"BECAUSE." He yelled, before clenching his jaw and lowering his tone. "Because Nathan has trained for almost his whole life. How long have you trained for? One and a half year? Nathan has been training since he was six. He doesn't come home having bruises or a broken hand, after he fights, which is rare, because he isn't allowed to either. None of the guys do. They've all trained hard. But you are not trained enough if you don't even know how to punch without breaking your hand."

"I know I went too hard on you in the beginning, but now I'm trying to let you be. I'm trying to let you fight. That's why I just tell you not to bruise yourself, because that's all I care about. You not hurting yourself."

Okay. I lost control. Now I'm seeing Elonzo lashing out, for the first time.

"Why do you all have to make me the bad guy, when I try to keep you away from all the danger and injuries? Why am I always the villain? I try to keep you away from such things, but what do I get in return? Being called sexist by my own sister, for having different rules for you and the guys, when clearly you had a very different life, unlike our dangerous one." He was yelling now. All I could see on his face was anger. Maybe I went too far.

"Do you even think about how I feel? When all I'm expected to do is care for you? Do you know how I feel when you come home with bruises or a broken hand after getting into a fight? I am just looking out for you, to make sure you're safe and away from the disturbing things we do. I'm always just worried that what if the opponent is stronger than you and hurt you."

By that time, Elonzo was practically shaking, anger and sadness visible on his face.

"I got you after fifteen years, Evelina. I lost fifteen years of your life. I think that should be the only explanation on my part." He clenched his jaw, shook his head and walked out.

Leaving me there to curse myself. I didn't notice the tears flowing down my cheeks.

Why can't I keep my mouth shut? Why did I have to say all that.

I just hid my face in my hands and sobbed.

What have I done?

After crying for a long time, I walked out of the office and started walking towards his room.

I opened the door and peeked in.

Empty and silent.

I went and sat down on his bed, waiting for Elonzo to come. I feel so bad.

I know, I shouldn't have vented it out on him. But I was angry and frustrated from the nightmares and hiding everything inside. I don't want to bother them, but it seems impossible to hide everything from them now.

I laid down, staring at the ceiling, as tears slipped my eyes.

I haven't seen Elonzo lose control, before. Maybe I did push him too far.

My eyes fluttered open, when I heard shuffling around me. I sat up straight.

"Where were you?" I asked cautiously, wiping the drool from my face.

"Gym." Elonzo replied simply, not looking at me.

I was waiting for him, but don't know when I slept. Elonzo was sitting on the other side of bed, reading a book, as always.

"Are you mad?" I asked, stupidly. Of course he is.

"No." He replied, not looking away from the book.

I shuffled closer to him and wrapped my arms around him, looking up at him, while he just sat there, not hugging me back. I could feel the tears fill my eyes as he became blurry.

"I'm sorry." I started, with a shaky voice. My throat suddenly seemed to close. "I'm sorry, I said all that. I was angry and frustrated. Please, Elonzo. You can ground me if you want, but don't ignore me, please. I won't say that again." I said, burying my face into his shoulder and sobbing. I couldn't help it.

No matter how cold and strict he is, I can't deny we're close. And I can't live, if he stops talking to me.

I kept sobbing into his shoulder, apologizing again and again. But he just sat there, silent and stiff.

After what felt like hours, but was probably just a minute, he sighed.

Slowly I felt his arms around me, as he moved me to his lap, hugging me tightly. I clung onto him, just crying.

I felt relief wash over me. You know, when you want to cry but can't. That was what was happening for the past few days.

He kept rubbing my back, until I calmed down.

"You're having nightmares again?" He asked. I nodded.

"Just last night and once two days ago." I said, sniffling a bit, not raising my head from his chest.

"What triggered it?" He asked.

"Nothing. Just came out of nowhere." I answered.

"Did you tell someone?" He asked. I shook my head.

"You really need to start telling us, baby. Its not good to keep emotions inside. I can still hire a therapist, if you agree, but you keep saying no." He said, kissing my forehead.

"You're not mad now?" I asked, looking up at him though my teary eyes.

"No. I'm sorry I yelled at you." He said, looking away, a frown on his face. "I shouldn't have said all that."

We sat in silence for some time, while I just cried silently, feeling way better.

