Tick tock. Tick tock. Tick tock. Tick tock. Tick tock. Tick tock. Tick tock...

"Why not me?" He asked to no one in particular. Darkness covered every bit of his room apart from a sliver of moonlight that came from the slight opening of the curtains, and a candle melted to the nub. It's light was clinging for dear life, as was the man's sanity. "Why... not ... me?"

Tick tock. Tick tock. "Don't you understand..." His nails suddenly resembled claws and he dug them into the antique wooden desk that lay before him. "I love you. I would do anything for you mi bella." Thoughts of her filled his mind, in every corner of it, there she was. She was always on his mind, in his dreams. He wanted her for his own.

Tick tock. Tick tock. His eyes darted to the grandfather clock across the study. "I want to love you." His dark tone echoed throughout the room. He caught eye of his reflection in the glass of the clock. A twisted smile crept up his face, a demented gleam glittered in his magenta irises. "I could love you bella. I could love you like no man ever could..." His voice was filled with false cheer as it slowly trailed off into the night.

Tick tock. Tick tock. He stood up, his feet lead him to the thick crimson curtain that barely hung to the rod that held it up. Slits and slices covered parts of it, as well as stains of blood only a trained eye could see. The stains were a shade darker then the curtain itself, as he examined it he smirked. A slightest scent came of the curtain, oxidation and alkali in a perfect mix: Blood. He wanted hers. Just a drop of it would suffice. His smirk quickly disappeared as her voice rang, it was as if she was whispering it in his ear. 'I love you, but you're only a friend to me Feliciano.'  A blood-curdling cry rang though the entire house. Shaking the foundation itself. The curtain was suddenly torn in two, an open switchblade rested in the palm of his hand. Light dissolved into the dark room.

Tick tock. Tick tock. His head flung back as he looked up at the ceiling. He felt trapped, he wanted her and she want just wanted to be just friends. Through the rain of the storm outside again he saw his reflection, this time in the glass of the window. He could see the agony seeping into his amber orbs. The pain was excruciating. His heart beat faltered. "________..." His child-like voice whispered into the empty room. "________..." He was pushing himself to the brink of insanity for her, for the woman he loved more than anything. Tears filled to the brim of his lids, threatening to spill over. A hand covered his face, as he hid his shame. His eyes squeezed shut. "________..." Her name was the only thing that made sense to him, the only thing that held him to reality. The life line that he clung to. 'Feliciano.'  She sang as he imagined the perfect features that went with the melodic voice. Two eyes that could outshine any star, putting it to shame in a matter of seconds. A pair of lips that resembled soft pale rose petals. His inspiration. His temptation. A tear pushed over the edge, ran down his face that had become pale in the moonlight. The candle on the desk began to flicker, becoming as desperate as he felt to hold on.

Tick tock. Tick tock. A subtle flash and the reflection changed. His entire perception changed, a dull flame began to grow within him. The flame caused his blood to begin to simmer, to boil. His eyes flickered back up to where his reflection sat. The once desolate and feeble reflection was no more. In it's place was a  pair of fierce magenta eyes and a contorted grin. "I will not be weak." The voice told himself.

Bong! Bong! Bong! Bong!

His attention was held by the grandfather clock as it's sound rang.

"Happy New Year!!" Cheers were heard from down below. He blinked in surprise. 'New Year Already?' The time had felt much longer than an hour. A faint knock was heard at the door.
"Feliciano?" A soft voice was heard from the crack of the door that a small feminine hand held open.
"Vee~" The gentle tick was heard from the opposite side of the room. "Come in bella." The woman smiled and pushed the door wide open.
"There you are. I've been looking all over for you." A slight smile played on Feliciano's lips. She returned it with one of her own. She walked over and, carefully avoiding the sensitive curl, pushed a bit of hair behind his ear. Feliciano's heart skipped a beat and he gave smile a more genuine smile to the young woman. She kissed his cheek and he froze. "Your first kiss from me for the New Year." He wrapped his arms around her and she returned the embrace.
"Grazie _______." He whispered in her ear. Maybe she had finally changed her mind. Feliciano's mind ran wild with dreams of him and _______. Maybe she was his true love, like he had thought for her to be for so long. He wouldn't end up alone, which was his greatest and darkest fear.
"Anything for you Feli, you're one of my dearest friends." His hopes and dreams were crushed in that single moment. Shattered, broken beyond repair. His eyes flickered from amber to magenta in a second. Then he gently shook his head, controlling himself. 'Why...'
________ pulled back, her bright eyes concerned. "Is something wrong Feliciano?"
"No, nothing is wrong bella." He forced a tender smile. She didn't seem convinced. "Why don't we go downstairs with everyone else? Si?" She nodded with a worried expression.
"I hope you're alright Feliciano."
"Perfetto Bella." Again he forced a smile, this time making it more genuine. Her gentle smile returned but still did not reach her eyes. Feliciano didn't seem to notice. _______ stepped out of the room and seemed to confused as she looked back at Feliciano. 'Not...'
"Aren't you coming?"
"Si, of course. It's just I-" He looked around the room and spotted his excuse. "I just forgot my knife."
"I didn't know you carried around a switchblade." 'There are a lot of things you don't know about me.'
"I do, my nonno gave it to me. It's very special." He quickly lied.  
"Oh." She smiled. "I'll be waiting at the top of the staircase for you then." He quickly nodded. She gave him a quick embrace. "Thank you for always being there for me Feliciano." He felt something wet roll down his neck, his suspicions were proven when she pulled away and a tear ran down her rosy cheeks. "I hope our friendship continues strong in the new year. I love you Feliciano, I don't think I could have asked for a better friend." 'Me...?' And with that she left. "Don't be too long." she whispered her voice still thick with tears. He nodded, his gaze falling to the ground. He watched as her feet disappeared. His fist clenched and unclenched. 'She will be mine.' He vowed to himself. 'That will be my New Years Resolut- No that will be my New Years Promise.' And with that strode out of the half moonlit room. He turned one last time and in the moonlight his eyes were the strangest blend of amber and magenta.

"If you only knew..." The candle's light slowly faded until there was nothing left.

'Why...'

Tick tock.

'Not...'

Tick tock.

'Me...?"