and it falls like rain

Lark Bassett / Luciano Bianchi

"...and you can totally always come over any time you need tutoring, I'm not the best when it comes to Mrs. Hughes, her assignments are always confusing, but I can totally help you..." Noemi was blabbering on and on, knowing full well her words were probably going in one ear and out the other. Lark didn't even look like she was paying attention to her at all, but she knew why. They had been friends for a few months now, and it grown to be pretty awkward. Noemi was almost positive Lark probably had already slept with her father. It was a weird thing to think about it, and usually, Noemi only offered Lark to come over when she knew her father was away on business, or wouldn't be home. The two girls stepped off of the bus, it having dropped them off at the gates to her home. It was large and beautiful, easily the nicest house in their whole neighborhood, but to Noemi, it was just her home. It was nothing special.

Opening the gates, she waited for Lark to follow her before she led her up the porch and in through the front door. "There you are!" Noemi froze when she heard her father call out from the kitchen, her blood running cold. Her father was never home on Monday evenings, for as long as she remembered, he had always had plenty of appointments scheduled through his business, so why was he here now? She almost wondered if it was because he expected her to try and bring Lark home when he wasn't there. Her father came out of the kitchen, a plaid apron wrapped around his torso and a spatula in his hand. "Oh, Lark," Luciano grinned, almost as if he hadn't been expecting to see her. A sparkle shown in his eye when his gaze fell on the two girls. "Last day of school right?" Her father exclaimed, his smile only growing larger, "for a couple of months anyway?"

He retreated back into the kitchen and Noemi could physically feel herself growing ill, hating the chemistry that Lark and her father had managed to conjure up between each other. Looking towards Lark, she shrugged her jacket off and knew she wouldn't be missed if she vanished. "Why don't you help my dad with ... whatever it is he's cooking in there? I'm just going to go upstairs and change really quickly." Noemi gave her friend a small smile before gesturing her towards the kitchen and disappearing up the stairs.

---

Nothing had happened between the older man and the younger woman, yet. They had shared a few private moments, but nothing intimate at all had happened between them. The idea had ran through Luciano's mind multiple times, sometimes even at night, when he was dreaming, but he had yet to act on any of them. Turning when he heard footsteps behind him, he smiled when he noticed it was just Lark. "Did Noemi run upstairs for something?" He asked, turning back to the fish that he had been sizzling on the stove top. The smell of lemon and fresh rosemary filled the kitchen, a meal he intended to be shared between him and his daughter. A small celebration to close out another successful school year, but he could make room for Lark. He could always make room for such a pretty young lady.

"Do you like cod?" Luciano asked, turning the heat down just a tad bit on the stove as he wiped his hands clean on a hand towel. His brow pulled together when he thought he heard the back door close, and he almost audibly sighed out in frustration. Noemi was disappearing once again. Could he blame her though? He knew it had to feel awkward, watching her dad get along so well with her new friend... "Don't just stand there in the door way," he grinned, ushering her to come take a seat at the island, "how about some lemonade?"

---

Noemi was out of that house as fast as she could possibly be. Only slightly feeling bad for ditching her friend without telling her, but she knew Lark enjoyed spending time with her dad. Maybe it wasn't something disgusting and taboo, like Noemi was so inclined to think. Lark didn't have good parents, maybe she just liked having a bit of time around a dominant fatherly figure? If that was the case, Noemi didn't want to make her friend feel bad for it and what was the harm? Still, she couldn't stomach to be around the two when they were alone. She could see how her dad looked at Lark, and there was definitely some pent up male aggression there. Noemi didn't like to think about it. Her mother had only been dead for a year, it was actually almost the anniversary of her death. The dark haired girl did her best to just push the thought from her mind. It was easier to pretend to forget, rather than try to grieve over it now. It still felt so fresh.

All she knew, was that once she arrived at the local bar downtown, soon, she would be so numb she wouldn't be able to worry about her father or her friend, or grieve over her mother. Walking through the front door like she was meant to be there, she headed over to the bar and took a seat, eyeing the bartender who knew her all to well. It had been about a month that she had been sneaking into this bar, and it had been so many nights that the bartender brought her over a shot of the same thing she always ordered.

---

"Are you sure you're okay to get back home?" The bartender asked curiously, leaning over the counter as Noemi pulled herself from the bar stool. The young girl was already swaying as she stood, having to reach out to grab the bar to steady herself. "I'm fine," she slurred, giving the man a small smile. He only shook his head, a small frown pulling at the corners of his mouth as he watched her slip out into the night.

