The little boy was hiding from other children. He sat below a tree, far from other people. His tears were falling continuously as he hugged his favorite book close. It was his favorite book but the children ripped it apart like it was nothing. They ripped his favorite book and now he cannot call it a book since it doesn't look like one anymore.

The children were mean.

They call him names because he isn't like other children. He doesn't like to play outside and instead would choose to sit all day with a book in hand. They call him names because he isn't normal, they would tell him maliciously. They call him names because he chooses a book over playing. And despite his cries to his parents, telling them that he'd rather stay at home than to receive fresh air and play, like a 'normal kid', they would forcibly put him in predators' den where many rips his books and call him names.

Everyone hates him because they don't understand him. Nobody is trying to understand him.

Tears were falling down as he looks down at his ruined book with eyes filled with pain, his trembling hands were gripping the book tightly. It's the worst.

It's the worst and he hates people. He hates them. They shouldn't just rip someone else's favorite thing. That's disrespectful and that's not nice.

Tears were falling down and his lower lip trembled. His anger was slowly dissipating and instead, he could feel the hopelessness and desperation from deep within him like an endless path towards a black hole of ruination.

He wipes the tears aggressively but they kept falling like autumn leaves leaving its trees. He couldn't stop them even if he tried and he was starting to feel helpless because he can't do anything. He can't defend himself, he can't protect his books, he can't tell his parents that children were bullying him for being a bookworm and now he can't stop his tears from falling. It's pathetic.

He's pathetic and weak and it's his fault that children were bullying him. It's because he's not normal. Like they said, he's not like them. He isn't like other kids. He doesn't like playing or going outside that often.

He doesn't need to make friends because friends hurt you in the end.

"Why're you crying?"

He was snapped out of thoughts when an unfamiliar voice startled him. He looks up and saw a girl that looks like a year or two younger than him. Her chocolate colored eyes looked at him in concern instead of malice. She's got an accent that sounded smooth and gentle in his ears. It comforted him a little.

It was an innocent question. Why are you crying? But for some reason, the question didn't sit well with him. It felt as if she was annoying him and he definitely felt annoyed. He felt anger and annoyance and he shouldn't have because the girl was only asking a genuine question. She was really curious as to why he's crying but he's just mad at that.

He huffed and hugged his book closer to him. He gave his best glare at the little girl. He doesn't want to be bullied again for liking books, for choosing to read instead of playing. "Go away!"

The little girl didn't look offended and instead, for some weird reason, her eyes softened and her concern only grew more.

"Are you okay?" She asks in concern, reaching out suddenly to him. Frightened of her reaching hand, frightened that she may be feigning concern to grab his already-ripped book, he slapped her hand away aggressively.

"Go away!" He shouted at her, causing to the little girl to flinch. "Are you deaf? I don't need you here so mind your own business and go away!"

Instead of getting angry or getting sad or scared, she suddenly looked determined and sat in front of him with a huff and a pout. The little girl looked upset and now was looking at him like he was a puzzle that needed to be solved. "'M staying here."

Tears still falling, book still in his hands, he blinked at the girl, dumbfounded by her unusual answer. "W-What? What did you just say?"

"I'm staying right here." She said stubbornly. "I'm not gonna go anywhere."

"I..." He was at loss for words but he hardened his resolve and continued to glare at her. She didn't flinch at the anger that she probably saw on his face and instead, she gave him a stern look. She looked like an adult who's about to scold a naughty child. "I don't want you here."

"I'm staying." She said with finality. Her words were absolute, he could hear it. It's so obvious how this little girl isn't used to people turning her down. 

He felt a string of annoyance deep within him. He doesn't want to repeat himself again and he doesn't want to talk to anyone. He wants to be left alone and this little... pipsqueak is not letting him be.

"I don't want you to stay here." He gritted out ever word. He doesn't need anyone comforting him. He just wants to be left alone. Was that too much to ask?

She shook her head.

That string snapped and he finally threw the book at her face and she yelped in surprise, immediately covering herself from the ripped book.

"Are you just gonna bully me 'cause I'm crying? That boys shouldn't cry?" He asks, fist clenched and anger boiling. "O-Or are you gonna bully me 'cause I read books instead of playing?" 

