Dear All,

Finally I able to post the new chapter of "The Princess & The Jerk" and I won't say much, aside that this one is quite long, to which you are already all used, but better to say it anyway 😊

I really hope you will enjoy it because it will bring us deeper into the book, reading more important episodes and having two turning points of the story, you will see and understand which ones while reading it. Let me know what you then think of it with you fabulous and amazing comments!

I am happy to see more readers are actually following and interested in this story, and I will never stop repeating how grateful I am for your support and love given to all of my works, thank you very much.

A banner which might give you an idea of the chapter and also, a song I found fitting in here and in general for the story. I would like to dedicate this chapter to all of you and in particular to Mint75 as a big and sincere thank you for following all of my stories and for you lovely comments, and because you made Sharon very happy, by knowing she has a fan in you ^^

Ah, I think the quote for this chapter really suits Sergey and his current situation and, when I first read it, I totally loved it, finding it true.

Enjoy it!

"Love me when I least deserve it, because that's when I really need it," Swedish Proverb

SERGEY POV:

We had just spent a couple of hours in that place for brats without families and well, it had been quite the punch in my guts in a way, a much needed wake-up cold shower; I was amazed how at ease Viola was with all of them and how they pretty much adored her. Two small girls literally ran to her the moment we stepped inside and, if it weren't for me standing behind Viola, they would have knocked her down. They ran to us and hugged her as if she had been their older sister or something like that, laughing and smiling obviously happy the fairy weirdo was with them and, I will never forget the radiant smile she had on her face. It struck me so much I hadn't been able to speak for about a minute.

Viola had said it would be better to go there together as it was my first time, so I picked her up from her house and we drove there. She introduced me to the staff and explained I would be helping out, thankfully avoiding saying why I was helping or whatever happened with me. It seemed obvious they trusted her, asking me only a few routine questions and making me sign a couple of papers. From what I gathered, also her freakish brother and their parents visited the place and apparently, the Taylor family sponsored this and other similar structures. I knew their father was a well-known surgeon, but I wasn't sure about their mother.

The time there passed quickly and we most spent it together getting to know all the kids there and some of them had such an empty look in their eyes that I will never forget; yeah, they might have been treated nicely there and given all the care and such, but it wasn't the same as if having a family or anyone you could consider as such. Most of them eyed me somehow warily, not exactly feeling at ease and nothing strange there, as I had never exactly clicked with brats in general, but Viola definitely did and, by the end of the time spent there, a couple of them had somehow warmed up to me. One of them asked me when I would visit again and when I replied in a couple of days or so, he smiled somehow happily.

That also struck me quite a lot.

However, in school Viola and I hadn't made much progress and we still had to start working on that stupid Halloween party, not to mention, we basically never talked to each other, aside a quick nod as to greet one another. I was still a bit stuck in my place and trying to find the way out, because it wasn't as easy as I believed, both fear and guilt still nagging at me, not to mention the discussions I had with my father. He wasn't yet satisfied of course, saying my attitude hadn't improved much and well, what the fuck did he expect? That I could say a couple of magic stupid words and all would get sorted out? Argh...he was beyond annoying and, when he once mentioned Sasha, I saw red and the argument went down to shit.

But, I also was a colossal idiot for always getting so worked up and not trying harder; in the morning, at school, I had another exchange with freaking Denisov and Viola was there, so I had a feeling her being now super quiet and somehow ignoring me was dictated by that. She was willing to give me a chance, that much she told me when she finally heard me out, but well, the point was that I wasn't exactly doing much to earn it fully.

Ah, I was a jerk and staying in the car with her sitting beside completely silent wasn't exactly what I wanted. Thus, I took a deep breath and decided to take the first step. She had given me a chance, so I had to truly deserve it.

"Viola?" I called for her, lowering the volume of the music almost to zero.

She heard me obviously but remained silent and I took another breath to check my lack of patience. It wasn't the moment for that and sometimes, I had a feeling she was unconsciously testing me; strangely enough, it didn't bother me, making actual sense, actually pushing me for the best.

"Viola?" I repeated and she sighed out, tilting her face to look at me. We quickly glanced at each other and then my eyes moved back to the road ahead of us. God, she was so freaking beautiful.

"What is it, Sergey?" The way she pronounced my name made me feel once more as an insignificant piece of dirt.

I breathed a couple of times before replying to her, because she might have been always cheerful and bubbly, resembling some hyper fairy having eaten too much sugar, but the fact was that she had a very effective, cutting way of looking at me and silently pointing out with her stare what an asshole I was. She was right and it made me feel terrible, because I know what still bothered her; two things for sure and one, I had to address right then.

"I am sorry for what happened with Denisov that Monday, I mean, for beating the shit out of him, even if he then did the same and for sure his brother didn't go easy on me and yeah, before you say anything, I know I deserved it." Let's not say that at one point I knew provoking the fight with him was a way to get my ass beaten up, as a way to punish myself for my cowardness and idiocy. I think I was embarrassing myself enough and there was no need to have her thinking of me even lower than she did. I mean, Viola was so sweet and selfless that I really didn't want to look like more than the jerk I already was in her eyes.

"You should apologize to him," she said quietly, looking way less distant, her eyes slightly smiling at me.

Christ, she looked so cute whenever she smiled, and I was dying to have her smiling at me spontaneously and because she felt doing it, because of me. But I believed I still had a long way to go, if that were ever to happen. I had a very bad feeling that her ideal type of guy or boyfriend was far from me and I almost froze realizing the train of my thoughts. Boyfriend? I shook my head, which she misunderstood and so, I replied to her.

"To Denisov?" I asked her not very happy at the thought, because the idea of going to him and apologize made me want to rather eat crap, knowing the smug bullshit he would throw back. Bullshit that of course I deserved, considered I never really hated that jackass. I was jealous of him and well, he was quite annoying with his sarcastic smartness, but whatever, that wasn't the main point.

"Yes, you should apologize to him," she repeated firmly, and I considered her words.

She was right, rationally speaking; but I just couldn't face him and bit down my pride in such way. Not yet at least. Then again, what pride was I talking about? I flushed it down the toilet by fighting him dirty, dishonestly. Argh...I had to apologize to that cocksucker, didn't I? Oh sweet, wonderful. I could already imagine the annoying expression on his face, the way he would stare at me with that mocking smirk of his, the stupid haircut and earrings.

"I'll think about it," I conceded to her, in order to see a small trace of smile on her face and because deep down, very deep down, I had to really admit she was right, and it wasn't that queer's fault. Although, he had freaking punched me hard and I still felt it.

And there, she gifted me with a very small, yet beautiful smile and I found myself responding to that in the same way, seeing her eyes widening and her lips slightly parting in a small "o".

"What is it?" I asked, her presence such a soothing and relaxing balm that whenever I was alone with her, I wished to stop the time to never reach the end of it, my hand itching to softly touch hers. However, I would never dare to do it, for she was still slightly scared of me and because, she was a girl that definitely needed a real gentleman at her side. Or, as she would probably phrase, a knight in a shining armor, and I was still far from that. Sure, I tried to use every possible lame excuse to be close to her, like earlier when I helped her getting out of the car or by touching her back to avoid having those two girls knocking her down, but it didn't mean I would step over the line.

My eyes darted from the street in front of us to her, as I couldn't stop drinking her presence and innocent beauty, memorizing the different bracelets she wore, the surprised look in her eyes, the sort of ridiculous earrings she had. I really had to stop staring so much at her, because it was almost creepy and pretty much pathetic. Yeah, it was pathetic, and it was irresponsible, because I was driving.

"When you smile you look so different," she murmured quietly, and I swallowed down what the softness in her voice moved inside of me. I wanted to reply that when smiling she looked gorgeous, absolutely breath-stealing, but it wasn't the moment for that and she probably didn't want to hear it from someone like me, given Dasha told me she was still seeing some moron named Ryan or whatever. God, I hated that guy already, even without knowing him, and I mentally kicked and punched him for being such a lucky bastard; he had better treating her in the best way, like the princess and sweet girl she was, giving her all she needed, or I swear it, I would find him and rip him a new one.

"I will apologize to Denisov, fine," I gave in, for I was powerless in front of her and affected by her magic, as she liked to call it. I as well said that to change the subject, because I was really scared of what I was about to blab out and, she freaking giggled there sitting beside me in the car, and I had to concentrate on the street in front of me to avoid a car-crash, which definitely would endanger her and look very bad on her book. I had to get a grip on my feelings and emotions.

"He'll be happy about that," she replied softly, but less nervous than before, the warm vanilla-scent of her perfume lulling my senses.

"The queer doesn't give a fuck about me, weirdo," I grunted out in all my niceness and I wanted to slap myself, but I just couldn't help it. Denisov couldn't give a damn about someone like me, but then, I realized she hadn't minded my tone of voice or swearing. Was she getting used to it? Pretty much everyone else, aside my sister, had always criticized me for the way I normally speak.

"Why you call him like that?" There was honest curiosity in her voice and not an ounce of judgement, but what did I do? Barked out my reply, as annoyance for him took over him. Annoyance and jealousy.

"Because he's fucking queer."

"So what? He is fabulous and he is super funny."

"Denisov is funny? You must be kidding me. He is a sarcastic douchebag and he is as smooth as sandpaper," I snorted out and she sort of giggled.

"You are not very different from what you just said, and he is my friend and I like him." She had just talked back to me and told me off at the same time, which should have pissed me off, but in truth, it didn't. Until I realized what her words implied: I was similar to him.

"Hey, we are not similar," I defended myself. What the heck? He was a gigantic smartass with a haircut that was mental and ridiculous, because who the hell wore something so punkish and idiotic? Only someone like him.

"You both have quite the harsh way to approach people, but Anatoly is a very good person and deep down he's very gentle." I decided to say nothing to that, because Denisov and gentle didn't belong in the same sentence, nor in the same world. But maybe she knew him better than I did and definitely, they never arrived at the point of literally trying to break each other's noses. We did, more than once.

