The next day, Romano invited Lily and me to come over and binge movies. Unfortunately, Lily declined—something about having too much homework. Though, I wasn't going to pass up the opportunity to hang out with Romano again, so I happily accepted. It was a shame he didn't attend Burnsley High. Otherwise, we'd probably be seeing a lot more of him.

"Mean Girls, Clueless, all of the Harry Potter movies–"

"I don't think there are enough hours in a day to even watch all of those movies, Ro," I giggled, interrupting his list.

He frowned at me on FaceTime.

"But–"

"I'll see you when I get there," I playfully warned him to cool it. "Bye."

"Fine," he dramatically huffed. "Just know that I hate y–"

I hung up on him, amusement dancing across my face.

"That boy," I muttered.

My phone dinged. I was exasperated to see Romano had spammed me with a series of crying-face emojis. I snickered at his theatrical antics before turning off my phone and continuing on my long journey to his house.

• • •

After a tedious walk to the other side of town, I finally came to a stop in front of the large house.

"Woah," I mumbled in awe, taking in my surroundings.

Beautiful magnolia trees littered the front of the house, and sprinklers watered the unbelievably green lawn. The front hedges were shaped and trimmed to such precision, that I wondered if a professional gardener had done it.

"He has a water fountain," I said in surprise, "with a swan."

After enough gawking, I began to walk along the stoned pathway. I rang the doorbell and apprehensively stared up at the tall front door. It looked like it could fit an entire family of giraffes. Though, if that surprised me, then boy was I shocked to see who answered the door.

"Flower," his husky voice said expectantly. "Come on in."

There was an evil little smirk dancing across Antonio's face. He'd clearly been waiting for me.

I was rooted to the ground and stared at him in shock. "What are you doing here?"

He gave me a smug look. "Oh, please. Like you didn't know this was my house. You just can't get enough of me, can you?"

"I had no idea you lived here," I blushed, to my annoyance. No wonder the house looked so familiar.

"I'll say I believe you just for your sake. Now, you coming?"

When I made no move, he rolled his dark eyes and began to close the door.

"Wait, I'm coming," I snapped out of it and placed my hand on the door.

He opened it again with an annoying, tell-tale smirk plastered across his face.

I rolled my hazel eyes and walked in, taking a look around the front hall. A grand, crystal chandelier was hung up at the very top. Red velvet curtains were pushed aside to allow sunlight to pass through the marvelous high windows. There were no family portraits, though I was so distracted by the beauty of the house that I didn't question it. Vases of flowers were stood atop a marble table. The exquisite paintings, the grand mirror, the luxury staircase that was so tall it looked never-ending—I didn't quite get the opportunity to appreciate it the night of the party, but oh my, this house was breathtaking.

"Your house is gorgeous," I said in awe, slowly prying off my jean jacket and hanging it up on the coat rack.

Antonio said nothing, but I could feel those dark eyes of his watching me.

Romano had told me he'd be waiting in one of the living rooms (apparently, there were multiple), but I had no idea where that was. As if reading my mind, Antonio led me along.

"C'mon, Flower," he muttered.

I had to rush to keep up with his long strides, my brown hair bouncing as I walked. We made our way past several rooms, until finally, I caught a peek of Romano's curly hair on top of a couch.

"Ro," I grinned.

Romano gasped at the sound of my voice and sat up. His face practically lit up and he gestured me over. "I've been waiting for you, Ro!"

I laughed and ran over to plop beside him. He practically smothered me in a hug, but I suddenly frowned when I caught a glance at the large flat-screen.

"You started without me?" I asked, staring at the scene of Regina George being hit with a bus.

"Well, you were taking too long," he said. At the look I cast him, he defensively raised his arms. "Alright, I'll go back to the beginning."

I nodded with a pleased smile. As I turned to the side, I realized Antonio was still standing there. His arms were crossed as he simply watched our interaction.

"You guys both call each other Ro," he sneered. "And I thought your friendship couldn't get any weirder."

"Ignore the haters, Ro," Romano stiffly advised me.

