don't lie to me

Chapter XII

Prior to that Monday morning I could have never guaranteed that the clock ever showed the hours between four and eight in the morning- I was just assuming what others had told me was true- that the clock did, in fact, display those times. Unfortunately, an alarm clock I did not remember setting went off at the ungodly hour of 5:30- meaning that I could guarantee clocks functioned that early. I, however, also discovered that I could not function that early and instead felt like actual death.

As much as every bone, muscle, organ, and cell in my body begged me to ignore the obnoxious beeping and go back to sleep, Stefano- who was too chipper for any normal human that early in the morning- came in to ensure that I was up and getting ready.

I followed my usual morning runtime, but at a significantly slower pace, with only minor adjustments, mainly the use of a hot shower and many expensive and unexpired products. I used more makeup than usual for two main reasons. One: I looked like a racoon, and two: it was my first day! I then straightened and curled my hair and tied part of it back with a white silky ribbon I found.

Once I finished, I noticed a freshly washed and ironed uniform on my new desk. It was a white colored shirt and preppy blue and white plaid skirt that hit just above my knee (I planned to roll it to mid-thigh), opaque black tights (which I decided against wearing despite the winter weather), a grey blazer with the school's emblem, and the ugly necklace (I chose to see it as an optional accessory to be removed once I was out of the sight of my 'brothers').

When I descended the stairs, around forty-five minutes after waking up, the 'brothers' that were downstairs looked at me as though I had killed their mother- like stabbed her multiple times in the chest right in front of them.

"Absolutely not." It was Vincent who spoke first and Dominic, Gio, and Stefano nodded in agreement. The vague statement confused me.

"Amalia, we have discussed how you should present yourself and how your appearance and attitude reflects on the rest of us and-" It seemed Leonardo was about to explain

"-And yet you chose to ignore those comments and only focus on yourself and your own personal goals." Vincent interjected.

"I'm sure the guilt tripping and manipulation works on some people, but it is so incredibly fucked up to say that to someone you consider family." Without allowing Vincent to respond, which without a doubt would have led to an argument that left all involved parties angry.

Leonardo slammed his hand on the table in a shockingly calm way, "Enough! We will sit and enjoy the meal prepared for us in peace, or silence if we cannot converse in civil discussions."

Everyone nodded in response to the order, including myself who feared the cold environment he had created, and on cue two maids walked out in simple uniforms to deliver the breakfast. I could not help feeling spoiled and guilty for being served a perfect meal with too much food than we could ever need by paid staff in a multi million dollar mansion while my friends back home struggled to make ends meet, it was just wrong.

"Amalia, please eat your food." It was Gio who first spoke once it was seen that I was only pushing my food from side to side and bringing empty forks to my mouth rather than actually eating.

"I am still full from dinner, I ate a lot."

"Nonsense, you ate one garlic knot and less than a slice of pizza, I did not comment then but you will eat all that is on your plate now." Angelo suddenly turned stiff and the veins in his neck stuck out.

"We met with a nutritionist who said that she was malnourished and the first thing you give her is pizza? It's like you want her to like you more than you want her to live. Are you really that desperate to be the favorite?" He said pointing a finger at me while still glaring at Leonardo.