"Whatever makes you happy, Viola. I know he is your friend and bullshit like that, and I honestly don't get it, but whatever. I guess that changes things, thinking about it." Great, I had just blabbed more, and it was Denisov's fault because just thinking about the fact we might have something in common made me angry; just thinking about the fact he was so close to her and able to have lunch with her every day made me want to punch his ugly face.

Oh God, I was a real jerk with a bad temper and a prick of idiotic pride that would do nothing good to me, not to mention I just amazingly realized being jealous of that douchebag.

"What do you mean?" She asked me genuinely confused and I was glad she had missed how lame it all sounded; however, I had to reply, because she wasn't going to let it go, an interesting trait I had discovered about her only recently. Viola was adorably persistent, and, in a way, it scared me, because she might have had the power to pull my head out of my ass and make all my walls crumble, little by little.

"You are friend with him, and we cannot stand each other's presence. Actually, we pretty much want to beat the crap out of one another every time we meet, so not the best situation I would say. You can draw your own quick conclusions." The last words were spoken with a very bitter tone of voice and I believed she detected it.

"Are you trying to say that I can be either friend with him or with you?" Yup, she detected it and didn't like it, given her own tone of voice.

"No, it's not what I am saying..." I paused a moment, realizing what she had just implied, leaving me dumb-struck and speechless for a while. Then my brain kick-started back to life and I blinked a couple of times. What did she just say? "Wait a moment, are you trying to tell me you would really like to be friends with someone like me?" Have I heard it correctly?

"Why not? We all make mistakes, isn't that so? And if you apologize to Anatoly it would be wonderful and it would make it easier to be friends." She hesitated a moment and I noticed she played with a bracelet, having a similar habit like I did. "I-I am not trying to push you or order you around, and I am not saying you should do it immediately, but it would be fabulous and we could all be friends and spent time together." She then quickly glanced at me smiling and I was so gone it wasn't even funny.

Oh God, getting in better terms with Denisov was going to be a good strategy apparently, aside the fact it was what I had to do to start behaving as a better and more mature person. If I wanted to admit it wasn't his fault. I quickly glanced at her and she was there, smiling at me and playing with a long, purple-pink strand of hair and I shifted my eyes back to the street.

I mentally shook my head and kicked my ass for my stupid train of thoughts. I was a jerk for thinking to use that queer of Denisov to get on her good side, because first of all, he wasn't that stupid, and second, my pride would not allow it. If I ever decided to square things with that dickhead, it had to be for another reason, just as if I wanted to get Viola for myself – hoping that idiot she was seeing would disappear sucked away by some black hole suddenly appearing out of the blue in his house – I had to make it with different means and actions.

Oh God, what was I thinking about? Getting her as girlfriend? I was running a bit too fast, because first, we had to start getting in good and civil terms and I had to sort some shit out, like my group of so-called friends.

"You're weird indeed, Viola," I said, really meaning it then, all considered, and definitely not intending to insult her or play my asshole-like card. She was peculiar to say the least and no wonder someone like Denisov became really good friend with her, obviously cherishing her even though he showed the opposite; so typical of him, since he was quite the pathetically shy and introvert person in some ways. Yet, if a person like Sasha cared for him as friend, it meant something.

"Weird is good," she fired back giggling and I just wanted to have the road taking us to her home to never end, so that I could talk to her forever. I debated whether to ask her or not, but what would be the harm in that? At the worst she would say no, and I expected that pretty much.

"Do you need a lift for the next time? Or you'll drive there?" I really hoped Taylor's SUV would have issues with the engine so I could use the lucky chance.

"I actually don't drive," she admitted looking at her hands, her fingers nervously fidgeting, and I wondered why she did that. The fact she had no driving license wasn't a big deal and definitely gave me more excuses to be with her. "I never tried," she explained with quieter voice and I wondered: was she being shy right then? If that was the case, she was going to kill me with her cuteness.

"Are you scared?" I asked honestly curious, for when I reached sixteen years I immediately went for the license, to be free to drive around as I wished, not having to depend on my sister or my parents.

"No, I just don't know how to and well, I still haven't tried."

"So, I can give you a lift next time and we can try that."

"What, with you?" She turned her wide eyes to me and her lips remaining slightly open, a strand of pink hair falling in front of her for the abrupt way she had twisted her head to the side. I refrained from fixing it, because I definitely could not afford to push it. There were some super tiny progresses here and I wasn't going to blow them with my well-known idiocy.

"I might be a big jerk, I know that, but I'm not going to let you crush against something," I tried to say with a light tone of voice, trying to convince her that she didn't need to be so much scared of me. But her replied blew me away.

"That's not what I meant, Sergey. You simply surprised me because you don't look like someone very patient and I really never tried. Adri explained me something, but I still cannot find it in me."

Oh, she very much hit the bull's eyes by saying that. Exactly like my perfect cousin Sasha, the son my father always wished to have and never had, being stuck with me instead, I wasn't a patient person with most of the people around me, easily barking out to get out of my sight and leave me alone, but I would definitely pull out all of it for her. I would create new patience for her, if necessary.

"I can give it a try, weirdo," I threw back, and she just laughed, and it all ended when her phone rang and she replied, that dickhead she was seeing calling her.

It was obvious by the way she changed her voice, sounding softer, her smile widening. I wanted to punch him hard, so very hard that my hands gripped the stirring wheel wanting to squeeze it and snap it, my eyes suddenly very much concentrated on the road. She giggled once more and an annoyed grunt escaped my mouth, which caused Viola to eye me nervously. I went to say it wasn't at her, but what was the point in that? Even if I told her how I felt about her nothing was going to change, and it might ruin the chances of becoming friends and getting closer. If I had one damn option, that was the only one: sincerely getting closer to her.

"I have to go now, so we can chat later, Ryan, bye and yes, see you tomorrow," she said with a tender note in her voice and I just kept staring at the road ahead. Damn, even his name was annoying and then, I thought about something, the same doubt haunting me since the first time I heard that name. I went to look at Viola, wanting to ask her a couple of things, and right in that moment, she glanced at me with an uncertain, half smile, which went away as we stared at each other for a moment in complete silence, until I snapped my attention back to where it belonged.

"Sorry," she tentatively said, also her stare away from me.

"For what?" I couldn't resist asking, relaxing the grip on the steering wheel. It wasn't its fault I had been a colossal piece of crap for too many years and preventing myself from normally trying to ask out the girl I liked for long time. Plus, I still needed it if I wanted to have chances to be alone with Viola.

"I don't know honestly," she replied in complete and almost disarming sincerity, "you sounded annoyed before."

"I wasn't annoyed, why should I be?" I snapped out rougher than intended, and the moment my words left my mouth I wished to punch myself, because she scooped further away from me in her seat and completely lost her chatting mood.

We remained in more and very much uncomfortable silence, until my short temper could no longer take it. Hence, I pulled the car over to the side of the road and stopped the engine. She looked at me startled and I took a deep breath, pinching the bridge of my nose and then toying with my ring, trying to order my thoughts.

"Viola?"

"Yes?" She barely replied, her voice hardly covering the tremble induced by her very obvious nervous state which I had caused. I was such an asshole I was beginning to think that Denisov was right. It wasn't something nice to admit, but he had a point.

"Stop fidgeting on the seat, I'm not going to eat you in one big bite like the wolf with Little Red Riding Hood, alright?" I tried to speak her same language, considered I discovered she liked fables and she was quite good at actually creating new ones to tell those kids. She hinted at a small smile and I just looked at her. She was gorgeous and all my instincts screamed at me to kiss her, but I shoved them back, telling them off. "Listen, I know you're not crazy about my company and you have every right to feel in that way, because let's face it: I'm a piece of crap and no arguing on that. But for crying it aloud, don't be scared, and I wasn't annoyed at you, alright?" She nodded silently, her eyes studying my face, and, in that moment, I really craved to touch her face, even if for just a second, to caress her hair or feel her lips. But I repressed it down and let it go, for she would bolt out of the car faster than an Olympic sprinter. "If you need a ride next time, let me know, and you can really try driving. I know the right place where you would not be a danger to us, to the car and anyone else."

She giggled then and I felt like smiling, but I stopped it. Why couldn't I do it? Why couldn't I let myself behave freely as I wished?

"Why are you doing that?" She asked and I creased my forehead not getting what she meant, while I nervously kept playing with my ring. "Why are you trying to not smile?" Crap. She saw it and I saved that small information away, confirming the fact the tiny, beautiful fairy indeed was very perceptive and smart, much like her brother and my sister, who I always believed being the only one able to see through me. It seemed I was wrong.

"Did I?" I tried to buy time to cover it and she nodded once more. "You must be wrong, weirdo, because I'm not a bubbly person like you smiling all the time."

Even in the dimness of the car I saw she rolled her eyes at my words, but she wasn't really annoyed, it was mostly an automatic reaction to my prick-like comment and once more, we found ourselves staring at each other in silence. I broke it by poking her nose and she giggled. There, I somehow touched her, and she had not run away.

"You don't have my phone number, right?" She shook her head. "Give me your phone," I said a bit too commanding, but she didn't mind it, for she handed it to me. I typed my number and saved it under my name. "Can I?" I asked her permission before giving a missed call to my own, so to also have her number. She nodded more enthusiastically than I thought and for an instant, my lips tilted up. "There, now you call me or send me a message if you need a lift or anything for school, alright?"

"Thank you, Sergey," she quietly said and good God, my name sounded perfect on her lips, the softness of her voice caressing each letter. I looked more at her and she did the same. I wondered if she was somehow feeling the same sort of pleasant tension I experienced in that very moment, given by her proximity.

"You can call me Seryozha, if you want," I found myself saying without even realizing it and indeed I was a lost case with her.

"Thank you," she told me once more, but this time with a smile that made me silently swallow down, nodding and finally looking at ease. I poked her nose another time and she giggled for me this time, going to cover it with her slender fingers, her lips tilting up, her eyes staring only at me.

I had to stop this.

"Shall we go, weirdo?" I moved back to my seat completely, putting some necessary distance between us. Not that I would ever do anything or dare to touch her or such, no. But her presence was intoxicating in the most unexpected and wonderful way.