Though she was properly buzzed, Noemi found herself appreciating the cool summer night, the sun already having set behind the horizon. The lights all around downtown, from the other businesses, to the cars, they were all a blur. People pushed by her on the sidewalk, avoiding her as if they didn't even see her, and that was fine by her. Deciding to go left away from the bar, when she usually went right, Noemi found herself leaning against a crosswalk post, her eyes being attracted to a neon sign for a gentleman's club. The flashing light dazed her for a moment as she watched for the crosswalk to flip, allowing her safe passage across the street.

@ dezz
Even though Lark has been friends with Noemi for a whole year and has visited her house multiple times. It still amazes her. The neighborhood, the mansions, the cars. Just everything blows her mind. More often then not, Lark's imagined waking up in a mansion like one of these and calling it home. Instead, she wakes up in a crappy two-bedroom apartment with a water heater that only works every couple of days.

Stepping off of the bus with Noemi, Lark followed her friend through the iron gates that seem to separate her world from everyone else's. Adjusting the strap of her bag on her shoulder, Lark looked up as she heard Noemi's dad's voice. A small smile playing along her lips as the older man spoke with that slight Italian accent. "Hi, Mr.Bianchi," Lark said quietly in reply, her gaze flicking between Noemi and her dad for a moment as they walked into the house and stood in the doorway. The smell of freshly cooked food met Lark's nose and it made her wonder when the last time she ate something homecooked was. Probably back when she was a little kid.

Glancing between the father and daughter, Lark nodded her head at Luciano's question. Noticing that Noemi had slipped into one of her moods. Then turned towards her friend fully, confusion on her face. She so desperately wanted to ask her what was wrong but was just brushed aside as the girl left her to change. A small sigh escaped from Lark as she did as she was told, to shy to just blurt out that her friend should tell her when something was on her mind. So, Lia walked towards the kitchen and stood in the doorway. Watching as the older man cooked. Her eyes taking in the apron that he was wearing. Her head tilting a little in confusion at the sight. She's never seen a man wear one, hell she's never seen her mother wear on when she cooked. "She went to change," Lark told the man in her quiet voice.

"I've never tried it before," Lark said quietly as she eyed the stove with the sizzling fish. It smelled amazing. Most food that Lark had at home was microwaved meals or fast food when she was lucky. Moving towards the Island, Lark slid onto the stool. She fixed the black uniform skirt, not wanting to flash the man. It would have been extremely inappropriate. "Yes, please." She said quietly when asked if she'd like Lemonade. "Do you cook often when you're home?" Lark found herself asking as she watched the older man walking around the kitchen.

----

The meal that Luciano had prepared was delicious. The cod was crispy and flaky. Lark had never tasted anything like it, and she made sure to clean her plate. Not letting a single crumb go uneaten. Not to mention the fresh lemonade that she was given when she first got to the Bianchi's was delicious as well. So sweet and sour at the same time. Leaving a pleasant taste in her mouth through each sip. Yet again, it made Lark feel jealous. She was dealt with such a rough hand. How could some people get so lucky and others are not? Lark worked hard for her scholarship. Hell, she's still working hard for it. One day, hopefully, she'll be able to live as comfortably as the Bianchi's. One day.

Luciano finished his meal as well. Lark slowly slipped off of the stool she had been sitting on. Her butt going a little numb. It sucked that Noemi wasn't back yet, but it was alright. Her dad was always fun to talk to. "I'll wash the dishes," Lark said quietly, stacking the plates like she's seen her mother do a lot at work. Then, she took them to the sink and started to fill it with hot water before adding some soap. "It's the least I could do." She said quietly when Mr.Bianchi tried to insist he could do it.

Turning back to the water. Lark reached out to turn the water off and ended up hitting one of the dirty dishes in the process. Leading to her getting her white shirt wet, and having her light blue bra becoming see-through. "Oh no," Lark mumbled quietly, blushing a bright pink as she turned the water off and looked down at her shirt. She didn't plan to stay so long so she didn't bring any spare clothing. "I uh," Lark paused, feeling extremely embarrassed. She wanted to just do something nice for Mr.Bianchi and she goes and makes a fool of herself. "I'm gonna go and borrow something dry from Noemi's room" She turned slowly, trying to shield her wet shirt from the older man's gaze as she tried to make her way out of the Kitchen.

