She was nervous. Of course she was nervous. She's never been in a proper relationship. Damiano was so attractive and she liked him so much already but there was still time for this to go "tits up", she thought.

She had told her parents she was going over to Giullia's house to study, which she was surprised they bought. She just had to not reveal the fact that Giullia was a year above her and studying together would be pointless.

Damiano had called her and said "we are going out several times this week because next week is holy week and I won't see you." Which she thought was sweet because it meant he wanted to spend time with her and didn't want to go a whole week without seeing her. These were good signs.

Today he was taking her bowling, she had mentioned when they went for coffee, that she was competitive and he said he was too, and boxes were being checked inside her mind. 

She walked outside her house and then a few houses down to where she told Damiano to pick her up from, and he got out of his car to open her door for her.

"You look really nice," he told her as they hugged hello. She was wearing low-rise jeans and a boat-neck top with sambas.

"Thank you, so do you," she smiled as she looked at him up and down. He was in loose pants and a fitted waffle long sleeve with combat boots that he seemed to always be wearing.

"So, I'm not sure if you're aware but bowling is a very good skill of mine," she boasted as they arrived at the bowling alley.

"You're already talking yourself up, do you think that's wise?" He questioned. "You don't even know if I'm good yet?"

"I can tell that I'll do better than you."

"The way that you say it makes me believe you."

They headed inside and settled in their lane with their respective bowling balls.

The first few rounds were silent as both of them studied the other and if they were as good as they said.

Round 10 had them in a draw with Danijela having 5 strikes and Damiano with 4.

"So you weren't lying," he said to her as she walked back from getting another strike.

"I don't lie Damiano, I win." She said and he laughed.

"I can see that, you really are competitive."

"And you need to step it up." She said and he stood up to take his turn. He grabbed her hand and guided her in a half circle so that he was now where she stood. She swallowed to focus, as what he just did gave her butterflies. It was so simple yet so smooth.

"Oh I will," he said and his finger glided over her hand as he let go to take his shot.

Even though Damiano stepped up his game, as he wanted to see how far her competitiveness went, he still wanted her to win so in the last few rounds he purposely missed getting strikes.

Her excitement filled when on her last shot she realised she bet him.

"I won!" She exclaimed, her arms in the air in victory. He was sitting back on the seats and smiled as he watched her. "I am the best, no one can beat me."

She saw him sitting and made a pouty face as she joined him.

"Aw, Damiano has lost to Danijela, what a shame." She smiled proudly and he just kept looking at her.

"You're enjoying this a lot aren't you?" He asked and she nodded.

"Didn't you enjoy losing?" She asked him sarcastically.

"I didn't lose, because I get to do this." He turned her head so that he could kiss her.

"I'm just winning everything today," she stated.

"May I date you Danijela?"

"Of course you can," she smiled and he kissed her again.

"May I kiss you Danijela?"

"Oh definitely." He kissed her again but more passionately.

"May I touch you Danijela?" She nodded, and his hand went on her thigh and trailed up to her ribs.

"May I be your boyfriend Danijela?"

"Yes you may," she said, trying to sound nonchalant as on the inside she was giddily kicking her feet with excitement.

♖

"What is everyone doing tomorrow?" Alex asked, his head resting on Nicholas's shoulder.

"Well, I'm fasting, and we won't see much of Giullia next week." Giullia nodded in Nic's lap.

"Oh yeah, we're fasting too," Alex remembered. His brother and Athena were more religious than he was, so he always forgot what he was meant to do. He was sure that a threesome wasn't the best thing. "Oh and it's Palm Sunday for you tomorrow," Alex said to Giullia.

"Yeah, I'm really excited, but yes, we won't be seeing much of each other next week."

"Well, Alex and I go to the same church," Nic stated.

"Oh well now I feel left out," Giullia said, and Alex played with her hair to comfort her.

"That's alright, I'll be keeping my distance as I have to focus on our traditions."

"At least I'll have Damiano." Nic looked down at her and Alex stopped playing with her hair.

"Isn't Damiano the one who added Athena on facebook?"

"Yes, what about him?"

"Why will you have him next week."

"Because he's Italian too and we go to the same church also, hence why I know him."

"Is this Damiano good-looking?" Nic asked and Giullia laughed.

"Calmati ragazzi (calm down boys), he's dating my new friend Danijela, they've been on like 4 dates this week."

"Ah, fine." Nic said. Alex wondered if Athena knew that Damiano and Danijela were official, he hoped she was okay about it. She should be, it's not like she wanted to date him, she doesn't do that.

<><><><><><><>

In her room, Athena is staring at her wall. She just woke up from her short sleep, and now she was contemplating if she should get up. It was the beginning of fasting for Greek Easter which just made Athena think that eating less would be celebrated this week. She was really honoring jesus during this time by hardly eating. Obviously this was extremely unhealthy.

A gentle knock at her door, made her realise that she was going to be forced to get up. The past couple days since they went to the movies, Andreas has "popped by" in the morning to see her. He claims it's because he's bored, she knows it's because he wants to make sure she eats and is somewhat okay.

But Athena didn't want to feel so hopeless as to need Andreas everyday, that meant she wasn't even an independent functioning human and that was embarrassing.

