LÍO

WHAT IS LOVE?

Thirteen year old Adam's sipping on a coffee and painting a picture in his bedroom. It's a warm day and he's playing music. The windows and curtains are wide open.

He's immersed in the moment and letting his inspiration flow as he strokes the brush across the canvas of the rainbow coloured cat.

Stepping back, he admires the delicate pastel shades he's chosen for the piece, an entry into the schools Young Artist contest.

Mahmoud walks in with two cups of tea:

"Baba could you set the tea on the desk please? I'll be over in a moment."

Mahmoud nods and sits down on the sofa. "Did you paint this yourself?"

"Yeah. It's for a contest. The winner gets a thousand euros in cash and a trip to Madrid."

"It's very good but I'm not sure about the pastel colours."

"Why?"

"It's not realistic enough and they're a bit light but other than that, it's great. I'm glad you have a hobby that keeps you out of trouble."

Adam smiles. "I think I'm pretty good at it."

"Keep developing your talent. You never know where it might take you." Mahmoud adds. "I came to talk to you about something important."

"What's that?" Adam asks, sitting down beside him.

"Did you get caught smoking cigarettes in school today?"

"Whereabouts?"

"In the school bathrooms. Everyone knows you don't smoke in there. If you really want to smoke, do it outside." Mahmoud sighs. "And even then, you shouldn't really be smoking."

"Are you mad at me?" Adam asks quietly.

Mahmoud shakes his head. "Just very disappointed in you. You shouldn't be smoking at your age."

"I know, Baba but I'm really stressed. Life's been hard and I'm sorry for letting you down."

"You're also suspended for a week. I don't want to have to take your TV time away from you or your music so be good okay?"

"I'll try." Adam nods. "Also is it okay if I see Giovanni? He's coming over to study with me."

Mahmoud nods. "Just behave yourselves okay?"

___

Adam walks into work half an hour late, looking and feeling like he's been hit by a freight train at full speed. Yawning, he makes his way to sign in and collect his name tag, which he almost drops. Fixing himself up, he almost bumps into Luz, who's laughing and shaking her head:

"Morning sleepy head."

Adam nods and yawns as he makes his way out into the main area to be greeted by a man around his age.

"Where's Lux?" He asks her. "It feels weird without him here."

"Lux decided to quit. Papa says he needs to take the Summer off and prepare for classes next semester. He got into that Business class that he wanted to take last year."

Adam smiles. "Good on him."

The man nods. "Yes it is... Adam Said?"

"It is." Adam adds, looking up to the taller man, inspecting him. "Giovanni?"

Giovanni nods, smiles and jokingly pats Adam on the head. "You're still half a foot smaller than everyone else."

"Yeah I'm still Baby Adam." he laughs. "How have you been?"