Chapter 2

The next day, Luca felt deep pains in his stomach, as his head began to throb. He felt the pain around him, as he tried to breathe. He couldn't. Luca sniffled, feeling anxious. "I'm done!". He wanted to scream during a fit, an internal battle he had with himself. Luca sniffled, feeling as if he truly was fighting a war. He fought a war with grief. He sniffled, as tears poured down his cheek. He sat up, sniffling. He looked around at the makings of his bed, well not really his bed. It actually belonged to Alberto. Luca wanted to scream. "I can't take it anymore!". Luca wanted to scream loudly, as his head throbbed. He did scream loudly. It was as if no one could hear him.

It was as if he was truly alone. Shadows of blood, and the pain from his chest, while the chowles of destruction, and brutality lay above him. He didn't want any help, even though inside, he cried out for it.

Luca cried, as he heard someone come into his room. "...Alberto". Luca asked, sniffling a bit. "Hey". Alberto said, gently. He sat on the side of Luca's bed. "You doing ok?".

"Not really". Luca said. He sniffled. "Hey, I know it's hard right now, I know it's terrible right now, but you should remember I'm right next to you". Alberto said, gently. "Whatever we face, we do it together". "Always". He held Luca's hand. "Now, did you take your cough medicine last night?". Alberto asked, gently with some firmness. "Not really". Luca said. "I didn't take it at all".

"Bud, you know very well you're supposed to take it every night instead of hide it". Alberto said, gently. "What did we discuss?".

"That I shouldn't...that I shouldn't try to hide my medicine". Luca asked.

"That's right, but also you shouldn't skip out on trying to make yourself feel better". Alberto said, gently. "Plus, I'll find out if you ever do try to hide it". "Don't play that game".

"What's the reason you don't want to take your medicine?". Alberto asked, with some firmness. "I...I...I don't know". Luca said, sniffling. "I can't tell you why I won't take it".

"Maybe it's because it tastes bad?". "Is that it?". Alberto asked, gently. "No, it's because...it's because I feel like on the medicine, I'm tired". Luca said, sniffling. "I feel like on the medicine, I can't do anything".

"I get that". Alberto said, gently. "I've noticed I get tired on cough medicine, too". "When I drink it, I get lightheaded, and woozy". "It's not allergic reaction, it's just the drowsiness from the medicine". "I hate cough medicine, but what else am I going to do for a cough, you know?".

"I don't get lightheaded, but I do get tired". Luca said. "I sometimes don't feel like eating, like today I only ate half of my sandwich". "Last night I felt really hungry". "Right now, I feel hungry, but I feel like I can't eat anything".

"Yeah, it's horrible isn't it?". Alberto said, looking off to the side. "But my point is, what else is there to do for a cough?". "I think you should go by the book on this one". "I think you should take the medicine, and do what it says, let it make you well, so you don't have to deal with it, anymore".

"I find that to be the best solution".

"Ok, I'll try it". Luca said. "You can do whatever you want, but just know, something bad will happen if you don't get it taken care of". Alberto said, gently. "Take care of it, then you won't have any problems in the long run".

"Other than that, everything good?". Alberto asked, gently. "Kind of". Luca said. "My ears hurt, my eyes hurt, and my stomach feels sick".

"I get that". Alberto said, gently. "Hey, do you want something for your stomach, or your ears?".

"No, I'm fine". Luca said. "You know where everything is, but if you need to, let me know". Alberto said, gently. Luca got out of bed, coming into the kitchen. Giulia was in the kitchen, reading a book. She had on a silk robe. A cigarette sat in her ashtray. Luca went to get his breakfast. "Luca". Giulia said in a gentle voice. Her voice was feminine, gentle, and nurturing, much for a 24 year old woman. She was a woman now. Much like Alberto was a man now.

"Luca". She said, again. Luca turned his head. "Oh...oh...oh...sorry, yes?". Luca asked. "How are you, I wanted to wish you good morning". Giulia said, gently. "How are you?".

"Fine". Luca said. "Did you sleep here last night?".

