Thalia

"I am exhausted!" I yawned before falling into the bed. I heard Marco snicker from the corner of the room but didn't bother moving.

"You had too much fun mi stella." I felt the bed sink next to me and turned to see Marco lounging casually. "You are a...social butterfly!"

"Ha! Did Francesco teach you that one?" I mused. I felt his hand begin to caress my back lightly. Being an Italian, Marco constantly felt the need to be touching, holding or caressing me to show affection. Not that I minded much.

"Yes he did...is that not how you use it?" He frowned.

"No it is. I was just laughing because that's totally a term he would use."

Marco seemed to relax at this and I couldn't help but giggle at his small insecurity. We were silent for a moment, and I had nearly fallen asleep at his gentle back rub and humming.

"Why did you never tell me you knew One Direction?" He finally voiced.

I peeked my eye open to see him staring at me intently. I let out a sigh. Time to come clean.

"Remember how I told you my mom and dad split when I was four?" I asked. He nodded and continued rubbing my back gently. "Well I met up with him again when I was eighteen because...well I dunno I guess I was curious about him or something. Anyway, turns out he was the head of security for One Direction."

I paused, debating if I wanted to tell him any more. Marco seemed to sense I was holding something back.

"So you met them because of your father...is that the only way you know them?" He pressed.

I let out a sigh, "well I went to go stay with my dad and so I ended up going to a lot of events and spending a lot of time with them...I even flew out with Mackenzie to visit them while they were touring New York."

I couldn't help but smile at the memory. New York was the first time Niall and Mackenzie had had sex. I still remember her freaking out afterwards. Why had they been able to make it but Harry and I couldn’t? We had been happy then. What happened to that?

"Which one did you date?" Marco asked bluntly.

"Marco!" I cried out, embarrassed at having been caught. "Why would you think that?"

"Because you were completely shocked they were here which means you don't talk anymore and you weren't excited to see them and reminisce! When I haven't seen my old friends I want to sit and talk with them for hours!"

"Well aren't you just a little Sherlock Holmes," I mumbled, completely dumbfounded that he had managed to guess all of that after one meeting. “You know they’re One Direction, they don’t have time to fraternize with non famous folk.”

“They had time when you lived in England,” he argued. I frowned at this.

“I guess I was just convenient,” I hissed. Aware that those words carried more meaning then he knew.

“I don’t believe you. I also don't believe that not one of them took an interest in you romantically. You're too gorgeous..."

I rolled my eyes and rolled over so I was no longer facing him. My silence was an admission to Marco.

"So which one was it?" He pressed.

"Oh I thought you'd figured that out too seeing as you're so clever," I huffed.

"Thalia..." Marco sighed.

I stood up and walked into the bathroom, being sure to lock the door behind me. I leant over the sink in attempt to catch my breath. I thought I had done such a good job at hiding it...

"Thalia don't be mad," Marco's voice called from behind the door.

"I'm not mad Marco I'm just changing," I called back. I unzipped the elegant dress and carefully hung it back on its hanger. After brushing my teeth and washing my face I took a deep breath and unlocked the door. Marco was right there waiting.
"Marco I'm not ma-"

But he cut me off with a gentle kiss. "Yes you are and I'm sorry that I'm the one who made you so."

I rolled my eyes at his chivalry and let him lead me to the bed. As we lay he pulled me close and kissed my forehead.

"Are you going to let yourself be in a bad mood the rest of the time they are here?" He whispered.

"No," I replied, breaking into a smile.

"Promise?"

"Promise."

We fell into another silence and while Marco pretended to be falling asleep, I knew he was now just as awake as I was. My mind was racing. Should I tell Marco? But how could I not? Shouldn't he have the right to know that his girlfriend's ex is staying at his home?

"Harry." I whispered. Marco's eyes snapped opened and I buried my face into his chest to escape his gaze. "I dated Harry."

"I should have known," he mused. "Did he hurt you?"

"Hurt me?" I frowned. My mind immediately flashed to Calhan my ex before Harry and his temper. But Harry had always been gentle.

"Your heart mi amore," Marco whispered. "Did he hurt your heart?"

"Yes," I answered truthfully. "But no more than I hurt his I'm sure."

"Of course it has to be the one my sister is interested in," he huffed.

I froze at his words. Nicola liked Harry? Don't be stupid Thalia of course she liked Harry. And he would no doubt be after her seeing as she’s a drop dead gorgeous Italian model. The pang of that realization was almost as bad as seeing him in person tonight.

