Someone Else

Chapter 7

I wake up around 6 and roll up the strips and wait for them to puff a bit. I take a shower and change into the suit, wearing just a big t-shirt over it, I bring a change of clothes and a towel in a black tote bag with pionetta's printed on it.

The croissants bake relatively quickly so while that's baking I apply sunscreen all over.

I run up to get another outfit to change into just in case and then run down to take the croissants out.

These smell amazing and taste just light, buttery, flakey and slightly sweet. Perfect.

I made about thirty so I leave ten here and put the rest in a basket like red riding hood. I make cup ramen and walk over.

I ring the doorbell and Matt answers looking like he just rolled out of bed. I do suppose it's just 7 am.

"Do you ever wake up at a normal time?" He asked, letting me in.

I shrug and out the basket down in the kitchen. "I got up early to make these."

He opens the basket and grins sleepily. "My favorite breakfast food. Croissants." He mutters, eating one.

I finish my cup noodles and take two along with me to the backyard.

Whoa, this pool is glorious.

It's big, three times larger than your average backyard pools. I appreciate that it's still rectangular.

I take the shirt off and sit in one of the pool chairs to finish breakfast.

Matt sits in the chair next to me with a plate stacked with croissants. He lays down and put the plate on his stomach, his eyes closed while eating.

I lay back and enjoy the early morning sun, putting my headphones on to listen to music; The boy who swallowed a star on loop.

It's like my airway expands when I listen to studio ghibli compositions, I'm transported to a world of peace and richness.

After an hour, I lower the back of the chair and flip onto my stomach. The sun caresses my skin gently and I sigh.

A hand touches my shoulder blade and I open my eyes. Matt reached over. I take my headphones off.

"You have tattoos?" He asked.

Oh, right. Not long after the spring formal I had a dragon done, it's black and red, stretching from behind my right shoulder to right under my left boob.

"Just the one." I answered.

"It's big." He said.

So? He has a half sleeve that's much more detailed than my dragon. I'm sure he has even more under that grey shirt.

"I know." I said instead. The brothers both have tattoos, Mr Luciano wore a suit but I could see the edges of a tattoo behind his neck. "Why do you care?"

"Just surprised." He said, sounding a million miles away.

I yawn and flip back around, checking for a tan line. Oh, we have a decent one going on. I pull the strap up a bit to even out the lines and put my headphones back on.

When my alarm for 8:30 goes off, I go in the pool. Ahhh, the water is not too cold. Matteo changed already? I try not to look at his abs or tattoos or any of his big muscles.

The others come out and say goodmorning. Giovanni cannonballs into the pool and I laugh.

"Have you had breakfast yet?" I asked when he resurfaced.

"Yes, the croissants where delicious." He said.

Mr and Mrs Luciano bring out the basket and sit on the pool chairs talking about some relatives after greeting me.

"And what is this?" Giovanni asked, turning me around. "Tesorina, you have a tattoo!"

"Yes, I know." I said, laughing at his shocked expression.

Mr and Mrs Luciano look too and they share a laugh. "I didn't know you were so adventurous." Mrs Luciano said. "You cook and clean and have tattoos, are you single by any chance?"

"I do have a boyfriend." I said, blushing. I wonder which one of the brothers she would have said. Giovanni is only three years older than Matteo. But then again, that's still an eight year difference from me.

"The good ones are always taken." Mr Luciano sighed.

"I bet I can swim faster than you." I said to Giovanni.

"We'll see. First one to finish three laps?"

Oh, so he wants to see endurance and speed? "Five laps, loser has to make lunch." I said.

"You would enjoy making lunch!" He exclaimed. "How about loser has to be tickled for three minutes?"

I hate being tickled. "You're on!"

We take our places and start on my count to three. I forgot how much taller he is... I f*****g lost!

I yell and try to dodge him. He laughs and traps me in a corner, he tickles my sides and I shriek with laughter.

"Gio!" I yell, putting my hands on his shoulders to push him off. He's too strong for me and tickles my arms and the back of my shoulders.

I laugh so much my face burns and tears well up in my eyes. He hold me still with one hand and tickles my neck with the other. He's found my secret ticklish spot! I squeal and wrap my arms around his shoulders to get him to stop.

Suddenly he's ripped away and I gasp for breath. Matt pulled his brother off me? He looks pretty mad right now.

"Calm down, geez." I said, hopping onto his back.

"See, brother, it's all good fun." Giovanni says, smirking.

There's a tension between them and I rest my chin on Matt's shoulder. "I'm totally gonna beat you next time!" I yelled at Giovanni.

"You can try!" He fired back. He swims some more laps and I yawn.

"I think I woke up too early today." I said.

Matt just walks around the length of the pool with me on his back. "Do you want to take a nap? We have many guest rooms." He said.

"Guest rooms are boring." I sighed. "I brought a change of clothes, can I shower in your bathroom?" He has the biggest bathroom in the house.

"Alright." He said.

I hang out in the pool for a little longer and then climb out and take a shower.

His entire bathroom smells strongly of him. Odd. His shampoo and body wash doesn't even smell like that.

I take a quick shower and blow dry my hair. It's way too long now, almost past my ass.

I find a pair of scissors in his desk and cut my hair to my lower back where I like it. After disposing the hair and putting the scissors back, I yawn.

Why am I so sleepy today? Probably the early morning baking, it's relaxing but surprisingly draining.

Putting my hair up, I lay down on Matteo's bed and take a nap.

+ + +

I wake up and the first thing I see is a chest, a bare chest. My cheek is pressed against a bare chest.