"Whatever," Antonio chuckled. "I'm going out."

"Where?" Romano nosily perked up. "Gonna smoke with those dumb friends of your's? Better yet, gonna pick a fight with someone from Downsview Academy?"

Antonio didn't even bother denying it, lazily shrugging. "Yeah, something like that."

Romano scowled at his cousin. "How ridiculous. Just stay with Rose and me."

"Why, so we can have a little girls night and watch movies? Maybe do some face masks later?" Antonio teased. "I don't think so."

Romano gave him the middle finger, but still persisted. "Please, stay?"

"No!" I finally blurted out.

Romano gave me a weird look. "Why?"

I stammered for an excuse. "I... just–he–"

"Yeah, tell us why, Flower," Antonio tauntingly smirked at me. I glared at him. He knew exactly why–I could hardly stand him and his stupid remarks. "You know, now that I think about it, maybe I'll stay."

"Yay!" Romano excitedly cheered. He clapped twice and the lights suddenly turned off.

I cast Antonio a look of disbelief. His mouth twitched, but he resisted from smiling as he walked over and settled down in the seat next to me. I shifted over on the couch so that I was practically molded into Romano, who was so invested in the movie that he didn't even notice the tension forming between his cousin and me.

"Drama queen," Antonio murmured with a roll of his dark eyes.

I ignored him and reached for a handful of popcorn. As I did so, I glanced at Antonio, who was surprisingly paying attention to the movie. Thus, I did the same.

• • •

We were on the fourth Harry Potter movie. It was getting late in the evening. I'd been here all day, stuffing my face with junk.

Romano, who had been resting his head on my shoulder, maintained a slow and steady breathing pattern.

"He's sleeping," I whispered in realization.

"Oh, yeah?" Antonio muttered in a low tone.

"Yeah," I nodded and then decided to voice the thought that'd been on my mind all night. "I didn't know that you two lived together."

Antonio looked surprised and turned to face me for a moment, before explaining in a low tone. "Romano's my cousin. He moved here from Italy about a year ago. His parents want him to finish school over here," he shrugged.

"So that's why he has a bit of an Italian accent," I said in realization. "Is he leaving once he's finished high school?"

Antonio nodded. He looked sad to think about it. I remembered on the day I'd met Romano, he introduced himself as Antonio's brother. It was clear that, no matter how much the two bickered, they were incredibly close.

"I'm sorry," I muttered sympathetically.

"For what?" he froze.

"Well, you'll probably miss him when he moves back to Italy."

Bitterness flickered across Antonio's face, but it was so quick that I wasn't sure I saw it.

He chuckled. "Yeah, well, everyone leaves eventually."

I frowned and looked away. "I can see what you mean by that," I said quietly. "This is the fifth time I've moved to a new place in two years."

Antonio looked surprised. "What are you, on the run?"

I softly chuckled. "Sure, let's go with that."

There was a comfortable silence for a moment, the sound of the TV quietly resounding.

"I've always hated moving so often," I found myself slowly continuing, peering down at my nail polish. "I'm always the new girl. None of the friendships I've made have lasted. All I've ever wanted was... stability. I want things to actually last."

He said nothing, and at first I thought he didn't care.

"I mean, not that it matters," I bit my tongue and silently condemned myself for even saying a word. I'd never told anyone that before... how deeply the constant moving affected me.

"No, it matters," He lowly replied, much to my surprise. "Don't dismiss your feelings... I completely get what you mean. Granted, I'm the complete opposite. I'd love nothing more than to leave this stupid town."

I stared up at him in confusion. "Really? Why? You seem to have so much... your friends, your gorgeous house, your nice family..."

A horribly dark look flashed across his face. "Family isn't everything."

There was an ominous meaning behind his words, but before I was able to mull over it he swiftly changed the topic.

"It's getting late." He clapped twice and suddenly the lights switched back on. How ridiculously rich.

I winced at the sudden brightness, turning to face him. "I should get home. We've got school tomorrow."

"Yeah, let's go," Antonio got up.