----

It's been a very prosperous night. The women were doing their thing, stringing along with drunken men and lining his wallets. Drunk men coming in from down the street for some pussy and more drinks once the bartender kicks them out. Life at the Penthouse was looking up for August. He was making that cash, he was sleeping with a different beautiful woman each night. Life was good. Life was fucking good.

Raising his beer to his lips, August paused as he watched a pretty little thing stumbling along. His eyes trailing those desirable legs of hers, up to that face that had lips that look like they were made to suck dick. "Well damn, things just seem to be getting better for me." August murmured as he stood up from the wall he was leaning against. August set his beer down on the ground and smoothly walked over towards the wobbly girl. A look of concern taking over his features as he neared her. Putting on the perfect act.

"Hey, careful," August said calmly as Noemi swayed as she stood at the crosswalk. His lips turned into a small frown as he took her in. Eyes were dilated, she smelled of booze and she was dressed to kill. This girl was looking for trouble and unfortunately for her. She found it. "Why don't you take a seat for a moment before you fall over?" August suggested as he slowly led the young girl to an upside-down crate and helped her sit. "Do you want some water?" He asked, making sure to sound worried as he spoke to her. Wanting to gain her trust before taking her inside of his club.

The clattering sound of a plate splashing into water was enough to draw Luciano's attention back towards the sink. Lark had insisted on doing the dirty dishes and while Luciano wasn't happy about it, if the girl wanted to help and be respectful, he would let her, but being a guest... He didn't like it. He could hear her low mumbles, embarrassed by what she had done. Luciano stopped wiping clean the dining table, his eyes having been stuck on Lark the whole time. When she turned around, her arms doing her best to hide her soaking shirt, Luciano felt his eyebrows rise to his hairline. Her shirt was completely soaked, the white now entirely see-through, sticking to every bit of her torso. Her baby blue bra was displayed for him, the shirt clinging to her cleavage.

"Oh no," he whispered, feeling how his adam's apple moved as he swallowed thickly. His eyes followed her as she ran from the kitchen, and before thinking about it, he followed. "Lark?" He called after her, knowing full well he should just let her go. It was obvious she was embarrassed, trying to hide from him. The young girl didn't want to let him see her like this, but despite his better judgement, he followed her out of the kitchen. "We'll get that cleaned for you, okay?" The older man smiled, trying to assure her that it was all fine. He took her hand and led her up the stairs to his daughter's bedroom, knowing she could've found it on her own, but he wanted to be helpful and... leading her upstairs just gave him an excuse to steal glances towards her transparent shirt. Her breasts looked firm and supple, and he bet once her bra came off, they'd be perky, too.

Opening the door to Noemi's bedroom, he pointed towards her closet. "I'm sure she wouldn't mind if you stole one of her bras as well. Once you've changed let me have your wet clothes and I'll toss them in the laundry?" Luciano watched the young girl disappear into the bedroom, and while he wanted to stay in the doorway and watch, from where he stood, he had a perfect view towards the closet, he knew that was incredibly inappropriate. He forced himself to lean in and grab the door knob, closing the door almost entirely, before stepping back and waiting in the hall.

---

Noemi had been resting against the post, doing her best to keep herself standing when the strange man came jogging across the street to check on her. Turning her head towards him, she saw two of him, and she wondered if that bartender had possibly made all of her shots doubles. The stranger was tall, with broad shoulders, his arms looked big and powerful, and when his hands rested on her shoulders, she felt terrified. He moved her away from the crosswalk light, towards something she could sit on.

"I-I'm not going to fall," she tried to fight against him, her hand pushing against his chest as he offered her water. Trying to stand back to her feet, it soon became obvious this man wasn't about to let her leave. Her eyes turned back to the street, seeing that it was now clear for her to walk, but she had no way of getting around this stranger. Looking up into his eyes, it was too dark out to make out their color and she was to inebriated, "I'm just trying t-to get home. I-I'm fine, thank you-" she tried to stand once more, but the world was spinning.

She felt a sense of dread fill her, her heart coming up in her throat as she felt the man's hands on her. Noemi had always been slightly paranoid when she would sneak from her home and come downtown, especially when she didn't make it home before the sun set, but nothing had happened to her yet... Had she finally found trouble? Her hands started to tremble, and not from the copious amounts of alcohol she had ingested, but rather, from wondering what this stranger's intentions were.