"Talk to Anatoly," she repeated once more, and I restarted the engine. Freaking irritating name...Anatoly, Tolya, and freaking queer to boot it. Arghh, I was drowning in so much ridiculous self-pity and misplaced loathing that I had to take a breath to make sure I was still there. "Seryozha?" I really liked how she pronounced my name and that sounded even better coming from her, feeling her voice tempting to say it correctly. She nailed it at first. Would she maybe like to learn Russian? I would teach her without any problem.

"Yeah, yeah, I'll talk to him one of these days, fine?" I had to get a grip on myself because I couldn't just flirt with her, since she already had someone, and I had disappointed her by beating the crap of that queer and her brother. Anyway, if I wanted to be friend with this weirdo here, I had to deserve it and I had to work for it.

"Alright, I'll let it be for now, but you promised me," she spoke with more relaxed voice and with the corner of my eyes I caught her beaming at me. I swallowed down silently and concentrated on the road, and with that, we stayed in silence until I reached her house, Taylor's SUV parked in the lawn. I didn't stop the engine, because I assumed there was no need, but as she went to grab the door handle to open it, she hesitated a moment, glancing back at me.

"I would need to go in a few days, as I am helping out for the small play that they will have in two weeks. If you are free, we could use some extra help." Aside the obvious fact I was in no position to decline it, given what my father had ordered me, I also did not want to decline and lose the chance.

"Alright, fairy weirdo, I'll pick you up or is right after school? Let me know a bit in advance so I can see about swimming practice, alright?"

"Right after school, actually. I can send you a message with more details, if you don't want to talk to me in school." Me not wanting to talk to her in school? She got it very wrong, I just refrained from that for obvious reasons. But she said something I very much liked and looked forward to: her sending me a message.

"Fine, do as you prefer, you have my number." I weighted the idea of going to open her door, but it was out of place, all considered. She probably already had someone doing it for her and the idea pissed me off at once. "So, my father will stop breathing on my neck." Of course, I had to add something absolutely unnecessary and harsh, because that definitely was not the reason. However, she either didn't notice or decide to not say anything to it, for what did she have to comment about? She knew I was doing this because of what happened with Denisov and because my father gave me no alternatives. Yeah, she knew this, but she didn't need to know I liked being with her. At least, not for now.

"Nice, so see you..." she hesitated, playing with a pink bracelet composed of hearts and stars I had already noticed, a bracelet she had received as gift from a little girl living in that place. Viola seemed to treasure it dearly and it only proved more what a selfless and kind person she was. Why would she want to be friend with a jerk like me? I thought a moment and came to the conclusion she became friend with that moron of Denisov, so there might be a chance. She interpreted my silence incorrectly and went to leave, but first she asked, "next week you have that swimming competition, right?"

"Yeah," I only said, unable to think of much else. Was she going to be there?

"See you tomorrow at school," she murmured out with a quick smile. I widened my eyes a moment and before I could reply, she left the car and closed the door behind her. I remained rooted in my seat for a few seconds, watching her skipping to the main door, her long pink-purple hair bouncing behind her.

"See you tomorrow, princess," I murmured alone in the car and I drove away.

When I arrived at home, my father was already there which didn't surprise me in a way, considering he was keeping a stricter eye on me in the past two weeks and it was starting to really get more and more on my nerves. I got it that I did something enormously stupid and wrong, but he could cut me some slack and let me breathe once in a while, but no. No time to step inside the house and remove my shoes that he was already there, inquisitive and severe eyes studying me and silent, yet very much loudly irritating questions on his face, which he voiced right after.

"Did you just spend time in the structure you told me about yesterday? How did it go?" He asked as if he were speaking to one of his managers and I wondered how they could stand him at work. He must have been a really annoying boss.

"Hello to you," I threw back, my temper already piqued and he hardened his expression, following me when I went to walk away, really wanting to avoid him spoiling my good mood since that small moment in the car with Viola, since having exchanged contacts with her.

"I asked you something, Sergey Kirillievich, and I expect a clear and precise answer," he ordered me still with that business-like tone and I rolled my eyes and stifled a grunt, swearing though very loudly in my head.

"Of course, I was there, where else do you think I spent the afternoon? I am not lying," I defended myself and something crossed his face, seeing he creased his forehead and observed me for while in silence. "What is it? What have you got to tell me about? That I'm not perfect enough as my cousin Sasha? Well, I was there and before that I had swimming practice, it was fine, I helped around and drove Viola Taylor safely back home, and now, if you are done with your interrogation, I've got to review for some freaking test."

With that I went to leave, but he stopped me.

"Seryozha," he called with the usual strict voice, and I deeply breathed to cool down my temper.

"What?" I sort of hissed out, turning around to look at him.

"I never said Sasha is perfect," he went to explain, but I snorted there at his face and humorlessly chuckled.

"You don't need to spell it out, because it's obvious you consider him as such, seeing how much you freaking praise him every single day, but I've got news for you: I'm not him, I'm myself and, sure I've got work to do, I'm an idiot for what happened two weeks ago and many more things, but even if I'll get my head straight, I'll never be Aleksandr Vladimirovich, do you hear me?"

"This is not what I want, Seryozha, I know you are yourself and I am glad to see you are doing some good thinking." I quieted down at his words and looked away. "Viola Taylor is the girl Dasha told me about?"

"What do you mean?" I asked suddenly nervous and he just normally stared back at me without expressing much on his face.

"She said they have become friends and that they are working on an aerial hoop's routine together, for some event that will take place this weekend. She seems a very judicious and nice person, from what your sister said."

"Add smart as fuck, freaking weird to that and really sweet, since the kids literally adored her there," I added without even realizing it and I froze on the spot, my tongue having said way too much before my brain could actually connect and hit the brake. My father kept his intense and severe gaze on me for a moment and then his expression slightly lost the usual hardness.

"I see," he only said and then went to walk to his studio. "I have to finish replying to some emails and you said you have to study, so I will leave you to that, see you later at dinner."

I watched as he went away and I cursed at my own stupidity, but somehow, as he only described Viola as judicious and nice, something snapped in my mind; he hadn't meant it in a bad way, but I felt the need to add the fact that she was actually much, much more than that, and someone as extraordinary and special and sweet like her had given me a chance. I reached my room and sat at the desk, taking a book in my hands and trying to concentrate on the subject.

Alright, one thing was somehow done, which was starting to patch things with her, and now, the rest awaited me and I felt nervous at the idea; however, I shook my head and pushed my shoulders back, straightening my back. It would take some time, yes, but I had to start from somewhere.

VIOLA POV – THE FOLLOWING DAY:

We had a quick meeting for the Halloween's party organization and, while Sharon didn't look at all surprised in seeing Sergey there, actually behaving quite naturally with him, the same could not be said about Cammie, who stared at him as if suddenly struck in the face by a cake with a lot of cream. Others also warily looked at Sergey and he seemed not to care, even if the sour and rather unapproachable expression never left his face. It was a pity because he had such beautiful eyes and, the more I observed them the more they appeared as if belonging to some magic creature. He grunted mostly than talking and then left without saying much, just quickly glancing at me and nodding.

I wondered if he was in a bad mood for something, since yesterday everything went fine with the kids and the staff was very happy to have someone new helping them, welcoming him easily. Had something happened to him? My eyes followed his figure as he went to leave the room, shoulders slouched down and glare set on the floor, because I was sure he was pretty much glaring in that moment. Did he have a fight with someone? I took a quick decision and ran after him, avoiding others to notice that and not for much. I had an idea Sergey was rather private and proud. So, when he walked down the corridor with nobody around, I spoke to him, seeing he halted at once, his eyes surprised to say the least.

"Did I forget something or is there more to discuss for this damn party?" He asked in his harsh way, but I didn't pay attention to it and just observed him intently, which caused him to snort after a few seconds and poke my nose. "What are you staring at, weirdo? Trying to decide if another head or whatever disgusting thing you can imagine will grow on me?" I giggled at that and he looked away as he was about to smile.

"What happened? Are you alright? Do you need some of my magic fairy dust?" I asked him and he stiffened at first, his finger automatically going to play with his ring, his eyes still staring away from me. "Sergey?" Still nothing but rather mulish silence and goblin-like sneer on his face. So, I tried something different. "Seryozha?" I liked the sound of that, and it did the trick, considered he looked at me.

"What is it?" He drily questioned me, but there was more than that and I just smiled, stepping closer to him and he stayed there, letting me touch his forehead. He truly was quite taller than me, because I almost had to tiptoe to reach it.

"I thought you maybe had something, because you were even more silent and unsociable than usual, with a look on your face that defining it orc-like would do no justice." He snorted at that but then also slightly smiled. "Are you alright?" He nodded and I realized I was still touching his forehead, us standing quite close to each other, and so I suddenly removed my hand from him and stepped back. "Sorry," I timidly murmured, because once more his eyes began to stare at me in quite the intense way.

"For what?"

"Touching you without asking," I replied, and he chuckled.

"I didn't mind it weirdo, unless you planned to turn me in some ugly creature and in that case, I'd have something to say."

"I didn't!" I immediately remarked, stomping my foot down and he again gave me a quick smile.

"Nothing happened, to reply to your question, aside the obvious and usual: a discussion in the morning with my father, another one with that dickhead of Martin, now having to go swimming and hoping the times won't drop more or else the coach will never stop pissing me off with his sermons, that's all and I whined quite enough."

"You didn't whine, Sergey, sorry you had an argument with your dad," I sincerely said, and he shrugged his shoulders. He really liked to wear rather simple and tidy-looking clothes, such as then: light-blue jeans, black sneakers and a simple white V-neck t-shirt with long sleeves he kept rolled up. It suited him and I noticed he had rather muscular arms, probably due to swimming.

"That's the usual, so nothing to be sorry about or whatever, so don't think about it and I've got no fever or stuff like that, because I'd definitely hate to waste more time instead of training." I widened my eyes and realized I was keeping him there, so I smiled and took a step back.

"Sorry, I am taking your time, and if you say you're fine, then everything is fabulous," I told him. "Enjoy training and," I didn't manage to finish because my words remained stuck in my throat as he took my wrist and looked at my bracelets.