"I did". Giulia said, gently. "But that's not a problem for you, for us underdogs". She chuckled a bit. "So, I was thinking today, we could take a trip to the library and look at some books on botany". "I know you're interested in that".

"Does that sound good, Amico?". Giulia asked, in her perky, headstrong, enthused manner. "Sure". Luca said. "Let me know what you need, and I'll get it for you". Giulia said, gently. "Until then, we have a fun filled library day". She chuckled a bit.

"Thank you". Luca said. "Hey, you're going to have to look a little happier than that". Giulia said, perking Luca up a bit. Luca smiled.

"Luca". Alberto said, eating his cereal. "Yeah?". Luca asked. "Oh, I wanted to know if you wanted this last piece of cereal". Alberto said. "You could use some".

"Thank you". Luca said. Luca ate his cereal, as Alberto whispered something to Giulia, as she chuckled. They both were by the fridge, chuckling. "I'd like to put that in the bad pile". Alberto giggled. "That's obstreprerous". Giulia giggled. "I'm an idiot, arent I?". Alberto said, as they both giggled. They both giggled, as they were sure to watch their displays of affection around Luca.

He didn't need any hints of knowing.

Luca stayed quiet, eating his cereal. "Amico, Luca, quello". Giulia said, gently. "Yes?". Luca asked. "Could you get me a glass from the cupboard up there?". Giulia asked. "Ok". Luca said. He reached up in the cupboard, grabbing a glass for Giulia. "Thank you". Giulia said, gently. "Do you need anything while I'm up?".

"No". Luca said. "Hey, bud, why don't you get ready, and we'll work on our Catera". Alberto said, gently. "That is, until we can afford a real one".

"Ok". Luca said. "I will say, the Catera needs oil". Alberto said, gently. "We can make a better one that has a gasoline grill". He chuckled a bit.

"Ok". Luca said. "You ok, bud?". Alberto asked, gently. "I'm fine". Luca said. "Hey, Sorridi". Alberto said, gently. "We're doing the Catera today". "How cool is that?".

"Cool". Luca said. "I'm right beside you". Alberto said, with gentleness. "Through it all, no matter what it is".

"I know". Luca said. "Let's see what the Catera needs". Alberto said, kindly. "Ready?".

"I am". Luca said. He and Alberto went out to work on the car. A catera was a car. It was a run down piece of nothing, but Alberto treasured it. They worked on it, while Giulia stayed addicted to Alberto, and wanted more from him as the day went on.

Alberto was sweaty after he had worked on the Catera. "Mm, someday, we'll get a Ferrari". Alberto said, in his deep, suave voice. Yes, he was sweaty, and he needed a shower. He took off his tank top, with his chain around his neck. Now, he just revealed his bare chest. He walked over to the shower, even though it was just a few square inches, with a glass door, (luckily he had a glass door), and a large shower head. He took off his pants, his underwear, revealing his whole, shiny body again. He had his flat, shiny chest, with the small 6 pack down below, as he stepped in the shower.

He felt the caress, and the gaze of the warm water roll over him. He felt the essence of the warm water bead over him, soaking him. He felt the magic of the steam devour him, as he opened his mouth. He felt the steam caress him, as he felt the essence of the devouring water droplets. So, his skin began to turn blue, and scaly. He began coming into his own as a sea monster. Still, he was muscular and had the same 6 pack.

"Mm". He hummed to himself. "Giulia". He thought to himself. He kept the suaveness of his deep, voice as he began translating his thoughts, his aura into a song.

I heard it said things don't last forever

Only a fool would let these things bypass.

That's because what's here today, could be gone tomorrow

These things that change however, remain the same

That's one thing you'll never have to worry about me, darling.

Is whether or not I'll change towards you because you are different.

Baby I love you, just the way you are.

He sang in a sexual, deep, suave voice.

Don't go changin

To try to please me

You never let me down before.

I don't imagine, you're to familiar.

I don't see you anymore.

I would not leave you, in times of trouble.

We never could have come this far.

I've got the good times. I'll take the bad times.

