Afraid•Niccolo Genoveder Rossi •

twenty

|Serena|

We were released from detention an hour later.

I was still baffled by his behavior.

Why would he do this?

He doesn't even love me.

He really wants to win that game.

|Two weeks later|

|Serena|

Marco was sick today.

That means I have to study all by my pathetic self in philosophy today.

I was walking to class when somebody took my arm and pulled me into a corner.

"What the hell?"

"It's just me". His voice spoke.

"Get off of me".

"I told you I loved you and you are avoiding me".

"Leave me alone! Go back to your girlfriend!"

"I don't want her! I want you! That's all I wanted." He says, quieting down.

"You just like the thought of me".

"But it's so much more than that.." He starts.

"Leave me be."

"Cami wants to invite you to our place at nine. Take it or leave it, you're doing to her keep in mind". He says, taking a final look at my lips and walking away.

I didn't have the time for any of this.

And sure enough,Cami invited me and hour later.

"Yeah sure Cami. I'll be there."

"Great. Bring your swimsuit".

"Will do".

School ended and I drove over to Marco's.

I entered his house without a knock.

"Where is my favorite gay secretary of Dior?" I call out.

"Gay secretary of Dior is currently dying without company coming to visit!" He calls, his voice scratchy.

I laugh to myself and open his door.

"Did you take my philosophy quiz for me today?" He asks, smiling over at me.

"In spirit ".

"That's good enough for me ". He replies.

"Try telling Mr. Correl that". I retort.

"He'll have to shove it down his big ass mouth". Marco says, taking a tissue.

"You better get over this, because Niccolo is taking no time at all to try to win me over in this sick game of his". I complain miserably.

Marco's jaw tightened.

"Did that twat lay a finger on you while I was away?"

And that's when I told him about the encounter today.

"And you're going to his house today?"
"Camilla wanted me to go."

"If he does anything to you, I will end this for you okay?" Marco spat, anger in his eyes.

"You need another Tylenol." I say, standing up.

"I need Tylenol and a glass of Campari". He responds, rubbing his eyes.

"I think you need to go to a little white room". I retaliate, seeing his face as he figured out what I was referring to.

He gasped dramatically.

"You really think that I belong in a mental hospital?"

"Maybe". I say, a small giggle in my voice.

He tossed a pillow at my face.

I chucked it back at him.

He was about to retaliate when I stopped him.

"Here's your Tylenol, patient 202." I joke.

"Well paitent 202 is about to swing". He retorts.

"Code red! Code red! I repeat! Code red! Patient 202 had one too many moments away from the elements and is showing physical retaliation to his meds!" I say, as he tickles my ribs and chucks pillows at me.

I eventually was able to give him his meds.

|Niccolo|

I was waiting for the hours as they ticked down.

I'm not gonna fuck it up this time.

She's mine.

Virginia wrapped an arm around me. 

We were sitting on my bed, her documenting it all with her phone.

And all I could think about was the events to come.

Marco won the battle but I'm winning the war.

The way they laughed together.

Their stupid jokes.

I want to be on the inside.

I want to have those jokes with her.

The doorbell rang at 9pm. Virginia left an hour ago for whatever reason.

Serena stepped in, wearing jean shorts and a tank top.

"Hey chica!" Camilla says, embracing her.

She smiled a little.

Her gaze darted over to mine. 

She looked away quickly.

"Here, I'll go pour us glasses of wine and you two can wait in the hot tub". Camilla says.

I nodded too eagerly.

"I'll show you the way". I tell Serena.

She nods quietly.

Once we got outside,  she threw her into a messy bun the piled onto the top of her head.

Locks of deep brown and sheins of auburn and some raven piled.

She took off her jean shorts and tank top, to reveal the swimsuit she wore.

She avoided my gaze the entire time.

Damn she was tricky.

I took her hand.

She looked at me, about to let go.

I walked her into the hot tub, then let go of her. 

I sat on the opposite side she was on.

It was all about letting her get to know the less desperate side of me.

"You're beautiful, Serena. You don't give yourself enough credit."

I finally say.

She scoffed.

She'd look damn good in a wedding dress.

Here I was.

Sitting in the hot tub with the girl that hates me.

Or so she led me to believe.