Marco kissed my forehead and pulled me closer. I breathed in his scent and tried to push Harry out of my head. But you can guess how easy that was.

-

"Come on," I begged. "Let's get out of here."

"We're not leaving the others Thalia."

"Please? It can be a romantic day by the ocean," I said, wrapping my arms around Marco and brushing my lips against his. "Just the two of us."

"Have you always been so evil? Or have I just never noticed it?"

"I'm not evil!"

"No, no you're right," Marco laughed, before kissing me gently. "Just diabolical."

Marco pinched my ass causing me to let out a gasp. I moved to hit him but was distracted by someone calling my name.

"Thal! For heavens sake don't beat the poor man!"'

"Whatever daddy direction," I teased before giving Laim a hug. "Glad to see you all, for a second I thought you weren't going to make it."

"She was ready to leave you all behind," mused Marco.

"We did say 5am sharp," I replied, shooting him a small glare. He broke into a smile before kissing my temple.

"Uh how are we getting there?" Asked Louis, looking around.

"We'll have to take two cars. Why don't you all take Harry's...Nicola and I will take this one?"

"Marco I-"

"Please mi amore?" He pressed. "I would like some quality time with my sister."

"No problem mate!" Louis said, wrapping his arm around my shoulder before messing up my hair. "We'll take care of her!"

"We don't know how to get there," voiced Harry.

Marco tossed him a map and flashed a smile. "You might want to let Thalia navigate, she's the best co-pilot. Good luck!"

"We'll see you there!" Beamed Nicola. "Don't take any wrong turns!"

"What is this like a right of passage or something?" Frowned Liam.

"That's exactly what this is. Only the worthy can find it," laughed Marco. "Be careful with my girl."

And with that they were gone. I was left alone with One Direction. I turned to see Louis, Niall, and Liam all smirking at me. I didn't even look at Harry as I grabbed my things and climbed in the front seat. Great. Just fucking great.

I threw my feet up on the dash as the boys climbed in the car. Harry, of course, was driving. Imagine a family road trip of two divorced parents chaperoning three children with ADHD and you're pretty much nailed us.

"Where is this place again?"

"Nonexistentville."

"Hey do you think they're just fucking with us? And that they're actually sitting in the villa having a nice laugh right about now?"

"Take the next left," I said pointing out the windshield. I had been staring fixedly at the map the entire time so as to avoid eye contact with Harry.

"So what have you been up to in Rome?" He asked.

"Not much. Just painting."

"I thought you hated painting?"

"Yeah but you know all those long nights alone in studio with nothing but paint for company became quite relaxing," I replied, and suddenly realized the back seat had gone silent. "Take a left."

"No Marco to keep you company down there?" Mused Harry. He had one had on the wheel as he casually turned to me with a smirk. There were snickers coming from the back and I felt the extreme urge to punch him. He did know he wasn't the first or only person I've ever had sex with doesn't he.

"Marco keeps me company just fine thank you. Better than most."

"By taking you on his fancy trips all over the world-"

"Ha! You're one to talk," I scoffed. "Take a left."

"I just took a left."

"Yeah Harry. And I'm telling you to take another one."

"Are you sure you know where you're going?"

"Yes I do. Maybe you should take your own advice and just trust."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"You know exactly what it means," I snapped.

"I told you nothing happened!"

"Take a right."

"Oh so that's it then?" Cried Harry.

"Yes Harry, thats it!" I fumed. "Let me make one thing clear: I will not let you ruin my time here just because you can't get over what hap-"

"I can't get over it?" Harry was full on screaming now. "You're the one who went AWOL and closed off all your friends! You're the one who left the fucking country to get away!"

"Stop the car."

"And now you're going to run away again!"

"I said stop the fucking car Harry."

"What you're really going to walk?"

"No I'm going to go see my boyfriend. We're here dumbass."

I had opened the door before Harry even stopped the car. How was I going to handle a whole month is this? I was trying to be nice and then he comes around with his little smirks and digs. Stupid, ungrateful, wise-ass, jerk face. How could I ever think that...that thing was charming? I had been blinded by delusion and false promises and I would make damn sure it didn't happen again.

As Marco appeared I desperately fought back the tears that were threatening to escape. He held out his arms in congratulations and I quickly pulled him into a tight embrace.

I would not let Harry ruin things with Marco. I refused to.

Notes

Uh oh...Thalia is not liking our little Harry right now. Any guesses why?
How do you think Marco will like Harry living in the same home as his girlfriend and sister?

I'll keep writing and hopefully have another chapter for you soon!

Ciao ciao!