(Juliana's POV)

I stood stoically across from my eldest brother, arms behind my back, head down, eyes on the floor.

We were currently on one of their many private jets and had yet to leave the airport.

"I would like to clarify a few things for you, Juliana. This is not a vacation. You are being sent to our relatives to shape up. We're all done with you. Done with the attitude, done with the disobedience, and we know for a fact that Uncle Stefano won't put up with any of your bullshit. Or anyone in that house actually. Not Aunt Stephanie, not any of your cousins, and most definitely not grandma or grandpa. You think I'm bad? Just you wait. You cause trouble there and the punishments I give you will seem mitigate in comparison. Do you understand?" He asked venomously.

I nodded my head, fighting the shivers that were going down my spine. Which means that unfortunately, I felt it before I saw it. The sting of his hand coming down against my already bruised cheek.

"I said, DO YOU UNDERSTAND." He yelled at me as I cradled my cheek.

"Yes sir." I whispered.

"Incompetent bitch." He muttered.

"Call this your one and only warning. If I have to hear anything about you being disrespectful, mouthing off, or causing trouble, not only will I fly down there and personally beat you, you'll be in twice the amount of trouble." He threatened before turning on his heal and walking out of the plane.

I stood there, unsure of myself, as my new reality set in. I was being sent across the country, to family members I hadn't seen since I was 5, and who have most likely been told I'm an attention seeking bitch.

Amazing.

I sat down in one of the ridiculously fluffy chairs, fastening my seat belt as the captain came over the intercom. He explained safety procedures that I didn't really bother listening to, if I die I die, and then stating the exact number of hours and minutes it would take to get from our current location in New York, to Italy.

Though, the entire time he was talking only one thing could cross my mind.

Shit's about to get interesting.

——————————-/—-/——————————- How many ever hours it takes to get from New York to Italy later

--—————————-/—-/———————————

I walked off the plane, more than a little unsure of myself. I was in the airport, and there was a lot of people. I had my backpack cradled to my chest, almost like a shield.

I had backed myself into a corner. And I mean that literally. I sat across from where boarding was, behind the rows of seats. I was sitting on my bottom with my back to the corner, knees to my chest with my backpack in between my knees and chest. I had my arms wrapped around the backpack.

When I got there it was about 8:30, and I watched as people boarded and de-boarded the planes.

It was honestly kind of interesting; watching people coming and going. Some people would get to the section real early and sit down, relax and play games on electronics, some would pace the whole time, and some people would show up just in the nick of time, out of breath, obviously having been rushing to get there.

Eventually though, things did get boring. I felt like when Jameson (the oldest brother) would make me kneel in the corner. Sometimes it would be on rice, sometimes it was just the regular floor, but he normally left me for hours on end. And I wasn't aloud to move or else I got in even more trouble.

I decided to rifle through my backpack and see if I had anything to do. I had brought my phone, earbuds, some paper, colored pencils and a book, but other than that it was just a change of clothes and a water bottle. I didn't have any snacks or money.

I sighed, connecting my earbuds to my phone and turning on a random song. I put one earbud in and left the other out for safety. I let my mind wonder, making up different stories and plots as the songs changed and either made it more edgy, or sad, or sometimes happy. It all depended on the song.

I pretty much let this consume me for a while. I kept drinking from my water bottle and eventually the inevitable came. I had to go to the bathroom.

I got up, begrudgingly leaving my corner. Backpack in tow I wandered through the bustling airport, trying to find a sign that would clue me in as to where the bathroom was.

I found it pretty quickly, it wasn't that far, there was another gate in between mine and it, but it wasn't far.

I went to the bathroom and refilled my water bottle in the sink, careful to not let the mouth of the bottle touch anything, and quickly made my way back to my corner, avoiding people by all means necessary.

I developed a habit of checking the time on my phone frequently as the hours passed. I had picked it up to make it look like I was playing on it, but all it did was worsen my anxiety.

That small feeling of anxiety started worsening as time went on. We landed at 8:30, and it was currently 2 in the afternoon. It had been five and a half hours.

Part of me wanted to go try and find someone, or do something, but a bigger part of me, the part that had been beaten into obedience one too many times, told me to stay put.

I was told that one of my cousins would be coming to pick me up at the gate, and to not leave the gate unless it was with him.

So I waited.

And waited.

And waited.

———————————-/—-/———————-——— Justin's POV ——————————-/—-/———————————-

I was sulking in my room, upset that I couldn't be downstairs.