The girl looks at him and instead of looking at him with eyes teary or upset, she looked surprised.

"Are people bullying you for that?" She asks, tilting her head to the side. She brushed some strands of his hair to the side, placing it behind his ear. He didn't complain about her action this time.

He looks at her suspiciously, eyes narrowing. "Why? Are you not gonna bully me for that?"

She shook her head in dejection. Her hands falling down to her side. She looks at the ground, plucking the grass. "I won't. Boys can cry and you can read a book if you like to read books that you like."

"And you won't hate me for that?" He asks, even more suspicious.

The girl looks at him in shock. "Why would I hate you for that?"

Huh.

He leaned against the tree, looking at the girl in suspicion. Why would she suddenly come here just to comfort him? Why won't she hate him for things that he do, like reading books, when other kids hate him for doing that? Why would she want to even stay when he had hit her with a book?

"You're weird." He said even before he could stop himself. He immediately covered his mouth in shock and guilt. He hadn't meant to let that out but maybe he'd been thinking so much that he couldn't stop his thoughts from coming out.

Surprisingly, the little girl giggled at him, eyes twinkling in mirth. "I know! Luci always tells me that."

Luci? He'd have to ask who that is later.

"You're okay with it?" He asks.

She shrugs. "I don't care."

"I'm sorry." He said after a little while, suddenly feeling ashamed for letting his anger run wildly and for calling this girl weird. He shouldn't be mean to a stranger and a kid. That's bad. He's becoming bad. "I... I was upset and I just wanted... People say that boys shouldn't cry so I hid."

He somehow feels all of his pent up energy vanish and he now felt drained and tired. He was ashamed of himself and he's ashamed that a little girl is trying to comfort him.

Instead of laughing at him or making fun of him, she looked angry. She looked as if she was going to kill someone today. "Boys can cry if they wanna and you can read a book if you wanna. People shouldn't bully you for it." She frowned.

"But they do." He said in a fragile tone. His tears were welling up once again at the thought of doing nothing wrong but still getting bullied. "They do..."

Her frowned deepened. "They shouldn't."

He looks at her. "W-Would you?"

She shook her head immediately. "I would never ever!" She said, sounding honest.

He smiled at her a little. "I'm sorry for being mean." He said regretfully. "I didn't mean to be a mean person."

She looks happy at his apology. "I'm sorry for being nosy." She doesn't look sorry.

He huffed out a snort, narrowing his eyes at her. "You were a bit nosy."

She pouted. "I was worried. I saw you when I was playing and I thought that you were hurt..." She looks aside with an embarrassed smile but then she looked back at him with a thoughtful look, almost like she was examining him. She nodded in satisfaction after a little while. "But, I see that you aren't! So, I'mma have to go now!"

"I'm Nicolai." He blurted out, causing the little girl to look at him in surprise. Now it was his turn to feel embarrassed. For some reason, he just suddenly didn't want to feel lonely anymore. He wants the little girl to stay. Even if it's for a little while. "F-Forget it! You can lea——"

"'M Isabella..." She said, surprisingly hesitant. It was as if saying her name would be a bad idea to tell, however, her eyes were glimmering in this positive emotion that Nicolai just couldn't interpret at the moment. He thought that she was an open book, but it turns out that she wasn't that open.

He feels sad. Maybe she doesn't like him after all and maybe she now thinks of him as a clingy kid who doesn't have any friends. "Y-You can leave if you wanna." He said, his tone fragile and his lower lip quivering. "I know that you don't wanna stay with me."

"I want to stay!" Her words sounded absolute and final but he still hesitated. What if she's just lying? "I wanna be your friend!"

The word friend seemed to burn her because she winced at it a little bit. If he wasn't a sharp kid, he would have missed it. Nicolai frowned, tone unbelieving. "Are you sure?"

Isabella nodded enthusiastically, smile wide, eyes glimmering with with joy. Still, there was just something she's hiding. Something that pains her. 

But, he didn't notice that because he was excited at having a friend, at having someone that won't make fun of him. "R-Really?"

She nodded enthusiastically.

