"You owe me sleep, so much sleep"

Arabella Karve My therapist, whom I only went to for one month within July, right after everything ended, told me that trauma can come back in random and bizarre ways.

So, as I gaze unsurely at the red flowers that sit in the middle of my bedroom floor, and I sit cross legged in-front of them, everything slowly starts to crawl back to me like a relentless, mental purgatory.

The box's full of dark red peddles that had pictures of me secretly taken buried beneath. The red flowers that would be placed upon my pillow, causing me sleeplessness the entire night. The crimson blood dripping onto the pure, white roses.

I haven't had red roses in my room since... he, went away.

I haven't allowed myself to come close to them because I knew they would remind me of all that I was forced to endure.

I slowly push myself onto my feet and walk over to where the bouquet is placed on the cold floor. And then before I can change my mind, I throw them away.

I stare at the beautiful present that Dimitri gave me, out of the kindness of his heart, that is now sitting sadly at the bottom of my small trashcan, along with about twenty gum wrappers.

I have an addiction.

I just can't have them, I keep telling myself as I stare at the perfect red flowers, that are held together by white lace, that now look like unloved junk.

What the fuck is wrong with me?

As if Dimitri knew I was thinking about tonight, my phone suddenly vibrates from my bed. Fuck.

Dimitri: Hey gorgeous, I just wanted to make sure you are okay. Tonight was, rather strange... Wednesday-11:40pm

I slowly sit down on the edge of my bed and stare at the text. How do I respond when he saw me yell at some blond fucking bitch, and then angrily storm out of a restaurant?

Me: oh yeah I am alright. I just couldn't handle loosing any more brain cells from Diana. (Aka, ill-bred Barbie) Wednesday-11:45pm

Dimitri: apparently neither could Eros. Wednesday-11:46pm

I roll my eyes thinking about tonight with Eros, and all the harsh words that were said. I lay down onto my soft, cold bed, and groan loudly as my overthinking head pounds harshly.

Me: he probably agreed with everything she said. The only reason he left the restaurant is so that he could come lecture me. Wednesday-11:50pm

Dimitri: based on his little tantrum, I don't think he did. Wednesday-11:55pm

Me: tantrum?? Thursday-12:01am

Dimitri: oh I was imagining he would have told you. He lost his cool at Diana right before he chased after you. Thursday-12:03am

I slightly furrow my eyebrows while reading over the text. I swear to god that man is fucking bipolar and unmedicated.

Me: what did he say? Thursday-12:13am

Dimitri: basically that she's lucky he can't do anything because he is just the bodyguard, but that she better not ever speak to you like that again. (With his vulgar words of choice) Thursday- 12:14am

I stare at the text, completely confused at why Eros would ever say anything to defend me.

Me: oh. Well I guess that was nice of him. It wasn't that big of a deal though. Thursday-12:25am

Dimitri: what was she talking about? Do you have a can of worms with the Russian 'business'? Thursday-12:26am

Me: haha. Good one. No I have no idea what she was trying to say. Thursday-12:33am

Dimitri: hm? Well I want you to know the only reason I didn't come after you was because of your parents needing me, I really did want to come check on you. Thursday-12:34am

I shut off my phone, deciding I am done with people, and crawl into my sheets utterly exhausted from the draining night. I am always exhausted.

I yawn softly as I smoothly turn off my lamp and close my sleepless eyes. My last, worthless thought before I drift into a uneasy, and nightmare plagued sleep is, why would Eros defend me? ********************** "Trading should always be equally beneficial to every subject within the trade and if that is not the case, then you should not go through with it" My elderly professor says as he walks properly across that platform and preaches to the many scholars, that are...partly, listening.

My parents and I came to an agreement a couple months back, that it would be a good idea to go to a prestigious, private college, in order to major in business. Since they want me to take over the fucking mafia.

So every Thursday at 12:30pm, I have a long ass business lesson, and then I take an art course two hours afterwards.

I told my parents that the only way I was going to actually try in my business course, is if they allowed me to take an art course just for fun.

Even though art is my passion.

I steadily write down semi-organized notes, while trying to follow along with the preaching from the front of the room.

I begin to quickly copy some things down from memory. Trading should always be equally beneficial to every subject within the trade and if that is not the case, then you should-

Suddenly all of my attention is drawn away from the lesson, when an obnoxious sound of a pen clicking repeatedly from beside me begins. Ignore him, ignore him, ignore hi-

I look to the left of me only to see a bored and irritated looking Eros harshly clicking the button of the top of a pen, over and over and over again.

Of course the other part of the agreement is that Eros would have to attend both of the classes to make sure that there was no danger, and that I was protected and watched at all times. And probably making sure I don't make a run for it.

I love that he has to attend classes with me, because he hates it.

"Can you shut up for five fucking seconds?" I whisper angrily while trying to swat the pen out of his large hand. Maybe I don't love it.

Eros honestly does not speak that often, especially when we are in public, but I feel like when it comes to me, he always had to do some annoying noise to piss me off, or he just does not shut his stupid mouth. Asshole.

Eros slightly moves his hand back so that the pen is now out of my reach. He then turns his head, looks me straight in the eyes, and then continues clicking it with a emotionless expression.

"Damn it Eros" I grumble dramatically as I lean across him, and try to grab the pen from his hands.

Eros slightly moves the pen further out of my reach, while leaning a little further back in his chair. "What the fuck are you doing Bella?" he mutters in a bored tone.

I am about to answer, when i am interrupted by a throat being cleared echos across the large auditorium. I immediately turn my head to the the front of the room, only to see my professor staring at us with a irritated look.