I gave him a strange look as he stood to his full height. He must've been over a foot taller than me—and I was 5'2. Antonio began to stretch and the white t-shirt that he wore slightly rose up. I caught a glimpse of his toned abs and stared in admiration.

"Take a picture, Flower. It'll last longer," he coyly smirked.

I faintly blushed and met his teasing eyes as he ran a hand through his tousled hair.

"Go suck an egg," I finally responded with narrowed eyes.

"Only if you'll feed me," he fakely pouted.

My eye twitched.

"You don't have to come with me," I said, deciding to ignore his comment.

Antonio walked around me. I wondered what he was doing, but the confusion quickly faded away. He placed a blanket over Romano's sleeping figure.

How cute, I thought, though I quickly caught myself. I mean... ew.

"I can walk home by myself," I continued when he didn't respond.

"It's late," he gruffly murmured, walking out of the room.

I was left with no choice but to follow after him, rushing to keep up with his long and quick strides.

"So? Nothing ever happens in this town," I said, following him to the front foyer.

"How would you know? You've lived here about a week."

I frowned as I shrugged on my jean jacket. "Touché."

Antonio held the door open for me and walked out behind me. Though, as I began to walk away from the house, he quickly pulled me back.

"Nuh uh, Flower. We're not walking."

My eyes landed on the black motorcycle parked on the stone driveway. Antonio walked over to it and briefly settled down as if it were nothing.

After sensing I wasn't joining, he sighed and looked at me. "You coming?"

"On your motorcycle?" I questioned in disbelief.

"No, on my helicopter."

I rolled my hazel eyes at his typical sarcasm. "I'll walk."

"We'll get to your house much quicker this way. Now hurry, I don't have all day," he said, irritation dripping from his tone.

"What if I die!" I exclaimed in horror.

"Then I'll throw you the funnest funeral you can imagine. There'll be bouncy castles and everything," he cast me a large smile, revealing the dimple on his right cheek.

My mouth twitched and I resisted the urge to smile, still stubbornly shaking my head. My curls moved with me.

"I'm not getting on that death trap."

Antonio suddenly stood up. My breath hitched as he began to walk towards me. He came to a stop and I carefully watched him, awaiting his next move. Suddenly, he placed a helmet on my head and buckled it. His cold hand brushed my soft cheek and I shivered.

"There, all safe," he deadpanned. "Now can we go?"

After a moment's silence, I reluctantly nodded. "Okay, but if I die, I'm coming back to haunt you."

"Deal," he flashed me a pearly smile.

I literally had to jump to climb on top of the giant vehicle. What was I getting myself into?

"You're not gonna wear a helmet?" I asked curiously.

"No."

"Why?"

"Don't need one," he shortly replied. "If I die, I die."

I gave him a dismayed look. "Pleasant."

He started the motorcycle and I hesitantly wrapped my arms his waist, feeling very aware of our close proximity.

"You're gonna wanna hold on a little tighter than that, Flower," he chuckled, and I felt his back rumble.

I didn't listen. He moved at a leisurely pace out of the driveway and I sighed contently, fluttering my eyes shut.

"This actually isn't that ba–woah!"

I shrieked and snapped my eyes open, clutching onto Antonio for dear life. The second he hit the road he sped off.

"Are you insane!" I yelped, my curly hair flying behind me.

He deviously laughed, and I held on even tighter. I wondered if I was hurting him. I didn't get to ask though, because if possible, he sped up. The wind blew through his tousled hair and reddened his cheeks. He seemed to enjoy the adrenaline rush.

"Antonio, you're going so fast!" I groaned in frustration.

"That's what they all say!" He shouted back at me, laughing.

I quickly understood the innuendo and puckered my freckled nose.

"You're almost as disgusting as you are insane," I said.

"Thank you, Flower."

From then on, we rode in silence. It became almost peaceful. The wind blowing back my curls, the feeling of Antonio's body protecting mine, the glistening stars peering down at us... I couldn't believe I was saying this, but I actually enjoyed it.

• • •