"Shoot Athena."

Athena flinches with panic when left no choice and trembling, she actually decides to pull the trigger.

The bullet hit the circle very close to her aim and that earn her a small pat on her shoulder. It still makes her jump in fear.

"Very good." Alexander wanted to laugh at her scared expressions and the sad pout that is prominent on her lips but he controls it well in but Ariana doesn't bother to hide her laughter in. Even Vittorio and Romeo are smirking and grinning.

"C-can't we start our regular workout session? I don't like it...." She complains while staring at the gun in her hand like it is some disease.

"There will be no fun then.." Vittorio comments.

"Do you forget that these are not only workout session but also self defence classes?" Romeo asks as he hands her a water bottle that Athena takes after saying a small thank you.

"Yeah but still I am not going to like it or even look forward to it."

"It's not even that bad." Ariana rolls her eyes and takes the gun and aims it at the circle before pulling the trigger. Athena's jaw drops as it hits the center, the bottle slips out of her hand that Romeo catches. She claps her hands. Ariana just flips her hair a little dramatically.

"You are amazing." Athena compliments her awestruck. Vittorio chuckles a little and wraps his arm around her shoulder.

"And you are cute."

Guns and knives is something that Athena is desperately trying to avoid but avoiding it in Cortello family is a big no no. She knows that it is for her own protection if someday she gets caught in some danger but it doesn't really make her feel any better.

Then second there is her school life. Everything around her there seems different. It is great that sometimes Athena gets invited by Ariana on their lunch table. Sarah is still a little bitter but Max is opening up with Athena. Brittney has also become Athena's good friend. Not only her but Athena is befriending with mostly everyone.

Then there is Aurora who surprisingly stays away from them after that last incident. Athena has gotten the chance to talk to many seniors like Grace and her group. Grace is totally head over heels for Alexander but Alexander isn't even a bit intersted in any serious relationship.

Then there are two other persons that makes Ariana and Athena anxious for a reason and not even any reason. They are both brothers- Stephan and Angelo. As Stephan said at first, Angelo hasn't tried to do anything. He didn't even come in front of Ariana and he steer clear away from both her and Athena.

But it is just the way he looks in Ariana's direction that gives her chills. Even he is not looking at her but still Ariana can feel his eyes on her if that even makes any sense. But he has maintained his golden boy act in front of Athena even though he doesn't even really speak to her or acknowledge her.

Athena completely understands that there is some problem going on between Ariana and him. She just knows that Ariana and Angelo eloped two years ago. But nobody really tells her the full secrets. Alexander claims that she is too young to worry about this. None member of her family wants to make her stress about this but she is given clear warning to keep her distance from Riccardo family.

Athena skims her fingers across the book covers in the school library. She and Max both are partner in one of the upcoming project and they both have planned to work on it in the library. But he is nowhere to be seen.

A small 'oamph' sound escapes her lips when her body collides into a hard chest. She cranes her neck up to look at Angelo standing in front of her. Her heart skips a beat.

A small tinge of redness appears on her cheeks without even her brain realising. She quickly apologises and takes a step back from their abrupt closeness. But he takes a step forward.

"It's ok sweet girl." Athena blushes even more at his low murmuring. She tries to hide her red face attempting to cover it by the curtain of her hair but he tucks them gently behind her ears.

"Red suits you, Athena...." His voice darkens. It sounds different than his sweet gentle tone.

She tries to take a step back from him but he wraps his arm around her making her flinch. He yanks her even more closer.

"You are so beautiful. So innocent; so soft." Athena gasps, her eyes closes on its own accord as she feels his lips press against her. He squeezes her side one last time before taking a step away from her.

Athena is left completely flustered. Her face and neck feels like it is on fire. She finally opens her eyes but found him nowhere to be seen. A smile appears on her lips as she blushes madly just remembering the sweet moment of that second.

But she freezes all of a sudden when her eyes falls on Ariana. Today there is no smile or annoyance on Ariana's face but there is an intense amount of anger. Immediately guilt and regret fills in Athena's mind.

"Umm Ari." Athena takes steps towards her to reach her.

"I-I am sorry. I know you told me that I should stay away from Angelo. But trust me th--" A loud, piercing slap pauses Athena mid sentence. Athena whimpers while holding her face with her hand.

"A-Ari!"

"Shut-just the shut the fuck up you whore! First you decided to take my place in my brothers life and now this....I hate you! You should fucking die..." Ariana screams at her and leaves her to break down in sobs.

Few minutes later, she hears a voice calling her name.

"Athena!"

Max.

Athena stands up immediately and wipes her tears away with the back of her fists. She takes a step back but almost screams when she bumps into someone. Looking back, she finds Stephan Riccardo staring down at her.

"This is why everyone warned you to stay away from Angelo! He is not a good guy with whom you can mingle with." Athena's eyes widens in confusion before she can even open her mouth, Max's voice reaches in her ears like octaves and she is abruptly pulled back at the safe distance from him.

"FUCKING STAY AWAY FROM HER!" Max yells at Stephan with complete aggression, misunderstanding the whole situation. But Stephan ignores him. His eyes are fixed on her trembling body and her eyes that hold hurt and confusion.

"Take her out from here. She needs breather..." He says before walking away from them and feeling their eyes boring on his back.