Because I Like It!

"Huh? A bit caught off guard, Valerio raised his brow at her. "Why? I can do that by myself, you know?" He replied.

"I know you can do it by yourself, but I want to. I mean, I am your caregiver after all, so that wouldn't be a problem, would it?" She asked.

"No… just a bit strange. But do whatever you want." Valerio shrugged, and a smile emerged on her face.

She walked him towards the washing chair and had him sit down.

Valerio rested his head back, and she grabbed a hold of the spray hose.

She wet his hair and applied his expensive brand of shampoo to it.

"Sir Avalanzo." She called him.

"Hmm?" Valerio answered.

"Do you have superpowers or something? You know, like Superman and Spider-Man?" She inquired. 

Valerio quickly fluttered his eyes, and a shocking look of disbelief ensued on his face.

"What? Everly, how old are you again?" He questioned, unable to bring himself to believe that a grown woman like her actually thinks those are real.

"Sir Avalanzo, I know they are not real. It's just an example." She rolled her eyes at him.

"So then, what makes you think I have superpowers? That's so childish of you." He commented in irritation, and Everly bit her lower lip.

"Honestly, now that I think about it, that was really childish of me. But! I have read a lot of romance books. Examples are vampires, werewolves, and Lycans, which makes me wonder if they're real."

"You, for example, can read my thoughts, and... sometimes you walk so fast that I have to run to catch up to you. So tell me! Are you one of them?"

She inquired, all seriousness apparent on her face.

"Everly—" Valerio called her. "—Can you lean a bit closer?" He asked.

Everly reluctantly nodded and leaned in, only for him to flick her forehead so hard that she drew back with her hand rubbing her sore spot.

"You little head! You believe those?" He inquired. 

Everly gazed at him and slowly shook her head.

"No..." She muttered.

"Then why are you wondering if I am one?" He continued.

"Well, I don't really know." She shrugged.

"Tsk! Silly girl." He clicked his tongue at her. "Though, which type do you think I would be if I were one?" He asked with a curious look on his face.

"Definitely a vampire!" Everly quickly answered, startling him as she had guessed that so correctly.

"Um... what makes you say that?" Valerio inquired.

"Well, you are really beautiful! Secondly, this!" She grabbed a hold of his hand and stared at his really long nails. "Why are your nails so abnormally long?" She wondered.

"Because I like it!" He frowned at her.

"But why? It's too long. Sometimes I'm afraid you might actually hurt me with it." She muttered.

Valerio frowned and let out a soft breath. "Everly," he called.

"Yes," Everly answered.

"Does it look dirty?"

"No! It surprisingly looks really neat, wow!"

"Do you hate it?"

"Actually, no. It kind of looks hot." She replied.

"Then what is your problem with it?" Valerio furrowed his brows at her.

"Well, I have no problem with it. I'm just afraid you might cut me with it. You know, you have anger issues." She answered.

"You don't have to keep reminding me of that! I am... working on my feelings." He cleared his throat, causing a smile to ensue on Everly's face.

"Anyways, I can't cut it even if I want to." He suddenly spoke.

"Huh? Why? Is it made of cement or what?" She asked.

"Oh my god, no! It's just that if I cut it, it simply grows back within twenty-four hours, so I don't see the use of cutting it. Besides, it never grows past this length. So it's fine." He shrugged.

"See what I am saying. You are so suspicious! Anyway, they will look really good if I paint them." Everly chuckled.

Valerio, who was already so irritated at this point, grimaced. "I will skin you alive if you try that." He glared at her, and Everly shook her head with a low sigh escaping her nose.

"It was a joke-"

"I don't care!"

______________

Seated on the balcony of her house, Chloe stared at the dark sky and the thousands of stars that beautified it.

Her eyes fixed on the half-moon, and she quickly turned her head when she felt someone's presence behind her.

"Ramon." She uttered the name that belonged to her younger brother.

Ramon walked over to sit beside her and let out a soft breath.

"Are you okay?" He asked with his hazel eyes gazing at her.

"Yes…I'm fine." Chloe nodded.

"Are you thinking about him again?" He inquired, and Chloe turned her head to look at him.

"What do you mean?" She questioned.

"Well, you have been like this since what happened between you and him. You have refused to talk and are mostly in a daze, obviously thinking about him. I don't get it! What exactly do you see in that guy? He's a very terrible person, and he doesn't deserve you one bit."

Ramon complained with a frown visible on his face.

"Ramon, you do not know Valerio, and that is why you are saying this. I felt the same way when I met him for the first time, but... when I got to know him, I saw something special in him. something beautiful, and I fell in love with him. It's hard, and I don't think I could stop loving him no matter how much he pushes me away."

"I honestly thought I would after what he said to me, but... it's impossible." She shook her head at him as she explained.

Ramon, who was already pissed off at this point, grimaced and stood to his feet.

"Well, the more you love him, the more you will end up hurting." He spoke in an annoyed tone before walking away.

A deep sigh exited Chloe's nose, and she returned her gaze to the sky.

"I will surely make you mine, Valerio. Surely!"