Adelina POV:
I know for a fact that in about 45 minutes I will start feeling the effects. I also know for a fact that in about 45 minutes I will be surrounded by all of my brothers. Well, except the two oldests. They're going to be at work.
It's been about three hours since I was woken up, it's almost 11:30. I'm expected to be in the living room in half an hour. I tried many things to get out of it, but Valentino was very insistent.
Ridiculous if you ask me.
I will be meeting my cousins two weeks from now. That was his reasoning. They wanted to get to know me better before introducing me to new people. However, I have no desire for them to get to know me better.
Yet, here I am, walking extremely slowly towards the stairs. The little edible I had consumed not long ago is starting to take it's effects. The feeling of being on edge is starting to soothe and calm is replacing it.
I make it to the bottom of the stairs and catch Valerio walking in through the front door. He's shoving a pack of cigarettes back into his pocket. He blows a final puff of smoke though his lips while his head turns toward me.
We make eye contact for a split second before he makes his way towards the movie room.
Rude.
I didn't realize he smoked. I wonder if the others know.
By the time I arrive to the room everyone else is already there. Snacks litter the table and the tv is already open while one of them scrolls on Netflix.
There are open seats everywhere, the boys are loosly sprawled out on the big leather couches in the room. I survey my surroundings before choosing one with Valerio on my left and Angelo on my right.
Two hours later, the credits of a movie Valentino had chosen start rolling. I hadn't made a move throughout the film, but a smile has been glued to my lips for the longest time in forever.
My limbs feel as though they weigh thousands of pounds but there's no denying I'm completely content in this feeling of euphoria. I have no desire to move, calm and ease taking over every fiber in my body.
And I'm happy. Terribly, wrongfully happy. I shouldn't be, I'm surrounded by them but I'm not happy because of them which I guess makes it better.
Valentino, who is sitting on the far on the opposite end of the couch. shoots up from his seat declaring he needs to use the restroom before our movie marathon continues. He quickly races out of the room, not wanting to waste time, which leaves the three of us in silence.
"That was a horrible movie," Valerio snorts with the roll of his eyes.
I let out a giggle, finding his words oddly hilarious. They all turn to me with amazement shining in their eyes that probably stems from my laughter.This only makes me laugh more and I throw my head back onto the cushion, continuing my fit of giggles.
"You can't tell him that," I say, facing him.
None of them move to reply, they simply settle for staring.
"Stop staring," I say, a goofy smile still on my face "you guys always do that. I'm not very interesting to look at, you know."
This lightly snaps them out of their daze.
"Of course you are neonata" Angelo speaks "you're a beautiful young lady."
"Shh,I didn't ask for an opinion" I laugh with a happy tone whilst my eyes shutting on their own accord.
"He's not lying," Valerio looks over to me with a smirk "you look like me, of course you're pretty."
"Fuck off you cocky asshole," I smile, a real genuine smile. Valerio's smirk lightly twitches, showing me he's holding back a smile aswell. I lean towards him with my genuine smile turning into a sly one. "You're allowed to smile, you know." I loudly whisper.
Valentino chooses this moment to walk in. Hearing my last comment, he breaks out in laughter with the rest of us while Valerio just shoves me back into my place. We all enter an animated discussion in which I laugh at the smallest things, shocking the boys.
They all, except Valerio of course, start to grow warm smiles on their faces to match mine. A rather amazing feeling courses through my veins and I soak up every moment of it.
My pupils are probaly wide and my eyes red so I've made my best effort to avoid eye contact with all of them. I don't know how well I've succeded but I can't find it in me to care at the moment.
The boys collectively decide the next movie. My eyes slightly bulge at the idea, I certainly am not in the mood to watch the evolution of the abused main caracter.
The film starts and my stomach quenches. I spend most of the time thinking happier thoughts, something that becomes fairly easy in my state. I get lost in random subjects, one being how my stomach probably thinks all potatoes are mashed and the other being that the voice in your head never needs to take a breath.
So, during the movie, I simply think. My mind wanders to various subject which I jump into with deep contemplation. Before I know it, I'm snapped back into reality with a large crash coming from the screen. I can say confidently that this movie is nearing it's end.
I watch for a while, finding too many similarities between the grandfather and Michael. It irks me. I look around feeling a sudden sense of discomfort and realize I'm practically lying on top of a sleeping Valerio.
His arm is around my shoulder and he is utterly passed out. I lightly snort at the predicament, finding it oddly funny.
"Guys look!" I whisper shout. They all look at me with a weird look. "The dumbass is asleep." They all laugh and I notice most of the food on the table is gone.
"Where's the food gone?" I ask with a solemn tone, completely interrupting the movie.