@ FallenHope95

@ dezz
Hearing her name being called caught Lark's attention. "Yes?" She asked quietly, pausing in the hall as Mr.Bianchi called out to her. Bright green eyes watching as the older man came out into the hall after her. An while she was embarrassed as hell to be seen in a wet shirt by her friend's dad, she honestly didn't mind. Mr.Bianchi was a very kind man. He would never do something weird or inappropriate to her. So, she was completely relaxed as she accepted his help. Her hand holding his as she followed. Her eyes looking around the hall as she tried to remember what they were going in case she got lost or something. Seeing as this mansion was huge.

As they got to Noemi's door, Lark looked up towards Mr.Bianchi as he let her hand go and spoke to her. "I'll make sure to give Noemi her clothes back next time I see her, then," Lark said quietly as she walked into the bedroom. While she'd only ever been in there a couple of times, it still blew Lark away. The room was about the size of the kitchen and the living room put together in the apartment. The walls a light purple, and the four-poster queen-sized bed was decorated in a pretty floral design. Lark remembered hearing Noemi complaining about it being too girly and childish, but Lark thought it was cute.

Walking towards the closet, Lark opened the double doors and looked inside. It was shocking how much this girl had. Slowly, Lark started to pull her wet shirt off. The material sticking to her skin and making it a little tougher to pull off then it should be. Then, still holding the mostly wet shirt in her hand, Lark used her free hand to undo her bra and then dropped it. She used the dry parts of her uniform shirt and dabbed at her damp skin. Then she wiped under her breasts. Her nipple pebbled at the cool feel of the water being dabbed from them. Then, Lark dropped the shirt and reached into the closet. Pulling out a bra that was about two sizes to small, a barely noticeable difference when dressed, but enough anyone staring would notice her breasts spilling out of them. Then, she grabbed a random v-neck grey shirt and pulled it on.

Once she was dressed, Lark ran her fingers through her hair for a few moments before turning to leave the room. Unbeknown to her that if Luciano wanted to, he could have watched her through the reflection of the mirror in the room. "Thank you for letting me borrow some clothed, Mr.Bianchi. Where's the laundry room so I can throw my things in?" Lark asked, kindly, hiding her bra under her wet shirt to keep it from the view of the older man.

----

It seemed that this stupid girl still had the common sense to not trust a random guy. Especially one that was offering her things out of nowhere. That was a good sign, as no one wanted a stupid bitch that would just lay on their back and spread their legs whenever a man snapped his fingers. No, a man wanted some fun. Rather it was a bitch with a foul mouth or one that wasn't willing to follow the status quo and this girl. She was seeming to be tilting between both categories. She was sure to be fetching him a nice price on the streets if he managed to sink his claws into her skin.

"Hey hey hey, easy their tiger," August said quietly, trying to seem as soothing as possible to the young girl. He held his hands out in front of him in a non-threatening movement. "I'm not interested in hurting you, you can barely stand at all. I'm just trying to make sure that you don't fall and crack your head open." August spoke, keeping his words low and unthreatening. Not wanting to cause this girl that he found to scream for help and get people's attention on them. Even though there were little to no people out wandering around yet. It was approaching eight at night. The bars usually didn't start getting busy until almost ten. So they had some time before people started to come their way.

After a couple of moments, August took a step back from the girl. Almost certain that she wasn't going to fall over on her own. "I'm August. What's your name?" He asked the young drunk girl, wanting to gain her trust. "Do you have a phone on you? Someone who can come and pick you up?" Hopefully, the girl will be too drunk and hand it over to him. Asking him to call someone for her. That way, he can pretend and then just tell her that they didn't pick up. Telling her that she'll have to wait at his club for the person to call. Then, he'll walk into the back with her phone and call, but only after getting her to like him first.

Holding out his hand slowly as he noticed that the girl was a little slow on acting, August offered a small smile. "I can call them for you if you're scared." He told her quietly, offering what he would consider as a kind heated smile. "It might be better since I won't be the one stuttering." He said lightly, offering a bit of teasing to fill his tone.

Luciano had restrained himself, waiting out in the hall, away from the cracked open door. He knew he could've looked inside, could've used his daughters mirror that was adjacent from the closet to peep in on Lark while she changed. Oh, how he wanted to. When he heard her footsteps drawing closer, he took another step back, straightening the collar on his shirt as she stepped back out into the hall.