An awkward silence took over and they were looking at anywhere except at each other's eyes. He doesn't know how to start a conversation now. He can't talk about the book since it's not even a book anymore and the only thing he can talk about without stuttering is about books and he's not even sure if Isabella likes books, much less read them since she looks like a baby to him.

Nicolai spoke first, starting with a fake cough. "I don't know how to be a friend."

Isabella looks at him with an embarrassed look. "I-I don't know too..."

He tilts his head to the side, confused. He was also surprised that she doesn't have any friends. She looks like  a friendly person. She has the vibe of someone who could befriend anyone if she wanted to.

She probably saw his confusion and surprise because she chuckled with an embarrassed smile. "Having friends...scares me."

"What?" He asks, astounded by her sudden confession.

Isabella shrugged. "If I have friends I could hurt them."

"Why would you hurt them?" He asks, confused.

Isabella winced at the question. "Uh... My family's... Business is a big no-no to good friends and they could get hurt 'cause of the bad business."

"I won't!" He said, looking at her with determination. He sounded desperate but he really is desperate. He wants to have a friend that could talk to him and someone that will listen to anything he'll say. 

Before he knew it, he grabbed her hand and he must have looked like an idiot right now. Eyes probably red from crying, cheeks rosy, runny nose and a desperate look painted on his face.

Isabella was nonplussed by his sudden action. She looked between him and his hand in a weird expression. Isabella looked so lost and she looked like this was the first time that she was held by the hand.

"I won't!" He repeated, voice turning gentle. "I won't. I swear. I wanna be your friend."

It's a surprise how fast he's being clingy to her. He's being annoying probably.

Isabella nodded then, patting his head gently. "There, there."

Just her comforting hand patting his head was comforting enough. His eyes were turning teary again.

"I'm sorry." He said after a little while, suddenly feeling ashamed for letting his anger run wild. He shouldn't be mean to a stranger and a kid. That's bad. "I... I was upset and I just wanted... I'm sorry."

He was ashamed of himself and he's ashamed that a little girl is trying to comfort him.

He smiled at her a little. "I'm sorry for being mean." He said regretfully. "I didn't mean to be a mean person."

"It's okay." Isabella said, smiling softly at him. "It's okay, Nico."

He smiled softly. The sound of his name rolling off of her tongue sounded sweet, like cotton candy and butterscotch and then drowning all of that with some cola. She's sweet and kind and she doesn't get angry. 

"I like that." Nicolai muttered to himself and he couldn't help but grin happily like an idiot. "Nico..."

The nickname sounds soft and it wasn't like how his family calls him. The nickname 'Nico' was cold when they utter it. However, Isabella's 'Nico' was like candy. It's sweet and soft and gentle.

He smiled softly. Yes, he likes it very much. "Can I call you Izzy?" Izzy sounds soft and sweet too. Besides, shouldn't friends have nicknames for each other?

Isabella looks at him silently, as if she was deciding something in her head before nodding. "S' okay but why?"

"Because we're friends now!" He said in a matter-of-fact tone with a proud grin on his face. He's got a friend now and she's the coolest now in his world! "And friends should have nicknames for each other!"

"Should they?"

He nodded confidently. "They should and since you're my best friend——"

"I'm your only friend."

He glared at her before huffing out. "I don't like that sincerity."

She blinked innocently at him. "As your friend, I don't wanna lie to you."

"Your words hurt."

She had the nerve to scoff. "It's the truth. It always hurts."

He narrowed his eyes at her. "You took that line from some adult, didn't you?"

She grinned wickedly at him, proud. "I sounded adult-like, didn't I?"

It was Nicolai's turn to scoff but he couldn't lie to her so he only nodded instead.

She giggled at his nonverbal response.

Nicolai stood up then and shyly offered his hand to her. It's good to be a gentleman, right? To offer a helping hand for her to hold onto. But, he flushed red when he looked down at Isabella's confused look. The little girl tilted her head to the side, confused at the hand that was held out for her to hold.

Getting more embarrassed, he grumbled and ordered, "hand!"

And, like a trained puppy, she gave him her hand and he held it gently in his before pulling her up.

"Thank you..." She mumbled, looking at him like he was a puzzle that she needed to solve. She looked curious too.