I'll take you just the way you are.

Don't go trying some new fashion. Don't change the color of your hair. Hey there.

You always have my unspoken passion.

Though I might not seem to care.

I don't want clever, conversation. I never want to work that hard, no Lord. I just want someone, someone to talk to, I want you just the way you are.

I love you just the way you are.

I need to know that you will always be, the same old someone that I knew.

What will it take til you believe in me.

The way that I believe in you.

I said I love you. That's forever.

This I promise from my heart.

I'll be there with you, from now until ever. I love you just the way you are.

I don't want clever conversation. I never want to work that hard. I just want someone, someone to talk to.

I want you just the way you are, girl.

Alberto soaped the water off, scrubbing his body. He seemed to shower, copiously. He smiled a sneaky, satisfied smile. He enjoyed himself as his chest remained moist. His chest remained wet. Alberto felt the shower enraptured him in it's moisture. He felt satisfied. He was different. He was someone that was free spirited, and got everyone out of their comfort zone. He was someone that helped young Luca acclimate. He helped him become who he needed to be.

Alberto was a free spirit, and knew in order to take care of Luca, he needed to get him out of his comfort zone, yet nurture him. Alberto smiled as the steam surrounded him, reveling in the steam that moistened his muscles, and his nipples. He felt pure, and well off.

Alberto patted his skin, feeling normal human skin come back. His lips curled into a smile. He let the moisture surround him, as he saw a figure of a redheaded girl come into the room. "Eite Quello?". Giulia asked, as she stepped in the shower. "Muy Bellisimo". Alberto whispered. They both giggled, as they began kissing in the shower. Their kissing grew fervent, it grew passionate, as Alberto felt Giulia's happiness through her giggle. He saw her breasts. He held her close as he kissed her lips. Her breasts touched his chest. Her breasts touched his flat chest. "Darling". Alberto whispered. "Amore". "Peto". Giulia whispered, as they kept their lips pressed against one another. Giulia felt Alberto kiss up and down her neck, and up and down her breasts, as Alberto held her close. Alberto kept his lips pressed, Giulia kept her lips pressed, as she felt his kiss.

"Do you want to?". Alberto whispered. "I do". Giulia whispered. They both kissed, as Alberto kept his lips pressed against Giulia's lips. He massaged Giulia's breasts. Alberto kissed Giulia's lips, as he held her close. Giulia felt the smooth feeling of Alberto's nis against her vagina. She gasped a bit, for air, as she felt Alberto's nis against her vagina. She breathed a bit, feeling the receiving feeling deep within her.

"Ciao Bella". Alberto whispered. Giulia giggled a bit. They both kept kissing, as Giulia felt the pleasure. They both kept whispering, kissing, giving and receiving in a sexual pattern.

"I love you". Giulia whispered. "I love you as well". Alberto whispered. "Don't be worried, just keep focusing on me".

"I will". Giulia whispered. "Focus on me as well". They both kissed, as Alberto curled his tongue around Giulia's tongue. He gently pressed with his nis, further, further, and further into Giulia's vagina. They both felt the guilty pleasure, as Alberto kept going deeper, deeper, and deeper. Alberto felt Giulia's lips. Giulia felt Alberto's touch. They embraced, chuckling. Giulia chuckled, playfully, as she put her hands up on the glass of the shower. Alberto felt himself giggling as well. He felt himself fall into a deep love for Giulia.

Giulia felt a deep love for Alberto. They both felt a deep love for one another. Alberto looked down, seeing a trickle of red on Giulia's leg. "Oh, it's my time". Giulia said, chuckling a bit. "Hmm". Alberto nodded. "We won't get...you know, baby bound from this?".

"We won't, I'm careful". Giulia whispered. "Hey, I have some". Alberto whispered. "Those?". "Oh, that's nice". Giulia whispered. "We can't have children yet". "We're not even married".

"That's the status quo talking". Alberto said. "We can basically do whatever we want". "We don't care about what anyone thinks, right?".

"Well, my parents might be concerned". Giulia whispered. "It's best to conceive only if we're married".