"Oh, don't worry about that, I'll take them for you." Luciano reached out to take the pile of damp clothes from the young girl. It was obvious she had meticulously folded her shirt to hide the blue bra from his view, but he had already seen it. When she had tried to run from the kitchen, her arms doing their best to conceal her chest, she had failed. It was still fresh in his mind, and without thinking, his eyes lowered to her torso to see what shirt she had borrowed from Noemi. Instead, he was met with the shape of Lark's breasts, the bra she had taken doing their best to conceal her, but she was spilling out over the top and the tight shirt revealed that. His cock twitched beneath his trousers and for a moment, he thought about pinning her against the wall and letting his hands explore beneath her shirt.

Forcing his eyes away, he plastered a small back across his face. "Come on, follow me. I'll throw these in with the laundry. By the way, do you have any idea where Noemi keeps running off to? That girl is about to find herself in some hot water if she keeps sneaking out."

Leading Lark down to the laundry room, Luciano opened the washer that was already spinning with a load of laundry and tossed the girls clothes inside. "They'll be clean and dry before you know it." He turned to face Lark, letting his hands rest on his hips. "Kind of rude for Noemi to disappear after bringing a friend home. I thought I raised her better," he sighed, running a hand through his perfectly polished hair. "I'm sure we can find ways to entertain ourselves while we wait for her to return." Luciano knew exactly what he would like to do, his eyes running down the girls frame. She was built similar to his daughter, a petite body, with an hourglass shape, though her breasts were much bigger. That was evident by the bra she was wearing now.

---

Noemi, though drunk, was still skeptical of the man. Of all the times she had walked home buzzed or drunk on this side of town, never had anyone approached her to help. Red flags were going off in her head. Still, her vision was doubled and everything seemed to be swaying back and forth. "Noemi..." She whispered, almost unsure of if she wanted the man to know her name or not.

When the man offered his hand, Noemi looked up at him and narrowed his eyes. You could never trust your perception when you were drunk, but it appeared the man before her was attractive. He was dressed nicely too, dark jeans and a thin long sleeved brown shirt. His beard was kept neat and tidy and he just looked like someone you didn't have to be afraid of, regardless of how large his biceps were.

Slowly, Noemi reached for his hand, feeling like any minute she might throw up. "Now that you mention water, actually..." Noemi reached her free hand up to cup the side of her face, as if that would help the world from spinning. "My dad is going to kill me," she slurred, holding onto the man's hand tightly to anchor herself. Fumbling in her purse for her phone, Noemi finally found it and pulled it out. Already, she could see she had a few missed calls, but the girl was so drunk she couldn't even slide her thumb up the screen to unlock it. Instead, it fell from her hand and landed face down on the sidewalk. "Oh fuck," she cussed, thinking she was leaning down to grab her phone, but instead, she was leaning into the strangers arms.

@ FallenHope95

@ dezz
"Unfortunately, I don't." Lark said quietly, not noticing where his gaze had traveled as he looked at her. Thinking that he was just worried that she was still wearing something wet and wanted to make sure she was comfortable and dry. Following Luciano into the laundry room, Lark looked around slowly. Amazed that even the room that they did laundry in was so big. It made the multi-washer and dryer at the apartment complex seem small and out of date.

Bringing her gaze back towards Luciano, Lark offered a small smile to the man. "Would you mind looking at the new photos I took for school before I took them in?" Lark asked, hoping that he wouldn't mind doing so. Being the CEO of a modeling company, Lark knew that Mr.Bianchi had a keen eye for detail, it was how the Crimson Modeling Agency was able to take off so well and so quickly. Becoming one of the top modeling companies in the world. Taking modeling deals from all over the world.

Once Luciano agreed to look at the pictures, Lark couldn't help but grin widely. She loved having people critique her work. Wanting to get as good as she could, and hopefully, one day becoming a professional. Leaving the laundry room, Lark walked to the front of the mansion where her bag was. She kneeled and pulled out the borrowed camera from the school and handed it to Luciano to start looking through. "The theme was nature. So I went to the park down the street from the school to take them." Lark said, looking up at Luciano for a moment before standing up straight.

----

A small amused chuckle escaped from August as he paid close attention to the young girl in front of him. Whoever were her parents, were good at teaching their kids to be careful of strangers because this girl wasn't moving an inch. No matter how nice he tried to act towards her. She just kept giving him this look that told him that she was onto him, which, was preposterous considering he was always the gentleman out on the streets.

