I groan as my phone alarm goes off at five thirty in the morning. My hand swipes away at the screen until the sound disappears. It takes me a moment to pull myself up. I'd spent the majority of the night trying to distract myself from Alex's moody eyes that kept showing up in my head. I had barely gotten enough sleep, but I should be fine. I've gotten less sleep before. 

I decided last night that I wouldn't just try to piss my brothers off. I figured, if Alex wants to keep acting like he can't keep his eyes off of me, then I'll give him something to look at. April had brought me a couple dresses last night after I asked, saying I usually wear them at school, and I don't want anyone to think anything has changed. Truth is, my father made me dress like a nun. I was never allowed to wear clothes I liked, to school. I've always wanted to wear a dress to school, so why not now? Even if I have to deal with wearing a dress on Alex's motorcycle, I'll do it.

I have fun curling my hair, even though I never used to find joy in trying to look good. Maybe it's because I know I'll at least get to see Vincent pop a blood vessel in his forehead. 

When six thirty rolls around, I leave the room in search of food. April said that if I headed to the kitchen, the cook would probably have rolls or even croissants hot out of the oven. The smell coming from the kitchen tells me that April wasn't kidding. It smells like a bakery. I walk in and my nose sniffs the air. There's fresh croissants sitting on a table at the center of the kitchen. I look around, searching for the cook, but I don't see anyone. 

A hand reaches around me, and I spin to see Gabe. "Good morning, Lelia." He says, taking a bite out of the croissant. He notices me looking at the croissant, and he hands me another one off the table. "They're really good, the cook doesn't mind if we take some, so eat. We'll probably have breakfast pretty soon." 

I look at my phone. "There's not much time to eat if we leave for school at seven." Gabe tilts his head in confusion, the croissant hanging in his mouth. 

"I'm sure you've now realized that I'm a big liar." Alex says as he walks in, snatching up a croissant of his own. "I told you, I usually have a large breakfast." 

I glare at him. "I woke up at five thirty because you said we'd leave at seven." He innocently munches on his croissant.

Alex pauses when he notices I'm wearing a dress. He visibly gulps and then turns on his heel, as if saying, nope, I refuse to look. 

Gabe watches us curiously, following behind me as I chide Alex for lying to me.

We get into the dining room, and sit down. I turn my attention to Gabe. "And you, why didn't you even speak at the most awkward dinner I've ever experienced in my life?"

"Our dad thought it might be a bad idea to involve him in the conversation." Alex says, leaning on the table. 

That's so stupid. "Like we talked about anything important? You were both there, so you both should have contributed to the conversation." Gabe and Alex sit silently.

Gabe speaks up first. "It's okay Lelia, My dad just tends to think I'm too soft, so I try not to involve myself in things that involve family matters. Besides, Alex takes care of everything else." Alex looks at the fireplace, which is crackling quietly beside the table

I roll my eyes. "Every conversation with the men in this family ends up in awkward silence. Could you guys stop being so broody?" I huff. 

"Sorry," Alex says, smirking at me, "not all of us have such great backstories as the troubled Lelia Viticello."

"Great?" I scoff. "It's pretty terrible as far as I can tell." I pout slightly at the end.

Gabe perks up. "What do you mean? You're like the princess being saved from the tallest tower by a prince." He nudges Alex. "Right, bro?"

Alex smacks him upside the back of the head. "Shut up." Gabe sulks as he rubs the back of his head.

"I just wanted to participate." Gabe mumbles, which makes me laugh into my hand. 

Alex's dad doesn't show up, and we eat breakfast in a rather happy mood. Alex and Gabe have a good relationship, and you can tell Alex cares a lot about him. 

When we finish eating, it's almost eight. Alex and Gabe lead me outside, and they get into a car. "I didn't know you went to our school, Gabe. How come I've never seen you?"

Gabe is in the back seat, and Alex is driving. I guess he's alright to do that now. Gabe leans forward. "Alex has been here a bit longer than me. I only got here Friday, since dad and Alex had some business to attend to, I stayed behind. Today is my first day of school."

I nod my head. "I'll just pretend I'm not curious about what business they had, and we'll move onto something else." I look at Alex. "I don't have a backpack, so I have nothing to take notes with."

Alex glances at me, but then looks back to the road. "I guess you'll have to look at my notes." He says, trying to be smart.

"Hm, I guess you're right, but there's one issue with that." I say, looking back at Gabe. "I'm a whole lot smarter than your brother, so I take way more advanced classes than him, also, we only have one class together." I turn back to Alex, a smirk on my face.

"Pfft," is his only response to my insult. My expression drops, irritated, and I sigh.

Gabe laughs in the backseat. "You guys could try and act less like you're in love with each other."

"We are not in love." I say, looking out the window.

Alex doesn't respond, and Gabe looks between us for a moment. "Well you might not be, but he definitely is." Gabe smiles brightly, obviously trying to get on Alex's nerves.

The car speeds up slightly and I hide a laugh. Alex is trying to make the car ride shorter. The trees are moving by the window so fast, and eventually they disappear to show the city. The school is in the middle of the city, and the traffic this morning is worse than normal, so Alex ends up having to be in the car longer than he had hoped. Oh well. You get to deal with me for a bit longer.

Eventually Alex parks in a parking spot. Gabe jumps out of the car, then helps me out. He turns to look at the school and lets out a low whistle. "Whew, this place is huge."

Alex smacks him with a bag. "Stop gawking." Gabe grabs the bag and swings it over his shoulder, then proceeds to stick his tongue out and pull one of his eyelids down. "You're such a kid."

I giggle at their playfulness. Alex looks irritated, but he isn't. He's just trying to be a big brother. 

"Here." Alex hands me a bag too, and I look down at it. "It's just a notebook and some pens."

I take it. "Oh, thanks." He grabs his bag too, then shuts the trunk of the car. "Let's go in."

Gabe walks ahead of us, talking about how big the school is again.

"Was your last school small?" I ask. 

Alex shrugs. "Gabe was homeschooled, so he's never really been to a school before." He looks down at me. "He's really excited that our dad is letting him go to school, and it's kind of all because of you."

My head moves back in confusion, and my eyes scrunch together. "Why is it because of me? I don't remember anyone mentioning Gabe going to school."

"It is." Alex sighs. "My dad expects him to help me keep your brothers away from you, although I don't need the help." He glares at the school. "Honestly, I'd rather just beat the shit out of them, but I can't get expelled if I'm going to stay with you." Alex's green eyes turn to look at me. "But if one of them even looks at you, I might just lose it." Why is he always so passionate about getting into fights?

I look away, and focus on Gabe. He stops at the doors, waiting for us. His smile could be translated as a carefree one. I wish I could be as carefree as him.