Chapter Five.

Luna Rossa (Red moon) 

I ran, ran fast into the woods. I was being chased by a dark figure into the night, I could feel its hot breath on my neck and I could hear its heavy footsteps behind me, I was terrified.

I tossed and turned on the bed. My nightmares were coming back, more vivid, more terrifying.

I woke up with a start, my heart pounding in my chest.

"Hey, you're awake," Ariana said, sipping her cup of coffee. "Good morning."

"Good morning," I tried to shake off my disoriented feeling. "What time is it?"

"10 am."

"Shit!" I jumped out of bed. I was late for class. I hurried into the bathroom, showered, and brushed my teeth in record time.

There shouldn't be much of an entrance for a fresher right? I ran through my closet looking for something comfortable. I dressed up quickly and grabbed my backpack.

"See you later, Ari" I dashed out the door.

Determined not to be later than I already was, I raced down the hallway.

"Hey! Watch it!" The growl came from beside me.

I had accidentally bumped into a student and his expression was anything but friendly.

"I am so sorry," I said. "I wasn't looking." I tried to step around him, but he grabbed my arm.

"Where are you going in such a hurry?" he asked.

"I am late for class" I tried to struggle out of his grip "Please let me go."

But he tightened his hold on my arm. "Not until you tell me your name."

I hesitated. I didn't know this guy, and he was starting to scare me. "My name is Gabriella," I said finally.

"Gabriella," he repeated. "That's a pretty name." he leaned in close to me. "What are you doing tonight, Gabriella?"

I was starting to panic. There was no one in the hallway, everyone was either in class or at their dorm.

As he leaned closer to me, the expression on his face darkened.

"Leave her alone," The voice rang out from behind me.

I turned to see a 5 '7" inch, the same kind I had seen a few weeks ago at the mall. 'Nico'.

"Scurry on away man. This is none of your business." 

"I said let her go!" Nico's voice was more commanding.

The student laughed. "Or what?" he said.

Nico took a step forward, his gaze stern. "I will make you," he said.

He hesitated for a moment, then slowly released my arm. "Don't think you have seen the last of me Gabriella," he whispered and stormed off the hallway.

I felt shaken, and frightened by the threat.

"Thank you," I turned to look at Nico but he was already walking to his class. I tried to run after him but realized it was the same class I had, so I went in.

The hall was massive and filled with a bunch of people. I tried to look for an empty seat without creating a scene.

As I sat down, I listened to the professor introduce himself but drifted into the incident in the hallway. Who was that guy? Why did Nico come to save her? Why did I keep having nightmares about someone chasing me in the woods?

Speaking of My dreams, I never told Dad or Nanny about it for fear of them getting too worried. It stopped at some point, but now it looked like they were coming back in full force. 

"Luna Rossa," The mention of that name jerked me off my seat.

"Present sir," I shouted.

"Are you Nicola Luna Rossa Deville?" The professor asked adjusting his glasses.

I turned to meet Nicola's eyes, his hand lifted. I flinched "No sir," I said and sat down. The hall burst into laughter.

'Luna Rossa' How was Nico bearing the same middle name as me? Mom had told me the name was unique to my birth. Luna Rossa, meaning red moon, that's why I picked a fancy to the frame I saw at my new home. 

The class was over in no time and I hurried outside in search of Nico. I wanted to at least tell him thank you for earlier. Oh, there he was.

As he moved towards my direction, I smiled a little and said "Thank you for earli….."

He brushed my shoulders and moved past me. I stood still, confused. Maybe he didn't see me. I hurried after him again. "Hey, I just wanted to say thank you for…"

His cold gaze stopped me dead. His eyes studied my face and nibbled down to my lips, I swallowed hard.

"Hey Nico, we gotta go." his friend punched him on the shoulder.

Somehow he was more handsome than the first time I saw him. I turned as I watched the only man who had been able to raise strange sensations from my body walk out of sight. 'So much for a grand entrance…'

****

The noise came from my room.

"I can't wait to be there," They squealed again as I opened the door.

"Hey you back," Ariana stood up from her bed. "I was just telling them about the party for tonight."

"Party?" I asked. Looking at the bunch of strangers in my room.

"Yeah, it's a fresher party. But all the cool kids would be there." she paused. "You coming?"

"I don't think I will." I was already exhausted from how the day turned out, I didn't want to go to a party and make a fool of myself again.

"Please Ella, I don't want to go without my roommate…pleasseee," Ariana gave a funny puppy dog face.

"Alright, I will go," I accepted.

"Yayy!! I heard Nico would be attending" She turned towards the girls in the room.

At the mention of his name, the room went cold, and every part of my body became sensitive. Why did he have such an effect on me? He snubbed me back in class like he didn't remember, or didn't he?...' Nico…I guess I would see him tonight.'