Elias's aesthetic ~

Hi, everyone! I hope you all loved ch. 1 and I hope it was interesting enough to get you invested! This is the first chapter that takes place in the past (about 5 years ago) and I'm looking forward to working with two completely different sides of Aedrienn. Not to mention that we also meet a new character in this flashback...and let me just say that he is d r e a m y.

Oh! And aside from posting a song for every chapter, I've also decided to add a quote at the beginning as well, just to add a little bit more detail to the chapter outline.

Now without further ado...
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When You Were Young by The Killers

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"I dream. Sometimes I think that's the only right thing to do."

Haruki Murakami

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~5 years ago~

Seattle, Washington

Aedrienn

She absolutely loved the cold. Loved the snow and the change in scenery and the smell of pine trees, and even though the freezing rain bit at her face, she welcomed it, because it reminded her that she was here, that she was alive. Which was all a young nineteen-year-old Aedrienn could really ever hope for these days.

The route she took to get to school and back home had always been the same. The same homes, same trees – even the same people – had remained constant, which Aedrienn was grateful for since she wasn't very open to the possibility of change. Unfortunately for her, change had come in a very unwelcomed way earlier this year, and the world did not care whether or not she was ready for it.

Born and raised here, Seattle, Washington had always been her home. She and her family had lived in the same cozy, small house, located just on the outskirts of the city, since their first son, her older brother Mason, was born.

As a child, Aedrienn could not have thought of a more perfect life. Their home was just a measly twenty-minute drive from the city, her favorite library was within walking distance, as well as the elementary, middle, and high school she and her siblings attended when they were younger. She had friends who she loved and loved her in return. A supportive community. To her parents, it was all a dream – the perfect home. And to Aedrienn, it had been too. Once. But now as she drew closer towards her house, that anticipation and yearning had turned into nervousness. She became anxious every time she walked up the steps and found herself at the front door. At that moment, Aedrienn couldn't remember when her house had lost its welcoming feeling. When it began to feel like a cage instead of a home.

For a minute she just stood there, staring at the beautiful mahogany doors, betraying what was actually happening inside. She closed her eyes and inhaled the cool air, breathing in deep as it filled her lungs with that familiar scent again, and she allowed herself to enjoy this calming moment.

It didn't last long. It never did. The screaming would always interrupt her thoughts, and she found herself opening the door, dreading what was waiting for her.

The first thing she noticed was the pile of dirty dishes in the sink, the stack so high it was visible even through the kitchen threshold. She also took note of the clothes scattered all over the floor, none of which were hers.

And of course, who could miss the two individuals having their usual screaming match in the middle of the foyer.

They had a set routine: Aedrienn would take her time coming home from campus. She'd stand outside the door for a while, at least until the screaming subsided a bit. She'd walk in, see the house in its usual distasteful manner, and witness the same argument between Matthew, her younger brother, and their mother - that being that the former was too lazy to get out of bed, that he constantly reeked of alcohol, and the latter, who was too lost in her own grief to act like an actual parent.

Exhausted. Aedrienn was completely, and utterly exhausted. It had been a long day of classes. It was the first semester of her senior year at the University of Washington in Seattle, and with just one week in, her science classes were already draining the life out of her. Graduation was still months away, but all she could focus on was finishing strong and getting as far away from here as she could - and getting into her dream medical school with her best friend, Nova. She could practically see it. Everything was in motion. She applied last cycle, and all she was waiting for was that acceptance letter. These days, the anticipation of beginning her career was the only thing that kept her grounded, kept her moving and waking up every single day.

But until that day comes, she'll just continue to make her way into the kitchen, ignoring the obnoxious voices of her remaining family, and wash the dishes. And of course, she would've cleaned up sooner, but school had already proved itself to be too demanding. She barely had enough time to take care of herself, let alone the house, but she did the best she could.

After a while Aedrienn hears the sound of a door slamming shut, then she senses a presence at the threshold. She looks up to find her mother staring at her.

Aedrienn had always thought her mother was beautiful. But not in a delicate, gentle, maternal sort of way. No – Angelina Amada Renna was beautiful in the way fire was beautiful. How you could instantly be drawn in by the presence of her flames - mesmerized by them and her – yet always cautious, always careful, because you knew it would burn if you got too close. Her mother always had a strange yet wonderful demeanor about her. She'd never been very affectionate, nor comforting – that was their father's job – but that didn't mean she loved Aedrienn and her siblings any less. No, Angelina loved them with such fierceness that Aedrienn would never be able to comprehend nor understand it until she had her own children. Yes, her mother was intimidating and incredibly straightforward, and yes, some even called her terrifying and the flames of her spirit scared people most of the time, but those same flames that people shied away from had also kept their family warm on the coldest of nights. Planted a passion in Aedrienn that she knew could never be burned out by anything or anyone.

