Page 39

Thirty-Eight

Killian

My nonna once told me that one day I’d meet someone who’s eyes look like embers of the galaxy glowing in their eyes. Like their eyes could look average or like every other person’s eye, but her eyes are the only ones that will make my heartbeat.

Being around them is just peaceful and calm.

Like everything is quiet up there.

She died of breast cancer and I’m pretty sure that’s why my mom has it because it got passed down. Nonna’s death ruined my mom because they were so close.

She was a mess, barely getting out of bed and always crying but my dad was always there to make sure she was okay and strong.

Nonna’s death didn’t really affect me because I tried my best not to get too close to her because I knew she would eventually die and that would hurt. But seeing my mom so heartbroken hurt a lot.

I made sure she was okay and was taking care of herself but of course my dad was there for my mom. He didn’t want anyone to take care of her because he said it was his duty to be there to protect my mom and make sure she is okay.

I now understand why my dad was like that because I thought about if Reign was going through something like that, I would only want her to cling onto me. I want to help her and want her to use my support.

Seeing her happy and smiling makes me feel calm and like my entire world won’t fall any second.

After spending so much time with her and slowly falling for her more and more, it made me understand the difference between obsession, lust, and love.

I went back to my room after the argument with my dad to change and take a shower. After I cleaned up a little bit, I went to my parent’s room to check on my mom. She was sleeping when I walked in, so I didn’t want to wake her, plus she’d probably see the look on my face and know something was up.

She was hooked to an IV which made me pissed off since I didn’t know she was getting chemo treatments again.

She got that when she first got diagnosed and it fucked her up. Since I’ve been away no one has given me any updates, not even Thalia. I didn’t know she was back on this shit and I’m not sure why he didn’t tell us.

I take another drag of my cigarette, the poison going straight to my heart making me cough. My heart feels like it’s on fire with the smoke stuck in my lungs.

It’s close to midnight and I’m just walking around the city.

It’s nice outside and the stars are shining as if they know Reign is looking up at them, which she probably is.

Watching the same sky as her makes me feel like I’m next to her.

“They say the people with the greatest intentions and best hearts are up there.” I hear a raspy voice say in Italian.

I look across the sidewalk and see a bum, sitting against the wall and he is staring straight at me.

There aren’t a lot of bums in my city, but you honestly never know who ends up in Lombardy anymore.

But at the same time, I haven’t been here for three or so months.

Time has flown by.

I walk across the street and stand in front of him, meeting his eyes.

He has a coat on with a gray shirt underneath and black jeans that have holes in the knees. He has dirt stains all over him and on his face.

He smells fucking horrible but he’s a bum so I can’t really expect much. I lean against the wall, standing up next to him.

I look back up at the sky. “Someone I know said something very similar. Do you think it’s true?” I reply in Italian.

“That someone sounds like they know what they're talking about. Must be smart.”

“She is,” I mumble in English.

“You speak English,” the bum states in English, making me look down at him.

“Yea, what about it?”

“Well, I don’t meet many people who speak English.”

“Where are you from?” I ask.

“America. Moved here with my ex-wife but I caught her cheating and now I’m here.”

“Oh,” I say, not really caring too much.

I don’t need to give him sympathy because he doesn’t need it.

What he needs is a fucking shower and some cash.

“Do you think it’s true?” I raise an eyebrow at him, not understanding what he means. “The tale of the stars?”

I look back up at the stars. “Anything is possible.”

“You look lost,” the bum comments.

I am.

I don't know what to do.

Everything is falling apart, and I don’t have much time.

I can fucking feel it.

I know what I want to do but I also know what I need to do.

I need to make my family proud before time runs out, but fucking Reign Pierce.

The girl who plays with flowers and stares up at the stars as if they have the answer to everything.

“And you’re homeless. Are we just stating the obvious right now?”

“Just making conversation. Is it about a girl?”

“Yes.”

“Ahh, you love her, and you hate it.”

“Unfortunately,” I say, grinding my teeth together, getting annoyed.

“Then why are you here instead of being with her?”

“Because I’m scared of the end,” I admit.

“The end is inevitable though, isn’t it? It’s going to happen but right now you shouldn’t think about it. You only have the present.”

“I just don’t want her to get hurt when she realizes I won’t be there for her.”

“Doesn’t mean she won’t leave you. Like I said, all you can think about is now. Not tomorrow or next week. If you don’t then you won’t enjoy the present.”

I look away from the stars and back down at the bum.

He has a point.

My heart longs for her, even when we were children, my heart knew.

“Okay then.” I lean off the wall and dig through my pockets to find my wallet. I fish out some cash and toss it to the bum. It’s a thousand. Won’t get him off the streets but it’ll help. “Don’t be stupid and spend it on drugs. Get yourself off the streets. It’s fucking nasty.”

The bum throws his head back and laughs. “What’s your name?”

“Killian. You?”

“If I tell you, I’m going to have to kill you,” the bum jokes.

A smile threatens to appear on my face. I shake my head lightly. “I doubt you’d be able to.”

I walk away from him and towards my Bugatti parked down the street.

Time to claim what’s mine.

What’s always been mine since that night under the stars.