•·.·'25'·.·•

I'm in my room already in my pajamas but they haven't returned.

I've come to terms that I need to tell Eli the truth.

That I didn't want to. I know i'll make to difference because I did it. But at least he'll know I'm not proud for my actions.

And I won't feel too much like a lier.

When I finally hear voices I stand up to open my door. But for some reason I freeze up.

Common Angelica. You've been waiting all day.

When I hear doors closing I come out of my stupidness. I just lost the opportunity. I eight and hold my head.

No! I won't give up.

I flung the door open (try) with my drawings in hand along with a marker.

I'll go first to Eli.

With each step I feel my hands getting colder and colder. You can do this Angelica.

I just need to knock. Just knock.

I lift my hands up and lightly knock on my eldest brothers door.

Clutching the drawings tightly to my chest. Why is he taking long. Does he know is me and doesn't want to open?

After what felt like forever the door handle twists.

I look up and see my brothers dark eyes.

"Can I come in?" I ask barely above a whisper.

He doesn't say anything just opens the door for me to come in.

I'm in the middle of the room and he just stands by the door.

He wants you to leave.

"Eli..."

I lift my head up and try my best to look at him in the eyes. "I- I'm really sorry for smoking and screaming at you yesterday"

I bite the inside of my lips to not cry.

At his silence I put the rest of the drawings on his bed along with the marker and take the big one that is for him. Slowly walking towards him I lift it up for him to take.

"I-I am so-so sorry Eli" I say with trembly lips.

His emotionless expression breaks when he sees my about to cry.

He sights and picks me up. When he holds me I always feel loved. But this time I don't feel like I deserve it. I've been horrible.

Despite this feeling I can't get away from the hug, because I need it right now.

"I'm sorry"

Eli walks towards his bed and sits down with me on his lap. He removes my arms from his neck and makes me look at him.

"Angelica..."

I cry harder, "You're still mad"

"What? No i'm not" He chuckles lowly.

"Yes you are! and why are you laughing" I wipe my eyes harshly but the tears don't stop.

Eli takes my cold hands away from my face and with his thumb he gently wipes my tears.

"Why do you say i'm still mad?"

"Be-cause you k-keep calling me Angelica" My chin trembles as I look at him with hurt.

Eli's big hand grabs my head and moves it to his chest. This just makes me want to cry more.

"Is okay. I'm not mad"

"Then what about yes-terday?"

"I was worried. Smoking is bad for your health baby"

I move my head to look at his face. I need to tell him. "Lucy..." I cut myself off. No longer crying. Is it really right for me to tell him? Would I be a horrible person if I do?

"What about Lucy?"

I aver my eyes. "Nothing..."

"If you don't tell me I really will be mad" Elias says sternly.

My eyes water again. "D-don't say that!" I cry.

Eli's eye widen. "I'm joking! I won't be mad. I just need you to not hide important things from me"

Lucy did lie multiple times.

"Lucy, she was the one who brought the cigarettes..."

Eli listens to me intently. "She said it was normal to smoke. So I did it"

"I know I shouldn't have but-but she was looking at me, like expecting me to do it. So I-I-" Not being able to finish I stop speaking.

"You felt like you had to do it" I nod.

"I'm sorry Eli, I promise I won't ever do it again"

Eli just looks at me. His arms indulge me in a warm hug. "It's not your fault baby"

"Huh?" I look up at him with big eyes.

"None of that was your fault. Lucy wasn't a good friend, and she pressured you to do things you didn't want to"

Elias understands. How?

"Lucy lied Eli" I hadn't realized how much what Lucy did hurt. It hurt a lot.

"I-I just wanted to have a friend"

I look down as a small tear falls on my pajama pants.

"I know"

Although Eli probably has never had this exact experience, him saying that makes me feel understood. Like it was okay that I believed everything Lucy said.

"I don't want to see her a-anymore"

"You won't"

...

"Who are does for?"

"For Romeo and Mateo" I grab both the drawings and with the marker I carefully write I'm sorry on both of them.

"You don't have to apologize" Eli reminds me.

"Still, it wasn't nice for me to scream" I say with a smile once i'm finished writing.

"Eli, can you please come with me to give these to them?"

"Why don't you go on your own?"

I shake my head with worried eyes. "Come with me please"

"Okay" Eli stands up and watched me while I pick up the drawings that accidentally slipped from my hands. Once im all ready I look up at my eldest brother with a determined smile. "I'm ready!"

Eli cracks a tiny tiny smile, "You're too cute" Eli picks me up and carry's me to Romeos room.

Without even hesitating a bit he knocks on the door.

I wish I could be that brave.

Romeo doesn't open so Eli knocks again. After torturous seconds Romeo opens looking half asleep. "What the hell..."

I can feel Eli glaring at Romeo.

"Romeo?"

"Yeah?"

"Is for your" I hand him the drawing I made of him and me at his work.

Romeo looks at it and I think he reads what's on it.

"Will you forgive me please?" I look at him with sad eyes.

Romeo lifts his eyes of the drawing and for the first time ever I see him smile.

I mean, Ive heard Romeo laugh every once in a while but never smile like how he is right now. I wish I could take a picture of him. He looks even more cool!

My eyes sparkle as I look at him. Romeo just pats my head and chuckles. "I was never mad at you"

"I was thinking..." Romeo walks back inside his room, "She really is my sister..." He trails off and lays back on his bed.

"Romeo!" Elias scolds him but is no use, Romeo is already asleep.

A tiny smile comes to my lips.

"He's sleeping Eli, let's go give this to Teo"

When Teo opens the door he reads the paper and pulls me from Elias arms and into a tight hug.

"You are so cute" He says as he places kisses on my cheeks.

"Thank you. Although I should apologize too. I acted very immature, i'm sorry"

A giggle and hug him super tight.

...

"Goodnight" I tell my eldest brother.

When he closes the door I don't take long for my eyes to fall close.

I'm happy

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End of Chapter 25

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