We're back with Part 3! This part is both Narancia and Leone centric, so I hope you all enjoy.

Part Three

Neither Here nor There

(Title taken from "Runaway Train" by Soul Asylum)

Chapter Eleven

Narancia sighed as he threw his school books in his bag and slung it carelessly over his shoulder as he checked the time. Mista would be there in—

The car horn from outside told him that Mista was already there, so Narancia simply hurried toward the kitchen, grabbing an apple that he promptly stuck between his teeth and hurried out past his father who was getting ready for work.

"Morning!" Mista said as Narancia slid into the passenger seat and the other boy put the car into gear.

Narancia grunted around the apple and took a bite, chewing as he looked out the window.

"You don't sound like you're in a good mood," Mista pointed out.

Narancia shrugged. "Just tired of school," he admitted.

Mista sighed. "Yeah, I feel ya, man. It's always hard to go back after break."

"Easy for you to say, you only have half a year left," Narancia muttered. It was only a week after they'd gotten back from winter break, but Narancia really wished that he'd never have to go back. And knowing that after this year, he would have to do another one was on the verge of breaking him, if he was being honest. He'd been with it the first half of the year, but it was all just wearing on him now, and he was frankly terrified that next year he wouldn't be able to do any of the stuff that was expected of him when he was already struggling so much this year.

"Hey," Mista said with a smile as he glanced over at Narancia while they were waiting at a light. "Don't be like that. You've been doing great."

Narancia snorted, crunching into his apple again and talking through his full mouth. "Whatever. That's not really the point. I'm just done with it, ya know? Tired."

"I know, I get it," Mista told him sympathetically. "But think about how great it will feel when you finally graduate!"

"I'm starting to wonder if it even matters."

"Dude, I know it matters to you," Mista said sincerely, and Narancia felt the worm of guilt curl in his stomach, because it did matter to him. He didn't want to be thought of as stupid. He knew that his mom would have wanted him to finish…

But she wasn't here and his dad certainly didn't give a shit about what he did, and it was hard to keep caring sometimes when there were options that would make his life easier.

He didn't reply to Mista and they were silent for the rest of the drive, just the radio playing in the background.

They pulled up in the school parking lot at the same time Leone did and Mista greeted him as they got their bags out.

"How much do you want to bet we get another assignment today?" Mista commented.

Leone groaned. "Well, at least the science project isn't due until next week, I guess."

They headed toward the school and met up with Bruno and Giorno at the bike rack. Trish was coming in the gate, waving to them and Narancia finally sighed and waved back, plastering a smile to his face.

He would get through this, he told himself. Promised himself. He wasn't alone, he had people who were rooting for him.

He just wished he could root for himself.

By lunchtime, Narancia had successfully gotten back into his usual routine, resigned to his fate, as he joined in the conversation.

"Turns out we got an assignment instead," he told Mista and Leone.

"Yeah," Trish groaned. "Nice welcome back from vacation."

"Got to start somewhere, I suppose," Bruno pointed out. "On another note, though, Fugo, Giorno and I were talking about planning a trip to Rome for a weekend. Anyone else interested?"

"If I'm not working that weekend, definitely!" Mista grinned, turning to Narancia. "What about you?"

Narancia groaned. "Ugh, I don't have any money. I spent the last of it on a new CD player when my old one broke."

"I thought you had a job lined up?" Leone asked him.

Narancia bit his lip. "Yeah…no. They fired me after like, one day."

"What? Why?" Bruno asked.

Narancia shrugged. "I don't know, dude was a real bastard." It was actually because he was apparently friends with the store owner Narancia had worked for briefly over the summer and had been warned about him. It didn't matter how many times Narancia had explained that he hadn't stolen anything, he had just forgotten where things were supposed to go and the guy probably just wasn't looking hard enough. Apparently, the store owner hadn't been happy with that explanation because he had promptly fired Narancia and then made it so that he couldn't ever get work in town again apparently. "Look, I keep trying to get a job, it's just no one will hire me!"

