Stacy POV:

After dinner, Cesco suggests we play some board games to help everyone relax and get to know each other better. I can't remember the last time I played any games, let alone with family, but seeing the eager and hopeful expressions on my relatives' faces, I decide to go along with it.

We gather in the living room, the table cleared of dinner remnants and replaced with various board games. Nonna and Nonno settle on the couch, watching with amused smiles as we debate which game to play first. After some playful arguments and a show of hands, we finally agree on Monopoly.

As the game unfolds, I find myself sitting between Antonio and Alessandro. Antonio, with his charming smile and quick wit, immediately dives into strategic moves, while Alessandro, the youngest of the older cousins, watches the game intently, asking questions about the rules. His curiosity and enthusiasm are contagious, and I find myself explaining some of the more intricate parts of the game to him.

"Do you play board games often?" Alessandro asks, his eyes shining with interest.

"Not really," I admit with a small smile. "But I used to play this one a lot when I was younger." I lie, trying not raise suspicion

Antonio chimes in, "You must have some good strategies then. I need to watch out for you."

I chuckle softly, feeling a warmth spread through me at their easy acceptance. The game progresses, filled with laughter and groans as we make and lose money, buy properties, and pay rents. The competitive spirit among us grows, but it's all in good fun.

Across the table, Roman and Romero are in a heated debate about their next moves, their twin bond evident in their synchronised gestures and similar expressions. Their brother Edoardo watches with a laid-back demeanour, occasionally throwing in a comment that either diffuses the tension or sparks more laughter.

On my other side, Aunt Maria and Uncle Luca are teasing Marco about his unfortunate streak of landing on all the expensive properties. Marco takes it in stride, his good-natured smile never faltering. Aunt Sophia and Uncle Giovanni are deep in conversation with Ricc and Cesco, reminiscing about family gatherings from years past.

As the game winds down, with Leo emerging victorious thanks to his ruthless property acquisitions, Nonna suggests a round of charades. The cousins immediately jump at the idea, and soon teams are formed, and we're all laughing at the exaggerated miming and wild guesses.

During one of my turns, I end up trying to act out "dancing queen" from the classic ABBA song. My awkward movements and exaggerated twirls have everyone in stitches, and by the time my team finally guesses it, my sides ache from laughing so much. For the first time in a long while, I feel a genuine sense of belonging, of being part of something larger than myself.

After charades, we take a break and help ourselves to the leftover desserts. Antonio sits next to me with a plate of tiramisu, his eyes twinkling. "So, Stacy, what do you do for fun?"

I hesitate, not used to talking about myself. "I like riding my motorcycle," I say, testing the waters.

"No way!" Luca exclaims from across the room, his eyes lighting up. "I've always wanted to learn to ride. Maybe you could teach me sometime?"

"Sure," I say, surprised at how easily the offer comes out. "I'd like that."

The twins, Romero and Roman, sidle up next to us, curiosity in their eyes. "We've got a bet going," Romero says, grinning. "Who do you think is the better athlete between us?"

I raise an eyebrow, amused. "Well, what sports do you guys play?"

"Football, mostly," Roman says, puffing out his chest. "But we dabble in basketball and track too."

"Hmm," I say, pretending to think hard. "How about we settle this with a game sometime? I'll be the judge."

They laugh and agree, clearly pleased with the idea. It's strange, feeling this instant camaraderie with people I barely know, but it's comforting too.

Marco joins our little group, still holding a grudge over his Monopoly loss. "Next time, we're playing Risk," he declares. "I'm unbeatable."

Antonio rolls his eyes. "You say that about every game, Marco."

"But it's true," Marco insists, grinning at me. "You'll see, Stacy. I'm the reigning champion."

The night continues with more games. We play Pictionary, where I find myself teamed up with Edoardo. His calm and focused nature balances out my nervous energy.

We make a surprisingly good team, guessing each other's drawings with ease and winning the round. I learn that Edoardo is studying computer science and has a passion for coding. He tells me about a project he's working on, and I find myself genuinely interested.

"Maybe you could show me sometime," I suggest.

"I'd like that," he replies with a smile. "It's nice to talk to someone who's interested."

Luca, the artist, brings out a sketchpad and starts doodling as we talk. He's quiet, but his drawings speak volumes. He catches me watching and flips the pad around to show me a rough sketch of the game night scene, capturing everyone's expressions perfectly.

"That's amazing," I say, genuinely impressed. "You have a real talent."

He shrugs, a shy smile on his face. "It's just a hobby."

"A pretty awesome hobby," I reply, admiring the detail in his work.

As the night wears on, the energy in the room shifts to a more relaxed, intimate vibe. We share stories, laugh at old family jokes, and I feel myself opening up more and more. The walls I've built around myself start to crumble, bit by bit, as I realize how much I've missed out on by isolating myself.

Before I know it, it's past midnight, all the aunts, uncles and Nonna and Nonno have long since retired to their guest room, leaving the rest of us to wind down the night.