"We don't have to be married, but, maybe commitment is the smartest thing to do". Alberto whispered.

"It might be". Giulia whispered. "Mm". She kept kissing Alberto's lips. She knew sex during her period would stir things. Yet, she wasn't concerned.

They kept kissing, knowing they were more than friends. They were lovers. Lovers had their forever with them. Giulia kissed Alberto, feeling an essence of love with him.

Soon, they would marry their fortunes together. They would give Luca a house, and a life he deserved.

They kissed, as they kept their passion alive. They kept their love ignited.

Their love, their passion was as crystal clear as the oceans of Island Del Mare. Corsica. Alberto and Giulia had a passion for one another. Their passion seemed to carry with them for most of their lives.

They kept kissing, knowing they were within one another.

Luca sat at the kitchen table, looking at the picture of his family. He saw the picture of his mother and father. He began crying. He sniffled, as he held the picture close to him. He felt the sadness cover him, giving him despair. "Mom, dad". Luca said, sniffling. Luca sat up, looking around at the table, and at the kitchen. He felt even worse knowing he felt lonely. Luca went outside, seeing Alberto smoking a cigarette.

"Hey, bud". Alberto said, gently. "You ok?". "Kind of". Luca said, sniffling. "Do you miss your parents, your grandparents?". Alberto asked, gently. "I do, everyday". Luca said. "I kind of wish that my parents and grandparents were still alive".

"I get that". "I wish that, too". Alberto said, gently. "Your family was great". "But, you still feel lightheaded, and sweaty?". He said this in a low, gentle voice.

"I do". Luca said. "I have headaches, and I can't sleep, but I wake up, and I feel like I can't go back to sleep".

"I feel like that, too sometimes". Alberto said, gently. "It's gotten better, but it still feels weird". "How do you feel when you wake up?". "Because I feel like crap sometimes".

"I feel like my heart wants to claw out of my chest". Luca said. "My heart is ripping, and tearing, and hurting".

"I get it". Alberto said, gently. "I felt like that when my dad left". "It was hard at first, but luckily, I found someone very special, and cool, that I can pal with, for life".

"You know who that is?". Alberto said, gently. "I...I...I don't...I don't…". Luca said, trying to come up with an answer. "It's you, man". Alberto said, chuckling. "Oh, ok". Luca said. Alberto laughed a bit. He smiled a gentle Alberto smiled a gentle smile, understanding his best friend. "It's you, man". Alberto said, gently. Luca smiled a bit, looking up at Alberto. "Hey man, I get it". Alberto said, gently. "I get how you feel completely". "I've had some hard times, too". "Sometimes, the best thing to do, is to just leave well enough alone, and keep your head up". "That's what I kept doing for the longest time". "We'll get there, bud". "Do you need anything in the meantime?". Alberto was kind, and gentle.

"No, I'm quite alright". Luca said. "I'm ok for now". "Thank you". He smiled a bit. "Keep your head up, amico". Alberto said, gently. "Remember our Vespa".

Luca and Alberto smiled. It was an ok day for now. "You want to go to Manoli's, and get some Gelato?". Alberto asked, kindly. "I do". Luca said. Alberto and Luca went from the tower, getting in the old car. The car was a Bertoli. They got in, as Alberto drove. "To be completely honest, I could go for some Gelato right now". Alberto said, focusing on the small amount of road that was there. "Gelato sounds good". Luca said. There was a bit of silence between them, as they drove. Then Alberto spoke. "You've been having some bad nights, lately?". Alberto asked, kindly. "Kind of". Luca said. "I had a bad night, last night, and I keep having headaches, along with my stomach hurting".

"I went through that, too". Alberto said, kindly. "I had some problems with that just the other night, but, I will say, there are some medicines that help with that sort of thing". "Bud, maybe you need to see your doctor". "If you want to". "It's completely up to you".

"I think I will". Luca said. "Yeah?". Alberto said, kindly. "Good, good". "If you need anything, I'm right behind you". Alberto focused on his driving.