And even now, even with that scowl that permanently marred her face, even with pale skin and dark circles under her eyes and the bones that gutted from her face, even as she'd go back and forth with Matthew, Aedrienn still thought her the most beautiful woman on this planet.

Neither of them greeted each other as Angelina approaches the counter, and the silence is so loud that it nearly suffocates Aedrienn. And for a second, Aedrienn wished Matthew would storm out of his room and start another argument just so she didn't have to endure it. It was still all so new to her. There once was a time when their house was filled with laughter and noise. So much beautiful noise. And even though it used to drive her crazy sometimes, there wasn't anything she wouldn't do – anything she wouldn't give - to fill the house with that same noise again.

After what felt like forever, her mother finally speaks - and she doesn't bother with formalities.

"I need you to take the car to the auto shop today. It needs an oil change and I have errands to run tomorrow."

Aedrienn clears her throat. "Um, I can't today. I have an exam tomorrow and - "

"I wasn't asking you." Angelina's voice was cold. "Your brother won't do it and I can't go out because I'm too exhausted."

"Exhausted from doing nothing all day?" Aedrienn couldn't help but mutter the complaint under her breath.

Her mother slaps the counter, causing Aedrienn to drop the plate she was washing in the sink. "Qué dijiste?" What did you say?

"Nada." Nothing. "I didn't say anything," Aedrienn said through gritted teeth.

"Do not start with me, Aedrienn. Not you too. You have an hour before Luca's closes. Now go."

And because she didn't want to fight with her, because Aedrienn knew how awful she could be when provoked, without another word or glance in her direction, she forcefully shuts off the faucet, grabs the car keys off the counter, and leaves their mother sitting there without another word.

She supposed she couldn't complain for the chance to leave the house without coming up with some petty excuse like she usually did.

The drive to their local mechanic went by fast, and before Aedrienn knew it, she found herself in the parking lot of Luca's Auto Shop.

As she made her way in, Aedrienn tried to calm herself. The annoyance that simmered from her at how her mother could be so irresponsible was something she dealt with every day. Aedrienn always tried to reassure herself that her mother had no choice but to act the way she did. Angelina had lost a husband and a son, of course she had every right to grieve in whatever manner she wanted to. But how long would she keep making that same excuse for her? How long could she tolerate it? Angelina wasn't the only one who was full of grief, but it had been made clear early on that Aedrienn's pain didn't really matter.

It was times like these Aedrienn realized she would have to be her own advocate, her own champion, because the two men who had previously possessed those roles would never return to her ever again.

The bells above her head ring as Aedrienn opens the door to the shop, alerting her presence to whoever was managing the front desk this random Tuesday night. The sound of men speaking over the roaring of power drills and car engines fills her ears, creating a strange, yet somehow melodic song. The scent of motor oil and gasoline also evades her senses, but she doesn't mind it.

Aedrienn starts making her way towards the back of the garage to find assistance when she hears a loud "Coming! " from behind a closed door. A second later, that same door opens and a young man emerges.

"What can I help you with?" He doesn't notice her at first, seeing as he's too busy looking at his phone and hadn't even looked up at her yet.

Aedrienn rolls her eyes. Well, you could start off with putting your phone down and addressing me properly, she thinks. Or perhaps she doesn't, because the young man's eyes suddenly snap up from his phone to look at her, a shocked expression on his face.

He stares at her for a long time, as if in a trance. Either he's too shocked that someone just spoke to him like that, or Aedrienn just had something on her face because he doesn't say anything and just continues to stare.

Aedrienn is no better. Not only could she not believe that the comment had actually managed to slip out of her mouth, but she's also incredibly irritated that the person with impeccable manners just so also happens to be the most handsome man she's ever seen.

The first thing she had noticed about him was his height - he had to have been at least six-two or six-three - and Aedrienn had to crane her neck to get a better look at him.

The tight, fitted black long-sleeve he wore did very little to hide his broad shoulders, muscled chest and arms – most likely a product from handling heavy equipment in an auto shop all day. Aedrienn also noticed the patch of exposed skin at the end of his right sleeve - where the outline of a tattoo began at his wrist.

His skin was a golden tan, and he had short, dark brown hair that was styled in that messy-but-attractive boyish way Aedrienn never fully understood the physics of. And he didn't even seem to be much older than her, maybe twenty-one or twenty-two.

Aedrienn would never admit it out loud, but he was absolutely captivating. And his eyes...