"One of those brats gave you this one, right?" He meant a pink one with plastics beads in the shape of stars and hearts, and I nodded, unsure what to say. "They were quite surprising, I must admit that and Viola," he looked directly in my eyes, "I didn't mean to say you were wasting my time right now, believe me, and I'm pretty much surprised whenever someone cares about how I feel, aside Dasha and Audrey." I blinked at hearing that and I couldn't contain the question, somehow wanting to know.

"You two are friends?" He nodded and I found myself smiling, finding it really nice. "That's great, she's such a sweet and nice girl!"

"Yeah, she's a nice person, that's true." He let go of my wrist and checked his phone. "Anyway, I didn't mean to say that, but simply I cannot afford missing more training or else it'd be bad for my performance and times, that's all. So, I'll go now and just let me know if you will need help for this crap here, alright?" I simply nodded and then I blew some fairy dust at him.

"For your training and to avoid having another discussion with your dad," I said, and he first remained there staring down at me with an unreadable expression, but after he quickly chuckled and poked my nose another time.

"I'd need a lot more than this to get things smoother with my father, but thanks, it might still work some weird magic, right?" I just giggled and he went to walk away, slightly waving at me.

Whenever he was alone, he truly was another and much more approachable person. As I watched his back while he crossed the corridor in quick steps, my phone chirped, and a message of Ryan just arrived. I smiled happy, knowing we would meet very soon to watch a movie he wanted to show me, so I skipped back to the room in which we had the meeting for the school party and then Sharon drove me home, since Adrian had left together with Anatoly for another ride, because he said it's quite funny and Anatoly was very skilled with that.

At home, I refreshed myself and chose what to wear, fixing my make-up and hair, preparing some snacks for the movie, Delia having prepared some super yummy chocolate cake. When Ryan rang the doorbell, my heart skipped a beat and, before going to open the door, I realized there was a strange feeling of nervousness and uneasiness in me, as if I didn't truly want to be alone with him. But that was silly and there was nothing wrong or weird in that, since it was normal to watch movies together and eat snacks, commenting about it and sharing opinions. So, I shook my head and went to open the door, my lips smiling at how handsome he looked.

"Hi, I'm so happy to see you," I greeted him by taking his hands in mind and beaming widely. "Can't wait to watch that movie with you! Cammie said it's very good, so I'm super curious about that." He removed his shoes and I took his coat, hanging it for him.

"Yeah, sure, it's a good movie," he only said, somehow appearing more calm than usual, almost distant.

"Everything alright?" I asked and he nodded, going to kiss my cheek and taking my hand in his.

"Yes, of course, I'm just quite happy it's just the two of us, shall we go?" I nodded and walked him to the living room, wanting to make him feel comfortable.

"Would you like some coffee or something? Or maybe hot chocolate? Or some soda? Just tell me what you will prefer to have now, and I'll get it for you."

"Doesn't really matter, so I guess a Coke if you have it?"

"Sure!" I skipped to the kitchen to get it and he followed me, glancing at me from time to time with an expression I couldn't exactly understand and I wondered if maybe there was something strange on me, but I knew nothing was different than usual. We then walked back to the living room and he told me a bit about his lessons at the university, having met a friend before coming over and I spoke about the organization of the Halloween's party, to which he didn't look very thrilled so I stopped it.

"Movie?" He then asked and I prepared it, going to sit beside him and after a few minutes it had begun, he went for my mouth, but I pulled back. "Again?" He commented with a clear note of disappointment and I felt bad about it, but I really didn't feel like it yet and we had discussed about this already. "Never mind for now," he said, going back watching the movie.

Ryan placed an arm around my shoulders and I thought it was fine, since we just enjoyed watching the film together, making some comments, well, I was the one mostly asking things or commenting and I stopped it after a short while, seeing he didn't seem to exactly appreciate it. He kept silent just hugging my shoulders for some time, until he moved away and paused the movie, which surprised me in a way and then scared me the following moment as I saw his face.

He suddenly pushed me down on the couch and went to press his mouth on mine with so much strength I almost panicked, my heart racing crazily at the idea we were alone in here, at how heavy he felt on me, and for a moment my mind went blank with dread and shock, but then I remembered what Adri always taught me. So, my hands automatically went on his chest and tried to push him up, my lips tightening to not feel his, and my eyes widened as one of his hands went on my leg, going up my thigh and slipping under the dress.

I-I panicked and began to struggle more and then managed to place a hand on his face and push him back. He suddenly halted and looked at me, going to get something from his jeans' pocket and I used that moment to move away.

"What are you doing?" I asked with a thread of voice, feeling it shaking very much, as just my heart beat faster and faster in not a very nice way.

"I just wanted a kiss from you, c'mon, this is nothing, come over here and we can have some fun," he replied as if what he done was normal and I stepped back, seeing he also got up and trying to smile at me, but the smile didn't reach his ears and it was not sincere. It was a trickster's smile; a wicked sprite's smile and I didn't like it at all. "C'mon, don't tell me you really planned to just watch that movie like some small kid, right? You invited me over because you wanted to do stuff, right?" I shook my head and felt my hands trembling, my eyes wide at hearing his words, seeing his expression.

"I don't want to kiss or do other things, we already talked about this," I told him, trying to fix the messed up skirt of my dress, taking another step back and then, I breathed out in relief as the door of the house opened and closed after a short while, hearing the voice of my brother and mother calling for me.

"Viola sweetheart, are you at home?" I went to reply, but I stopped, because I knew my voice would have come out shaking and reveal what happened, worrying her too much. It's not that I wanted to keep secrets or hide it, but I wasn't just ready to talk about it with my parents, and Adrian might have gotten into troubles. Also, I felt terribly silly for having made this possible by inviting Ryan here to watch a movie, maybe giving him the wrong impression, as he said before. But I truly just wanted to watch the film together while eating snacks and nothing else. "Viola?" She called once more.

"I'll go mom, she's probably watching something with a friend," Adrian said, and I was glad he had told her the right thing, avoiding this situation to worsen even more. "Vivi?" Adri called and I took a big breath and tried to calm my very shaken state.

"Here Adri, we were watching a movie," I managed to say, and I noticed how Ryan had stiffened and grew nervous, even more when my brother stepped in the living room.

"Vivi preciosa," he immediately said, for then growing suddenly serious as soon as his eyes ranked over me and then over Ryan. "Hello Ryan," he coldly greeted him. "How about I walk you to the door and you leave? I am sure the movie is already over." I went to my brother and hugged him instinctively.

"Welcome back, brother, I'm so happy to see you," I said, already feeling better and calmer, especially when he smiled at me warmly and kindly. "Yes, we finished watching the movie," I spoke to Ryan, who stood there as if he had been turned into a statue made of salt.

Well, I sure had wished to turn him into some very ugly creature a moment ago and what happened had really shaken me, considered I was still trembling and clutching Adrian's sweater tightly, not wanting to let go. He was gently yet protectively wrapping one arm around me and he had already understood what happened, possibly feeling the uneasiness and still lingering fear in me. Not that I was afraid Ryan would have forced me in having sex or so, but still a sort of fear for having felt his hands on me when I didn't want it or like it.

It had felt wrong and my heart was still racing in that same unpleasant way. It had rendered me terribly uncomfortable and made me feel silly for having trusted him, doubting my own judgement and thinking that I should have seen it earlier, but...I had to stop overanalysing everything. I made it clear I didn't want anything from him and pushed him away and then, thanks to my good fairy always guarding me, both my mom and brother came back home just on time.

"I will walk him to the door, Vivi, and then I'm back," Adri spoke quietly and smiling, but I knew that smile very well and I kept clutching his sweater. "Don't worry, I'm not going to do anything bad to him, or at least, I'm not going to break any of his bones...yet," he whispered in Spanish so that I could only hear him and I gulped down. "Don't worry," he repeated once more and I nodded, as of course I trusted him, and he was not going to get in trouble for what had happened a moment ago.

"Okay," I only said, and he kissed my cheek.

"Let's go," he ordered Ryan, who followed my brother without saying a word, barely looking at me and keeping in complete silence. I said nothing to him and, before going to see mom, I fixed my hair and checked if I looked normal, for then going to search for her.

"Viola honey, wasn't your friend here with you? I wanted to meet him, but I had just received a call from the gallery, and I didn't manage it, sorry," she explained, going to kiss my forehead.

"He went home now, as we finished watching the movie and anyway, he said he had to study," I replied, hating to omit what truly happened, but I really didn't feel like discussing it just yet, but she detected something and placed her hands on my shoulders.

"Did something happen? Did he do something to you? Tell me and I shall go after him and..." I shook my head and smile, truly and sincerely smiled, because I felt so happy and blessed for having so many fabulous and loving and caring people around me.

"Nothing happened and well, I don't think we will see each other again, because we are a bit different," I only explained and she reflected over it, nodding after a few seconds.

"Very well, we know we can trust you and if you don't feel good around him, then this is the best choice and, I had a feeling your heart was not truly on this boy." I blinked and stared back quite confused. "I think your true knight, or prince even better, in a shining armour still has to come or maybe, he will soon arrive, and you will recognize it at the right moment. This Ryan was not it."

I thought about her words and then hugged her tightly.

"I believe you are right, mom, thank you, I really love you."

"And I love you, too, honey."

ADRIAN POV:

I followed Ryan with the excuse to see him off, but I had my own reasons, and when he thought I would leave, I stopped him by closing my hand around his throat and his eyes went wide with due and satisfying fear. My precious Vivi had looked very distressed before and I hadn't missed the way he had hastily changed expression and hidden his phone, for whatever purpose that was. She had covered it because also our mother was there, but I knew her too well and I knew she would be waiting for me to talk; I didn't like to see her like that and sudden, threatening anger took over me. Nobody could dare to make my sister in that way, nor put their hands on her. She had hugged me tightly, and she was shaking. In that moment, I had wished to kill the guy standing in front of me.

Sergey sure had behaved like a first-rate jerk, as Anatoly often addressed him, but I had been wrong in considering him so; he had behaved badly and hurt Vivi with those harsh words, no doubts about that, but I had seen the honesty in him, felt real regret stretching out from him and somehow, I never once thought he would step over a certain line. Not like this guy now in my hands, my fingers squeezing his throat and the expression on my face revealing how much I enjoyed seeing him so scared and worried. He should have, all considered.

