24|| Nap

We literally just hit 30k!!! How unreal is that?! P.s I started writing this chapter at a park under a tree. Thought it was cute soooooo there it is *smiles like a psychopath*

"Taliah get down here" Nigel yelled while slightly slurring his words.

I quickly stood up from the floor and ran down the stairs at lightning speed.

I saw Nigel sitting on the couch with a glass of smelly content in it.

"Come here you fat rat," Nigel said.

I stood in front of him only to be knocked down by a brutal blow to my face.

My head throbbed and stung as I  tried to regain consciousness.

Kicks to my ribs came next. He bruised them. It hurt so much.

He then gripped me by my ribs squeezing while slowly putting me on my feet.

"Sleep Taliah, and never wake up," Nigel whispers right before I blacked out.

I woke up in a cold sweat while breathing rapidly. Nobody was in my room. I checked the time and saw it was 6 am. I may as well get ready.

I showered and got into my uniform even though it was pretty chilly outside to wear a skirt.

Today was one of those days. I was sluggish and tired. I feel like so much has been going on at one e. It's a lot to handle. Especially with the night I had.

I didn't talk much during breakfast. Everyone was there except for Roman. Work came up again.

To be honest, what do they even do for work? I know about the hotels and restaurants, but don't they have managers? Surely no owner checks in every single day right?

Whatever, it doesn't affect me anyway. I got in the car with the boys. We only took one car today.

"Hey Tali you okay?" Matt whispered to me. I slipped on a fake smile on my face and nodded.

Once we got to school I got out and met up with Harlow.

"Hey girly how are..... you? Babes are you okay? You don't look good." Harlow said.

"Yeah." I yawned. "I'm okay just tired, you know?" I continued.

She nodded her head skeptically but agreed nonetheless.

We talked for a bit more before the bell rang indicating first period. We said our goodbyes.

First period was a flop. So was second and third and fourth.

I feel so bad. I'm tired and sluggish. I just wanna go home and sleep.

But thank goodness it's lunch because I'm starving.

As I was walking to the lunchroom the hallway started spinning, my steps became wobbly, my head became blank. Everything went black as I fell to the ground.

Dot. Dot. Dot.

I felt a fluffy surface under my body. I struggled to open eyes but once I did a bright light blurred my vision.

I tried to sit up but big warm hands gripped my shoulders and pushed me back down.

"Take it easy." A husky voice whispered.

I looked to my right and saw River looking good as always.

He was wearing black jeans and a plain black hoodie with the words 'ice cream' embroidered on the left side in a pale yellow color.

When my eyes wondered back to his face there was a smirk on it.

I pushed the urge to roll my eyes down and looked around to see I'm in a very expensive looking nurses office.

"What happen?" I rasped out.

"You passed out and hit your head, not very hard though." River replied.

I nodded my head but it hurt to do so, so I immediately stopped once I felt the sharp pain.

"How long was I out for?" I asked. "Not long, maybe 10 minutes." River replied once more.

I muttered a small 'ok' and laid back down and the bed.

I promise you I heard a voice say 'so gorgeous' before I fell asleep. I was probably hearing things though.

The next time I woke up I was in my room, my head was throbbing and my limbs were aching. I looked over and saw Tylenol and a bottled water on my bedside table.

I took the pills quickly hoping the pain will go away quickly.

I went out my room and started to walk down stairs, but voices stopped my steps.

"Le dirai mai Roman? Lo terremo segreto per tutta la vita?" One vice yelled.

(Will you ever tell her Roman? Are we gonna keep it a secret her whole life?!)

"Fissa il tuo tono quando mi parli ragazzo. Potrei essere tuo fratello, ma sono anche il tuo tutore legale Mateo." Another voice said who I assume is roman.

(Fix your tone when your talking to me boy. I may be you brother but I am also your legal guardian Mateo.)

"Mi dispiace Roman, ma mi uccide tenere questo grande segreto da lei. E se ci odiasse dopo che glielo abbiamo detto? Ci hai mai pensato?" The first voice who I think is Mateo responded.

(I'm sorry Roman but it kills me to keep this big a secret from her. What if she hates us after we tell her? Have you ever thought about that?)

"Ci penso tutti i giorni se la mia vita Matteo! Sono sempre stressato da tutto e da Taliah. Cattura sempre che sono io al momento sbagliato. Per ora ho finito. Mi viene il mal di testa." Roman said.

(I think about it everyday if my life Matteo! I'm always stressed out about everything and Taliah. Always catches me at the wrong time and I always snap. I'm done for now. I'm getting a headache.)

I don't understand why I stood there the whole time eavesdropping, I couldn't understand a single word other than Matteo and Romano.

I steeped out of my hiding place and hopefully looked like I had just walked in.

Mateo noticed me first and gave me a big smile and hug.

"You scared us Taliah." He said. He pulled me in for another hug while whispering in my ear "did you have another nightmare last night?" He asked.

"No I had another memory though." I whispered back.

He let go of me and gave me a pitied look. My eyes lead to the kitchen and I saw Roman drinking warm lemon water. I could tell it was warm by the small about of steam coming from the clear glass.

"Hi" I said to Romano. "Ciao principessa." He responded. I think he said hi princess.

"So. What happen?" I questioned. I walked to the table and sat in a chair, Matteo follwed suit while Romano continued standing.

"Well from what I know you passed out in the hallway and some dude named Jake found you and carried you to the nurses office." Matteo answered.

Jake.... Jake. Nope dosent ring a Taco Bell.

"I don't know a Ja-" I stopped mid sentence. Jake had to have been River.  He was the only one with me the first time I woke up. He must have lied about his name so Ace wouldn't know who he is.

They must have some high school rivalry or something like that.

"What was that Taliah?" Roman asked me. "N-nothing uhh yeah my bad I zoned out. Actually I think I'll go take a nap. Yeah a nap is what I need. I'll go rest while you two do Roman and Matteo things and I'll go take a nap. Bye!" I rambled.

Must be a nervous tick.

Did you know after you say a word so many times it sound weird after a while? It would be a while for me to use the word nap outloud again.

I ran upstairs to my room, I locked the door and slapped my bed with my body.

There so many things going through my mind; who is River? Why was I forbidden to not talk to him? What happen to my biological father? What do my brother do for a living? What are my so called brothers hiding from me?

I need answers.

I have to talk to River and my brothers tomorrow. It's a must.

Hiiiii!  My apologies for not posting in a while. Also, I'm sorry for this bad chapter. It was a bit rushed and I really don't want to start stressing myself out. Oh, I changed Rivers siblings age from 5 to 11 it fits the upcoming chapters better. Thank you to all those who continue to support! QOTD: Do you have any questions for me? Whether it's about the story or me personally I would love to answer them! Don't forget to VCF! Xoxo my wittle swirls!

Mya❤️