✰ ✰

"𝐁𝐞𝐭"

My eyes flitted open, adapting to the sudden brightness that surrounded them.

I slowly lifted my body, sitting up on my elbows. My head throbbed terribly during the process and I looked around with narrowed eyes.

It appeared to be a small medical room, or most likely the nurse's office.

I had snapped my eyes away and went to my side when I sensed movement.

Shock filled my expression when my eyes fell on Roman reclined in a seat across from me. His head fell to the side, leant against the wall with his eyes, fluttered closed.

"Roman?" I called, cringing once I heard the sound of my hoarse voice.

His eyes opened and he almost immediately turned to face me.

With his hand, he ran a hand through his curls and stood up from his seat.

He came next to me, placing his hand on my thigh and squeezing it soothingly while he brought his eyes to mine.

"How are you feeling?"

The heavy accent fell right off his tongue as he spoke, reluctantly making me sigh inwardly at the sufficient sound.

I shrugged half-heartedly and moved closer to the bottom of the bed.

"I guess I'm okay,"

My memories came back to me as soon as the words left my mouth, now reminding me why I was here in the first place.

As if he knew what I was about to ask, he spoke it for me.

"He's fine," He said and rubbed small circles on my thigh unintentionally making me warm-up, "The nurse cleaned him up. He's in the bathroom," he confirmed.

I instantly relaxed and nodded my head. I placed my head against his arm and started tracing the tattoos on the hand that laid on my thigh.

"Where's the other guy?" I mumbled, my thoughts being an already jumbled mess as I thought of my brother.

The hand on my thigh continued to soothe me while he replied nonchalantly.

"Hospital."

My head snapped up at a lightning speed in response to his words, which I quickly regretted. I groaned as my head spun and I grasped it in my palms.

I felt his hand move away from my thigh and towards my back, softly rubbing it in a pattern.

"Careful, Bellissima."

I sighed and very slowly, raised my head to look at him again.

"He's not dead is he?" I frowned.

"No." Nicolo's voice spoke from the doorway.

I jerked my attention to him, taking in his slightly battered features.

He stared at me with worry, and I could tell he was feeling guilty. I knew it was going to take him a long time to recover from this.

Roman got up from his seat and indicated that he'd be outside. Nicolo stood at the door and watched him walk away before coming over to me and taking his place.

Nicolo didn't look at me; instead, he focused on a spot on my throat. I frowned and drew my hand to the area, which I quickly regretted when it began to ache from my touch.

My lips curled up in pain as I cradled my hand away from the injured spot.

Nicolo looked at me with neglect and then instantly flinging his arms around me.

"I'm so sorry," He rubbed my back while mumbling in my neck. I sighed and assured him everything was okay and that it wasn't his fault.

We stayed in this position for a minute or so before he broke the silence.

"Dad's pissed." He murmured as he rested his head on my shoulder.

In response, I cringed and drew back in his arms, facing him.

"Why were you fighting him?"

"He was talking shit," Nicolo said, his voice lowered and I nearly had to lean in to hear him.

My hands came around to his shoulder and gently lifted his grasp off of me so I could face him properly.

"About?" I asked, my eyes narrowed.

He gave me a disappointed expression and hesitated to speak. I looked at him sternly resulting in him rolling his eyes.

"He was making a bet with his friends," He started, I observed his fist beside him clenching and his eyes narrowing.

I rubbed his arm to help him relax, and he went on.

"It was a bet to see how long it would take to get you in bed with one of them."

My face cringed away from his, my face filling with disgust.

That's gross.

"Who was he?" I questioned carefully, and he responded by shrugging and returning my gaze.

"No idea," He grumbled, "I only overheard them mention your name and kept listening after that."

"Thanks, Nico," I said, half-smiling and wrapping my arms around his neck once again.

He kissed the top of my head and murmured a small 'welcome'.

The nurse had returned and checked on me once again and then told us we were allowed to leave. We both stepped out of the room and walked out into the hallway.

After exiting the office and returning to the sidewalk I took in the sky that was becoming darker, and the students with night classes that were beginning to arrive.

I observed Roman standing near the staircase with his phone to his ear; he hung up, stuffed the phone in his pocket, and pulled out an unlit cigarette.