"I am not sure what happened before we arrived, but I could see Vivi looked uneasy and very much uncomfortable, her hair slightly messy." I loosened the grip on his throat mostly to let him reply, but he only swallowed down, somehow frozen, and not reacting against me in any way. "I can only try to imagine what you tried to do and whoever tries to make my precious sister feel so bad or dare to cross the line will have to answer to me." I smiled at him in a rather darkly amused way, considering something else. "You might need to answer not only to me, believe me."

"I-I didn't do anything, what the hell..." He coughed and hissed as I tightened my grip around him, studying his face and in particular his eyes. There was something in him that appeared very familiar and a doubt started to become clearer in my mind, so I decided to talk and see it for myself.

"You remind me of someone I know in school, a certain girl whom I really dislike because always behaves extremely rudely against Vivi and because she thinks of herself too highly, believing she is the only one out there, considering herself extremely beautiful, while she is nothing special...actually, quite the contrary." His eyes reacted to that and something passed on his face, a mixture of annoyance, anger but still dread. "She always says very unpleasant things against my sister, but not only to her, because she's just a very unpleasant and arrogant person in general, wrongly believing I would never dare to do anything to her just because she is a girl."

"What do you mean?" He wheezed out, going to massage his throat as I let go of it.

"I have no such principle or distinction when it comes to people hurting my sister or whoever is dear to me: she might be a girl but that won't stop me from acting against her if I see the necessity, if she steps the wrong line." I gave him a calm yet cold smile, enjoying seeing the shocked expression on his face. "I'm afraid such principle doesn't belong to me and I never had it or half scruple in that sense, so just clearly remember it also for yourself."

"I didn't do anything and what the fuck do you want?"

"Do you dare to lie to me? Believe me, this is not advisable, and I can feel what you are and never ever dare to make my sister feel like that." I paused and moved closer, planting my eyes on his, snatching his jacket tightly. "Actually, do not dare to get close to her another time. You might find yourself in a hospital bed in a blink of an eye."

With that, I stepped back and stuck my hands inside my jeans' pockets, going to turn around, but stopping one moment to look back, seeing my words had clearly sunk into his mind. Another smile rose on my mouth and he looked startled, immediately opening the door of his car and quickly driving away.

"Good boy, leave and pass on the message," I told to myself, still smiling, for then slowly strolling back inside, going to see Viola, who had already moved to her bedroom. When I opened the door after having knocked, I saw her sitting at the desk, drawing something on a paper and looking very down, her face showing an expression I never once saw there. I should have squeezed that vermin's throat harder or maybe broken a couple of bones, but I didn't want that to happen right here in front of our house.

"Vivi?" I called her as I went to sit on her bed and she turned around, keeping quiet, way too quiet for her bursting personality.

"I...I think I should break up and not see him again," she only told me, the note in her voice almost breaking me and stirring that same dangerous anger of before. However, I cooled it down and willed it to stop and dissipate.

"I think that is a very good decision, preciosa."

"You were right in telling me to be careful," she murmured and I could hear embarrassment and somehow guilt in her voice, something that I very much hated to sense coming from her, since she hadn't done anything wrong. So, I walked to her and crouched down, taking her hands in mine. "Sometimes I feel very silly and so, I don't know what to say."

"You have nothing to say, Vivi, and you're not silly," I told her calmly, my eyes staring directly into hers. "You are my precious and very sweet sister and I'd be lost without you, actually, many of us would be lost with you, and I think also Anatoly would somehow agree, not to mention Sergey," I said his name on purpose, seeing how that made her slightly smile, her eyes darting away for a quick moment, her expression changing. "Do you want to tell me what just happened?"

"Nothing much really happened, I mean it," she fretted out seeing my face and I decided not to push her; she could come and talk to me whenever she felt ready. I could sense she still needed time to digest it and it was normal, because nothing of the sort ever occurred before and she was the kind of girl who would really just want to watch a movie with her boyfriend, simply enjoying different snacks and making comments. She was my adorable and sweet sister and many of us loved her because of this trait and many other special, magic qualities.

"We can talk later, if you want," I spoke with quiet and calm voice, caressing her hair. "After dinner we can study a bit together or watch a movie, and you can tell me whatever happened, be it nothing or something." She nodded and then kissed my cheek.

"Thank you, Adri," she whispered, and I hugged her.

"De nada, preciosa."

"I...I need to call Sergey a moment," she then suddenly said and that truly surprised me.

I knew they had exchanged contacts and that yesterday he had driven her home, after having spent the afternoon with those kids. But I didn't expect Viola wanting to hear his voice or somehow talk to him after whatever happened earlier with that guy. I was beginning to sense she was unconsciously attracted to Sergey, because there was hidden kindness in him, a gentle and somehow caring side I was only now starting to completely see. It was there in the way he glanced at her in school, at how he tried to greet Viola for then changing his mind afraid she would dislike it, at how twice I noticed he went to approach her in class but didn't at the last moment. He still had a lot to sort out, but it wouldn't surprise me if he were already working on it.

"Sure, something for the Halloween's party?" I asked on purpose and she shook her head.

"Something else related to that foster home, it just came to my mind."

"I'll let you call him and go to see if mom needs help for preparing dinner, but maybe Delia already arrived." I got up and winked at her, seeing she timidly smiled when she eyed her phone. I closed the door of her bedroom and, after a short while, heard her voice speaking his name, and thus, I smiled at how it sounded.

VIOLA POV:

I had no idea why I thought of calling Sergey, as something suddenly popped in my head regarding those kids, but as I took my phone, I went for a message, not sure he would appreciate being disturbed my me. We-we were friends in a way, more or less, but still not that much friends I believe, and I wasn't sure whether he would mind my spontaneous side or not.

Also, I was afraid my voice would show too much, because what had just happened with Ryan had really shaken me and, the more I thought about it the more I wanted to forget it. I truly had to tell him we should not see each other anymore and he should have never tried to kiss me when I didn't want it, because...I...I...my phone suddenly rang and I jumped on the chair, the trilling of it pulling me back from my thoughts.

Sergey was calling me back not even after a minute I sent the message and I stared at my phone both confused and undecided whether to reply or not, but I pressed the button, thinking he was probably the best person to talk to right then, as he would have not noticed anything strange in me. Well, nothing weirder or stranger than usual, considered how he kept calling me.

"Hey weirdo, what's up? Sorry for calling you, but I thought it'd be faster than replying with a message, are you busy?" His voice sounded slightly hard, but not upset, and I had an idea that was the usual note in his voice, which I didn't mind somehow. It belonged to him, in a way.

"No, I'm not busy, I was reviewing for a test," I replied, but my voice wasn't the usual cheerful and I pressed my lips together, silently breathing because there was no need to involve him in this; yet his following question took by surprise.

"Are you alright, Viola?" He had said my name instead of calling me weirdo as usual and that left me a moment completely speechless. It should have been normal but coming from him somehow held a different meaning and feeling.

"What do you mean?" I managed to ask, my breathing slightly stuck in my throat.

"You sound off, maybe you are just tired or low on sugar, or simply not exactly thrilled at the idea of talking to me, but..." I immediately stopped him.

"No, it's not that," I rushed out, wanting to make that clear and not create any misunderstanding, because I definitely didn't mind talking to him, even if I couldn't understand why.

"So, what happened? I doubt you had a fight with either your creepy brother or your weird friends or freaking annoying Denisov, so did you eat something bad?" He was joking in a way and that very much took me aback. He could be considered sometimes, an aspect of him I never once thought possible. The more I interacted with him the more I realized knowing Sergey was like staring at the sky after the rain when the sun illuminated it, creating a magic rainbow and giving us the chance to admire many different, beautiful colors.

"Adri is not creepy, and my friends are all fabulous," I however replied, hearing him snorting on the other side of the phone. Then, I paused a moment and thought about what to answer to his first question. "Nothing much happened, really."

"Well, I don't want to push you or be annoying, I mean, I'm not exactly your best friend or shit like that, so, yeah, I wanted to reply about what you asked me."

"But we are friends!" I felt the need to say, widening my eyes considerably. "I-I mean, we are starting to be friends, right?" He didn't speak for a few seconds and then he sort of chuckled.

"Sure, if being friends with a jerk like me is cool with you, then being friends with a weirdo like you is more than fine by me and we said this yesterday, right? Even if you're close with that queer." I found myself rolling my eyes but also giggling, which almost astonished me. For a moment, I had almost forgot what just happened with Ryan. How was that possible? "Anyway, I cannot make it that day because I'll have swimming practice and I must be there, given next week I have that competition we already talked about and well, my father would chew my head out if I were to miss it, not to mention my coach, so yeah, that's the deal." He paused a moment and sighed out, sensing tiredness and a bit of anger in him whenever he mentioned his father. "But I can maybe drop by later and help a bit or give you a lift back, if you need it, alright?"

I definitely didn't expect to normally and spontaneously talk with him over the phone; but it was possible because he was at home alone, as in school he still kept for himself a lot, still spending time with that group of people.

"Sure, thank you very much, if that won't be a problem for you, of course."

"I wouldn't have suggested it if it were a problem, so no need for this, I'll just send you a message or whatever when I'm done with training."

"Thanks," I murmured, unsure about what was going on and why I felt so strangely at ease talking to him, somehow enjoying the idea we would be exchanging more messages. It was such a small and rather childish thing, but I don't know, it felt so good in that moment and the fact was that he seemed also very fine with that.

"Viola?" He spoke the following moment with a different tone of voice and my fingers tightened around my phone. He had lost the usual hardness and the note there sounded so kind it made me feel like inside a bubble.

"Yes?" I nervously asked.

"Thank you for the other day, when that pain in the ass we have as professor for mathematics picked on me, knowing I had a chance to solve that shit just as winning the lottery."

"Oh, that, well, I mean..." I didn't know what to say, because I didn't expect him to mention this and be so direct about it. "I just didn't like the way he behaved with you," I honestly admitted, still remembering the super bad way in which the professor acted in class.