Then, it started to seem like his good fortune was starting to shine through. August reached out to shake hands with the lovely little thing. A small smile on his lips as he learned the drunk girls' name. "Noemi. What an unusual name." He mused, never hearing something so unique in his life. He knew a few Naomi's, and a few Noels, but not a Noemi. Until today at least. "Oh, dear." August mused as he watched Noemi drop her phone. Doing his best to not chuckle at the clumsiness of the girl, August leaned down and picked the phone up.

Letting out a quick blow to blow away the dust and few specks of broken class, August saw that it wasn't too badly broken. It'd still fetch for a pretty good deal at the pawnshop. "Why don't I contact your father for you," August suggested, not moving away as the girl moved towards him. Wanting her to feel as relaxed as possible as she leaned against him. Meanwhile, his eyes glanced down at the home screen and he couldn't help but arch his eyebrow at what he saw. Luciano Bianchi was posing with this girl. Hell, this was a freaking selfie in some backyard. Who the fuck was this girl and how did she know an underground crime lord?

Luciano had been quiet surprised when Lark brought up her photography. He admittedly didn't know much about the girl, but knowing she was interested in something he was so well versed in... Well, wasnt that just a lovely coincidence? A large smile appeared on his face, his eyes lighting up as he showed all of his teeth. "I'd love to," he insisted, his tongue running over his bottom lip as he raised his arms and ushered Lark out of the laundry room. He knew the sort of position he was in, he definitely had power and he knew how to use that to his advantage. Following Lark down the hall, his eyes fell to her ass, watching the way her hips swayed. He wondered if she was conscious of it, being a little tease.

"Alright, let's see what we've got," Luciano raised an eyebrow before taking the camera from the pretty little thing. Holding the camera in both hands, he slowly went through the photos. Lovely scenes of hummingbirds flying around flowers, the purple and red shades of a beautiful sunset, fish swimming in circles around each other in a little pond. "Well, you certainly have an eye for your subject," he commented, his brow knitting together as he continued to explore the photos. "but taking the photo is only half the job. editing is where you give it your own flare." Handing the camera back to the girl, he couldn't help but purse his lips.

"Very fine photos," Luciano trailed his words, his hands going to fold behind his back. Such a lovely idea was forming in his mind... The perfect way to sink his claws into the little birdie at his feet. "Are you serious about this passion, Ms. Basset? If so, there's only so much you'll learn in a high school photography class. What if I were to offer you an internship over the weekends?" Luciano could already see the excitement in her eyes, but he was quick to remind her that his business wasn't child's play. "Before you accept, it will be a lot of hard work. But rewarding beyond what you could even imagine."

---

Leaning against August's chest, through the thick fog that blanketed her mind, all she could focus on was how hard he felt. Was this man nothing but pure muscle? She could hear him blowing off her phone, bits of glass flying off into the air, but her eyes were practically closed as she rested against him. Her head was spinning, the concrete sidewalk beneath her feet felt like a rolling ocean wave and the more seconds passed the more nauseated she felt. Forcing her eyes open when August offered to call her father for her, she felt terrified. "N-No, wait-" she reached out, her hand wrapping around her phone in his hand, "he's gonna kill me and then he might kill you too," she slurred.

Her father was going to lose his shit. If he found out his perfect daughter was publicly intoxicated, falling all over the streets in downtown... She would never see the light of day again. Embarrassing a crime lord? Noemi wouldn't live another day to regret it. Shaking her head lazily, she tried pulling the phone from his hand, but it seemed he refused to let go. Or was she really trying to take it from him? Noemi didn't know. "You..can't tell 'im," her voice shook, cracking out of fear that was so obvious, even underneath the heavy scent of liquor. "He can't know... C-Can.. you just help me call a taxi?" Noemi lifted her brilliant blue eyes up to August's face, suddenly feeling like her heart was missing every other beat. She could hear the pounding in her ears, like she was in danger, as if her own body was trying to warn her.

August's face was set into a hard glare, though the corners of his mouth were twitching up into a little smirk. "A-Are you listening to me?" Noemi asked, feeling like dread was beginning to swallow her whole. Trying to rip her phone out of his hand again, a little whimper left her lips, "P-please, c'mon, I-I need to leave, I-" just the little bit of energy Noemi was exerting trying to grab her phone had her feeling completely worn out. Her body betrayed her and she fell back against his chest, her temperature rising.

@ FallenHope95