Bewitched
Chapter One: A Thorny Rose
My mother, Bianca, was a beautiful and capable woman. Everyone - men and women alike, admired her, but no one seemed intent on taking her seriously. She was like an expensive state-of-the-art gadget – everyone wanted to have one because it was more advanced and had more functions. Since it was too pricey (and there were cheaper gadgets), almost no one would buy her even though they could have earned for it. She was so 'different' that no one actually bothered to develop deep relationships with her.
When it seemed like Bianca would journey through her life alone, my father - Alessandro appeared into her lonely life.
For Bianca, Alessandro always made her feel weird and comfortable at the same time. She would blush or get flustered at the silliest/simplest things he did. She'd throw a tantrum or get fits when he gets touchy-feely with other girls...and guys. Sometimes. She couldn't help herself get jealous of men too. He had that power to make her world disoriented.
Alessandro was everyone's man. He was funny, intelligent, handsome, wealthy, and people oriented. Yes, he's a rake, but he was in good terms with everyone he crossed paths with. Even though he acted like a best friend to almost everyone, he wasn't really 'in touch' with everyone but his family.
That is, until he met Bianca. Bianca – for him, was the cutest and probably the most eccentric girl he had met. It amazed him that no one actually took an interest on her. For him, her sophistication (she had the weirdest ability to make her every move look graceful that it makes him laugh so much) and simplicity (she's kind off slow when it comes to social matters) was the most attractive thing about her.
Alessandro's parents didn't approve his love for Bianca. Bianca, they reasoned, just came from a 'normal' family and that she would bring misfortune to them. Even though they threatened to disown him, Alessandro refused to abide by his parents' decision.
After a few years, they decided to get married. It was a tough decision for Alessandro, but he had to face his fears. He visited the house of his supposed fiancé. Her name was Ella. The woman was pretty, but her beauty could not compete with Bianca's.
"Alessandro...do you truly choose her over me?" she silently asked.
Alessandro's features softened as he nodded. "Ella, I love her." He replied slowly.
"My love for you...it seems it didn't reach you fully." She sighed as she looked down. Tear drops fell from her face filled with hurt.
Bianca bit her lip and looked away, struggling to stop herself from running away. Ella looked at Bianca, assessing her from head to toe. Ella smiled weakly at her. She understood Bianca's discomfort very well. It was as if Ella saw her very being as soon as their eyes met.
"It's not your fault, Bianca." She murmured as she shifted her eyes towards Alessandro. Her sad eyes instantly turned into hatred as she glared at him. "But I'm not sorry for cursing your first daughter, Alessandro." Her words were full of venom and acid. Despite himself, Alessandro seemed taken aback by Ella's sudden ruthlessness.
The world seemed to have frozen as she spoke on. "The touch of the opposite gender shall ignite flames of intense hatred, but if true love happens to blossom between them despite of that, the curse shall be broken."
Line break!
"Lo-vi-na Var-gas! Are you listening to me?" A voice pierced through my trail of thoughts.
I blinked innocently at my best friend, Bella. "I am. What about your seatmate?"
"He keeps borrowing my stuff. What should I do?" she groaned. Bella can be such a punching bag sometimes. It's nice and cute of her to be nice to almost everyone, but sometimes she gets taken advantaged off.
"Kick his balls repeatedly." I smirked.
"Lovina!" she laughed as she playfully punched my shoulder. "You're such a brute when it comes to boys." She grinned.
"I don't like them." I distastefully said.
"I feel sorry for the guys who have an interest on you." Bella sighed. "I mean, you're nice to me, but when it comes to men, you're like a mafia boss – intimidating and unapproachable."
It's true. I really have a mega-esque irrational hatred on men and I blame it on my curse. I've been trying to suppress my hatred for men, but I almost always fail. The one of the guys I've managed to be somehow nice with was my younger twin's boyfriend, Ludwig.
"That's not true. I'm...civil with Po-Ludwig." I managed to spat out.
"You were about to say 'Potato'." Bella pointed out.
"That's an achievement," I smirked. "I've been practicing not saying 'Potato' whenever he's around."
"I wish some guy would see that you're trying your best to be good to be good to them."
"Oh shut up Bella," I blushed lightly. "I only did that because Feliciana really likes him." I sighed.
Line break!
During Wednesdays and Thursdays, I usually hang out with my club mates. After saying a quick goodbye to Bella (She's in the Cooking Club), I plopped on a nearby chair near Kiku Honda, the president of the Art Club. He's a silent guy – whenever he talked, he would always stun everyone with his wise words or in some rare cases, his eccentricity (you'll find that out later, I promise). I find his company tolerable and a bit enjoyable.
Kiku looked up from the manga he was reading and flashed a tiny smile. "Good afternoon Lovina-san."
"Good afternoon Kiku," I replied. "What are you reading?"
