SINBOUND

XI

I woke up with a massive fucking headache.

The curtains were open and sun was hitting me smack dab in the face. I groaned and looked to my side to see a cup of water sitting on my nightstand with some Advil.

Probably Ares' doing.

I quickly swallowed the pill, washing it down with Advil before I got up and did my hygiene.

I got changed into some comfy clothes and looked to the side of the room to see me and Ares' backpacks sitting there.

Right.

Today was mom's funeral. I let out a deep sigh and looked away, not letting tears form in my eyes.

I walked out of the room and went downstairs; finally having memorized the layout of this unreasonably large house. I saw Ares sitting at the dinner table as the chef talked to him. She was an old lady with silver hair and a bright smile. She was also the only one that didn't have to wear uniform around the house, which makes me think she's been here for a while.

"Hello, Lilin, dear. Would you like some breakfast? You have a long flight ahead of you today." She asked sweetly, her eyes holding pity.

"No, that's okay Ms. Rosita. I'm sure there will be snacks on board." I replied, sending a forced smile back. She tutted her tongue and went to fix me something up anyway, which is something inevitable when it comes to her.

I came up to Ares and gave him a big hug, squeezing the life and soul out of his body. He was practically wheezing when I let go but he giggled anyway.

"Are you okay, Lils?" He asked me with concern. I nodded, smiling.

"I'm okay munchkin. I had a bad night, that's all. Thank you for the water and Advil."

"I didn't leave Advil. Only water."

I paused for a second. What? Then who did?

Carlo walked into the room with a pep in his step. The pep clearly faded away when he spotted us. "Oh, hey guys." He said, shifting on his feet uncomfortably. "Uhm....are you guys oka-"

He was cut off by Elio, who came running up behind him. "READY! Are you guys ready? For the trip, bags packed?"

I nodded apprehensively. "So...who exactly is coming along?"

"Everybody." Armani said simply, emerging from thin air as he grabbed an apple from the fruit basket.

My mouth dropped. "But — really, we don't need —"

Father of the Year walked in next. "Don't worry, it isn't all for you. The boys would surely throw parties if left alone too long,"

"Oh. Okay."

Riccardo and Enzo walked in finally, both looking like shit. Enzo had his nose buried in a book and Riccardo was staring off into space as he took a seat at the table.

"Didn't I tell you not to show your face until we left for the airport?" Alessandro asked him angrily.

Riccardo looked up at his father — well, our father, I guess — and said nothing. Just waited to be scolded and my heart ached, because no matter how much I don't respect him, I knew the feeling all too well.

"Uhm...I told him to stay," Ares' voice came from beside me.

Everybody looked at him in surprise. Ares almost never spoke up in front of them, especially not in defense of Riccardo. I raised an eyebrow. Did he threaten Ares to cover for him?

Yet as I looked up at Riccardo, he seemed just as surprised as everybody else.

"And why did you do that, Ares?" Armani asked calmly, not letting father of the year talk as he looked livid.

"Well...it was raining outside. If he got sick he wouldn't be able to come." Ares said nervously, inching behind my back now that everybody's eyes were on him.

Alessandro looked at me. "Make sure he doesn't do that again. In this house, punishments are punishments. Riccardo did something wrong so he will face the consequences. I'll let it slide this time but it won't happen again, understood?"

Ares is his own person and I am mine, so I don't know why he's telling me this but I nod nonetheless.

"Verbal answers, please,"

"I understand," I gritted out, trying not to glare at him.

"Good. We're leaving in thirty minutes — all of you come on, go get packed. Let's go. Look alive, people!"

Everybody groaned and filed out of the room, muttering complaints under their breath. Me and Ares hastily finished our breakfast before going up to my room. I gave him a fresh change of clothes and his backpack. I grabbed a blanket in case he wanted to sleep on the plane and sure enough, in thirty minutes, we were on our way.

The car ride was awkward enough. We were all piled into two different cars. By the time we got to the airport I was already half asleep. Me and Ares sat in a booth at the very back, hoping nobody would bother us. But of course Enzo has to sit in the same booth.

I don't really mind Enzo. He's quiet but he's kind. Although I haven't spoken him since the incident in my bedroom with Ares' nightmares.

Armani and Alessandro were on a booth on the other side, talking in hushed voices. Carlo was sitting with Elio, both of whom already watching a movie in front of them. Riccardo was sitting alone in a few booths away, tapping at his phone and I almost felt bad until he whipped his head around and glared at me.

Asshat.

Our booth was silent for a good 30 minutes. Then Enzo finally spoke up. Or, you know, signed up. Something like that.

I don't know anymore dude.

Are you okay? He signed apprehensively. My eyes widened. I hated that question because everything just comes spilling out.

"Yeah. Yeah I'm fine." I mumbled, looking away.

And then I looked back because I realized the dude doesn't talk.

Don't lie. It's okay to not be okay. He smiled at me.

I narrowed my eyes but abandoned my spot next to Ares and sat next to him. Staring at him for a second, he removed the armrest from between us and opened his arms wide. My chin wobbled and I hugged him tightly.

Am I on my period? This is totally not normal. Oh my gosh, im probably PMS'ing. Never catch a break, do I?

For some reason tears fell out of my eyes and I quietly sobbed into his shoulder, knowing Ares was asleep anyways.

He leaned closer and brought his lips next to my ear.

"Everything's g-going to be okay," a raspy voice whispered.

Oh my golly gee?
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WC: 1116