My grandfather is easy to make laugh, and he seems to be a very happy man. We spent our time catching up, and he asked me about my life, and how school was going. He got a little angry towards my father when I said I didn't have any friends. He knew why immediately. We didn't talk much about my father. He hates the fact that I call him father, but there's really nothing else for me to call him. I still have a bit of fear of course when I think about him. 

Around the time dinner is supposed to start, I watch for April. Like clockwork, she walks towards us. "It's time for dinner, if you'll follow me please." We walk behind her, and into the dining room. Gabe, Alex and their dad are already inside. 

Gabe walks over to us and holds out his hand to my grandfather. "Hello, sir. My name is Gabriel Giordano, I'm a friend of your granddaughter's."

My grandfather assesses him. "That's interesting." He doesn't say anymore and looks to Alex. "I suppose you're her friend too?"

Alex locks eyes with him, and as plain as day says, "No, I'm not." He looks to me, then back to my grandfather.

"Interesting, indeed." My grandfather smiles at me. "Let's sit dear."

I walk to a chair, and he pushes it in for me, then sits beside me. Everyone else takes their seats, and the food comes out shortly after. We all begin to eat. Alex's dad strikes up a conversation with my grandfather, who gladly chats back. They seem to have become very close. "We'll be leaving in the morning. I'd like to get Lelia adjusted as quickly as possible. I've missed a lot of time with her." My grandfather sounds excited, and I'm glad he wants to spend time with me. I missed him too.

"I understand, of course we'll help as much as possible. The Vittori family has always been a good friend to the Giordanos." Alex's dad seems to be sucking up to him, but I'm not sure why.

I look at Alex, who doesn't seem to be as confused as me. I want to ask what's going on with them, but I also don't want to say it out loud. I tilt my head to them, and raise a brow, trying to hint that I'm curious. Alex just takes another bite of food, while looking at me. I huff and just decide to eat. When dinner is over, we all say our goodbyes, and April shows my grandfather to his room.

"Goodnight." He says before walking away, and I say it back with a smile. 

Instead of going straight to bed, I go outside to stand in the cool night breeze. It's a calm night, so the wind isn't strong at all. I find a place to sit down, and look at the stars. I can hear cars go by the house, and the sound of a train whistle in the distance. The city never sleeps. 

I hear footsteps, and look to see who's coming, and, of course, it's Alex. "What brings you out here?" I ask.

He comes to sit beside me and looks up at the stars, so I do too. "You seemed like you had something you wanted to ask me at dinner."

"Hm." I say, watching the sky. "Yeah, I was just curious as to why it seemed like your dad was kissing up to my grandfather."

Alex's breath pauses for a moment, and then he sighs. "He wasn't, he is just glad you're going to someone who is going to take care of you."

"Lies." I say, tilting my head to look at him. "You yourself said he had ulterior motives, so I don't believe you." I turn back to the stars, but I can feel Alex looking at my face.

"I'm happy you're going to live with someone who's going to take care of you." He doesn't sound happy about it. "I'm glad that man no longer has access to you, and that your grandfather seems to care about you a lot."

I look at him again, and he looks anything but happy. He looks like he could run away from me at a moment's notice. "You say that, but your face tells me otherwise."

Alex groans, and shifts beside me. He stands up and goes to walk away, but I grab the leg of his pants. His head turns to look at me, and he clenches his teeth. "I'm trying to let this be a happy goodbye." He says, his eyes looking down at me, pulling me up to him. 

I stand, and his eyes hold mine with some imaginary force. "I don't really want to say goodbye." I don't know where I'm getting this confidence from, but I appreciate it. Alex steps closer to me, and my heart races.

"I don't either." His voice has gotten heavy again, and I feel our pulses in the air around us.

He slowly puts his arm around my waist, pulling me to him. His face is inches from mine, and I can feel his breath fan my face. "Then don't. Don't say goodbye." Alex pulls me the last couple of inches, and his lips press against mine. I can feel his heart under my hand, and my eyes close. His lips are so soft, and his arm is wrapped around me like he never wants to let me go. I tilt my head to the side and kiss him deeper. His chest rumbles as a deep moan comes up his throat, and his hand goes to my hair. 

I don't know how long we've been kissing, but when we pull our lips apart, we're both breathing heavily. Alex's arms are still around me, and he hasn't let go of me. My eyes are so heavy from the kiss, and his face is flushed. He's looking down at me with a whole new desperation in his eyes. I gently brush a strand of hair out of his face, and kiss his cheek. "I'll make sure I come to visit." He says, his heart still beating fast.

"I thought you weren't my friend, I doubt my grandfather would let an enemy come and visit me." I say, a small smirk on my face.

Alex leans down to whisper into my ear. "I think we're past the point of friends."

I feel the heat rush to my face, and oddly enough, down to my stomach too, and I look away from him to try and hide it. 

He brings a hand up to cup my chin. "I will come and see you, if it kills me." He sounds so serious. 

I eventually bring myself to pull away from him, and he walks me inside to my room. I pause before I go in and give him another kiss on the cheek. "I'd be happy if you came to see me."

Alex gives me another kiss, then leaves as I go into the room. I want to run after him so badly, but I can't. Tonight was the first and only time I think we'll both have the ability to be so honest with each other. He seemed sort of sad, even as he gave me that last kiss. If I get any sleep tonight, it'll be a miracle.