"Naruto. I bought 5 volumes."
"Hmm, can I borrow one?" my frown managed to twitch upwards (I tried to smile, goddammit!).
Kiku just nodded as he returned reading the manga. We were usually like that – we minded our own business. It never bothers me. I like the feeling of being free to do what I want without being scrutinized by jerks.
"Lovina, want to sketch with me somewhere?" Matthew suddenly asked.
Matthew Williams, the resident invisi-guy, was also one of my favourites. He's nice and soft-spoken but he just blends too well with the background that almost everyone doesn't realize his good side. If you ask me, he's a good boyfriend material. I don't really like like him, but he's the least irritating guy out there.
"Sure. How about Kiku?" I reluctantly at the Japanese who was engrossed with the Naruto manga. Kiku noticed me looking and made a 'you can go' gestures with his free hand.
We went to the north conservatory. The school's conservatory is really large , mainly because the principal and the school board are such plant freaks. This is my favourite place – it's silent, cold, and shady; plus, I can eat some tomatoes while I'm there.
Matthew sat on one of the benches and started drawing. I left him, partly because of the tomato hunting, but also for the space he needs. An artist can produce his/her best when his/her environment and he/she himself/herself is connected to each other.
I took my time exploring the conservatory. I passed through various trees, when voila! I found the tomato patch hidden behind banana trees. I plucked a few tomatoes and wiped them clean with my handkerchief. The juicy goodness boosted my energy that I wandered to one of the previously unexplored parts of the conservatory. I was lost.
I fumbled my pockets for my phone...and it turns out I fucking left it inside my bag. If I called Matthew for help, he wouldn't be able to notice it. He really gets disconnected from human contact as soon as he starts sketching. Sighing in defeat, I decided to try tracing back my steps.
I'm starting to get nervous. I've been fucking walking around like a dumbass but I keep on getting back at the same place! Shit! I felt tears threatening to spill when someone called.
"Feli? Is that you?" a Spanish accented voice called out.
I felt myself twitch involuntarily. It's a male's voice. My body reacted instantly – I felt myself getting angrier and more frustrated. My palms are sweating and my breathing became laboured. Uh-Oh, I thought. Since I've been stressing out on being lost, I might not be able to control myself from lashing out on him. I gulped hard.
"Feli, I thought you were with the Volleyball Club with Elizaveta," he said, touching my shoulder. When I didn't reply, he went in front of me. "Feli, are you alri-
He stopped in midsentence. He blinked at me in confusion. I sighed inwardly – he must think I'm weird because I'm practically glowering at him right now.
"You're not Feli." He simply said, grinning like an idiot.
WHAT. Why was he grinning? Did I have something on my face? I absentmindedly touched my face for any signs of tomato seeds. None.
"You're..." his head tilted to his left as he tried to think of something. "...Lovina? Did I guess it right? Wah, you two really look alike!" His goofy smile was plastered on his face again.
"Get..." I suddenly rasped. I'm at my limit. I don't have patience for blabbering idiots.
"Get?" he blinked.
"GET OUT MY FUCKING SIGHT YOU DORK!" I shrieked angrily. Sweet merciful gods - that felt great! My body relaxed, and I felt in control over my vicious man-hating hormones again.
I looked straight at the Spanish idiota and I regretted doing so. His face was blank.
Probably because of shock.
I panicked a bit – he didn't do anything to me and yet I...FUCK IT! Even though I know I did something wrong against him, I still didn't feel helping/do something good for him. But he's Feli's friend...and she'd be upset (again) if she finds out what I did just now.
"Hey..." I tugged on his shirt. "I-I-I-Hate-Err, I'm s-s-s-s-sorry for yelling at you like that, bastard. I got a bit upset, that's all." I spat out as I blushed. I knew I was far from being nice (obviously), but I tried.
He still didn't move. I looked at him anxiously – was I THAT scary and terrible to him? Shit shit! I started to run in circles because of panic when I accidentally tripped and sprained my ankle.
"OOOUCH!" I yelled.
He seemed to have noticed what happened to me because for a split second he was a meter away, but now...
"Hey, are you alright, Lovina?" he asked, concerned. He was in front of me. He must be from the Track and Field Club.
"I...I'm alright, bastard." I struggled to reply politely. I felt myself trying to wiggle out of his grasp as he carried me bridal style. The movement put a strain on my ankle and I felt the pain get worse.
"Don't move too much Lovina." He warned.
I forced myself to restrain myself from hitting him. It was hard to do, but I had to. He looked at me from time to time with a worried and curious stare. I felt so vulnerable – I've never been treated like this before. It was all new to me. I hated the feeling.
End of the Chapter
A/N: Hi guys. This is my first Hetalia fan fic! I hope you guys will like it. o 3 o Reviews are appreciated. It's been a long time since I've made a fan fic, so bare with my amateur writing skills.