"Roman," I called, and Nico gave me a nod before walking away to his car.

I was caught aback by his unexpected anger when he turned to face me. As he stared at me, his eyes were hard as steel set in a menacing glare. With concern strewn on my face, I stepped over to him and examined his tightened jaw as the muscle began to tick.

"You okay?" I asked him, slowly.

He shifted his gaze away from me, glancing at something behind me, and nodded indifferently.

I looked at him confused until he turned around and gave me a single nod. "See you, Arabella." He muttered coldly as he turned away from me, walking over to his car.

My lips mounted open in surprise at his abrupt attitude shift. With a shake of my head, I turned around and walked straight towards Nico's car.

I entered through the side door. Nicolo gave me a sidelong glance before reversing the car and driving away from the area.

I was lazily playing with my hands as we made our way onto the streets, while my thoughts were consumed by Roman. I kept going over everything in my head, trying to remember what I had said to anger him.

"I didn't know you and Roman were close," Nicolo's question jolted me out of my stupor.

My eyes widened but I quickly covered it up and stared out the window.

"Uh, we're not?" I said shifting my eyes around the cars we passed.

"We're just mutuals."

"Well, he looked a little more concerned for you two to be just 'mutuals." He said confidently.

"W-Well, he's my friend, so I guess that's why," I responded almost meekly, gulping and gazing at my fingers.

He chuckled and shook his head, "I'm just playing,"

I laughed along with him, but my laugh wasn't exactly humorous.

We returned home shortly, and we both managed to enter our rooms without being seen by either of our parents.

After a shower, I changed into some comfortable shorts and a plain white sweatshirt and proceeded to my bed. My pain had subsided, and I was much happier than I had been earlier in the day.

Even though my head was still inundated with memories of Roman's prior attitude. I tried to divert my attention by doing some schoolwork.

I studied for a time, writing down all I needed to know and then repeating the process with the notes I took today in class.

My mind and body were both exhausted by the time I finished. I slid back into bed after charging my laptop and brushing my teeth.

I looked through my phone for ideas for my next painting while scrolling through various photos.

Normally, my inspiration came only from my imagination, and it was a way for me to physically express my feelings, but I wasn't feeling particularly much right now.

I got out of bed and headed downstairs, passing through a few halls before reaching my art room.

I walked in and opened the curtains, allowing the moonlight and a side view of the back road next to my house to peek through.

I took out a blank canvas and set it on the painting easel, gathering all of the dark colours, my mind briefly imagining what I would be painting.

Sitting down, I rolled up my sleeves to my elbows and set my phone on the table next to me. I started playing Lana Del Rey and settled right into my comfort zone.

✰

My hands moved in unison with the brushes I held between my fingers. Blues, blacks, and golds are used in the dabs, swirls, and strokes. My eyes glided over the artwork as I hummed along to the lyrical song.

I took in the navy blue, starless sky. Then drifted towards the few glowing buildings in sight, the two silhouettes seated on the ledge of the high brick wall.

One was taller and more muscular, while the other was shorter, dainty, and her hair was blowing in the breeze.

Ice cream was held in both hands, and the smaller figure was leaning against the muscular one as they gazed out into the city.

The recollection of my first date flashed through my head, and my lips wept into a small smile.

The sound of my phone ringing jolted me out of my trance, and I looked down to scan the caller, only to see an unknown number on the screen.

I frowned as I pressed the green button on the screen and held it to my ear.

"Hello?"

My heart was racing as I listened to his deep voice on the phone. I took a deep breath and responded.

"Hi, Roman,"

It went silent for a moment, and I almost assumed he'd hung up until I heard his voice again.

This caused me to leap from my seat and dash towards the window.

I peered out the window and caught sight of his black car, which he was leaning against with his phone to his ear.

I put the phone down and opened the window. When I shouted his name, his steely gaze shifted in my direction. He stared at me, indifferently, for a few moments before walking over to me.

I walked back to my seat after opening the window wider for him to come in.

My gaze returned to the window when I heard it close. My eyes followed Roman as he walked right towards me. Each stride he made intimidating me further.

