Cira Castello
"Nonna!" I say, as my grandma comes through the door. I see her petite frame pull me into a hug, and a glimpse of her brown/red hair that every Italian grandma has at one point.
"Ciao Bella." She murmurs. She smells fresh of lemon and oranges, she has a habit of boiling them over the stovetop to fragrance her entire house. "Buon compleanno Cira." She pulls a small red present from behind her.
"Nonna." I sigh, "You didn't have to get me anything."
"Ohh." She says blushing. "But you don't turn seventeen every day."
We walk to my kitchen where my papa is making some lasagna. My Nonna immediately crinkles her nose.
"White Italian food? I thought I taught you better."
"Ah Mama, you always have something to say," Papa says shaking his head and giving her a kiss.
My mom walks into the room, holding Pippa in one arm. Her hair is in curlers, and her eyes widen when she glances at my nonna. "Oh Donna Maria, I didn't know you were coming."
"Ah, you know my old brain. I forgot!" My Nonna cackles, dipping her finger into my dad's spaghetti sauce. "Add some salt figlio."
I start to unwrap her present, my breath catching when I unveil a beautiful leather journal. "Oh, Nonna." I gasp, my eyes start to tear up as I flip through the pages, finding dozens of handwritten recipes. From struffoli, Pandoro, cannoli, to different types of pasta like fettuccine, tortellini, ravioli. I find recipes for pesto and manicotti and basic salsa. My heart feels so full. "This is amazing."
I pull her into another hug while she blushes. "Ah Bella, my mama gave me a book just like this- and now I think you need one too."
I smile warmly. "Ti amo, Nonna."
"So, tell me, what's been going on." She says dramatically, plopping down on a seat next to our island. "I can tell you, Caterina from church, couldn't stop talking about her granddaughter, Amelia- she's getting married, But oh- is she young. I'm saying it now- that Amelia is nocked up!"
I snort, stifling my laughter with my hand, while my pappa rolls his eyes. Nonna's a little dramatic, especially about her church drama.
"I got an email from school Cira, prom's going to be in May." My mom says flipping through a country living magazine. "You gonna go?"
"Mhmm. I think." I say, twisting my hair nervously. What if Will doesn't ask me?
"Well, you better start working now." My nonna says.
I raise an eyebrow, "Work on what?"
"Slimming up. Theresa from church just started a new diet, with intermittent fasting- she's losing weight so fast. You should try it, it's from some magazine somewhere-"
"Yeah, no Nonna," I say, "those diets are never healthy."
"Plus Cira's beautiful." My mom adds, hugging me from behind. "Gorgeous actually- don't know how you turned out so beautiful. Papas genes are rough."
"Hey!"
"Yes, but how are you going to get a boyfriend. You know boys in the 21st century. All butts and boobs. What about marriage, you're getting older." Nonna says seriously.
"Nonna." I laugh, "I'm seventeen! I'm not getting married any time soon."
"You better not," Papa says sternly.
"Plus, if a boy doesn't love me, for all my natural glory-" I say dramatically-"He doesn't deserve me."
My mama smiles warmly.
"Plus. I don't think I'll have trouble with the whole boyfriend department." I whisper.
Suddenly the door opens, and Will enters, looking a little flustered, but he beams when he sees me. "Hey, sorry I was late-"
I stop him, pulling him into a kiss by the hem of his shirt. He looks surprised but smiles, handing me flowers. "Didn't know what to bring."
My Nonna's eyes are wide. Scanning Will up and down. Let's just say Will's a little bit gorgeous. Especially now that he's been allowed to resume training and has acquired thick yet lean muscles and abs that are very defined under his tight black Henley. He blue eyes flicker up towards my Nonna.
"Oh Hello." He says warmly. "I'm Cira's boyfriend, Will."
...
I lean against Will's chest as he plays with my hair, his fingers warm and gentle.
We're laying on my bed, watching the sunset lazily glare into my room- my balcony doors wide open.
"How's training going?" I ask absentmindedly. My eyes close. God, I love when he plays with my hair. It feels soo good.
"Good. I still have limited hours a day, but it's okay." Will replies. "I feel really good."
"Mhmm." I murmer. "Good."
"We just said a good way too many times." Will chuckles.
"I like the word good." I smile. "Depending on the sentence, I don't know the word changes."
"My therapist hates the word good."
"I thought therapists hate the word fine."
