Page 44 of My best friends little sister

I lay in bed with angelica. Shes laying on my chest as usual, like its her favourite spot. Shes like my own personal koala bear.

I hold her tightly to my chest and stroke her hair softly just thinking about everything. Life with angelica, Giovanni, where angels father is. ''What are you thinking about?''

Angels voice makes me jump, my heart racing like never before.

''Jesus fuck angel, I thought you were asleep you almost gave me a heart attack!

'' she adjusts slightly so her head is propped up by her hands as she looks at me.

''I'm sorry. You seemed lost in thought and I wanted to know why''

I sigh, wrapping my arms around her tighter. ''Just...I'm so selfish'' I say as I remove my gaze from hers and fix it back on the ceiling. ''Selfish? How are you selfish?''

She wants me. She knows how dangerous this life is and yet she still wants me.

After a few minutes I remember something. ''Sweetheart?'' I whisper trying to avoid waking her if shes asleep. She hums in response and I know shes awake, or at least slightly awake.

I lean my arm down under my bed and pull out angelicas stuffed animal. Cleaned thoroughly and a little purple bow wrapped around its neck. Her eyes go wide as she looks at it in shock. I can see tears forming, threatening to spill out. ''I-is that...''

She needs to know.

The memory of that video fills my head. I try to shake it away but it doesnt budge. Think of anything else Dante. Think of food. Think of cars. Think of anything but that.

We dont say anything more. I hold angel as her sobs die down, light sniffles still slipping out before she slowly drifts to sleep. Her hands not once letting go of her stuffed animal and I smile. Clearly it was some kind of security to her and she missed it.

I start to feel myself doze off after awhile, slipping into an unpleasant darkness as I remember that video.

I wake to the sun beaming into my eyes and I groan. As I roll over I notice the bed is cold and empty. Angelica is gone. Panic rushes through me and I jump from the bed, throwing on the first pair of sweats I could find and dashing downstairs.

My panic is eased at the sight of angel sitting at the kitchen island with Mateo.

I let out a big sigh of relief and they both turn to look at me.

Thats when I notice angelicas stuffed animal propped up in front of her on the counter.

''Morning man'' Mateo greets me as I walk into the kitchen.

Angel grabs the bunny from Mateo's hand and hugs it tightly like a vulnerable child that thinks someone's going to take it away any second. ''W-what did you do with the videos?'' she says quietly as if worried about the answer. ''Did you keep them?''

I dont like how quiet she is. Shes been so quiet since the day I met her and I understand why, but it worries me because I know theres so many things swimming around in her mind.

Thoughts that are consuming her that she wont talk to me about.

I dont want her to be a bratty bitchy girl that talks back but I just wish she would be a little more open and carefree.

Angel and Mateo sit and talk for a few minutes while I make breakfast. Me occasionally jumping into the conversation too. Once I'm done cooking I plate some up for us all, making sure to add extra for angelica.