I tilted my chin up as he stood in front of me, his facial expression stoic.

My gaze stayed on him, holding his eyes as I was still irked by his earlier attitude. Although, that flew out the window when he leant down and smashed his lips onto mine.

I was stunned, but I surrendered fast and immediately melted against his lips. As he kissed me tenderly, his hands reached around my waist and pulled me up to him, my chest pressing against his.

The flavour of mint and vanilla as well as the feel of his soft lips that mirrored my own, had me melting and yearning for his kisses in every way.

My arms hung loosely over his neck as we continued to kiss ever so passionately.

He was addicting, so fucking addicting. And I was so completely pulled towards his cold demeanour and heartless self, but also pulled to the small things he does for me that only makes me believe that he does have a heart.

He pulled back just before it got too heated and rested his head against mine. My lips were parted, breathing heavily and I was sure they were red from the deep, blissful kiss he had just given me.

My grey eyes stared up at him, a flurry of emotions washing over me abruptly.

"I'm so—

He stopped himself, exhaling through his nose and closing his eyes before reopening them and staring directly into my own.

"I'm sorry." He whispered.

I cocked my head to the side and stared blankly at him. I observed his eyes, they were lifeless but there was something else in them, almost as if it were worry?

I looked away and leant my head against his chest, my cheek up against his clothed, hard rock chest.

"It's fine," I mumbled quietly.

"He's dead." He said almost immediately.

I leant off his chest, confused.

"Who?"

His hands tightened on my waist as he glanced at something behind me and bit the inside of his cheek.

"The guy," He started, "who made the bet."

I frowned and he glanced back at me, his eyes still void of emotion.

"Is that why you were upset?" I murmured, and he nodded as he looked into my eyes, I sighed.

My arms came around his neck, causing him to bend down. I tightened my arms around his neck and brought my head into the crook, "So you weren't mad at me?"

"No, Ella." He replied gently in my ear and I finally smiled.

"Okay, good," I mumbled and rested my head on his shoulder.

His hands remained around my waist, drawing me closer to his body. One hand brushed slow circles on my skin, causing shocks to run down my spine.

After another minute or so, we began to back away.

"Are you staying?" I asked, taking a step back and cocking my head to the side.

"Do you want me to?" He asked, leaning against the wall and crossing his arms over his chest.

I shrugged and turned my gaze to my fluffy baby pink socks that covered my feet.

"Yes," I replied. I sensed him approaching me, and my suspicions were confirmed as he placed a hand under my chin and tilted my head up.

"Then I'll stay." He said as his thumb brushed over my bottom lip and his eyes drilled into mine.

My gaze was drawn irresistibly towards his lips, as if by an invisible force. My thinking became foggy as my gaze remained fixed on the crimson flesh; his thumb slid from my bottom lip to my cheekbone, grazing it.

My gaze shifted from his lips to his eyes, which were already fixed on mine.

He bent down and closed his eyes as he pressed his lips to the corner of my lips, causing my breath to catch in response.

"I like your painting," He murmured into my ear, his cool breath fanning my skin.

I blushed and turned to face him.

"Yeah?" I said with a small smile on my face.

He smirked, his fingertips caressing the side of my neck and brushing some hair aside.

"Would you like to be my muse?" I blurted out of the blue and immediately closed my eyes at my folly.

That was real chill, Arabella.

He chuckled and glanced at me amusedly, the most emotion I've ever seen on him. And I smiled at the fact I was the one to do that.

I leant behind him and grabbed another stool, then sat on my stool and patted the one next to me.

He glanced at me with a small smirk and sat down.

I resorted to my paints and mixed up a new palette with a variety of colours.

I've never painted someone up close like this before, so it'll be a little rusty, but I'm ready to try. After all, I'm probably staring at the most gorgeous person on the planet, so why not make the most of it?

After I scattered all the paints needed, I turned the canvas towards me, so he couldn't see it and also so he was now right in front of me.

I reached for one of my paintbrushes, eager to get started.

"You ready?" I asked him, he smirked and nodded his head, leaning it against the wall beside him.

"Okay." I breathed.

I dipped my paintbrush into the first hue and made the first stroke.