AN: I know, I know. I've taken way too long to update, but hey, think of it like this. PD gets updated more than my Twilight stories! And my Heroes one. ... And, pretty much everything else, unless it's a oneshot. XD Anyhoo, enjoy.

Part Four: The Lioness Mask

Chapter Ten: Alessandro

Torrence and Auriella stared at the mansion in complete awe, both of them rooted to the spot. Blaze tried to look unaffected by it, but Hailley could see that she kept sneaking glances at it with a look of slight shock. Conrad laughed at the three girls he had accompanied, nudging Nikolas and Chris.

"They act like they've never seen Hailley's place," Conrad commented, unphased.

"Hail's is nothing compared to this place!" Blaze grabbed his hand, holding on. "Rich white people..."

Hailley inspected the house, feeling as though it was slightly familiar. Hadn't she been down this street not too long ago? "It's just a house."

"A house, she says," Chris scoffed, smiling at his sister who shrugged.

"Nikolas!"

"Alessandro!"

The boy from the morning walk rushed out of the door, jumping on Nick, practically knocking him to the ground. The two boys kept thumping each other on the back, their grins stretching from ear to ear.

Hailley inhaled sharply, sucking in air and holding her breath. Torrence glanced at her from the corner of her eye, a small smile playing on her lips.

"Breathe," the blue-eyed girl commanded.

The brunette drew oxygen in, feeding her lungs. What was wrong with her? "Oh," she sighed.

"Are you okay?" Torrie asked her, her eyes glued to the banter of the long-time friends. She was attempting to not draw attention to Hailley.

"I just... I don't know. I haven't been sleeping very well."

"If you're sure..."

"Nick!" A girl stepped out of the door, appearing where Alessandro had been. She was tall and slim, with pale skin and beautiful red hair. Hailley turned to look at her now, taking her in.

"Kearney, wow. You look great!" Nick exclaimed, running up the stairs to embrace her. "I'm surprised Aidrian lets you anywhere out of his sight!"

"I admit, he does have issues," Kearney laughed in agreement.

Nick turned back to the group waiting awkwardly behind him, both his arms around his friends—the two very different siblings, Hailley supposed. "Guys, this is Alessandro, and his sister Kearney." He then proceeded to name each of the group in turn. When Nick said Hailley's name, she could have sworn that Alessandro had winked at her.

She smirked, biting the inside of her cheek. He remembered her, which meant that he remembered her sad and embarrassing meeting with him. Why did this have to be Nikolas's friend?

"Well, come on in!" Kearney exclaimed cheerfully. Hailley took a step closer to her, and she ended up gasping. The girl's eyes were two different colors! The color difference was so amazing—bright green and sparkling blue.

"When I was younger, I always begged my mother to have the same eyes as Kearney," Alessandro whispered, coming up beside her as they followed the hostess.

The front foyer was huge, the ceiling high above Hailley's head. Before her was a large staircase, grand for the old days of fabulous Hollywood parties where the hostess would glide down, becoming the center of attention. A warmth enveloped her. She wanted a staircase just like that when she was on her own.

Hailley slowly let her gaze move on from that staircase to Alessandro's eyes. Another sort of warmth overwhelmed her. His eyes were perfect the way they were—like the gray of a coming storm. "What would she tell you in return?"

Alessandro shrugged, a well of sorrow pooling into those eyes of his. "She always asked me why I didn't want to share her eyes."

"I... I'm sorry for your loss," Hailley croaked, seeing the pain of his loss everywhere.

"It's okay," he told her, managing a small smile.

Hailley nodded, but a pain tore at her. She wanted a mother so much. Even if she lost her mother, she wanted the opportunity to mourn her.

"Why do you look so sad?" Alessandro whispered, looking concerned for her. She shook her head, unable to answer.

"Andro, where's your aunt?" Nikolas called out. "You have to meet her. She's so cool," he continued to tell the group.

Hailley watched them. What was wrong with her? She should have been happy, vibrant, chatty. She should have been sociable. Instead, she was standing in a corner, talking to this boy, feeling sorry for herself.

"Hailley?"

"I haven't been sleeping well." She grinned, shrugging her shoulders as if she wasn't in agony inside her heart.

"Still on those morning walks?"

"No."

She stared at him, confused. He was cute, and he seemed interesting, but their was a dull connection between them. It was as though something was telling her to stay away from him. She wasn't crushing; that she could definitely feel.

Alessandro placed his warm hand on her arm, still concerned. "Are you sure you're okay? You look..."

"I look...?" She prompted, curious as to what he thought.

"Haunted," he finished, frowning with his lame description.

"What are you talking about?" She laughed shrilly—fakely--and flipped her hair with her hand. She gave him a look before walking away, leaving him only a few feet behind.

It didn't make her feel good about herself, lying to Alessandro, lying to herself, but she'd get over it.

She frowned as she bounced on over to Blaze. Alessandro was making her feel terrible about herself. She hated that.

Blaze slung her arm around Hailley's shoulders, hugging her tight. Alessandro came over to join them only seconds later.

Nick grinned at his friend. "Sorry that the others couldn't make it, man. I know they tried."

Andro shrugged, smiling as well. "I understand. It was short notice."

"Hey, we should go out tonight! Head to a club and hang," Auriella suggested, beaming wide.

What the hell was up with everybody being so happy? Wasn't this guy's mom dead, and they were laughing and giggling. Didn't anybody realize how serious that was?

There was a group consensus, though. They were all going out to party.

Next Up: The mask in all its glory...