23|| Butterflies

Thank you all for 22k reads!

It's been a while since Ace and I painted. A few days.

Today is Friday and we are also going to one of my brother's fancy little restaurants. Vincent said we needed 'family bonding time' whatever that means.

I'm in the middle of a shower before school. I finished washing my hair before I hopped out.

After I was dressed I looked in the mirror and saw a normal-looking teenage girl.

Looks can be deceiving. And they sure are.

My hair is naturally wavy so I added a bit of gel and mouse while leaving it down for the day.

I grabbed my bag and headed downstairs for breakfast.

Roman and Vincent supposedly had worked so it's just Matt, and Asher. Ace, and myself.

We ate breakfast while talking about random stuff. Asher being himself was quiet.

He never talks. Like, ever. Not me at least. He's very reserved which I respect. Socializing can be trying. Especially with your own family.

We left for school not long after we ate. We all parted ways. I talked with Harlow before class. She's gushing over her new man.

She's kinda boy crazy. I'm not mad though. I just think girls nowadays should know it's more to life than liking a guy. I would never be like that over a guy.

After a few classes I was walking to meet Harlow for lunch but there was a big crowd forming.

Me being noisy I went to check it out.

It was River fighting some random guy. The River was winning of course. He just had a busted lip, the other guy looked like he was dead. He wasn't moving.

I pushed through a few more people before I shook Rivers' shoulder telling him to calm down.

I don't know what's going on between them but death shouldn't be the answer to the problem.

River instantly stopped when I told him to calm down. I grabbed his wrist and tugged him into the school garden.

The garden was gorgeous it also had tables and benches for those who wanted to eat lunch outside.

Luckily it was deserted.

River and I sat in silence until I spoke up.

"I know we're not buddy buddy but are you okay?" I asked him nervously.

"Yeah, I'm good." River responded huskily while wiping his cut lip. How do you make that look good? Now is not the time to admire him Taliah.

Even if he is hotter than fresh McDonald's fries. That was weird huh? Sorry.

"Want to talk about it?" I ask him calmly. I hated to be that person but I wanted to know what happen.

"He commented about my younger sibling. I don't mess around when people make fun of my family" he said. "I'm sorry," I responded.

I'm not very good with emotions and such. But I'll be that person that can try to help.

I scooted closer to the river and patted his knee "what's your sibling like?" I asked him placing my hand back in my lap.

"He's amazing." He responded while smiling. He hesitantly grabbed my hand and rubbed his thumb over my knuckles.

Butterflies.

I didn't move though. For his sake of course.

"He's the sweetest person you could ever meet. He's blunt too. He'll tell you you look ugly with your outfit but he'd also say he loves you to death after" he said while chuckling. I smiled at his talking about his sibling.

"He sounds sweet, how old is he?" I asked. "He's 11, but he's also mature for his age." River replied.

He continued rubbing my knuckles in silence. The bell rang indicating lunch was over.

River stood up abruptly letting go of my hand. He slightly turned my direction "thanks for listening. I don't usually have anybody for that." He said with an emotionless face.

"No worries," I whispered shyly. He gave a curt nod and then walked through the grass to the other side of the school. He hopped on his bike and drove off looking effortlessly attractive.

The river is very attractive. Anybody with eyes could see that. He's got a different look though. He's not your typical bad boy.

Okay, thanks enough of that. I need to get to class before I'm late.

Dot dot dot

It's after school and my brothers and I are on our way home. I told Harlow why I did meet her and the group for lunch. Leaving out the part where River talked about his sibling. It didn't seem like Amy's place to talk to her about it.

"How fancy is the restaurant?" I asked. I did not want to underdress nor did I want to overdress.

"Pretty fancy," Matt said. I nodded while hopping out of the car and into the front door.

I ran upstairs and started looking in my closet for a dress to wear for dinner.

I'm not gonna lie I was excited to get dressed up, I'm tired of wearing the dumb school uniform

I dressed in a white rib knit crop top with a mid-thigh white denim skirt and a white cropped jean jacket I paired the outfit with a black belt and a mini black backpack. (photo above)

My leg scars have almost completely faded hence the reason why I can wear skirts to school carefree now.

I lightly curled my hair and added mascara and lipgloss to my face. I look good.

Real good.

After making sure I looked perfect I slipped on my air forces and went downstairs.