"Well, you both could solve it, and probably also that queer of Denisov."

"It wasn't that easy," I went to say but he stopped me.

"You could solve it, right?" How did he know about this? Oh...sometimes I tended to forget we had been schoolmates for over four years. "So?"

"Yes," I timidly admitted, and he chuckled in a way that made me smile a bit more.

"I knew it, but really, thanks for that."

"I just didn't like the way he behaved, so you really don't need to thank me, I mean it."

"Alright, so, if you say nothing happened and considered right now you sound more like your usual bubbly and air-headed self, I'll let you be and guess, see you tomorrow?"

I blinked a couple of times before replying: did I really sound more like myself?

"See you tomorrow and thanks for calling," I added, feeling my lips smiling more and more.

"No worries," he answered and after that, he ended the call. I kept staring at the phone and then, decided to join my brother in the kitchen. As soon as he saw me, Adri first smiled at me and creased his forehead in a mute question the following moment, to which I replied by giggling a bit. He walked to me and, when both Delia and mom were busy preparing dinner, he whispered something.

"You look better and Vivi, let's talk about what happened later, si? I want to know, and I want to understand why you took that decision." I stared at him and hugged him tightly. He was the best brother ever!

"Sure Adri, we will talk later," I whispered back and we both went to ask if we could do something in the kitchen, already smelling a wonderful aroma around the room, and mom told us to arrange the table, since dad this evening would arrive at home earlier than usual.

- A WEEK LATER -

I was still very surprised by what I saw the other day with Sergey, the way in which he interacted with two kids who had timidly approached him, asking how their toys could be repaired since they were a gift they had really cherished. It always pained me to see some of the kids there, because you'd see it on their faces how much they longed for a normal family and true love, and, even if in there they received all the needed care, attention and affection, it would never replace the one that a family would give you. Whenever I helped around or played with the kids, never once I forgot to think it could have been me being there, if not worse. Adrian and I truly had been very lucky.

But, getting back to my reason of great and almost spell-bound amazement, Sergey had first looked at them in usual sour and rather sneering way, making me think he would have chased them away, but then, after an instant almost of uneasiness, he crouched down and listened to them, his expression smoothing into a thin smile. I remember how fast my heart had raced in that moment, my mouth opening up and my eyes unable to move away from his back, seeing he was quietly speaking to them and asking about the toys, managing to actually fix them both. I was keeping hidden behind the door, afraid he would see me, still slightly afraid of his remarks and snappy comments, no matter what I told myself. Yet, he had left me in a complete magic daze.

I could not believe my own eyes, because the Sergey there in front of me was patient, calm and very much understanding, almost sweet, nothing like the guy I knew in school, and, at those thoughts, I had frozen as if touched by a spirit of the snow. I had already seen that Sergey, before the fight against my brother and Anatoly, before those words he had thrown at me. It was the same Sergey who had calmly spoken to me in the kitchen of his house, helping me getting the mugs that stood too high on the shelf, who had driven me back home, who had played the piano. As those images of him and thoughts danced in my head, I remember stepping away from the door, going somewhere else and feeling unsure about what I was experiencing in that moment.

Having seen him talking to the kids and fixing their toys had convinced me going to watch his swimming competition and Sharon had come with me, meeting Darya directly there. The swimming pool of the other school where the races took place was huge and I looked around in a sort of wonder, seeing the structure was very new and many people walked around, talking, laughing, exchanging jokes, running around and it all looked beautiful. Darya had kept two seats for us and, when we arrived, Sergey and his team still weren't at the swimming pool.

"Viola, Sharon!" She cheered, going to first hug me and then my friend, both of us giggling since we loved her. "My brother will be very happy to see you here, believe me," she said with a wide smile, her long blonde hair left free and she truly was beautiful. "How is he doing in school?"

"I think good," I timidly replied, unsure why I actually felt shy and Sharon softly laughed beside me.

"Let's say he is a bit less of a sneering jerk, but he still has room...no wait, he still has a football stadium room size for improvement," she joked, winking at me and then looking back at Darya. "Can I ask you something about him?"

"Sure, what's that?" I was amazed at how quickly they had clicked together, getting along perfectly only after the third time they met; but then, I realized there was nothing to be surprised, because Sharon was simply a wonderful and magic person, immediately opening up with the people she instinctively liked, welcoming them without the slightest effort or doubt, being always quite cheerful and optimistic, while Darya was fabulous in her sweetness and consideration, but also her warm friendliness. Getting along with her was super easy and, in short time, we had already become good friends.

"What does he eat in the morning?" I laughed at hearing that question and Darya first widened her eyes in surprise, for then also starting to chuckle very much amused. "No, I am serious, because I swear that most of the time, he looks like he has either eaten dozens of lemons or something very weird and gross."

"I think I know what you mean," Darya commented, still shaking with laughter. "But well, I guess it depends on his mood when he wakes up, since he can go from sweet to savory, not really having a defined thing for breakfast." Oh, that was interesting to hear, and I paid more attention, also going to ask about that.

"What does he like of sweet?" She smiled at me in a way I didn't understand, and I sort of smiled back.

"I think he likes pancakes and apple pie or cherry pie, like the one you tried when you first came to our house, do you remember?" I nodded. "I don't think he is much into sweets in general, but well, things can always change, right?" I wasn't sure what she meant with that, so I only nodded, since she anyway had a point with that. Things could always change for the best, right? And then, her eyes moved to the swimming pool and I followed the direction of her stare, seeing Sergey and his team stepping there.

Two of his usual friends, if he truly considered those non-fabulous and non-penguin-lovers people friends, were there as well, Martin and Jonathan, but I realized my attention was only concentrated on him. He was wearing a dark hoodie with the name of our school in the back and black swimming pants reaching his ankles, completely adherent around his legs, reminding me of the skin of a shark or something similar, and I never noticed in school how strongly shaped his legs were, the muscles he had and, when he went to remove his hoodie, my lips slightly opened up.

I blinked a couple of times, feeling my face suddenly warming up and my heart tumbling faster: he was incredibly good looking and so well defined, that even from where we sat it was possible to see how his muscles were shaped. I looked away a moment, afraid of staring too much, and met his sister's stare, still glancing at me with a smile I couldn't interpret, and it was Sharon that broke my daze.

"Wow, he is totally not my type, really, but your brother is actually quite hot in terms of body, I never realized that in school," she commented openly, and I just moved my eyes back to him, somehow nodding and my mouth spoke before I understood what I was saying.

"Yes, he's really good looking," I murmured and after that my hands went on my mouth, without doubt having blushed. "I-I mean," I stuttered, and Darya softly laughed.

"Seryozha is good looking, I know that, and I understand why he has many girls going after him." I observed her and thought about her comment, seeing she was actually right. Aside Alexa, I had noticed other girls actually following him with their eyes or trying to talk to him, but he never seemed very interested and his sister confirmed it the following moment. "But well, I think he is not interested in them."

I didn't know what to say at that, because seeing him at the border of the swimming pool wearing nothing but those swimming pants, his face set on a very concentrated and determined expression, the goggles hung around his neck and the hair free and slightly wet had showed me another Sergey, different than the one I had seen with the kids, but not less pleasant or mesmerizing. He rotated his arms back and forth, then in opposite directions and did other warming-up exercises, until he looked at the bleachers and our eyes met. His widened at first and, for a moment, I grew nervous, afraid maybe he wasn't happy to see me there even if he had invited me, but then I shook my head and waved at him. I have no idea what made me do that, but my hand moved automatically and, at first, he did nothing; however, the following moment he quickly smiled and waved back. I couldn't help reciprocating it and my lips tilted up even more.

"See?" Darya quietly whispered at me. "He's happy you are here." I quickly glanced at her and she winked at me. "I'm really happy you two made peace and you are now normally talking." I shook my head and tried to smile, but somehow, I was still feeling in a sort of confused spell-induced daze, what happened with Ryan completely gone from my mind and pretty much forgotten, and again I moved my eyes on Sergey. We looked at each other a bit more, but then his coach called for their attention and told them something; he went to wear the cap, also black, and moved his neck and shoulders, rotating them.

I wondered how he felt in that moment, right before a competition, standing in front of everyone and knowing he had to face other swimmers: was he nervous, was he looking forward to it or what else? I wondered if he ever felt fear in jumping into a pool, because water sort of scared me, especially if I could not touch the bottom. I found myself wanting to know and the idea made me widen my eyes in complete shock. However, my daze was broke by an exchange Sergey had with his two friends and teammates, seeing they must have told him something very unpleasant and probably Goblin-like, because he snatched Martin by the jumper he still wore and hissed something at his face, for then letting go and shaking his head.

"What happened?" I asked without realizing and Darya sighed out.

"That's stupid and moronic Martin for you, and he is a real idiot and I am sure he said something to my brother to piss him off," she replied with a touch of annoyance in her voice and even her eyes reflected the dislike she held for him and well, he definitely wasn't a penguin-lover person and I doubted he would be someone kids would like.

After another few minutes, the swimmers stepped on the starting blocks and my eyes followed Sergey in every step he took, seeing he had taken a deep breath and once more cracked his neck and fingers, going to fix his goggles and I instinctively giggled, thinking they must have been all sort of superstitious gestures, a small ritual. He was staring at the water intently, but for a quick moment he looked up at the bleachers and I think, he stared at me and somehow nodded; my eyes widened and my heart accelerated when they told the swimmers to get set, him touching the block with his fingers, readying his body for jumping in the water. They blew the whistle and I held my breath as Sergey launched himself with a quick, powerful and very beautiful motion, remaining under the surface for a long while before coming out and doing the first strokes. He was so fast and powerful, clearly loving to swim and it was true what they said: he was really fast and talented.

"He likes this style, right?" I asked Darya and she nodded at me.

"Yes, he likes the butterfly style, but his favorite is another one, in which he really excels, you will see later," she smiled and then, without even realizing, and seeing Sergey was ahead of the other swimmers, we both began to cheer for him quite loudly, Sharon following us. He turned around under the water, having to swim back, and that was so quick and smooth I almost couldn't believe it.