Under what seemed to be perfectly maintained eyebrows, his eyes were the color of golden whiskey. A beautiful shade of brown that reminded Aedrienn of the earth whenever the sun came out after it had just rained. It was a shade unlike anything she had ever seen, and for a second, it hurt her because she realized she'd never be able to turn it into a physical color she could use to paint with. And even now, even after she accidentally made that comment and they stood there staring at each other, his eyes were filled with a warmth Aedrienn hadn't seen in a very long time.

And that realization right there was what made her snap out of her trance and the young man blinked, seeming to do the same.

"I'm – I'm so sorry I - " he stammers, not knowing what to say. Finally, he shakes his head as if to clear his wandering thoughts, and gives Aedrienn a dazzling white smile.

"Hi." His voice is a deep, rich, baritone. "What can I help you with?"

"Uh," Aedrienn starts. "I just came to get an oil change for my mom's car. She's been here before so I'm sure she has an account? Her name is Angelina Renna."

"Renna," he breathes, and realization dawns on his face. "Renna. Yes - " He flips through a stack of papers on the desk. "Yes, it says you're long overdue - "

"Aedrienn?" Aedrienn's attention shifts from the young man to the new voice that emerges from the back of the garage.

Roberto Luca, the Italian owner of Luca's auto shop, comes in smeared in what appears to be motor oil. Wiping his hands on a red towel, he comes around the desk and extends a hand out towards Aedrienn. "How are you doing, mio caro?" My darling.

Aedrienn warms at the endearing name and takes his hand in her own. "Mr. Luca, I'm doing good. How are you? How's business?"

"As always, business is doing great, as well as our family. It's good to see you. We've been missing the Renna's around here."

Aedrienn nods. "Yes. We've missed you too. I just came to get an oil chance on behalf of my mother."

Mr. Luca nods his head. "I remember. It's been a while."

Aedrienn lets out a strained laugh. "Yeah, well...um – my dad or Mason were usually the ones who – who um..." Aedrienn couldn't finish her sentence, she never could where Mason or her father were concerned, and Mr. Luca seems to understand this because his eyes suddenly fill with sadness and understanding. She'd forgotten how close her father had been with the Luca's. When her father was alive, he'd stop by here on occasion, not because their car needed maintenance, but because he'd love to chat with all the men who worked there. On those days, Aedrienn typically always stayed in the car, but she could remember the few interactions she'd had with Mr. Luca and his wife before, and how kind they'd always been to their family.

He notices her uneasiness because he waves a hand at her. "Don't worry about it. We'll take care of that for you," he says, successfully changing the subject, and Aedrienn sags her shoulders in relief.

He turns to the young man now, whom Aedrienn completely forgot was standing there, and pats him on the back. "My son isn't giving you a hard time, is he?" Mr. Luca's laugh is a deep sound that revibrates through the entire office, and Aedrienn blinks in surprise. This is his son? Aedrienn knew he had two children – an older daughter and a younger boy, but she didn't expect this. How long has it been since she's been here? And why had she never noticed him before?

"Elias," Mr. Luca continues, "please help out la signora Aedrienn. Yes?"

The young man – Elias – gives his dad a charming grin and nods his head. "Of course, dad." His gaze moves to Aedrienn, and she might've dreamt it, might've even imagined it, but she could've sworn she saw a twinkle of mischief in his eyes. "I'll take really good care of her."

"Buono." Mr. Luca turns to Aedrienn and she gives him the car keys before shaking her hand one more time. He inclines his head. "Aedrienn, once again, it was so good to see you. Say hi to Matthew for me – and your mom. I know my wife would love to catch up with her soon."

Aedrienn gives him a tight lip smile, hoping it hides her grim expression at the mention of her mother. "Will do. Thank you for everything."

Mr. Luca exists out the back door, leaving Elias and Aedrienn alone.

"Umm..." Aedrienn shifts awkwardly on her feet, a nervous habit she's had since she was a child. "Do you know how long this will take? I can come back later if you'd like?"

Elias is quick to answer. "No! That won't be necessary. It shouldn't take more than thirty minutes." He motions to the chair in the corner of the room. "You're more than welcome to wait."

Aedrienn nods her head and takes a seat. "Thank you."

She expects Elias to disappear behind the door again, but to her dismay, he doesn't. She had been hoping for some solitary, but after ten minutes of hearing the shuffling of papers, it was clear he wasn't going anywhere.

However, she could always leave. The coffee shop that she usually studied in was only a five-minute walk from here. She could easily -

"So, you go to UW?"

Aedrienn's head snapped up to where the voice came from, not quite yet comprehending that he was speaking to her.

