.

I took the package in my hands and began to open it.

I probably screamed 'drug addict' right now, seeing that my excitement was purely overwhelming.

Popping off the cap of my water bottle, I gulped down the contents while swallowing the two pills.

I sighed contentedly as I restored it on the table.

My attention went back to Roman as I continued to devour my fries.

"So, how was your weekend?" I asked him casually as if I hadn't just acted like a drug addict.

He gave me a puzzled look and shook his head, a slight smile on his lips. When I saw it, my pulse raced a little faster, and I had to restrain myself from grinning.

"Fine, yours?" He responded while shifting his body to face mine.

"It was goo—

My words were cut off by my name suddenly being called from behind me, I turned around swiftly and frowned when Kara came rushing over to me.

"Bella!" She said frantically, "Nico's fighting,"

"What?" I sputtered, jolting up from my seat.

She grasped my arm and dragged me towards the exit doors. My mind raced with the possibility of my brother being injured, or him hurting somebody in front of everyone.

More as in murdering. God knows how vicious Nicolo can be when fighting.

My eyes feverishly scanned around for my brother as I hurried through the stained glass doors.

The swarm of students in the middle of the parking lot drew me over in that direction right away.

I pushed past the crowd and came to a halt when I witnessed Nico brutally beating a guy to death.

"Shit," I stammered and instantly rushed over to him.

My gaze was flying over his frantic motions, his blows landing on the boy's wounded face, which made it difficult to tell who he was.

My hands instinctively came around to his shoulders and I firmly began to draw him back.

Unfortunately for me, his reflexes were too quick for me, and he immediately drew his elbow back, slamming his elbow into my chest and knocking me to the ground.

Ouch

"Oh fuck!" I heard him scream.

My head began to throb, and my vision became cloudy.

"What the hell did you do, Nicolo?" Kara gasped.

And that was the last thing I heard before shutting my eyes and falling into the darkness.