He looks at her with a grumble. "Stop staring." He said softly.

"Why'd you wanna be my friend?" She asks instead of answering his demand while he drags her to the playground where other kids were playing and parents and guardians were chatting at each other. He left his book behind since it wouldn't be of any use to him anymore.

"'Cause I chose you." He said as if that would be the satisfying answer to her question.

She pouted. "I don't like your answer."

"Well, it's the truth." It was his turn to grin at her. He shrugged casually. "See? Now I'm the one who sounds adult-like."

She childishly narrowed her eyes at him. Her pout was evident and she was obviously displeased. Still, the hand that he held didn't let go. She held on despite looking irritated at him. 

"Copycat." She mumbled.

His eyes, despite looking like he cried a river, sparkled in mirth. He held onto her hand tightly.

***

"Eh? Friend?" Dmitri asks, surprised that the little girl that he was protecting just now had some stranger following her when she came back to him after he allowed her to play in the playground.

Isabella nodded, pointing at Nicolai, who was looking at Dmitri sternly, almost as if he was glaring. The look on the boy's face somehow irritated Dmitri because it reminded him of that man.

Rafael.

For some reason, that man irritates him more than Romeo. He's not friendly. He's hiding something and the big man knows that. That man's using Isabella for something that they don't know yet.

But, nobody can kill him because Isabella wants him alive.

So, if miss gem wants a friend then everyone will allow her to have it. Nobody will complain or nobody will get mad at the little gem.

But, they'll get mad at the friend.

They won't allow the friend to be friends with their Bella.

He smiled widely. "Friend." The word sounds foreign. In their world, a friend is an enemy who wants to kill you. Usually, it's very hard to find a friend who won't have a gun hidden somewhere. "Well, aren't you being kind, Miss Gem?"

"Don't call my friend as if she's a thing!" Nicolai said, glaring at the doctor. He protectively placed Isabella behind him.

Isabella looks over the little boy's shoulders. "Nico, he's nice." She placed her hand on his shoulder and Dmitri saw him calm down a little. "It's okay."

Dmitri's eyebrows shot up. why is she close to him already? Why is he protective of her already? Plus, didn't she say that the boy's name is Nicolai? Now, she's got a nickname for him already? Oh, big man wouldn't like this. Big man'll hate it and he'll rip those who'll come close at one of his gems. Oh, big man's going to go wild for this.

He gave them a feral grin that caused both kids to flinch. Isabella glared at him and he snickered. His Miss little Gem is smart. A cute little smarty gem.

"Dmitri." Isabella warned, knowing that the man would definitely talk bad about her friend once he reports this to her father. 

"Ain't you a scary little thing." Dmitri said, ignoring Isabella. He was looking at Nicolai and the little man looks back at him. It was obvious that he just cried but he's got the nerve to glare. "Why're you angry at me, Sir Nicolai?"

Nicolai suddenly looked hesitant. He then took a deep breath and his glare held more fire now. "Because, you look like you're gonna hurt Izzy."

"Tha's his normal look!" Isabella chirped as if she was used to people telling Dmitri that he looks like he's going to go on a killing spree.

"Really?" He turned to look at her. "You're not lying?"

Isabella nodded. "He's a big meanie but he's super nice."

Nicolai wasn't convinced but being friends means that they need to trust each other no matter what.

"Okay..." He said, hesitant, but then he nodded, looking more confident. "Okay. If you say that he's a nice man then he is. I trust you!"

"Hey, I'm right here." Dmitri said, pointing at himself. "You shouldn't ignore me."

Nicolai ignored him.

The boy turned around to fully look at her. "But, if he is a bad man then you have to tell me. You don't have to be scared to tell me."

"Hey! You're making it sound like I'm threatening Bella to say that I'm a nice man!"

Nicolai rolled his eyes. He looks at the man. "What if you were?"

Dmitri shuddered at the thought. He can't do that. His head will roll off even before he could threaten the little gem. "I would never." He said seriously.

Nicolai's eyes slightly widened when he saw the seriousness in the man's eyes. He's not lying, Nicolai noticed. Something is scaring Dmitri, something that keeps him chained up.

Or, maybe it's someone.

