The Hearts of Venice
Chapter 2
"I'm starving!" Bo pouted out of all the commotion.
"Don't worry about it. I've stolen many biscuits recently from a famous restaurant across town." Scip grinned.
"Yay Scipio!" Bo hugged the teen's legs tightly. Scipio grabbed an old, brown sack and dumped out all of its contents.
"Wow…" Marie said in awe, and then smirked as if to actually say "You actually did a good job!"
"Are you sure there's enough?" Selena asked, looking concerned. She had counted the biscuits the moment they touched the table. There were only seven biscuits and eight people.
"There should be," but Scipio had to check too.
"Selena's right. There isn't enough. In that case-" Prosper was interrupted.
"I'm not hungry! I don't need one." Selena quickly lied. She knew Prosper would say he wouldn't have one. She didn't want him to starve.
Selena also knew she had some sort of feelings for this boy, but she felt they were wrong in a way. She just met them, and trusting people that easily was not the way to go. So why couldn't she just take her emotions, bottle them up, and forget about it?
"Ermm… no it's ok… I won't have one." Prosper responded, surprised by her offer.
"You guys go ahead and eat one. How bout I won't have one? Ok? Deal." Scipio wanted to be the savior. He wanted to prove to Selena that he was a leader.
No one said another word as they peacefully ate. Scipio held back his hunger as he watched his comrades dig in. It was hard to control his stomach but he managed to make it through most of the meal.
Once dinner was finished, Scipio assembled all the orphans.
"Ok, I have some good news."
"What is it???? Tell me!" Bo jumped excitedly.
"I have stolen some very valuable items from the palace near here." Scipio said as he took another brown sack into his hands.
Slowly emptying the contents, Scipio smiled once more.
"How is this?" The Thief Lord pointed at the stolen antiques.
"Beautiful…" Selena whispered in awe. There were pearl earrings, diamond necklaces, emerald sugar tongs, and so much more…
"Yes, it is gorgeous, isn't it?"
"Yeah." Selena looked up into Scipio's eyes for a moment, but retreated back.
"It's great, just wonderful Scipio." Hornet entered the conversation, trying to make her presence known.
What an idiot…I can't believe he's flirting with her. Hornet thought about Scip. But he didn't stay in his laid back mood. The Thief Lord had other business to attend to.
"Ok listen up; I'm going away tonight to do some business. I will be back to meet you guys here at noon. So don't stay out too late tomorrow trying to bargain with Barbarossa." Scipio said in a serious manner as he headed towards the door.
"Bye Scip!" All the regulars chorused together. Marie and Selena stood there almost awkwardly, soaking in the environment and new people.
Later that night, Selena was making her new bed, which was on the other side of Prosper's and Bo's.
"Selena, who old are you?" Bo asked innocently.
"I'm 13, and you?"
"So is Prosper! And I'm 6. I'm the youngest in the group, but don't worry, I'll take down anyone who comes in here and tries to destroy our family!" Bo loudly responded with a brave beam.
Selena grinned softly back. She couldn't help it. Reaching out to others wasn't her forte, but Bo was like a magnet.
But suddenly, out of the blue, he grabbed her leg and hugged it tight.
Selena responded with nothing. She just froze.
Wha…?
"Bo! How many times have I told you to not hug people?" Prosper scolded his little brother. Selena blushed at the sudden sight of Bo's older brother.
"I'm sorry. He is too friendly for his own good." Prosper apologized to the girl and began tucking Bo into his bed.
"It's ok." She quietly looked him in the eyes, and then continued to make her bed. Not knowing how to respond, he nodded back rather awkwardly.
While trying to fall asleep, Selena secretly watched Prosper and Bo prepare for bed. Prosper was tucking his brother into the covers.
"Goodnight Bo…" He whispered in the little angel's ear.
"Goodnight Prop…" He replied sweetly as he pulled the covers up to his neck. Slowly, Bo began to drift off to dreamland. And apparently snoretowne too.
Prosper kept his eyes open for a couple of minutes. He was lying in his bed and watched Bo snooze softly. But in a matter of minutes, he had joined his brother.
Selena spied on the two siblings. It was a beautiful sight… She didn't understand it. No one had ever been half as close to her as that. Prosper was holding Bo protectively in his arms, while the blonde angel was sleeping gracefully with his thumb in his mouth. It was so touching… She could've watched them for hours. The trust, friendship, and most of all; love.
She was jealous.