Another Sergey...this one was another different Sergey and I liked him very much.

"He's freaking fast!" Sharon commented completely taken aback, staring at me with incredulous eyes and then she giggled. "He's quite good, right?"

"Yeah, he truly is," I agreed and yes, this Sergey was really incredible and had something of magic in him, because I could not stop following him, truly making me feel as if under some dazzling spell, my heart racing faster as he swam, wishing for him to win. "He is good, incredibly good and fast," I whispered to myself and I sprang up on my feet, leaning on the bannister to watch better, seeing he was about to reach the end and he had not slowed down in the least. The three of us cheered more of him, as somehow, I couldn't stop it even if I wanted and we all jumped up and down as he arrived first.

Sergey removed his cap and shook his head, pulling the goggles down and checking the time and arrival classification on the board; when he saw he arrived first, he threw his hands up cheering, for then slapping the water. I knew I was smiling widely and that I felt truly happy for him, since he had been worried about his times, having said once more they had dropped and the coach wasn't satisfied, not to mention his father. I wondered what sort of relationship they shared, but I think it was rather conflicted. I smiled more and more and, without being completely aware of what I was doing, I found myself waving at him.

"Well done!" I cheered to him, not sure he would hear me from there and considered the noise all around, but he looked up and our eyes met, my hand still waving at him. He smiled and then left the pool, my eyes following him in every step. His coach congratulated him and so other teammates, but not his friends I noticed; then, he jogged to us and I leaned more on the bannister, smiling so much I couldn't contain it.

"Hey weirdo, you are here," he said in his usual way and I giggled, not really minding how he called me, but feeling terribly shy the following moment. Only then I realized he was there wearing only those shark-skin looking swimming pants, his skin dripping water, just like his hair, his eyes shining in a way I had never seen before, his smile relaxed and genuine.

"I am also here," Darya said, and Sharon also stepped beside me.

"Yeah, I saw that, and I knew you'd come, so why should I be surprised?" He asked her, rolling his eyes and then glancing at Sharon. "You brought the crazy bodyguard with you, Viola?" He joked and I automatically giggled, because seriously this new and very much unexpected Sergey had something very mesmerizing in him.

"Good one, Sergey, you impressed us," my friend said.

"Yeah, well done, that was absolutely fabulous! You're super-fast, like some shark almost and I'm so happy you won the race!" I exclaimed speaking in one go, clapping my hands, and he gave me a quick smile, but it was so sincere and genuine that my heart skipped a beat. "Do you have more?"

"Yeah, another two plus some relay race I had to take part at the last moment, since one of the guys couldn't make it today," he explained and really, he was so much more relaxed and himself, normally talking to us, not sneering, not hissing his words, his face looking different than usual. I couldn't resist it and I mimicked to blow some magic fairy dust at him. "Your crazy stuff, weirdo?" He asked, actually not minding it.

"Of course, my magic fairy dust for your next race!" He went to say something, but I noticed he stiffened as Jonathan called for him and he shook his head.

"Gotta go," he just said and then walked away, his face having changed and I didn't know what to think, aside hoping he would start to be more himself instead of letting those people affect him.

"Don't mind it," Darya told me quietly and I smiled at her, shaking my head as to say I didn't mind it. It was partially true, even if I had wished the carefree and relaxed expression he had earlier didn't change. However, as he walked away to join his team, the other guy named Martin also telling him something that seemed to annoy Sergey, he quickly glanced back at us and the way his eyes indulged on me a moment felt like a silent apology.

I realized he had nothing to apologize for, since I was beginning to understand him more and more, and simply stepping away from what he had been used to until then wasn't easy at all. I shook my head never ceasing to smile and, once more, made the gesture to send fairy dust to him. He mouthed something silently and I knew he had meant to thank me.

I really hoped he was also going to win the other races.

SERGEY POV:

I went to walk to the border of the swimming pool, wanting to look at the water and smell it, liking it as usual and mentally telling myself not to suck and ignore both Martin and Jonathan, especially the former one who really had a talent for getting on my nerves. It was like he enjoyed my recent drop of times and the fact I had somehow distanced myself even more in school, looking miserable to some. I was just thinking quite a lot and trying to get things straight, and since last Sunday, when I went to watch Dasha's and Viola's aerial hoop event, I couldn't get her out of my mind. She looked perfect and so beautiful, honestly like an ethereal and magic fairy princess.

I had kept sort of hidden, so she would not spot me there gawking like some demented idiot, but in the end my sister saw me and hence, also Viola caught me. She was positively surprised to see me there and also insufferable Denisov and creepy Taylor were there, which made me leave after having exchanged a few words with my sister. I shook my head, bringing my concentration where it belonged and going to remove my jumper to get ready for the first race, the coach nagging at us all.

"Sergey, are you listening to me?" He asked and I felt my eye twitching in irritation, but I kept it in check and just nodded. "Swim as you usually do," he said and honestly, that was the most useless advice someone could ever give you. It might work with some, but not with me, because if my head wasn't calm and concentrated, if my pride and need to win didn't kick as usual, then I would have sucked big time.

As I went to warm up a bit, moving my arms, my mind reminded me that Dasha was supposed to be here and maybe, with one chance out of million, also Viola was there sitting on the bleachers looking at me. So, I looked up and pretty much everything inside of me froze as my eyes met hers, and after a first moment of pure shock, my heart kick-started, and I know I couldn't stop staring at her.

Viola was there together with my sister and that crazy friend of her, Sharon, and dear Lord, she looked so gorgeous that I wasn't sure whether I was still breathing or not. She had kept her long and pink-purple hair free, cascading around her slender shoulders, wearing some bright pink t-shirt over a dark and fluffy looking skirt, typical for her dressing style, and she was there looking at me. She was really looking at me and when our eyes met none of us could glance away. I think there was surprise on her face, but I wasn't sure why and then, she smiled, her breath-taking and sweet smile, and waved at me. I waved back without even realizing my hand was moving.

Viola had come to watch my competition.

My eyes widened a moment at the realization and my lips reacted by smiling back at her.

She was there for me and I knew I had to give my best, because no way I could lose in front of her. I was struck there like someone having brain issues and then, our coach broke the daze by calling me once more and ordering to get ready, since the race was about to start; my eyes searched for her once more and Viola still had her attention focused on me. I almost couldn't believe she had decided to be there today, but her presence really triggered something in me, because my blood was now pulsing faster and I couldn't wait to jump in the water and swim in front of her. However, of course I had to be lucky to have Martin noticing her, too.

"What the hell, Sergey, she came here with your sister?" I ignored him and went to fix my cap, but obviously he went on. "Saw you greeting the skinny bitc..." He didn't manage to finish that word, because I suddenly turned around and grabbed his jumper, setting my eyes on his and I knew they looked possessed by then, considered the way he swallowed down at first. "What the fuck, Sergey?"

"Shut up, Martin, and get it with me, but leave her out, alright? Not another word," I threatened him and I let go of him mostly because the coach glared at us, aware of the bad blood sometimes running between us two, tolerating it only because we were decent at swimming. Although, I was much better than this idiot here and he had always minded it.

"You must be kidding me," he snorted out and I just stared at him really wishing to punch his face, well aware it was not exactly the smartest idea right in that moment.

"You're imagining things and anyway, keep your mouth shut and mind your business."

"She is just ridiculous." I curled my hands in fists and breathed deeply, letting the anger flow into my blood and fuel my need to win, honing my determination, because I couldn't afford to get disqualified, not today of all days. He had insulted her and I would make him eat those words, one day or another, because no doubts his twisted idiocy was going to get on my nerves soon enough, and if in the right place and occasion, I would really punch his face as he deserved.

"See if you can beat me in the free-style and if not, shut the fuck up, Martin," I hissed out barely checking my anger and hearing my blood howling in my ears and mind, but then the coach told me and another guy to get our ass to the blocks and I did so.

I moved my arms and neck, cracking it, touching the cap if it was sitting well, then the goggles, taking deep breaths to return in my concentrated mood, repeating myself to just show off in front of her and not be a loser. I stepped on the block and my eyes focused on the water, imagining the moment I would dive in, swimming under the surface for a while, for then coming up and going for the first strokes. I liked the butterfly style, even though it wasn't my favorite and not my best, but today it didn't matter.

Again, my eyes went to search for her and Viola was still there staring intently at me, her hands linked together as if almost nervous for myself, while in truth, I felt only excitement, because I loved swimming and I loved competing, especially if I won. She noticed me staring at her and I nodded once, as to silently thank her for truly having given me this big chance, for having trusted me and wanting to be friends, and in particular, I nodded at her as to say to watch me, because I was going to win.

The referee called to get ready and take our marks and I was concentrated on the water yet feeling her eyes on me. He whistled and I launched forward, knowing it had been flawless and powerful, diving into the water and under the surface, loving the feeling and the freedom if gave me every single time, swimming fast and with all I got. I had to win and nothing else, so I swam faster and more powerful than I ever did, not aware of anything else around me, aside her and the faint cheering I thought I was hearing. I swam faster and faster and it all happened in a blink, because soon I touched the arrival point, not even aware the race already ended.

I looked at the screen and the times appeared shortly after, showing I had indeed won and that my time had significantly improved. I groaned out the accumulated frustration and then joy for having finally won, especially in front of her; and when I left the water, after the coach and some of my teammates congratulated with me for the victory, my feet took to her, because I just wanted to see her closer and hear her voice.

And she was there, smiling at me, in that absolutely sweet, magical and breath-taking way of hers, and this time, Viola was smiling solely at me and for me.

At dinner, my father surprised me no little by directly addressing my results in today's competition, pretty much shocking even Dasha and by some degree also mom, considered the way she first eyed him and then smiled at me. She had recently smoothened down a lot and we went back to normally talking, having understood I had been doing some good thinking and truly regretting the fight. I didn't need to tell her openly, because she was quite perceptive and intuitive, aside knowing I wasn't exactly the kind of son wanting to tell everything directly to his parents. Yet, I was somewhat glad she understood me and trusted me.

"You won today, son, am I correct?"