Who is Isabella exactly?

Nicolai saved that thought so that he could think about it later. For now, there's a reason why they came for Isabella's guardian.

"I wanna take care of Izzy!" He exclaimed. "Sir." He then added after struggling to spat it out. The little boy still cringed at it though.

Dmitri sighed. They were supposed to enjoy exploring the new area. Dmitri just allowed the little girl to play for an hour so that she can play with other kids. He didn't expect that she'd bring a friend.

"I'll take responsibility!" Nicolai shouted when he saw the hesitant look on Dmitri. "I'll take care of Izzy even when you're dead!"

Dmitri chocked on his own spit.

Isabella's eyes widened before she slapped the back of his head. "Bella doesn't like your words!"

Nicolai whined at the pain. "Izzy. Hurts..."

She crossed her arms and harrumphed. "It should be!"

Dmitri looked pissed. "Who says I'm dyin', kid? Ye keep blabberin' nonesense the moment I saw ya."

'Oh. He is pissed,' Isabella thought to herself.

Nicolai shrugged. "Well, dead or not, I can now take care of Izzy without you!"

"Ya just met 'er!" Dmitri said and the man couldn't believe himself. He couldn't believe that he's arguing with a kid.

Nicolai glared at him. "We're best friends now! I will take care of her myself."

"But," Isabella chirped, cutting in on the argument, "you got bullied and you didn't do anything to stop the meanies."

He flushed red. "I-I will next time!" He pouted at her.

She looks at Dmitri while pointing at herself proudly. "He's my damsel in distress an m' the knight now. I will take care of him!"

"W-What?!" Nicolai spluttered, shock. "Me? A damsel?"

She grinned at him happily before nodding. "Mmhmm."

"You can't argue with her, kid." Dmitri said. "Once she says that you're a damsel then you are now. Even her brothers can't win on this one so give up."

Nicolai frowned at the oldie before he looks at Isabella. "Izzy, damsels are for girls." He said slowly, as if he was talking to someone stupid.

"But, you're so pretty that you could be a girl." She frowned.

He frowned more.

He doesn't know if that's an insult or a compliment.

"You think I'm pretty?" He asks shyly.

Dmitri snickered. "You're thinking about that more than the girl part?" He snorted, leaning back on his seat. "Kids are weird these days."

The little boy hissed at him. "Shush!"

Isabella held his hand and she smiled at him charmingly. "Nico is the prettiest!"

He blushed at the compliment.

The little boy started fidgeting in his place. "T-Then it's okay i-if I'm the damsel."

Dmitri laughed out loud at that. "Ha!" He slapped his knee at the boy's answer. "You're okay at being a damsel as long as she says you're pretty?"

He glared at the man. "Shut it, old man."

It was Dmitri's turn to look shock.

Isabella rolled her eyes before looking at Dmitri. "Dmitri..." She said in a sad and low voice. "Papa... I want papa to let me have a friend. Please?"

Dmitri's heart softened. 

"Your dad doesn't allow you to have friends?" Nicolai asks.

Dmitri answered him, "yeah. Too dangerous." The man then looked at Isabella with a thoughtful look.

Isabella then spoke to him in spanish and it looked like Dmitri understood her because he nodded and sighed loudly.

"Fine." He said after Isabella stopped talking. "Fine. I'll try."

Isabella smiled at him thankfully. "Thank you."

Nicolai looks between the both of them in confusion. "Are you gonna ask your dad if I can be your friend?"

Isabella smiled at him and nodded.

Nicolai didn't like that. He didn't want that Isabella's going to ask for permission just so they could be friends. Why would she even need permission?

"I wanna go and ask too." Nicolai said. "I wanna ask too..."

"Eh?" Both Dmitri and Isabella asked, looking at him in bewilderment.

Nicolai looked like he finished deciding on something because he smiled at them charmingly. "Me and Izzy can go ask together!"

"Eh?!"

Sorry if I haven't been updating but I have given you a long chapter as an apology. Please accept my apology
(〒﹏〒)

Yay! We're gonna have a time skip soon and we're gonna find more secrets now!

But for now, Bella needs a friend!
<(￣︶￣)>

She deserves one