All of my brothers were by the front door dressed up in black. Every single one of them.

They all looked similar black button up with black pants. A few of them are wearing black suit jackets but apart from that, they look exactly the same.

"Guess I didn't get the memo." I chuckled nervously. Nobody said anything so we stood in absolute silence.

"What do you think you're wearing?" A voice asked. You guessed it, Roman.

"Clothes." I said, "yeah, I think you should change." Ace agreed.

"No. Nobodies changing anything but their attitude. Taliah you look beautiful, I'm not completely comfortable with you wearing that. But nobody will mess with you, you have five brothers. Let's go." Vincent said in one breath.

Roman and Ace huffed but silently agreed nonetheless. In a few short minutes, we were in the car on the way to the restaurant.

The ride was quiet. Most of us were on our phones while others like w myself were lost in their thoughts.

I was thinking about River. I'm not swooning over him or anything but he's a cool guy. So far.

With his nice black hair, and his beautiful grey eyes he has killer looks. I don't know what else to say. He's a good-looking guy with an okay personality.

"I heard there was a fight at your school today," Roman said looking in the rearview at me and the boys.

"Yeah, I heard it was with river and some other dude." Ace said absentmindedly. "I heard the guy was messing with one of river's girls," Matt said.

"That's not what happens." I blurted out. My eyes went wide while everyone else's eyes looked at me.

Ace hiked an eyebrow up, "and what exactly happen then?" He asked me. I avoided his gaze and shrugged my shoulders. "I don't know. That's just not what I heard." I responded.

Ace nodded and the car went silent once again.

After a long twenty minutes, we were at the restaurant. The place was very fancy.

The outside had a huge black entryway with the name of the restaurant 'Moretti's' original. I like it.

We walked inside and were greeted by an aroma of amazing Italian food.

The place was empty. That's kinda unexpected.

It was nice though, the big black tables and the leather chairs reminded me of a place for old rich people. But it was beautiful nonetheless.

We all walked down a short hall into a spacious room with a huge table.

Once we were seeded we looked at the menu. By we, I mean only me.

Everyone looked at it. I like I had grown another head. "What?" I asked nervously.

"You do know this is our restaurant right?" Matt asked. "Yes..." I said waiting for them to tell me why I was being looked at that way.

"It's our Italian restaurant. The Moretti's Italian restaurant." Ace said. "Okay, your point?" I said.

"They're trying to say you shouldn't have to look at the menu. You choose your favorite Italian dish and they make it. Specifically, one of our favorite dishes mom made." Roman said.

"Oh, okay then." I closed the menu and waited for the waiter to come to take our order.

Wait, that means someone knows mom's recipes! Oh no my mom was an amazing cook someone will take her artwork and run.

Before I could even open my mouth Vincent cut me off. "Only one person knows the recipes by heart Taliah." He said.

I nodded my head in understanding and relief. The waiter came to take our order, "what can I get you all today?" He asked.

He was a young blond guy with blue eyes, maybe 18? He was handsome but not my type.

He made eye contact with me and continued to look at me from head to toe.

Uh oh.

"If you keep staring at my baby sister like that I'll do something I definitely won't regret," Roman said.

The boy subtly rolled his eyes but muttered a small 'sorry' we all ordered carbonaras and he left.

Within a few short minutes the food was here and so was the blonde waiter.

He gave me my plate and touched my hand asking if I needed anything else. I instantly felt uncomfortable in so many ways. Can't a girl just live a normal life without being hit on?

He was Bold. Big a big mistake.

Roman stood up and grabbed. The guy by his collar.

He stormed out with the guy still in his hand and his feet dangling above the ground.

Roman left about twenty minutes ago and still hasn't come back. He must have been really mad.

The guy most likely lost his job.

After the rest of us ate in awkward silence we went to the car and Roman was already there.

He started up the engine and we made our way back home.

Once we were home I changed into a stolen shirt and some random pajama shorts.

I took off my makeup and collapsed on my bed.

What a day, what a day.

Hiii! We made it to 22k reads! And, Christmas is literally days away! How crazy is that?! How did you like the chapter? Are ya likin the growing relationships? 🙃 Also do I need to clear up anything?  QOTD: how old are my readers? And, would tell rather me do another face reveal or an age reveal? So many questions! Please don't forget to VCF. (vote, comment and follow) Xoxo

Mya❤️