"Yes," I replied only, and he arched a brow as to ask for more, so I tempted it seeing he wasn't any preaching mood. "I won the freestyle and butterfly 100 meters, but arrived second only in the individual medley and we sort of sucked in the relay race, but that was to be expected considered we pulled it out at the last moment and Martin is an idiot who should never take part to relay races," I said, still fuming at the idea how badly he had performed, as if wanting to do it on purpose to slow us all down.

That fucker really pissed me off today and even more I wished to re-arrange his nose when he insulted Viola; I kept it cool mostly because she was there looking and because the coach would have kicked my ass and signed me off the race. I had to win in front of her and also, in front of those dickheads, shoving it in their faces.

"Well done, Seryozha," he told me and I narrowed my eyes studying him, trying to understand if he really meant it or if maybe, there was a touch of disappointment because I hadn't managed three first places, but he just tempted a very stretched smile, shocking the fuck out of me. "Well done, son, I mean it. You did very well today, and you can always get the first place in the individual medley next time."

"Yeah, definitely," I munched out, because I had to admit losing a swimming race pissed me off very much, since I loved it and my pride was a real bitch.

"Well, I'm not surprised you did so well today, right brother?" Dasha chipped in and both my parents looked at us with a questioning expression, and thus I glared at her, but she ignored me. "Viola also was there, and she cheered for him a lot, am I right?" She smiled at me very much amused and I rolled my eyes. Did she really have to bring this up here in front of them? She winked at me smugly and I mentally flipped her off.

"Oh, Viola came to watch your competition? That is very nice of her, she is such a lovely girl, I really like her," mom said and I eyed her warily, afraid she would go for more questions, but she showed merci and kept quiet. The fact mom liked Viola at first didn't come as a surprise, but I still had no idea what my father thought, but truth be told, I couldn't give a fuck. He would probably say she was nice enough, although she was not Russian. He had a true fixation for that.

"Yes, she was there with another friend of her, Sharon, and we made sure to really support Seryozha during the races."

"You were so freaking loud," I grunted out, wanting to hide my true emotions, as the mere thought of Viola jumping up and down, shouting my name while cheering, clapping her hands and all really inflamed both my blood and pride.

I supposed Dasha had a point in what she had said before; as my eyes caught her sitting at the bleachers, something had kick-started inside of me and I wanted to win the race no matter what. I was a sore loser to begin with, wanting to win whenever possible, but having her there made it different. I wanted to show off and the thought froze me; fuck, this was quite ridiculous and very much lame, but I really had wanted to show off in front of her. Exactly like my cousin did whenever he had played hockey in front of his freaking and super gay boyfriend. Argh...the idea annoyed me, but I definitely couldn't deny it.

"Whatever, we supported you in the best possible way and even her friend was surprised, not to mention how you definitely left Viola quite in awe," she told me and I felt my father's eyes on me, studying me in a way I couldn't understand.

"What do you mean?" I asked trying to sound as much neutral as possible.

"I think she never realized how truly good looking you are." I think I froze on the spot as her words played over and over in my head, meaning that Viola really found me good looking? I darted my eyes on Dasha and she just grinned at me, nodding. "Believe me, she was really amazed today and she said you are very fast and talented, which is true, you were awesome today and no wonder she was surprised, since she never saw you swimming."

"Yeah, I guess," I muttered out, going back to my food and silently telling her to drop this, because it was already making me sweat bullets and thank God, she understood me. However, as soon as our parents stood up to get something else for the dinner, she whispered something very quietly at me, so that only I could hear it.

"She was really amazed today, believe me when I say she couldn't take her eyes off of you." I swallowed down at her words and instinctively stared back at her with a mute question on my face and she nodded, smiling softly. "I'm not lying, brother, you truly struck her today and she admitted you being very good looking." I swallowed down another time and felt my heart racing. "Sorry for bringing this up in front of our parents, but I think you understood why I did it, right?"

I wasn't sure at first, but then, I remembered the way our father looked at me, at the honest curiosity in his eyes and the first normal words he had spoken to me in weeks. I think I understood why Dasha did that and I nodded at her. But what mostly now occupied my mind was what she said about Viola: she said she found me good looking and she never took her eyes off of me. Oh God, I hope she was soon going to dump that dickhead she was seeing so that I could just...I halted a moment and thought about it. Yeah, I liked Viola and I would have loved asking her out, but it wasn't just a matter of her being single. There were other things first to be considered and once more, I reminded myself to clean up my mind and mess, straightening my behaviour, because she was a lovely and super sweet girl, deserving a truly decent guy. And I was still quite far from that.

-DAYS LATER-

She had been strangely quiet and almost absent with her mind for a couple of days and I didn't like it one bit, seeing something was clearly hurting her. It seemed like they had unplugged her vibrant and never-ending battery, leaving her weirdly sedated, not laughing or suddenly talking in her usual loud yet sweet voice, participating to the organization of the Halloween party without the normal bursting enthusiasm. What the hell happened with her?

I hope that dickhead she was seeing hadn't done or said anything stupid, or I would really want to find his sorry ass and have a quick chat with him. A common trait I shared with my beloved cousin apparently: we both had quite the short fuse when it came to the person we liked and cared about. I knew Sasha had gone berserk in January, when some disgusting bastards tried to force themselves on his boyfriend, and I had not the slightest doubt I would have the same reaction if I were in his shoes. I might have not been crazy about that loud and rather flashy guy, but I understood Sasha, and he had given them what they deserved.

Therefore, my eyes followed her the entire day, during the classes we shared, her eerie brother also looking concerned. It pissed me off and I had to do something; at the end of the day, we had one free class since the professor reported being sick and I took the occasion at once. As she left the classroom for a while, I went after her and I grabbed her hand while we were alone in the corridor.

"Come with me," I just sort of barked, because the irritation in thinking why she was like this was starting to really get on me badly.

"But I have to meet Sharon and the others to talk about the organization of the party," she said very much surprised, and I halted, still keeping my hand around hers, seeing she was not minding it.

"Send them a message and say we are working on something for that freaking party, alright? Just come with me now," I ordered, and her eyes went quite wide, so much it worried me. "What is it? You can trust me; I'm not going to do anything to you."

"I know this," she replied without any hesitation and I was the one dumb struck. "But I just don't understand what is going on and what you need from me." I couldn't take the quiet sound of her voice and I had to check my annoyance. Great, so I did really share the same short-fuse and temper with my cousin.

"You look way too quiet and off, which is starting to worry me, because either you are getting sick or something happened to you," I honestly told her and her lips slightly opened up in that very adorable yet breath-stealing way of hers. "You don't need to tell me if you don't want, or you can tell me if you feel like it, whatever, but just come with me a moment now." She nodded and kept observing me obviously still not understanding what was going on. "Good."

I walked her to the music classroom, and I heard her gasping, especially when I sat her on the chair beside me. I was not like her brother or her two weird friends, not even like Denisov, and definitely nothing like my sister; sensibility wasn't exactly my strongest point and I lacked in many things, not sure how to properly conform people, but I'd be damned if I let her look so down and sad without doing or trying anything. And one thing only came to my mind: playing the piano, remembering she had honestly liked it. Thus, my fingers began to move on the keys and the music filled the room.

"Th-this is from Spirited Away," she whispered out, turning her head to stare at me with what I believe being amazement.

"I imagined you would like this particular one," I admitted directly and, honestly speaking, the music of the entire movie was beautiful, and I liked playing this piece, called "Sixth Stop".

"I love this song, this is my favourite from the soundtrack," she still whispered, finally smiling a bit more. "It is so beautiful, and you are so incredible at playing it, thank you."

The shyness in her voice almost arrested my heart, but I took a deep and silent breath, keeping playing for her, unable to explain how I felt in seeing I was managing to render her slightly more happy and smiling. She then rested her head on my shoulder, and it took all my control not to stop playing out of shock, letting my fingers still moving on the piano. I would have loved to place an arm around her shoulders, but it wasn't the moment and she just needed to listen to what I believed being one of her favourite songs.

I had no idea what happened to her and why she was looking, and obviously feeling, so quiet and out of her usual self; I hoped she would tell me, but, even if she did not, it didn't matter, as long as I could do something for her.

Author's chit-chat:

So, my dears, what are you first impressions, thoughts, feelings, emotions, ideas or just reactions after having read this chapter?

I think we had a lot happening in here and we had some turning points in their relationship, or I should say, in the building of their relationship. Which ones do you think they were? For sure a lot of sweetness.

We remember Viola talking about what happened with Ryan to Anatoly in CH.14 of "Loving You is Forbidden", but in the next chapter we shall read more and have our Tolya appearing and, what will happen once Sergey will know about this? I think the end of the chapter pretty much gave us the idea that sooner or later, Viola will tell him. But when? Who? Why? We shall discover in the next chapters ^^

What about our Adrian? He is quite a mystery in a way and, on the other hand, I love his character, and his POV was very much necessary.

Also, we are learning more of Viola, as I am sure you noticed one thing she said.

For Sergey swimming, imagine someone like Lochte in long jammers in the style of Rin or Makoto from "Free", if anyone watched the manga. Before you asked, no, I wasn't inspired by it, since I watched it recently and after having already created Sergey's character 😊 However, I can guarantee you that our Seryozha is quite good looking and physically well sculptured, which obviously impressed and sort of cutely shocked our Viola. She is super sweet, isn't she?

I think we can see that Sergey and Alexi are cousins: similar traits yet different personalities. He definitely shows a rather jealous nature...maybe also protective?

Sergey is actually starting to show a very romantic trait, and also very caring and considerate, which I am sure is quite surprising. Like the last part of the chapter, right?

This chapter was very much concentrated around them only, but it was necessary, and we had many nice interactions, small moments and some small yet big achievements. What do you think will happen next?

Well, I am already working on it and remember we have waiting for us the Halloween Party, Sergey saving the cat and other episodes ^^

I am also working on CH.5 of "Beyond Those Irresistible Eyes", so stay tuned with Witchy and her Cat, next weekend there could be a new post.

Stay all safe and healthy and do take care, always! Magic Fairy Dust to All of You ***

Lots of Love, Magic, Hugs & Meows,
-TheWitchAndTheCat-