Valentino's planning my murder, I just know it, but did I give a shit? Absolutely not, and I can tell the smug smile playing on my lips is pissing him off, because the raging fire in his eyes doesn't seem to die out. He's standing in front of me, blocking my view of Aiyana as she sits sandwiched between Kazuo and Cobie, animatedly chatting away with the duo.

Stop fucking staring at her, I hear him grunt, ready to dash a pillow at my head, but I'm quick to grab him by the arm and take hold of the pillow. If you don't look away in the next ten seconds, I'm going to cut you.

But when Aiyana calls Valentino over, I'm long forgotten, watching as my brother leans over the back of the sofa to observe Aiyana's screen. It even bothers me a little that I'm not in on their little secret. I frown, darting my eyes away from Aiyana and the trio and turn to the TV.

Why are you glaring at the screen, Judah?I hear an amusing voice beside my ear. You mad Aiyana's not giving you any attention? I'd be mad, too.

Leilani grins at me, fixing her ponytail, and places the snack bowls onto the table. She stands over me, glancing over her shoulder, her smile widening when she spots Aiyana twisting Valentino's earlobe. I sigh heavily, reclining back into the sofa and sigh again.

I wasn't proud of my moment of weakness three hours ago, but did I regret it? Never. In fact, if I had the chance to do it again, I fucking would.

I'm not mad. Valentino's stupid face is pissing me off,I grunt. I curl my fingers into my fists when he whacks the back of her head, a string of apologies falling from his lips when he realises just how harsh he was being. Where's Dahlia?

She's with Aiyana's friends and Jai in the kitchen,she says, pointing behind me. I place one hand on the back of the sofa and glance over my shoulder, raising a hand to wave at Jai, who's sat at the dining table, flirting up a storm with Isobel. Dahlia, on the other hand, is too busy sneaking crisps into her mouth, smiling innocently whenever she catches someone's gaze until she's making her way over. You know... if you want to spend some time with Aiyana, all you gotta do is ask us for help.

I scoff at her words and turn back. I don't want your help, nor do I want to spend time with Aiyana. I've seen her enough this week.

A pillow hits the side of my face.

I groan at the contact, clenching my teeth and rub the side of my side before glancing up to find the perpetrator. Of course, it's Dahlia, standing beside a grinning Leilani. I'll ask those three idiots and Aiyana to bring the food over. The girls and I are going to make ourselves comfortable on the sofa. Kazuo, Jai, Valentino and Cobie can take the floor.

And you're going to let Aiyana sit on the floor with those idiots? She gets cold easily,I find myself saying. Dahlia groans at my response and whacks the back of my head. That was uncalled for.

That's why you're here you fucking idiot. Save her a space and keep her warm, will ya?

For once, however, I have no room to disagree.

Aiyana stands around awkwardly, looking for a space to sit when she realises the guys have taken up the floor, and her friends and my sisters have taken up the sofa. She's squinting under the dimly lit lights, and judging by the way she juts out her lower lip with a hand on her hip, she's trying to find a way to make a vacant spot.

I glance from Aiyana to my sisters, who are too busy setting up the movie, and groan into a pillow, though the sound comes out muffled. I sit up and reach for her wrist; Aiyana yelps at the contact, but before she can protest I'm yanking her down to the vacant seat next to me. She barely makes an impact, gripping my shirt as she shifts uncomfortably.

You were blocking my view,I say bluntly.

Valentino's watching closely, and I can tell he's about to say something stupid, but Leilani's slapping the back of his head before he can comment. He whines, raising his hand to rub the back of his head, and I smile smugly.

My eyes dart over to Aiyana's small form, trailing from her bare legs to the little number she wore, displaying more skin that I could handle in this current climate. She chews on her lower lip, legs folded and arms drawn around her knees, before turning to face me, a soft smile creeping its way onto her plump lips.

You're not cold, are you? I ask, leaning over to whisper in her ear.

She shakes her head, the action causing her long strands of hair to fall across my face, until she stops. Just a little uncomfortable is all, she says, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. I'll be fine, and she smiles that beautiful fucking smile, the corners of her eyes lifting, nose scrunching up as she tilts her head to the side.