"Sorry am I interrupting something?" My professor asks coldly. He crosses his frail arms while continuing to glare at us angrily.

Everyone in front of us steadily turns around to look at us with large eyes, as if I was in court. Mind your damn business people.

I slowly look towards Eros, hoping that he will help me, but he only shrugs carelessly at me while leaning back in his chair.

I awkwardly pull back from Eros, and sit back down into my seat before clearing my throat uncomfortably.

"Oh uh yeah, no problems here"

"Really? Because it seems like you were attacking the man that we allowed to sit in, without even taking the class"

"Yes, I know. I apologize"

"Well I think it's for the best, for the sake of your education, that your escort, waits outside of the room until the lesson is done."

"That's actually a wonderful idea and I, a woman in need of an education, completely agree" I say with a conniving smile while turning towards Eros.

"You heard him Eros. Skedaddle." I say while shooing him away with my hand.

Eros completely ignore me and just glares darkly towards the professor, maintaining heavy eye contact, until the old professor awkwardly looks away and continues on the lesson, as if nothing happened.

Everyone in the room gives us one last glance before turning back around suspiciously, and focusing on the lesson again. I slouch back in my chair, relieved that there was no more attention on my before mumbling, "your a dick."

"I know." is all Eros says in response before continuing on with whatever he was doing. ********************* I stand out of my chair and immediately stretch dramatically, feeling completely stiff after the three hour long course.

As I scoop up my stuff and shove my bag into Eros's large arms, I hear a girl yell something loudly from behind me.

"Hey! Don't leave!" I turn around and am met with a girl with light auburn curly hair, and bright blue eyes running at me from down the isle, with a large smile plastered on her face.

The gorgeous girl stops right in-front of me, before she puts her hands on her knees and begins to pant loudly while shaking her head and chuckling softly.

"Sorry- I didn't want you to leave" she manages to gasp out.

"Oh nope. Still here." I say while giving her an awkward thumbs up and pursing my lips.

"I'm hazel! I've been meaning to talk to you for a few weeks, but you seem to scurry out of here every time with this skyscraper." She says with a embarrassed laugh while reaching out her hand. Oh I like her.

I take her chilly hand in mine, and kindly shake it, "I'm Arabella." I say with a smile, amused by her behavior.

"Your so fucking pretty!" She squeals loudly, "but on another note, me and my friends are about to go grab some lunch at the cafe just on campus, and I was wondering if you would like to go?!" She says excitedly, "oh and of course, your bodyguard would be invited to! Or I guess, I assume he's your bodyguard"

I smile widely at her kind offer, my art class is in two hours so I would really have nothing else to do. And I really want to go.

I really haven't had any friends, well except for Dimitri, since- Tara.

"Oh thank you! I would love to!" I say excitedly with a large smile.

"fanculo la mia vita" *********************** "This is Atlas" Hazel says proudly as she points to the tall, skinny, brunette boy, sitting at one of the tables in the noisy, small cafe.

Atlas has deep brown hair and cute circular glasses that sit upon his rare greek nose. His bright green eyes sparkle softly as he waves to me shyly.

"And this is Briar my bestie!" Hazel then points to the beautiful girl with fair dark skin and short curly black hair, that is pulled into a messy bun, sitting next to Atlas.

"Hey, nice to meet you" she says with a kind smile.

"You too" I say happily while pulling out the chair in front of Atlas and smoothly sitting down.

Eros stays standing against the brick wall directly behind me, after throwing a bitch fit to me about how he does not want to have lunch with these obnoxious children. Sometimes I think he forgets he is only five years older.

His intoxicating smell wafts around me as I pull out my seat and try to not focus on his enraged aura. He smells good.

Hazel plops down beside me and immediately starts talking about how boring our business class was and how she wishes she could punch the professor in the face.

"So Arabella are you taking any other courses?" Briar asks tenderly as she takes a sip from the hot cup of coffee in her dainty hands.

"Oh yeah, I am taking an art course as well." I smile softly.

"That's fun. I hear the art classes here are really brilliant."

"Same! My girlfriend is in one and the work she does is just, wow!" Hazel adds in excitedly.

"I took one last semester, it was actually helpful." Atlas says quietly while staring down at his hands.

I laugh, "they are really amazing. I wish I could do them full time."

"Why can't you?" He mutters while furrowing his eyebrows.

"Because my parents would probably send me to the guillotine." I say honestly while scrunching my nose.

"Ugh whores." Hazel says gravelly.

"Hazel." Atlas says quietly while trying to control the smile breaking out across his freckled face.

"Meh, I agree." I say seriously, causing everyone at the table to break out laughing.

I vaguely glance up towards Eros with a large smile spread out across my face, just to make sure he is still there, and my heart skips a beat when I see his eyes locked on me with a cold expression.

He doesn't look away from my warm brown eyes, as he deeply study's my expression with his frigid glare.

"You would look gorgeous with curtain bangs girlie!" Hazel randomly says, snapping me out of my daze. She suddenly grabs a piece of my long hair and begins inspecting it intensely.

"I've always wanted some! But I've actually always cut my own hair-" because my parents never cared enough to help me or hire anyone, I think but don't say aloud, "-and it makes me nervous to do curtain bangs."

"Just do it babes! If anything the dead cells sticking out of your head will grow back at some point." Hazel says with a grin.

"Maybe I will one of these days." ********************** HOPE YOU LIKE!!<333 Please remember to vote!❤️ Have a good week ml! Word count:2378