He opened the door and she looked up at him from where she was lying. He smiled at her and came to lay beside her.

"Goodmorning," he said and she turned over to face him.

"Morning," she yawned.

"Did you sleep?" He asked her. She held up her hand flatly and shook it side to side.

"Sort of."

"Why aren't you sleeping? Did Mary get your pills?" He asked and she glanced up at him, and forgot what he asked for a moment because he looked so pretty. She felt so grateful for him.

"She did, but my mother is coming back today, and I guess they didn't work on shutting my mind off."

"I didn't know she was coming back today?"

"Yeah, she wants to be all religious apparently."

"Do you know what time?" He asked.

"Afternoon I'm pretty sure, so I have several hours to prepare myself."

"Come here," he said to her and she hesitated. "What is it? Do I smell?" He joked.

"No, no, you smell nice I just don't want to go over friend territory."

"We won't be, because we don't feel that way, I just want to comfort you, nothing romantic."

"Right," she said, still hesitant. The fact that hugging wouldn't be a problem for him made her sad. It meant he was getting over her. Would he love her differently?

"What?"

"Nothing, you're right." She rested her head on his chest and he held her close.

She felt herself tear up as he rubbed her upper back. He's never held her so... platonically. She had feelings for him, she did, otherwise why would this be a problem.

She put her arm around his torso hugging him tight, wishing she could keep him with her.

Maybe one day she won't be like this, she'll get better and she could be what Andreas deserves. Maybe.

"What are you feeling?" He asked her softly.

"Just dreading my mother's return, that's all."

He sensed there was something more but didn't press her on it.

"Okay."

Andreas laid with her as she fell asleep. He kept holding her, worried if he moved or left she'd wake up, and she needed to sleep. It was only 10 o'clock anyway. She'd have to eat soon thought.

As if she could read his thoughts Mary knocked softly and opened the door. She saw Athena sleeping and looked worried.

"Everything okay Mary?" He asked her softly.

"Mrs Diamandis is back, she was asking for Miss Athena."

"Fuck," he muttered.

"You should wake her up, I've been told to prepare some breakfast for the family. I told them you're here too and they want you to join." He knew that Mary told them on purpose knowing he'd be invited also. He knew Mary loved Athena, and only wanted the best for her, he could sense it. Because he felt the same way.

"Okay, we'll come down soon."

Mary walked out and Andreas glanced down at Athena, she looked so relaxed, he hated this for her. Lucky he was invited to join, he thought, it would take some of the stress away from her.

Andreas caressed her cheek, and watched as her brows furrowed. She tightened her arm around him which made Andreas weak for a moment before he remembered what they were.

"Athena," he said and she groaned. He laughed at her grumpiness. "You've gotta  get up now my lov- okay?" He said softly, hoping she didn't hear his muck up.

"Why?"

"Wake up and I'll tell you." She exhaled and then rubbed her eyes before sitting up. She had her hand on his chest to help herself up and once again Andreas wanted to crumble.

"What is it?" She asked.

Andreas gazed over her, she was wearing a loose t-shirt and shorts. Her bare legs were very holdable right now, he thought, going speechless.

"Uh, Mary came in just before and said your mother was back and that we had to head down for breakfast."

Athena's eyes widened and Andreas noticed her tense up. She stood up and ran into her wardrobe and came out with pants on and socks.

"She's early? It's only 10!"

"I know, it'll be fine. They invited me to join."

"Oh god. They know you're here?"

"Yes, but we can just say we were studying, they like me."

"Yeah because you're a guy." She stated and then dragged Andreas up from her bed by his hand. "Let's go, I don't want her coming up here."

They walked down and Andreas desperately wanted to grab her hand. But he knew she wouldn't want that. The more he was with the more intrusive thoughts he would have about her. 

When they fucked it was amazing, but his feelings always made him want more, and now seeing her like this, so vulnerable, and being so down all the time, he just desperately wanted to make love to her. But he would never be that way with her again. 

Her mother and father were sitting in the living room and turned when they heard her come in with Andreas.

"Oh my darling daughter." She said in a monotone voice. "You look very pale, is that a pimple?" She asked her and Athena said nothing as her mother stood up to hug her, while also staring at the pimple that Athena didn't know she had.

"Hi Mama," she said, "morning baba."

"And gorgeous Andreas is here too." She cooed. 

"Nice seeing you again Mr and Mrs Diamandis," he shook her father's hand and Athena's mother hugged him and kissed him on either cheek. 

"Surely Mary should have breakfast ready why don't we head to the dining room" her mother said as she walked with her daughter.

Andreas could still hear them though.

"Maybe eat a little less, you look puffy," her mother told her.

Andreas cursed her in his head. He didn't care if he was being disrespectful, he wanted to take Athena away from here. He un-clenched his hands, hoping her father didn't notice his anger. 

<><><><><><><>

Breakfast proved to be very tedious as Athena's mother talked and talked about her time in Airlie beach and how she lost a few kilos.

Athena didn't even touch her food, Andreas noticed. He put his hand above her knee so she'd look at him and he mouthed "eat" to her.

She deep breathed and shook her head slightly. He saw her eyes water and his heart broke.

"So Andreas, do you come over a lot?" Her mother asked.