"Hey, I can ask at the restaurant, if you want?" Mista said. "They're always looking for someone."

"Nah, they're supplied by the guy I used to work for," Narancia said dourly, poking at his food. "I don't think that would work out that well."

"Okay, well, let me know if you change your mind," Mista told him with a shrug.

The others talked a little about plans for the trip to Rome but Narancia stayed silent. He supposed he could ask his dad for money, but didn't really feel like it. Not because he wouldn't give it to him, but because he would do so in that uncaring way he always did anything around Narancia. No scolding that he needed to make his own money, no telling him to be careful, not to do anything stupid. It was like Narancia was nothing but a ghost to him. A cold draft that sometimes he would have to do something about to keep from annoying him. Narancia couldn't remember the last time he'd had an actual conversation with the man. Even when he had been forced to come to the school to learn about how his son had failed and would have to repeat junior year, there had been nothing more than a terse reminder to do better next time.

Narancia didn't know if this man had always been inside of his father, or if his mother had taken her husband's soul with her when she died. It got harder and harder to remember that there had once been a warmth, a human light, behind those eyes. Sometimes Narancia thought that everything before was just a dream.

He snapped out of his dark thoughts as the bell rang and they all cleaned up and headed back to the grind.

Narancia did his best to concentrate on school the rest of the day, wondering how far out of his way he would have to go to get a job from an employer that hadn't been warned about him. He felt bad. He and Mista had planned on starting to look at apartments that summer, but so far, Mista was the only one putting money away for it and it wasn't fair for Narancia to move in without contributing. He was already essentially a freeloader in the Mista household, he didn't really want that to continue. Even though Mista said he could cover it until Narancia got out of school and could work full time, it still wasn't fair. Especially since it was Narancia's fault he had to repeat a year.

He stopped by the bathroom on the way out and as he was washing his hands, the door swung open and a blond boy walked in, eyes falling on him.

Narancia recognized him as one of a group of delinquents that liked to cause trouble around the school. Riccardo, Narancia thought he remembered. He pointedly ignored him, really not wanting to make trouble that day.

"Hey. Ghirga, right?"

Narancia gritted his teeth as he looked up, turning off the water. The blond was leaning against the counter, still staring at him.

"What do you want?"

Riccardo held up his hands. "I come in peace. Actually, I come with an offer."

"Yeah, no thanks," Narancia grunted and made to pass the other boy, heading toward the door.

"Hold on, you haven't even heard me out!" Riccardo called. "I heard you talking at lunch. I can get you a job, you know."

Narancia hesitated, but shook his head. "I appreciate the offer, but, frankly, I don't want to get caught up in anything you're doing."

Riccardo laughed. "I promise it's not illegal. It's just a messenger job, delivering stuff."

"What kind of stuff?" Narancia asked suspiciously.

Riccardo shrugged. "Whatever people need. It's legit, I promise. And you'll make really good money."

Narancia finally turned around to face him completely, arms folded over his chest. "How much money?"

Riccardo smirked. "Let's say this; I've been doing it for about a year now and I'm just about ready to buy a nice fancy sports car."

Narancia couldn't help his eyes widening. "It really pays that well?"

Riccardo nodded. "Mm-hm. So, you want in?"

Narancia opened his mouth and then bit his lip. "I'll think about it."

"Alright, well, think quick, because we have a spot to fill and I did you the service of offering first dibs." He grabbed a notebook out of his pocket and scrawled something on it. "Call me when you decide." Then he passed Narancia and pushed his way through the door.

Narancia took the paper and stared at the number for a few long minutes before shoving it into his pocket and hurrying out toward the others.

"There you are," Mista called. "Thought you'd gotten lost or something."

"Yeah, yeah, let's just get out of here," Narancia said as they headed for the parking lot.

The note still sat in his pocket, burning an indecisive hole there.

Bruno knelt with Giorno in the backyard, pulling weeds from around the plants that had been accumulating there since the younger teen had moved in.