They all hush me and return their attention to the screen. I let out a "hmph" of displeasure and they look towards me with a hint of awe. I let out another giggle, seemingly for the thousandth time, and their eyes soften.
Who knew it was this easy to have them in this state.
The movie soon ends and the boys start speaking to one another. My stomach, which had been previously emptied, starts growling and I turn my head towards the still sleeping Valerio to hide my laugh. I've had quite enough of their stares.
"Hungry, are we?" Angelo laughs.
"A little bit," I whisper. He stands up and goes towards the coffee table to pick up a half eaten bowl of chips and offers it to me. I greedily accept but hesitate once I want to begin eating. Rule number four constantly repeats itself in my mind and I start to wonder whether I should just say fuck it and eat.
I pick up a handful of chips but can't seem to make any move to bring it closer to my lips. The boys, the ones that are awake, seem to realize my staring at the salty goodness and look at me questioningly.
"You going to eat that?" Valentino pipes up. I stare at them and while rhey observe me with different looks. Raffaele with a sad smile while Valentino and Angelo look confused.
"Raffaele," I whisper rather loudly, not taking my eyes off them "Am I allowed to eat this?"
The boys now turn to Raffaele, a questioning look taking over their features.
"Yes, you always will be." he simply says, to which I respond by stuffing my mouth. In the end, they ignore my actions. It's hard to believe they haven't noticed my odd behaviour. They return to conversation while I munch loudly.
I hear a groan from behind me and turn to find Valerio's eyes open.
"Guys, guys!" I exclaim "He's awake! Look at that, sleeping beauty has woken" He eyes me weirdly.
"Va bene, questo è tutto. Perché si comporta così." Valerio finally announces.(Alright, that's it. Why's she acting like this.)
"Non lo so. à più felice però, mi piace. Finalmente si sta mettendo a suo agio con noi." Valentino beams. (I don't know. She's happier though, I like it. She's finally getting comfortable around us.)
"Non ci credo." Valerio mutters. (I don't believe it)
"Lascia stare." Angelo says. (Just leave it be)
"You guys keep speaking in Italien as if-" I start to say but am cut off by Valerio.
"Qualcosa non va." Valerio announces. (Somethings not right.)
"Smetti di cercare di trovare un problema! Sta diventando più felice con noi ora, smettila di cercare di trovare un problema." Valentino says annoyedly. (Stop trying to find a problem! She's becoming happier with us now, stop trying to find an issue.)
"Sono d'accordo." Angelo agrees and after a couple moments so does Raffaele.
Valerio's colourful language does not go unnoticed but certainly does go ignored. I panic slightly, wanting the conversation to be done with, and naturally blurt out the first diversion that comes to mind.
"Did you guys know Valerio smokes, how come I haven't realized?" I say.
"Yes, we all know," Valentino laughs " the scent follows him everywhere. It's surprising you haven't noticed." I reply with an oh and the conversation moves on.
They talk about an upcoming game on tv and I become very aware of Valerio's arm still around my shoulder. Then my I think of Sebastian. I had wanted to see him this morning and that thought certainly hasn't vanished.
"Val," I poke him.
"Fuck off." he says.
"Can I leave?" I ask full of hope.
"You're asking me? Sure, whatever." he dismisses.
"Yay!" I jump up from my seat "I get to see Sebby!"¸
This gains all of their attention. They all halt and look to me.
"Sebby?" Valerio asks, his voice dangerously low.
"Yes?" I respond, obviously not reading the room correctly.
"Who the fuck is Sebby?" Angelo is quick to his feet. I realize that none of them are in the slightest pleased.
"A-a," I pause "A tree. It's a tree that I like to sit by and ponder my thoughts." I finish. Incredibly plausible if you ask me. With that I walk right out of the room and when my stomach rumbles, I walk right back in.
"Who wants to give me money?" I ask loudly. Valentino instantly reaches into his pocket while Angelo asks what for. Valentino lifts his head with wide eyes, probably realizing he should have asked too.
I reply quickly it's to get food, it's not a lie, and once they spare a couple bills for me, I make my way out.
I don't know where I want to go but certainly know it's anywhere but here. I take out my phone whilst leaving the house. I scroll through my phone to find the contact that I was looking for and press the call button without second thought.
The fresh air hits me on the way out of the house and I smile. I hear the low rumble of a car in the distance and I sigh while looking down. Yes, it is true happiness I am feeling now.
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Hi loveliessss
How was your day?
How did you guys find the chapter?
I hope you're not too mad at the late update 0.o
Comment your thoughts!
Writers block is the worst, I'm very upset about it.
See you all next week!
Bye loveliessssss.