"I know". Luca said. "How's everything going in school?". Alberto asked, kindly, coolly. "Good". "I'm doing well". Luca said. "I got a 95 on my math test".

"I was never good at math, but I did do well with Phys. Ed, and lunch". Alberto said, chuckling. "Giulia may be able to help you with all that". "But good to know everything is going well".

"You are being honest, right?". Alberto asked. "It's not smart to lie, when I have an easy way of finding out".

"I wouldn't suggest it". Alberto said.

"Well, I...I...I...I am not...I'm not getting the grades I wanted". Luca said. "Really?". Alberto asked. "That's too bad". "How bad is it?".

"Somewhere in between failing and not showing up for attendance". Luca said. "I don't know why I'm failing". "I was doing so well before".

"Hmm, what are you having trouble with?". Alberto asked. "I don't know". Luca said. "I try my best". "I try to stay in class, I try to do the material". "I don't know why I keep failing".

"Well, I think maybe the reason you're not doing well is because of what happened, you know, before with your family". Alberto said, gently. "That could be it". "I think maybe it's been a hard time, and it reflects back on what you do". "I noticed that when I tried different things".

"After my dad left, I was kind of on my own". Alberto said. "I started making mistakes myself". "But I knew deep down that I needed someone". "I needed a best bud to call my own". He smiled an assuring smile.

"That's where you come in". "Hey, things will be fine". Alberto said, gently. "We'll sit down, and figure some things out". "Don't get down about it". "Things will be just fine, I promise you".

"You ok?". Alberto asked, gently. "I am". Luca said. "We'll get this Gelato, as our thing, and then we'll head back, and see what you have, homework wise". Alberto said, kindly. "I may not be able to help you, but I think Giulia can".

Tears welled up in Luca's eyes. Luca began crying. "Hey, it's ok, bud". Alberto said, kindly. "Hey, you'll be alright". "You're good to go".

He rubbed Luca's shoulder. "It'll be fine". Alberto said, gently. "I'll get you some Gelato". "Hey, I promise it'll be good".

"Hey, it'll be ok, kiddo". "Trust me". Alberto said, kindly. "I know". Luca said, sniffling. "It'll be ok, don't cry". Alberto said, gently. "Well, I've been doing the best I could for a long time". Lucca said sniffling. "I want to learn, I do, but I don't know why I'm not doing well".

"Well, I think maybe all the bad stuff has to get through first". Alberto said, gently. "Then, afterwards, you'll find yourself kicking up". "Believe me, it's not an overnight thing". "I had to get through it, and I knew deep inside, that somehow things would get better". "I found the right person to accompany me on my journey". "I'm glad we're together, it gives us something to look up to".

"It's not a time to be hard on yourself". Alberto said, kindly. "I like us, we can go at our own pace, we can do what we want without anyone having to ride our tail". "Hey, underdogs have to stick together". He chuckled a bit.

"There are no rules". Alberto said, kindly. "I like doing what I want, when I want". "If someone makes a statement, I can easily say, get out of here". "I like having you by my side". "You know I don't have any rules for you to follow". "You know we can do whatever we want".

"You know we're stuck together, aren't we". Alberto chuckled. "But what about Giulia?". Luca sniffled. "I see you both together, I see you talking to her about things, and you hardly even talk to me". "It's like I'm invisible".

"Well, Giulia and I kind of like one another". Alberto said, kindly. "We're in a relationship". "But that never means we don't think about you". "You're the most important person to me". "You know there are secrets we have, that I would never tell Giulia".

"Kind of". Luca said. "Hey, you know you're my favorite, bud". Alberto said, kindly. "What we have is something great, and I would never let anything get in the way of it".

"I know". Luca said. "It'll be ok, bud". Alberto said, kindly. "Know that you are important to me".

"I know". Luca said. "Cool". Alberto said, doing their Italian handshake with Luca. They both smiled, as they got their Gelato. They were doing well. Although in the distance, in a private villa, in a marriage as disembodied as the jaded mosaic of the garden sidewalks, there was someone by the name of Ercole. He had something, and someone to control.