"They seem to be doing really well," Bruno commented.

Giorno nodded, a satisfied smile on his face. "Yes. It was a good idea your father had to build a hothouse out here."

As soon as Bruno's father had found out Giorno had a green thumb, he had given him leave to use the bare space by the shed to plant whatever he wanted. He'd even put together a hothouse for the winter so that all the seedlings Giorno was growing would be able to survive the cold.

Giorno too, was doing well, thriving like the plants. He'd gained a bit of weight, and with clothes that actually fit him, he just overall seemed to look more comfortable in his own skin. Acting less careful all the time and more carefree. His quiet, contemplative nature fit in well with the rest of them and Bruno would be lying if he said he didn't enjoy having essentially two brothers now. It was nice, and he knew his father agreed.

"We should pick some of this basil for tonight," Bruno told him.

"Good idea," Giorno agreed and took up the small scissors, snipping some of the basil and a couple other herbs they could use as well.

When they got back inside, the smell of fresh herbs following them, Leone, who had come over for dinner, and Fugo were deep into a discussion about some book Leone was reading for class.

"The problem is people don't research the history," Fugo was saying. "You can't really understand the point unless you understand the political commentary of the era."

"Exactly," Leone was saying. "And admittedly the symbolism is weird, but when you actually look at it, there's some pretty interesting concepts that are way before their time."

"I actually think the problem is that people fail to realize that there is also an aspect of satire in the work," Giorno commented as they walked past. "I would say the only failing is that there were several things that were never fully explained."

"Hold on, you've read The Divine Comedy?" Leone asked, looking more shocked than Bruno had seen him in a long time.

Giorno nodded. "It did take me a while to get through but overall, I thought it was an incredibly interesting look into the time period and the political climate. Of course it's opinionated, but what else could you expect when the author literally wrote himself into the story?"

Bruno left them to their literary discussions as he took the fresh herbs to the kitchen and started prepping stuff for dinner. His father would hopefully be back soon. It had been a tourist day, but he'd gotten a little work in that morning so there were fresh clams in the icebox that they could have with the pasta that night. Bruno took them out to give them a scrub just as his father was coming in the door.

"Hi Papa," Bruno greeted, looking up from the sink as Paolo gave him a tired wave and nodded in acknowledgement to the others' greeting.

His father had a stack of mail in his hands, shuffling through it before pulling an envelope out. "Panna, this is for you."

Fugo glanced up in surprise and got up to take the letter.

Bruno dried his hands off, eagerly watching as Fugo tore the envelope open. As he opened the contents, a look of elation spread across his face.

"It's my acceptance letter," he breathed. "I—I'll be able to start at university this fall."

"Panna, that's amazing!" Bruno cried, rushing to grip Fugo's shoulder in excitement, peering at the letter.

"Congratulations, son," Paolo said with a small smile on his lips.

"I told you you didn't have anything to worry about," Leone said, smiling.

"I'm just surprised it came so early," Fugo said. "I didn't expect anything until the spring."

"Well, I guess they want to make sure you get a spot," Giorno said kindly.

Fugo was actually smiling, flushed with pleasure as he stared at the paper in his hands, eyes scanning it over and over.

"That definitely calls for celebration," Bruno commented.

"It does," his father agreed. "How about I take you all out for dessert after dinner? Anything you want, Panna."

"Sure," the blond said, still smiling.

Bruno headed back to the kitchen as his father went to clean up. Giorno joined him to help out, all of them chatting with Fugo as he started talking excitedly about his plans for university.

Bruno was incredibly excited for his friend. He had been hoping this would work out for Fugo. The university he had chosen had a really good library sciences program and that was exactly what Fugo had been looking for. He knew that getting accepted was a huge step in Fugo regaining his self-confidence. That he could do what he wanted and be appreciated for it. Bruno had no doubt that he would be a star pupil.

They continued talking during dinner. Fugo hadn't been this excited for a long time and his excitement was catching.

"So, do you have a list of the coursework, yet?" Leone asked.