"You know, I am just trying to be a good guardian. I don't know how to raise teenagers, but I have to look after you and make sure you're safe and healthy. I know I stop you from doing things your brothers do. But they've lived in this violent and dangerous world their whole life. They know how to protect themselves."

"I'm not saying you can't. I know, you can stand up and fight for yourself. And I'm proud of you for it. But your anger keeps me in constant fear. What if you act out of anger and pick a fight that is too hard for you and get hurt?"

"Its necessary to be violent sometimes to protect yourself, but all I ask for you is you do not fight unless its a very urgent situation, where you can't call your brothers for help." He said, as I listened silently.

"About shooting, we'll start soon. I'll teach you." He said, kissing my head.

"No. I mean, I want some time. I don't know the answer to your question. I don't know if I'll regret it and add onto my nightmares. I was just acting out of anger, I guess." I said.

"Doesn't matter. You can still learn how to use a gun. Its not a compulsion that you learn just to kill that man, you can learn for self-defense." He said, stroking my hair.

I yawned and closed my eyes.

"I'm sorry, I got angry on you." He muttered again.

"It was my fault. I shouldn't have blown up like that." I said, sleepily, hugging him tight.

"It wasn't. I should've been in control."

I felt him pick his book back up, while holding me with one arm.

"You know, you should express how you feel, right? You never communicate but still, you ask me to come to you with my problems. Don't worry, I'm not mad at you." I mumbled. "I love you, oldie."

"Love you too, baby." He said, slightly tightening his hold.

-----------

"Hey, Baby. Get up. You're gonna be late." I heard someone say, shaking me slightly.

"Ugh. Get out." I said, pointing somewhere.

"You have to go to school." They said.

"I don't wanna go." I said, before adding. "Okay. Five minutes."

Fear of your eldest brother!

"You've been saying that for the last ten minutes."

Ten minutes!? Its usually thirty minutes. Why is Will so impatient today?

"Ugh. I don't care, come back in twenty minutes then."

"Evelina Romano. Get up right now." A heavy voice boomed.

Oh fish.

That's not Will. That's Elonzo. No wonder he's impatient.

"Ugh." I groaned, sitting up, struggling to open my eyes. Elonzo stood there, looking at me sternly, all dressed for work.

"I'm up." I grumbled.

"Go get ready then." He said. I gulped and ran to my room.

Why the frick is he so scary?

I walked out of the shower.
"Wow. You've showered already? I was just coming to wake you up." Will said, entering my room, with an astonished look on his face.

"Oldie forced me to get up." I complained, going to get my shoes.

"Maybe, he should wake you up everyday." He said, with a chuckle.

"Hell no. I love my life. He'll make me sleep forever." I said, gulping at the idea of seeing Elonzo's angry face first thing in the morning.

Breakfast was normal.
"When is Dad coming back?" I asked.

"We don't know how long it will take." Marco said, as I nodded.

----------

"Hey." Max said, swinging his arm around my shoulder.

"Hey." I said, back. I was so not looking forward to school.

"What happened?" Max asked.

"That Chemistry teacher hates me. Ms. Jones." I gritted. "I'm so not looking forward to her class."

Yes. The Chemistry class which I used to love, because of my everyday entertainment of fighting with princess.

"Hey, baby." I heard someone say in a baby voice.

I turned towards Zack with a pout.

"What happened, nerdy?" He asked, kissing my pouty lips.

"I don't want to attend the Chemistry class." I muttered.

"Don't worry. I'll be there." He said, hugging me to the side.

---------

"Yeah." I said, raising my head up. I was solving assignments rather than listen to her boring lecture.

"She's calling you." Zack muttered.

"Sorry. I'm busy. I can't pick up." I muttered.

"Ms. Romano." I heard her say again.

"Yeah?" I said, scowling at Ms. Jones.

"I asked you a question." She said.

"Okay? Can you repeat that?" I said.

"No. You should've been paying attention." She said, with a stern look on her face.

Stern? Haha. She looks like she has something stuck in her nose and she's trying desperately to get it out, so she's making a face.

But I could see the evil smirk behind that look.

"Fine by me." I said, shrugging and leaning back in my seat again.

I'm going to strangle her to death someday.

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