Rian went up the roof. It was too awkward to sleep in a bed with Harry. He was acting weird. She didn’t understand it. He obviously liked Lily, and Lily liked him. What was the problem?
She sat looking out at the sky until she heard footsteps on the stairs.

Rafi smiled when he saw her. “Everything all right? You weren’t getting ready to turn in with the others.” Rian nodded as he sat down. “Mind if I join you?”

Rian shrugged. “Sure.”

“Rough day?” Rafi teased.

“I’m okay. Things are a little weird right now. I don’t want to sleep in the same bed as Harry, knowing he’s been flirting with Lily all day. I thought I might sleep on the day beds or something.” Rian said.

“You really are adorable,” Rafi said. “Harry pies you off. Forgets your name, and you let him keep the bed.”

Rian smiled. “I didn’t mind sleeping out there before it was the being not in a couple that was worrying.” She leaned back to look up at the sky.
“The stars are amazing here. Less light pollution.”

Rafi said, leaning back next to her. “Can I ask you something?”

“Sure,” Rian answered.

“If Harry and Lily were to couple up. What would you do?” Rafi asked.

“Probably couple with whoever needed a partner.” Rian said, “I wouldn’t mind coupling up with anyone who’s in the villa. Even it was a friendship coupling.”

“Would you couple up with me?” Rafi asked.

Rian laughed. “I said anyone in the villa, didn’t I?”

“You did,” Rafi chuckled. “This is nice. We didn’t have much chance to chat earlier. I’ve learned a lot about you from watching you. Do you have questions for me?”

“Sure, do you have any siblings?” Rian asked.

“I have a brother,” Rafi said. “He’s in a wheelchair because he was in a car accident. He’s been wanting to go to an anime convention in Japan. It’s hard for disabled people to travel.”

Rian smiled.” That’s sweet.”

“I remember you told Seb you could use another brother,” Rafi said. “You must be close to your brother as well.”

“Yea, our parents died when I was 18 and Theo was 15,” Rian explained. “I didn’t want him to go to foster, so I got custody of him. We take care of each other.”

“That’s pretty impressive,” Rafi said. “You must have been a mature eighteen-year-old to take care of your brother.”

Rian chuckled, “Maybe in some ways. I had some moments for sure. It was hard. But I don’t regret any of it.”

She turned her head to look at him. He was already facing her. “I hope you realize how amazing you are. “

Her heart fluttered. Rian looked back up at the sky. She wasn’t amazing. If he knew why she was here, he wouldn’t say that. Rian hated that it had to be like this, but it had to be. A hand on her cheek broke her out of her thoughts as he gently turned her head toward him. “I don’t know what you were thinking about, but you looked really gloomy. “

She smiled, touched by his compassion. “It’s nothing.”

He shifted closer to her. His lips gently grazed hers. She wasn’t prepared for the jolt of electricity that this gentle touch gave her. Her breathing stuttered, and he captured her lips fully. Over and over again, he kissed her. Each kiss going deeper than the last. Rafi cupped her face, and her hands covered his. They were melting. The villa was gone. There was nothing else but the feeling of his lips on hers. Nobody had ever kissed her like this. They moved apart just enough to breathe, his hands still cupping her face as her smaller hands rested on his. He pressed his forehead to hers. “I think we need to couple up.”