"Only a brief description of the classes, but I assume they'll send me more information closer to the beginning of the semester."

"We can make plans to visit the campus this summer, if you'd like," Paolo commented. "That way you can get a feel for it before you have to get settled in."

"That would be great," Fugo said sincerely.

"It's actually only a couple hours away by train," Bruno commented. "You could come home on the weekends if you wanted."

"I could," Fugo agreed, a grateful look on his face. "But I suppose I'll decide that when I get more accustomed to my schedule."

"Whatever you feel comfortable with," Paolo told him, twirling some pasta onto his fork. "Just know that you'll always have a place here."

Fugo ducked his head with a small nod. "I know."

Bruno's father glanced across the table at Leone. "Have you gotten to look into the police academy you wanted to go to?"

Leone swallowed, taking a drink. "A little. At least for the requirements and everything." He rolled his eyes. "My father is still convinced I'm going to law school."

"Well, I'm sure he'll realize how important this is to you, and when he does, I can't imagine why he wouldn't be supportive."

"Yeah, I guess," Leone sighed, propping his chin in his hand. "I just don't really get why it's a point of contention, you know?"

"Your parents will come around, I'm sure of it," Bruno told his friend kindly.

Leone shrugged. "Doesn't really matter, I guess. I'm doing it anyway. It would just be nice to have some support."

Bruno nodded in sympathy. He was not unaware of how lucky he was to have his father. Another reason he was so happy to share him with Giorno and Fugo who didn't have anyone.

When they were done, Bruno and Fugo cleared the table and Paolo told them to leave the dishes for later so they could drive into town and pick up Fugo's celebration dessert.

They went to one of their local bakeries where Fugo picked out some of his favorites. Once they got back home it was a cheery time sitting around the table with pastries and coffee.

Bruno lifted his mug in a toast. "To your future, Panna," he said.

Fugo grinned and clinked mugs.

"And fuck your parents," Leone added, before turning a sheepish look to Paolo. "Sorry."

"No, I'll drink to that," the fisherman said and everyone burst out laughing as Fugo heartily toasted.

Narancia came home to an empty house after trying his best to do his homework at Mista's. He hadn't stayed very long after dinner this time, just feeling tired and honestly kind of out of it.

His father was watching tv in the living room, so Narancia couldn't even do that.

He sighed and headed to his room, shutting the door tight, and dropping his backpack carelessly onto the floor before turning on his music. Loud as he wanted. It wasn't like his dad would even come to tell him to turn it down.

He flopped down on the bed, staring up at the ceiling, hands laced over his stomach. He hated being in this house. It was too quiet, too cold. He should have stayed with Mista that night, but he couldn't help but feel like he was mooching too much. Wanted to get better about not doing that.

He sighed again and turned onto his side, before he felt the crinkle of something in his pocket. He rolled back over and pulled the piece of paper out that had Riccardo's number on it.

Narancia was about to crumple it into a ball to throw across the room into his wastebasket but…he stopped himself. The allure of a job that would actually make money was very strong and maybe he didn't have to ask about exactly what he would be delivering. That's all it was, right? That's what Riccardo had said. Just playing messenger, delivering packages and stuff. Nothing wrong with that, right?

Narancia had certainly tried every other option he had for getting a job and this had literally been handed to him. He would honestly be stupid if he passed on this opportunity.

He pushed himself up and went to grab the phone from the hallway. Returning to his room, he punched in the numbers and waited for the call to pick up.

"Yeah?"

"This Riccardo?" Narancia asked.

"Yep, what do you want?"

"It's Ghirga," he said. "I'd like to take you up on that offer for a job."

"Yeah? Well, lucky you, I was about to give up on you. But if you want in, you can start tomorrow."

"Yeah?"

"Mm-hm. Meet me after school. I've got a couple jobs to do so I'll show you the ropes."

"Alright, sounds good," Narancia said as Riccardo hung up.

He exhaled slowly. He really hoped this went well because he could seriously use a win right about now.