Man, she's truly got me fucked up.

Come here,I order softly, stretching out an arm and beckoning Aiyana towards me. I'd like to punch myself for how fucking soft I sound, and when I hear Dahlia release a strangled squeal, I quickly shoot her down with a glare, flipping her off discreetly.

I said I'll be fine, Judah. I don't want to take up all your space, she argues, curling her body into the far corner of the sofa we shared. But when she shivers, pathetically draping a thin blanket over the lower half of her body, I snap.

Idiot, I mutter under my breath, leaning over to grip her upper arm before roughly pulling her to my side. I fix the blanket over body and tuck it under her neck.

Aiyana grumbles under her breath, frowning at me when I move my arm around her shoulder, positioning my hand on the side of her head. I gently push her head onto my chest, holding my hand in place-until she gives up, which is relatively soon-as she relaxes against me.

But I'm not satisfied until she's flush against my body, until I'm feeling every inch of her body, resting her face on my chest as she snuggles into my side, her nimble fingers playing with the edge of my shirt. I tense up when I feel her fingertips graze my torso, until her hands disappear under my shirt, her dainty touch feather-like across my skin.

And when Valentino spots the small smile I'm sporting, I couldn't care less.

A small body stirs against mine, warm breath tickling my skin as their nose runs along my neck. I stifle a tired groan when they run their palms across my abs, indistinguishable sounds falling from their lips as they throw their legs over mine and snuggle closer.

With my free hand, I wipe the sleep from my eyes and search for the time. When I eventually find the clock hanging on the wall, I squint my eyes, mentally noting that it's twenty-five to ten; it hadn't been an hour from when I seemingly lost consciousness. Wes Cravens' A Nightmare on Elm Street plays in the background, and I can just about make out the hushed giggles and chatter.

I try not to move around much, careful of Aiyana sleeping soundly against me, and turn my head. Her face is buried into my neck, hair falling across the side of her face as I inhale the subtle scent of her floral shampoo. Aiyana's lips are parted, breathing softly, her eyes squeezed shut. My thumb brushes the crease between her furrowed brows, smiling to myself when her face relaxes.

A strand of her black hair falls across her forehead, and before she can brush it back, I'm lifting my hand, using my forefinger and middle finger to tuck her hair behind her ear. However, when I feel the pins and needles settling in the arm she was leaning against, I decide I should probably move her to someplace comfortable.

I attempt to shift my body, ready to lift Aiyana up, but when I spot seven grinning faces looming over me, I almost piss my fucking pants.

My heart jumps out my chest at the sight as I flinch back, gritting my teeth in annoyance. And from the way Kazuo and Eun-Jung stumble into each other, I can tell my friends are absolutely sloshed-and it hadn't even been an hour.

What the fuck is going on here?I grumble to myself, covering Aiyana's ears so she remains undisturbed. You know what, don't answer that question. I'm taking Aiyana to bed.

Not yet, Dahlia slurs, the ciroc bottle in her hand now almost empty. I need more pictures for my fan... fan-page.She pouts, shoving her phone in my face as I hear the shutter go off.

Move, I order, glaring up at her. You're in my way, Dahlia.

You're so annoying. Go on, give us some good insta content,Leilani interjects, waving her phone in my face, too. I show them the finger and roll my eyes, glancing over Leilani's shoulder to see Valentino snoring away, face pressed against the head of the sofa, arms thrown over his head.

He's knocked out, and boy, does he look ugly.

I stand, rolling my shoulders and neck, before positioning an arm under Aiyana's knees, the other around her back before lifting her up effortlessly. She's light, curling into me as I begin to walk to my bedroom.

I ignore the shouts of protest, the numerous fuck you's, and keep on walking. When I eventually lay her onto my bed, I carefully remove her arms that are secure around my neck and pull away-correction: attempt to pull away-because Aiyana doesn't seem to let go.

In fact, she holds onto me a little tighter.

aiyana holding onto judah a little tighter 🤝 Judah holding onto aiyana a little tighter