Matt has his arms around me, our legs are tangled. He couldn't put on a shirt? Not that I'm complaining. He's muscular but his body is surprisingly soft.

I listen to his steady heartbeat and his deep breathing. What time is it? It's really bright outside, it must be around lunch time.

"Matt, I need food." I said quietly.

He groans and his arms tighten. Okay, that was the opposite of the expected effect.

"Matt. Food." I said a bit louder.

His eyes open slowly and he sighs. "You always have to disturb my blissful sleep." He complained. He's smiling so I don't think he's too upset.

I get off the bed and stretch out my sleep heavy joints. "I think it's time for lunch." I said, pulling him up. He puts on a shirt and we go downstairs to see Mrs Luciano making some sandwiches.

"I was going to bring these up for you two. Did you sleep well?" She asked.

I blush and let Matt answer that one. He just grunts like a caveman and hands me a sandwich.

I take a bite and smile. Lettuce, cheese, spicy mayo, ham and pickles. "This is really good." I mumbled, quickly polishing it off.

"There's a charity ball tonight that your parents and us are going to. Do you want to go?" She asked.

A charity ball? Oh, right. They asked me about that last week and I said I'd rather stick a rusty fork in my eyeball.

"It's not my scene. I much prefer to be testing new recipes or gaming." I said, embarrassed.

"You have to go, it'll be terribly boring without you there." Matt said with his mouth full.

I shake my head. "No way, Jose. I'm going to spend the evening making myself some comfort food and watching Netflix until I pass out on the couch."

"Home all alone? Won't you be lonely?" Mrs Luciano asked. "Matteo can keep you company if you want."

Ah, so she ships me and Matt.

"I don't have to go?" Matt asked excitedly.

"Only if Amelia needs some companionship." She replied.

He looks at me pleadingly and I laugh. "Alright, alright. I'll bite." I said after a moment of consideration. I was going to just video chat with Liam and watch the movies together but then I won't have anyone to cuddle with. "We should go buy some groceries for tonight."

"Okay, I'll drive." He said.

"I'll see you tomorrow, Mrs Luciano!"

We get in his Audi and go to the nearest supermarket. "What do we need to buy?" He asked as I grab a cart.

"Oreos, ice cream, chocolate cake, rotisserie chicken, pizza, onion rings,...you know, comfort food." I said.

"I'm sure you can make it better." He said fondly.

I laugh. "Yes, but sometimes you need to taste premade food."

He picks a ton of junk food, his favorite seems to be rice crispy treats, just like mine.

I pick out the best looking cake and chicken and we go to checkout.

"Your total today will be 47.99. Cash or credit?" The cashier said, sounding like she'd rather be doing literally anything else. She's being paid to do this though?

"Cash." Matt said, getting out his wallet.

I tap my card on the machine thing and it gives me a satisfying beep. "My relaxation day, my pay." I said. "You can carry the stuff."

He mumbled something that sounded suspiciously like "non-romantic feminist" and grabs the bags.

I open the trunk and his face twists into a look of despair. Oh, right. He's Italian after all, he's an old fashioned man probably.

"Are we watching this in my home or yours?" He asked, turning on the power.

Excellent question. His TV is the same size but his couch is prettier and more comfortable. "Yours. I forgot to buy something! We need to go to the mall right now."

"Next stop, the mall."

___________________________________

"Did you really have to buy this?" Matt asked as he lugs the giant dragon stuffed animal into his house.

I gasp. "Yes, of course. It's Toothless!" I exclaimed, completely shocked he even had to ask. "This was one of the last ones before they're sold out, it's limited edition!"

"Why does it have to be as big as you are?"

I huff. "Because he's a dragon, gosh."

He calls me a small child and I stick my tongue out at him.

"Whoa, what's the ruckus about?" Mr Luciano asks, coming downstairs. He must have heard our bickering.

His eyes fall upon the giant black dragon in his son's arms. "Is it your niece's birthday or something?"

I blush. "No, it's mine."

"Ah, I see." He said before turning right around.

Oh for crying out loud, it's not like I bought a two hundred dollar stuffed bear. "I'll set up the food, you get blankets and pillows and Toothless." I told Matt.

"Where am I supposed to put it?"

"His name is Toothless."

He makes an exasperated sound and throws Toothless on the couch. "There. Are you happy with that?"

"Could have done it more gently." I mumbled. I shred the meat from the chicken and get some extra stuff to make chicken, cheese and lettuce burritos with ranch dressing.

I make a platter of snacks, candy and food with some soda bottles and bring it out to the living room where Matt is making a blanket fort. Ah, yes, I'm the child here.

The blanket goes from the couch to the TV. I climb in and put the platter on the coffee table.

"You've outdone yourself." I told Matt as he gets in and sits next to me on the couch.

"Yeah, well, can't have a mediocre fort with a dragon in it." He said.

I laugh and lay down on Toothless with my legs across Matt's lap. "On the itinerary today is How I Met Your Mother." I said, turning on the TV. I put the show on and we eat and watch in comfortable silence.

Around season 3, his parents lift up the hood of the fort. "Kids, we're going now." Mrs Luciano said.

"Ooh, gimme one of those burritos." Giovanni said, peeking in as well. I toss him one and wave them goodbye.

Matt eats the last one and I pat myself on the back yet again. I eat a family sized bag of Doritos and sit up so my side is pressed up next to his. He puts an arm around me and reaches into the bag.

We watch all the seasons, when we're done all the food is gone and everyone else is already back.

I text my parents that I'm staying over here for the night and we wordlessly go up to his room.