"Uh..."

Elias lets out a small chuckle and nods towards her. "I would assume, given what you're wearing."

Aedrienn looked down to where his gaze landed and understood what he meant. The purple hoodie she was wearing had a large UW logo right in the middle, now fading due to the many years she's worn it.

"Oh yeah," she said, picking at the frayed edges of her sleeve. "Yes, I do."

"So, I guess you're smart?"

She shrugs her shoulders, not really knowing what to make of the question.

"What's your major?"

Aedrienn casts him a wary look, wondering why he chose to speak with her now. Finally, after a moment, she says, "Biochemistry." And she doesn't understand why she feels shy about it all of a sudden.

But Elias just raises his eyebrows, and he nods, seeming to be impressed with her answer. "So you're super smart, then."

"I suppose." Her response is curt - formal. She doesn't bother to elaborate.

And Elias must've picked up on her tone because he doesn't say anything either. And for a second, she feels bad. Elias seems nice and genuine, but her behavior had nothing to do with him. She'd had a long day. She was a pre-med student after all. There was always some test to study for, some paper to write. All she wanted to do these days was sleep.

But again, it wasn't his fault she felt like this. Wasn't his fault she was always sad.

So, she tried talking to him again, as best as she could.

"So!" Aedrienn cringed at the overly excited, high-pitched voice that came out of her. She cleared her throat, going in for a second attempt. "What about you? Do you go to school?"

"Do I go to school?" Elias repeated, an incredulous expression on his face now. He shook his head, laughing as if what she asked was the most hilarious thing he'd ever hear.

"Why exactly is that funny?" Aedrienn tried not to show how irritated she was at his behavior, but he still had that grin on his face. As if he knew something she didn't.

And Aedrienn, being the over-achieving student that she was, didn't like it one bit. She let out a deep breath and crosses her arms, waiting for him to stop his laughing fit.

Elias sees this because he immediately straightens. "I'm so – sorry," he lets out one final chuckle, but the mirth in his eyes remains.

Aedrienn just shrugs her shoulders and looks around the room, skillfully portraying a look of indifference, as if she'd rather be anywhere else in the world than here with him.

"Hey," Elias starts. Aedrienn ignores him. "Hey," he says, more sternly now, which makes her look at him. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean it like that. But – but yes." Elias's eyes soften at the sight of her. "To answer your question. Yes. I do go to school."

"Where - " Before she could finish her sentence, another figure materializes from the back door.

"Va bene, ragazzo." Alright, boy. " It's done." A man who looks a lot like Mr. Luca hands over the keys to Elias, and from where she sat, she could make out his name on the tag just below his collar bone.

Dante, it read. She vaguely remembered her dad mentioning him before, and realized that this was Mr. Luca's younger brother – Elias's uncle.

Elias blinks at him in surprise. "That fast?"

Dante whistles. "That good."

Elias rolls his eyes and extends the keys towards Aedrienn. "Well, I guess that's it then. Is there anything else I can help you with?"

Aedrienn stands up and takes the keys from him. "I don't think so."

"Are you sure?" Elias leans against the desk, and Aedrienn doesn't fail to notice the flirtatious charm in his voice when he speaks to her now, nor the cool, nonchalant way he carries himself. In another life, Aedrienn would've found these particular boys alluring - dangerous - and she might've even flirted back, but she didn't have the luxury of enjoying such things anymore.

"Do you want us to put air in your tires? Check out the battery? Maybe the breaks - "

"No need!" His uncle interjects, smiling proudly. "I did a full inspection when I changed the oil and everything looked fine."

"Right..." Elias trails off. "Well, would you like to buy an air freshener?"

"We sell those?" Dante's face is a mask of confusion.

"You know what?" Elias says, a bit too enthusiastically. "Thank you, uncle, for your thoughtfulness," he grits out the last word.

Aedrienn refrains from laughing at the scene. "No, thank you. Really." She begins to take out her wallet. "How much do I owe you?"

Dante dismisses her with a wave of his hand. "Don't worry about it. Roberto says it's on us."

Aedrienn's heart swells with gratitude at the owner of the auto shop. "Thank you." She turns to Elias. "Well...good luck with the semester." It's all she really knew what to say.

Something like disappointment flashes in his brown eyes, his voice a bit more somber now when he speaks."You too, Aedrienn. I'll see you real soon."

With a final glance in the men's direction, she turns around and hurries out the door.

On the drive back home, she tries to push the awkward interaction to the back of her mind, but Aedrienn can't help but realize two very important things.

One: For the first time in months, she'd felt herself wanting to laugh again. Genuinely laugh.

Two: Elias said he'd see her again.