"You know," Antonio says thoughtfully, "I was a bit nervous about meeting you. We've all heard so much about you, but it was hard to know what to expect."

"Same here," I admit. "I didn't know what to expect either. But tonight has been... really nice."

Alessandro nods, "You're family, Stacy. And family sticks together, no matter what."

His words resonate with me, and I feel a lump form in my throat. I swallow hard, trying to keep my emotions in check. "Thanks, Alessandro. That means a lot."

After a few more rounds of board games, Roman suggests we move to the home theatre to watch some movies. The rest of the cousins cheer at the idea, and we all make our way to the spacious theatre room.

The room is dimly lit, and there is a popcorn machine in one corner, and the smell of freshly popped corn fills the air, mixing with the sweet scent of the various candies and snacks spread out on a side table.

We settle in, with everyone grabbing their preferred spots. I find myself between Leo and Alessandro on one of the larger couches.

Cesco picks the first movie, and to no one's surprise, it's a classic horror film. The opening scene features eerie music and a dark, creepy setting. I lean back, feeling more relaxed now than I did earlier. Horror movies have never bothered me much. After all, I've lived through things far scarier than anything Hollywood can dream up.

As the movie progresses, the tension in the room grows. I glance around, amused by the reactions of my cousins and brothers. Antonio and Marco are trying to look unfazed, but their occasional jumps betray them. Edoardo has a pillow clutched tightly, his eyes wide and glued to the screen. The twins, Romero and Roman, are huddled together, whispering nervously and flinching at every jump scare.

Next to me, Alessandro seems to be handling it pretty well, though his grip on the edge of his seat tightens during the more intense scenes.

Halfway through the movie, there's a particularly, scary jump scare scene that makes most of my cousins and brothers scream or jump. I can't help but chuckle softly, earning a few curious glances.

"Not scared, huh?" Alessandro whispers, trying to sound casual.

I shake my head, a small smile playing on my lips. "I've seen worse."

He raises an eyebrow but doesn't press further. I appreciate that. It's nice to be around a family who respects my boundaries without needing all the details.

As the movie continues, I find myself more entertained by my family's reactions than by the film itself. Antonio tries to maintain his composure but occasionally mutters curses under his breath during the scarier moments. Marco's eyes dart around the room, as if checking for any real-life monsters. The twins, despite their tough exterior, cling to each other, whispering reassurances that are more for their own benefit than anyone else's.

The second movie is another horror classic, filled with even more jump scares and creepy imagery. By now, I'm fully engrossed in observing my family's antics. Leo and I exchange amused glances every time one of our cousins jumps or yelps. It's a rare moment of levity, a stark contrast to the tension I've felt all evening.

Edoardo, trying to act brave, says, "These movies aren't so bad," but his tight grip on the pillow tells a different story. I grin, deciding to have a little fun.

"You know," I say in a low voice, loud enough for the others to hear, "they say this movie is based on true events."

Edoardo's eyes widen, and he looks at me sceptically. "Seriously?"

I nod solemnly, keeping a straight face. "Oh, yeah. They even filmed some scenes in the actual haunted house."

Antonio snorts. "Nice try, Stacy. You're not scaring us that easily."

I shrug, the hint of a smile on my lips. "Believe what you want."

As the night wears on, we watch a third movie, another horror film that amps up the gore and psychological terror. By this point, a few of my cousins have started to doze off, despite their initial enthusiasm. The room is filled with a mix of nervous laughter, occasional shrieks, and the comforting hum of family togetherness.

The final credits roll, and we stretch and yawn, the adrenaline from the scares starting to wear off. Antonio, still trying to save face, says, "Well, that was...something."

"Yeah, definitely something," Marco agrees, his voice slightly shaky.

Edoardo and the twins nod in agreement, their bravado somewhat diminished by the night's events.

I stand up, feeling a strange mix of amusement and affection. "Thanks for the movies, guys. It was fun."

Alessandro smiles up at me, still looking a bit shell-shocked. "We should do this again sometime. Maybe with fewer horror films, though."

"Agreed," I say, laughing softly.

As we all head upstairs, I feel a warmth spreading through me. Tonight was a step forward, a chance to bond with my extended family in a way I hadn't expected, despite the scares, or maybe because of them, we've shared something special.

And as I say goodnight and head to my room, I know that this family, with all its quirks and complexities, is something I can rely on. No matter what horrors the world throws my way, I won't have to face them alone... I hope.

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A/n:

Hey guys!!!!

So I don't know how I feel about this chap, i think it's pretty shitty but let me know what you think!

Thankyou guys so so sooooooo much for nearly 3k reads I honestly never expected anyone to read this book I thought this was terrible but apparently some people like it

You guys have no idea how it feels when you guys all comment and vote it means so much to me.

I also can't seem to understand how this book has more reads than some of the books I have read on here... it's just mind blowing

Whose POV do you want next?

Anyway tysm for reading

Love you all BYEEEE

WC: 2018