The shrill buzz of her phone dragged her out of sleep. Groggy and annoyed, she fumbled for it on the nightstand.
“Hello…?” Her voice was thick with sleep.
“Lily.”
Just one word — calm, too calm.
Her stomach dropped. “Rose!” She bolted upright. “Oh my god, I forgot—”
“I told you to call me the moment you reached,” Rose’s voice was low, edged with that dangerous calm that always made Lily feel like a scolded child.
Lily winced. “I—I know. I’m sorry. Everything happened so fast, I didn’t even—”
A long sigh came through the speaker. Not angry, just disappointed. Somehow, that was worse.
“Fine,” Rose said at last. “Tell me. How’s it going? What are they doing?”
Lily hugged her knees to her chest, lowering her voice like someone might overhear. “They act like they’re… caring about me. Like they suddenly want to play big brothers after all this time.”
Her words tumbled out — Alex’s rules, Ethan bringing her food, Luca’s glare and how he caught her wrist when she almost fell, even Xavier’s half-hearted introduction. Every detail spilled, because if there was anyone she could be honest with, it was Rose.
Rose hummed softly. “Mm. I see.” There was a pause, then her tone sharpened. “Listen to me. Don’t join any school before we come.”
Lily blinked. “What?”
“I’ll be in Rome in ten days,” Rose said firmly. “With the others. We’ll go to school together after that. Understood?”
Lily chewed her lip. “But what if Alex—”
“No ‘but.’ You wait for me. Got it?”
“…Got it.”
Her best friend’s voice softened for the first time. “Good girl. Now, relax. I’ll handle the rest when I’m there.”
For the next half hour, they slipped into easier chatter — gossip about old classmates, Rose teasing Lily about her clumsiness, Lily complaining about how strict Alex sounded like a walking rulebook. The heavy knot in her chest loosened just a little, and by the time they hung up, she felt less alone.
Still, when she set her phone down, her eyes drifted toward the window. Suddenly her thoughts interrupted by knocking.
She frowned. “Come in.”
The door creaked open, and Xander stepped in, flashing his usual playful grin.
“Hello, sister.”
“What do you want?” Lily asked bluntly, already suspicious.
“Come watch a movie with me—”
“No. I’m busy.”
“Come on,” he sing-songed.
“I said no. I’m not interested in watching a movie with you.”
For a split second, his grin faltered. A flicker of hurt crossed his face, but he quickly masked it with an exaggerated laugh.
“Who said I was asking you? I want to watch a movie with you. That’s it.”
Before she could stop him, he plopped down on her bed like he owned it.
“Ugh, Xander! No means no!”
“Yes.”
“No.”
“Yes.”
The ridiculous back-and-forth carried on, voices bouncing off the walls, until the door opened again.
Luca’s tall figure filled the doorway, his sharp eyes narrowing. “What the hell’s with all this noise?”
His gaze swept the room, landing on Xander lounging on her bed. A smirk tugged at his lips. “Movie night, huh? Count me in.”
“NO!” Lily and Xander shouted in unison.
“Yes,” Luca replied flatly, and without hesitation, he crossed the room and dropped onto the other side of Lily’s bed.
Lily pressed her palm to her forehead. “Unbelievable.”
“Fine,” she muttered through clenched teeth. “One movie. That’s it.”
Later – Watching the Movie
The screen glowed in the dark room. Lily sat against the headboard, trapped between Xander on her right and Luca on her left.
Xander, ever the annoying one, kept nudging her elbow and whispering commentary about the movie. “See that guy? Bet he’s dead in the next ten minutes.”
“Shut up,” Lily muttered.
Luca’s patience snapped. He glared across Lily. “Stop bothering her.”
Xander smirked. “What? I’m making it fun.”
“Fun for you. She’s annoyed.”
“I’m fine—” Lily tried to intervene, but Luca’s sharp stare silenced Xander for a while.
Still, Xander couldn’t resist occasionally poking her arm or tossing playful remarks, making Luca bristle each time.
Meanwhile, Luca wasn’t watching the movie as much as he was watching Lily. Every shift, every sigh, every movement — his eyes tracked it like a hawk.
When she leaned back against the headboard, she slipped slightly to the side. Before she could catch herself, a strong arm shot out.
Luca’s arm wrapped around her shoulders, pulling her firmly against him. Her head bumped his shoulder, and she froze.
“Careful,” he muttered, voice low but firm. “Don’t hurt yourself.”
Her cheeks warmed. “I was fine.”
“No, you weren’t.” His tone left no room for argument.
From the other side, Xander let out a mocking whistle. “Well, well. Someone’s playing knight in shining armor.”
“Shut up, Xander,” Luca growled, tightening his hold just a fraction.
Lily sighed. Between one brother’s endless teasing and the other’s suffocating protectiveness, she wondered if she’d ever know peace in this mansion.
The movie played softly in the background, its glow flickering across the room. Lily’s head grew heavier until, without realizing it, she leaned against Xander’s shoulder.
For a heartbeat, Xander froze, then a slow grin spread across his face. He tilted his head slightly, savoring the rare closeness.
Luca, seated on her other side, noticed instantly. His jaw tightened, dark eyes narrowing at the sight. His hands curled into fists against his knees, but then Lily shifted in her sleep, and a strand of hair slipped across her face.
Before Xander could move, Luca’s hand shot out. Gently — almost reverently — he brushed the strand back, his fingers lingering near her cheek. His expression softened, the usual fire in him dimming into something quieter, more vulnerable. For a rare moment, a small, unguarded smile tugged at his lips.
Xander caught it. His grin widened, and in a whisper edged with mischief, he leaned closer.
“Now that’s a rare sight — Luca smiling.”
The words had barely left his mouth when Luca’s head snapped toward him, eyes flashing. His voice came out low and sharp, a growl restrained to a whisper.
“Shut up. She’s sleeping. Don’t speak.”
Xander raised his brows in mock surrender, lips twitching like he was holding back laughter. But he didn’t say another word.
Between them, Lily slept peacefully, unaware of the storm of emotions her presence stirred
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Words: 1057
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