Today was the day my baby cousin came to live with us!

I AM SO EXCITED!!!!!

However, there is something putting a damper on my happiness about her being here. And it all started last night.

Dad and Gramps were standing in front of the tv, while the rest of us were seated around the living room. All except Massimo, who was in Alaska on business. He was supposed to be flying back down the day after Jules got here. He woulda been here earlier but surprise-surprise there was a huge snowstorm that shut everything down.

"Dad, what's going on? Why couldn't this wait until Saturday?" Hudson asked from his slumped position on the far side of the couch.

"Okay, by now you all know that Julianna is coming to live with us, correct?"

We all nodded. Duh, why do you think the kitchen almost burned down? Hudson didn't do that by himself.

I think that's why I was told to 'always stay away from the kitchen'. Everything I try to make ends up burning. I mean seriously, how was I supposed to know that cookies could catch fire? I thought they were inflammable. We shouldn't be eating things that catch on fire that easily.

Could they catch on fire inside of us?

That seals it, I'm never eating cookies again.

...

...

...

Okay we all know that's a lie, I love cookies too much.

Anyways, I focus back on dad who seems to be a little uncomfortable with telling us whatever he's trying telling us.

"So, there are some things that you need to be aware of, about Julianna." Dad stopped himself, looking conflicted.

"... Actually, you know what, everyone under 18, out of the room please."

Hunter and I groaned as we were the only ones he could be talking to. And that's not even fair! We're 17, we may not act like it, but we are. We're honorary adults at this point. Okay, so Hunter is 17. I'm 15, such a big difference eh? It doesn't even matter, I'm not that young.

I got up and followed Hunter out of the room, slowing down and looking behind me. I kept eye contact with my dad as we turned the corner and even though I kept walking I bent my back so much that I was almost in a backbend, trying to keep eye contact as long as possible.

I hate when he pulls the 18 and under card.

But anyways, that's what has put a damper on my mood. I can't help but wonder what he was telling them about, and why he looked so reluctant.

And also the fact that Julia never answers my texts. Ever since I got a phone I've always texted her, and she's always texted back almost immediately. We told each other everything. We were best friends, even though we lived so far apart.

But for almost the past 2 and half years, nothing. I mean she even put me on read. I still text her though. I make a point sometime before I go to bed to text her all about my day, like we used to. I like to pretend that when it says read it means she actually read it. Even though I know that's not the case.

I roll over onto my stomach and grab my phone from my nightstand where it had been charging.

Hey Jules. Heard ur gonna be here today. Can't wait to see you!!

I sent that text this morning, and debated sending another one but instead I looked at the clock.

I gasped in excitement when I saw it was 6:58. Two minutes until I could go bug Julie. She got here this morning, but Grandma said I needed to give her time to "settle in". I made the mistake of saying I'd give her a few minutes and so I got banished to my room until 7:00. Aka, dinner time.

Two minutes passed and I flew down stairs, threw open the dining room door and looked around excitedly. My shoulders slumped as my smile disappeared when I realized Jules wasn't there yet. I shuffled sadly to my seat, plopping down as Dad, Grandpa, Grandma and Mom all laughed at me.

Hunter and Elliot came in not too long after me and we were all just sitting at the table.

"Okay, where is she?" Hunter asked after ten minutes of complete silence had passed.

A sharp intake of breath sounded from Elliot and we all looked at him confused.

"What is it?" Dad asked in a way that said he already figured it out but still wanted you to own up to it.

"Um, about that..." Eli trailed off.

"Elliot Kryptonite Bianchi. Did you or did you not forget to pick up your cousin from the airport eleven hours ago?" Dad said sternly. Dad rarely raised his voice, so to him this was yelling.

"I forgot." He muttered.

"Juliana has been at the airport by herself since 8?" Grandpa asked in a low scary voice that had even me shivering.

Eli didn't say anything and dad and grandpa both stood up simultaneously and walked out of the kitchen.

Part of the reason they were so pissed is because Elliot had specifically requested to pick her up, and they had agreed. With the kind of business we're in, we'll be lucky if she's even alive by the time they get there. Worst case scenario: someone took her.

There are things worse than death. I just hope we aren't the reason she has to experience it.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I honestly have no idea what I'm doing. I've got ideas but just posting stuff without already having the book finished is not in my nature.

Also, I promise Elliot's not always such a forgetful dick.