16|| Memories

"What do you mean?" I asked. "You know what I mean. I'm not talking about Vanessa or Nigel. I'm talking about something that happened around two weeks ago." Romano said.

Two weeks ago.... Omg no no no he can't mean Shane. Rigtht? How could he find out?

A look of relazation came over my face, "two weeks ago? I d-don't know what your t-talking about." I stuttered.

He looked at me with a small expression of disbelief but it was quickly replaced with anger.

He slammed his hand down on the table which made me flinch. Hard.

"Taliah Iris Moretti! I. Don't. Like. Liars! Now tell me what you hid from us!" He roared.

"Taliah! What did I tell you?! I. Don't. Like. Liars!" Nigel yelled.

He continued kicking me in my ribs as I held in my cries.

It hurt so bad. The pain was indescribable.

"Ugly. Waste. Of. Space." He said with each kick. He bent down and spit on my face.

"You killed your mother! You! You! You!" He yelled. He punched me in my liver which made my entire body go in shock.

A sharp pain in my back immediately hit my body, I started going in and out of consciousness.

Before I passed out completelyi hoped I didn't wake up. For the best.

I was 12, I just wanted my mom back.

I was shaking in fear "I'm sorry." I whispered. I ran out his office and went up the stairs to Ace's room.

I barged in while he was on his bed with his phone.

I stood there and cried until he said something. Romano just did that. He really yelled at me.

Sure I messed up but it's no need to yell at me the way he did. He brought back unwanted memories. Nightmares kids dream of but I had to live it.

"Hey it's okay baby." Ace said. I felt arm wrap around my body and pick me up.

I put my legs around me his waist and my arms on his neck. He rocked me like a newborn baby until I stopped crying.

"Hey, what happened?" Ace asked. I sniffled at looked at him through my multi colored eyes.

"R-Romano, something happened t-two weeks ago a-and I wouldn't t-tell him." I whispered.

Ace's face hardened for a few seconds until he looked at me with soft eyes.

"What happened two weeks ago?" He asked. He walked to his bed and I sat on his lap while I wiped my snot with my sleeve.

"Well, the person said he'd hurt you if I told anybody." I whispered in shame. I'm a walking disaster.

"I don't care Taliah, it doesn't matter if I get hurt. All I care about is you." He said.

"It was the first day of school, this guy named S-Shane pulled me in a supply c-closet and told me we'd be together a l-lot. He said I-if I told you guys he'd h-hurt you." I stuttered.

"Shh it's okay baby, I'll put him in his place okay?" He said while kissing my head repeatedly.

Then I remembered that tattoo.

"Oh, he had a tattoo. A bird in a cage I think it was." I whispered.

Ace tensed very quickly.

"Bird in a cage? That's random." He said. It sounded like he was masking his nervousness.

"Am I adopted?" I whispered.

Ace looked me in my eyes and Rose his eyebrow. "No, no your not. You literally have my eye color and moms eye color. There no possibile way you are." He said.

I blushed and quickly looked down in embarrassment. Of course I'm not adopted. Dumb Taliah.

"Hey how about you go to sleep okay? We have school tomorrow yeah?" He said.

I nodded and walked out of Ace's room as he closed the door.

I stood in front of the door like a lost child. I didn't want to sleep alone.

I do have five brothers to choose from though.

Romano really scared me today. I know he didn't intend to but he did. I don't know if I can forgive him.

He knows about my past and to bring that to the present wasn't ideal.

I swallowed what I think was pride and knocked on Aces door.

He opened the door with a murderous look but quickly softened when he made eye contact with me.

"Hey, u-umm can I-I sleep w-with you?" I asked nervously.

For a split second it looked like he melted but he put a cold mask which I haven't seen in a while.

"No. Go to bed Taliah." He said coldly. He slammed the door in my face and left me standing there stunned and slightly tears eyed.

"What is wrong with my dumb brothers?" I muttered. I decided to try my luck with Matty.

I walked in his room to see hundreds of pictures on his walls. They looked really good.

There was also a shelf filled with camera of all different kinds from the most affordable to the most valuable.

Matty was on his bed asleep with his legs spread out and his arms behind his head.

I smiled and hopped in the bed next to him, he instantly snuggled into my side while wrapping an arm around my waist protectively.

"Goodnight Matty" I whispered.

Sooner or later I entered dreamland.

•••

I woke up to someone shaking me, it was Matt. He told me to shower and dress in my uniform.

And I did just that, after I was dressed I made my way downstairs with my backpack in hand.

Everyone was at the table, yep even Romano and Ace.

I hadn't seen them since yesterday evening and I hadn't talked to them since then. I didn't plan either.

I ate my breakfast and kissed Vincent goodbye I went out the door and hopped in Ashers Mercedes-Benz GT-class.

Look at me knowing cars!

Once we arrived at school I grabbed my bag and slung it on my back.

My brothers had already walked in leaving me behind.

I walked through the big front doors and saw Ace and Rachel. Rachel was all over him touching his arms, face, hair. Ace stood there like a doll letting her. Blech!

I found Harlow, we talked about making plans this weekend to have a sleepover. Gosh having a girlfriend is so refreshing.

Weirdly I haven't seen Shane since our last encounter. I'm not complaining just curious.

Sooner or later it was lunch I sat at our usual table and ate my lunch with the group.

I went to my last classes and in a flash school was over. I went to Ashers car and climbed in.

"How was school sorellina?" Matt asked as he kissed my hair.

"It was fine Matt, I'm just a little tired." I said. I wasn't lying this time.

As we approached home I walked inside and threw my bag near the couch.

"Hey." A familiar voice said. It was Romano. He gave was blank but his eyes were filled with emotion. Anger, fear, love. So many feelings yet he didn't let anybody see. It hurts to block someone you care about out of your life. I haven't gone that far but I'd he doesn't step up it will lead to that.

Sometimes when you love someone you have to let that person go. I don't know if I'm there just yet

"Hi." I said bluntly. I quickly grabbed my bag and ran upstairs ignoring the small sharp pains I got from my ribs.

I flopped on my bed and sleep engulfed me immediately.

Hiiii! I hope you enjoyed this chapter. QOTD: Favorite Disney movie? Me? It's between a good idk 45? But top two would be Princess and the Frong and Ratatouille. Please vote, comment, and follow. Byeee.

Mya❤️