"That too." Will agrees. "I'm gonna get the words, 'I'm fine', tattooed on my forehead, so people can stop asking me how I'm feeling."
"You say it like it's a bad thing." I frown.
"Most people don't give a crap. They don't want to hear a rundown of how much I hated myself today, or that yesterday I almost purged- they don't really want to know."
"Well, I do," I say taking my hand in is, our finger's entertaining. "I want to know how you feel all the time, because you William Moore are utterly fascinating."
Will doesn't reply, he looks at me curiously before kissing me lightly on the lips. "Thank you."
"For what?" I ask, looking into his eyes. He chews on the inside of his cheek, unsure.
"For being here, staying with me. I know I'm not the easiest boyfriend."
"Hey, Hey," I said touching his face gently so I can see his purist emotions. "I don't care about how easy or hard things may be. I just care about you." I bite my lip. "And I could have been there for you, more than I was."
"You've done enough Cira," Will says. "Literally staying with me is enough."
"You'll always be enough."
...
"Ohh, Americain Eagle- please!" Anna gushes, grabbing my hand and guiding me through the busy crowded mall.
"Last time I'm going shopping on a Saturday!" Lyla huffs, straightening her shirt when we finally stop inside the store.
People whiz past us, and I clutch tightly on my shopping bags. I've probably raided every store here. Pink, check, Hollister, check, Hot Topic for some harry potter memorbilia, check.
"Ohh all the bathing suits are in from Aerie," Anna says happily. "Let's stock up before they're all gone."
"It's February!" I sigh. "Isn't it a bit too early."
"Spring break lands early this year!" Anna reminds us.
"I hate you." Lyla groans, "And I would hate you more, but damn these bikinis are pretty." She picks up a crocheted racerback bikini, which I thumbs up.
Anna grabs hold of one suit, with a plunging v-neck, and my eyes land on a turquoise bikini. I bite my lip nervously. A bikini? Could I wear one?
Lyla catches my eye and roughly grabs a set from the rack, stuffing it into my hands. "Come on try it on. It would look amazing on you."
Excitement bubbles in me. Okay maybe. Just because I tried one on doesn't necessarily mean I have to buy a bikini this year.
We go into the dressing room, and I quickly strip, sliding on the bikini set, the plastic liner on the bottom crinkling uncomfortably between my thighs.
I stare at myself in the reflection and adjust the bathing suit a few times.
I press down on my stomach. Maybe if I was a bit thinner?
I turn around, okay- at least my ass looked great.
But I was still unsure. Though my waist was cinched, and that was something I liked, the stretch marks on my hips made my breath catch.
They were like light white little dashes running through my skin. They weren't completely horrifying, but I trace them self consciously with my finger.
I open the door cautiously and find Anna and Lyla staring at themselves with approval.
"Love that pink on you," Lyla says before her gaze turns to me, "-Oh my god, Cira you look amazing!"
"You think?" I say nervously, biting my lip. I twirl for them while Anna and Lyla cheer.
Sometimes it's weird shopping with girls who are literal sticks. They look perfect in everything, can wear anything- but they always made sure to make me feel beautiful. Which is why I loved them.
"You need to buy that," Anna says. "Your glowing in it."
So I do.
...
We're walking out of the mall, my bags heavier, and my wallet a lot lighter, when a women in a dress suit, stops me. She has chic cropped grey hair,
"Hello." She says offering her hand in a shake. "My names Janet, I worked for Bloomsburg's Model Agency. I'm not working right now, but you have the looks to make it in the industry."
"Oh."
I stare at Anna and Lyla, whose jaws are wide open.
"What's your name, how old are you?"
"I'm Cira." I stammer, "I'm seventeen."
"Ohh. Young! Like Kaia Gerber."
Like the daughter of Cindy Crawford- wait what?
"I would love to work with you," She reaches into her purse, scrambling through it until she pulls out a business card. "Call me."
She walks away her heels making soft taps against the granite floor.
I turn to Anna and Lyla.
"What.. just happened." I murmur.
"You're gonna be a model!" Anna gushes.
"it doesn't work like that!" I stammer, "I have to be chosen- hell, I don't even want to be a model."
"You have to take this opportunity though," Lyla says. "You never know."
"Oh god." I laugh, rubbing my temple.
Things just got interesting.
(Hey! The Next chapter will be in Cira's POV too!)
Vote and comment if you enjoyed this chapter.
Also how many of you can relate to Cira's bikini shopping anxieties.
I sure can :)