(Sierra's POV)
The air on campus was different this morning, lighter but strangely tense somehow, as if the day already knew it was going to test me.
I walked beside Sebastian, his sleeve clutched unconsciously in my hand the same way my nerves always played tricks with me. He didn't complain, actually smiling down at me.
"Bella-," he murmured, his nickname for me since two weeks ago, "you're biting your lip again."
I stopped. "I—am I?"
He laughed. "You always do it when you're anxious."
And he noticed. He always does. Sebastian's so gentle and kind person, I never thought I'll ever get. He accepted me from the first day of mine on this house. He calls me bella, the name my father used to call. He used to tell me that I'm more beautiful than my mother, I have Spanish accent like him, the power of attracting people easily. But I stopped beliving that after he left us. Didn't I deserve the love of a father? Or a reason to console my heart why he left me? I thought all this holding Seb's sleeve.
I quickly let go of his sleeve and straightened my bag. "Sorry."
"Never apologize to me," he said softly. "I am not Stefano.
His name hit me like cold water. I reacted as though nothing happened. But Sebastian saw it. He always saw it. I asked him "Seb, can I ask u something?"
"Come on bella, u don't need my permission to ask me anything. Just shoot." He said grinning.
" Why Stefano hate me so much"
"Bella he doesn't hate u, he hates the daughter of our father new wife and her daughter."
"What's the difference."
"Our mom's death was a accident. But Stefano always tells it wasn't an accident. Still now he couldn't reveal this secret. He was very attached to our mom. In our childhood, I used to go for friend's house, park, video gaming he was always with mom. Sometimes help her in cooking or gardening or went to shopping or park. Everyone used to call him mamma's boy. Ever since that accident happened he became like this. But I know he's very good by heart. He doesn't to give our place to anyone that's why he doesn't like ur mom so as u." he tell me all this sadly. I understand now, not now from the first day I understood that something is wrong with him. He is hiding his pain. That's why he hates me I understand but why he behave jealous when I talk to anyone?
Marko jogged over, sweat on his forehead, breathing heavy but still grinning.
"Well, good morning, Sierra," he teased. "You look like sunshine today." Sebastian stood a bit straighter beside me. "She always does." I wanted to roll my eyes at both of them, but I still smiled.
Ethan joined in, wiping his neck. "We're going to the cafeteria. Coming with us"? Before I could answer, Stefano yelled from behind them:
"Marko! Arko! Warm-down laps!" He wasn't even looking at me. He didn't have to. The tension was already electric. Marko groaned. "Tell your brother he's damn dramatic." Sebastian grinned. "He's always so dramatic. I tried not to show it, but Stefano's voice had always done something strange to me-even when he wasn't talking to me. Especially when he wasn't talking to me.
(The next day)
Sunday. Funday? No, a punished day if Stefano was there. But today we have guest and that's Angel, my new friend and Ethan's girlfriend. Marko and Ethan isn't guest here they are family for Stefano an Seb and for others, and now for me also. The love, care, friendship, affection I always crave for finally came to my door. They made me friend, they are taking care of me, protecting me. They doesn't know how much I craved for such affection as I was always alone I just hope they never left me like my father. Cz if they broke my trust my trust like my father I don't think I'll be ever able to build myself again.
Angel arranged the cushions on Sebastian's huge game room floor.
"Truth or dare !" she exclaimed. "But everyone hates dares so—truth only!" Marko grinned. "Perfect. I've got questions."
They were pretending- I knew it. They wanted information.
But they were… oddly warm. Funny. Comfortable.
Sebastian sat beside me, nudging me gently. "Ready, Bella?" I smiled. "Ready." The game started.
QUESTION 1 — Angel → Ethan
"Are you in love with someone right now?" Ethan blushed. Angel's grin widened. "I mean… maybe." Everyone laughed.
QUESTION 2 — Sebastian → Marko
"Your biggest secret?"
Marko groaned. "I failed math last year."
"Bro, that's not a secret, everyone knows. Tell the truth?" Ethan yelled. We all laugh.
"SHUT UP!"
" Then tell the truth." Ethan said. " Ok. I had a crush on a pornstar!" Everyone shocked. I wanted the ground swallowed me at once. Ewww he is so shameless. Then everyone burst out laughing.
QUESTION 3 — Marko → Sierra
Here it comes. His voice softened. "Have you ever been in a relationship?"
"No," I answered honestly. I've no reason to lie. I was always alone. Some boy try to start courting me but only because of my beauty, they never wanted to know the real me, they didn't had the intention to protect me. So I've never been in a relationship. I'm still waiting for the right person.
All three boys froze. Even Stefano, leaning against the doorway in silence, pretending to scroll his phone, stiffened visibly.
Marko blinked. "Like… ever?"
"Never."
Angel gasped. "Girl-no kissing? No crush? Nothing?"
I shook my head.
Ethan stared. "You're messing with us."
"I'm not".
Silence fell—
Is it a crime to be a virgin or single nowadays?
heavy, shocked, confused. Stefano's eyes lifted from his phone, slow… deliberate… unreadable. Something stirred inside them.
Possessiveness? Guilt? Curiosity?
I didn't know.
QUESTION 4 — Sierra → Sebastian
I smiled. "Sebastian… have you ever had your heart broken?"
"Once. She liked someone else." Sebastian gave a bashful laugh.
My heart squeezed.
QUESTION 5 — Ethan→ Sierra (digging again)
"What's the most meaningful gift you ever got?"
"My dad," I whispered. Everyone was silent. "He used to call me Bella… before he left." Stefano's head rose sharply. I swallowed.
He loved me a lot. One day he and Mom fought, he left, and never came back. I don't know why. I'm still trying to know. Angel gently touched my hand. Sebastian's eyes filled with fire-protective, furious for me.
And Stefano— His face changed. Like my words stabbed him somewhere deep. He looked away. Fast.
QUESTION 6 — Angel → Everybody
What's one thing you're afraid to admit?
Everyone went around. Ethan: "I'm scared of losing my friends." Marko: "I'm scared of disappointing people."
Angel: "I am afraid of being cheated on."
Sebastian: "I'm scared of not being able to protect the people I care about." I smiled softly at him. Then my turn.
"I'm scared of becoming unwanted," I whispered, "again."
Stefano's jaw clenched. Hard. Angel looked at Stefano. "Your turn."
"I pass," he grumbled. "No passes," Angel said sweetly. Stefano glared at her. Everyone waited. Finally— He exhaled.
"I'm afraid of… feeling something I shouldn't." He said and look into my eyes.
The room froze. My heartbeat crashed against my ribs. About whom was he talking? I didn't breathe. He look at me. He didn't look away. My heart started beating fast…..
(To be continued…..)