geena: (Default)
Geena ([personal profile] geena) wrote in [community profile] rainbowfic2012-09-19 09:17 pm

Eton Blue 14

Author: [personal profile] geena
Color: Eton Blue 14. guidance counselor
Supplies and Styles: Paint-by-numbers (You've got to feel for this poor person.), brush (tincture), glue
Rating: G
Word Count: 415
Story: Polyfaceted (Index~Timeline); the title of this story is Schoolyard Tales.
Summary: Five-year-old Nicoletta doesn't take well to the news that Leo will be in her class come September.
Notes: This takes place in August of 1991.

***

“Nooooo!” Nicoletta screeches, face crumpling.

Augusto winces, grasping the bridge of his nose. “Sweetheart, stop yelling.”

“No!” she cries. “I don't want Leo to go to school with me. Tell him he can't go!”

“Now that's not fair and you know it. Leo's five too. He's going to start kindergarten just like you.”

NO!” Nicoletta hurls herself at the ground, kicking and screaming with every ounce of power she has. Sighing, Augusto does his best to ignore her, shooting Romeo and Arianna apologetic looks whenever they peer in.

“Principessa, come on now. You're too old to be acting like this.”

“I don't care!” she sobs, flailing. “I don't care, I don't care, I don't care! It's not fair!”

Augusto stands and makes his way out of the room, calling, “When you're ready to talk like a big girl, I'll be with your mother in the kitchen.”

It takes five achingly loud minutes for Nicoletta to slowly subside, and another five for her to shuffle her way into the kitchen, lower lip jutting out as she mumbles, “Don't wanna go to school with Leo. Make him stay home.”

“Nic...” Augusto shoots Arianna a look. She merely shrugs, making a gesture that clearly says this is his situation to rectify, and makes an excuse about checking on Romeo before disappearing. “Nic, cara, I told you. It's only fair. Leo has to start school too.”

“So? Make him wait. I hate him and I don't want his stupid face in my school.”

“Nicoletta,” Augusto sharply warns. “That's uncalled for. Leonardo is your brother.”

“Nuh-uh. Leo's real parents are goblins.”

“...what.”

Nicoletta nods enthusiastically, her expression lighting up. “Yep! That's why he's so ugly. It's true.”

“Nicoletta Marcella Corlioni, you stop that right now,” Augusto tells her, frowning. “I don't know what's gotten into you--”

“I don't want Leo at my school!”

“--but you will go to your room right this instant and stay there until you apologize for saying such mean things about your own blood, do you hear me?” He narrows his eyes, staring her down. “Go, now. And I don't want to hear another word about Leo being in your class.”

“Fine!” Nicoletta yells, stomping toward the hall. “Fine! You're a meanie and you ruin everything. I hate you! I'm never coming out of my room again and I'll starve and then you'll be sorry!

As the bedroom door slams shut, Augusto groans and drops his head into his hands, vigorously rubbing his temples.

***