Learning to Live

Chapter 3

They were now sitting in what must be Andres office, Luca was swinging around in the chair and Andre was watching him with amused face.
"Kid, I mean Luca, you caught my attention a couple of weeks ago, more likely 6 weeks ago, how long you been on the streets?"
He stopped spinning his chair and faced Andre "ummmm full time 2 years nearly" Andre's mouth dropped, how has he survived "wow how have you lasted this long?" He shrugged his shoulders "no idea really, I'm surprised too, I thought I would be dead or like your gang would have got hold of me" he shrugged his shoulders and looked down at his feet "We don't go looking for people, people usually come to us looking for safety and we take them in"
"yeah I'm not doing that" "what do you mean Luca?" "I'm not willing to die for or because of drugs or a stupid argument that has nothing to do with me" Andre laughed "you really are smart" "just a bit" Luca made a little gap between his thumb and first finger.
"Ok well the reason I wanted to speak to you is, as you said you are smart and some of my gang.......aren't so smart......and seem to be failing most classes, so I will let you have a room here, shower and 3 meals a day if you become our teacher/tutor and get them passing their classes and helping with homework" Andre leant back into his chair, Luca got up from his chair and walked round the room looking at the pictures and nick nacks "so all I have to do is teach them and help them understand for a room and food, I won't be involved with your gang, I won't have to do any stupid rights of passage or get a tattoo" Andre laughed
"No you won't be part of the gang unless you want to but I am trusting you as you may hear things whilst here, you are not to speak to anyone about anything you see or hear about this gang do you understand Luca" Andres voiced had turned from calm and welcoming to dark and authoritarian which scared Luca slightly but not enough "Calm down Alpha, yes I get you, I will trust you to look after me and you can trust me if I hear or see anything...I didn't" and he winked at Andre, Andre rolled his eyes and got up out his chair and walked to the door and went to open it "I have to ask Luca, why aren't you scared or frightened of me or anyone downstairs when you first got here?"
"What's the point in being scared it gets you no where, a level head is much better in all situations and secondly your a pussy cat to the monsters I've seen" with that Andre opened he door and followed Luca back downstairs, deep in thought what has this boy been through that he has seen monsters, it was definitely a worrying thought.

As they got down stairs dinner was just being served at the table, everyone seemed to appear out of nowhere, Luca was looking around, Andre pointed to a chair for Luca to sit in "You ok Kid?" Giant said "yeah I'm just wondering if you have magic doors or something where did all these people come from" all the people laughed around the table.
"No we just have an open door policy with our gang if you need breakfast or dinner you are always welcome but when you have extra please return the favour" Reggie said in between mouthfuls of pasta, Luca nodded "that's nice to have that safety net, I could have done with that last year but never mind" as he took his first bite and moaned "you like?" A blonde girl said smiling "yes first hot meal I have had in.........wow months, her smile dropped slightly,
"so let me do introductions I'm Grace Andre's sister and that is Reggie Andre's Best friend and second in command" Reggie waved his fork at Luca, "you met Giant, the kid you were helping is Tyler and there is also Lilly and Liam they are twins and lastly is Brett" the door swings open and in runs 2 lads "we aren't late are we, there's still food isn't there?" Grace laughed as she got 2 plates and handed them out "and this is our other brother Connor and his friend Trent" "nice to meet you all I'm" "Dreamer" Reggie cut in "why do you call me Dreamer?" Some of the table were smiling "some day we will tell you" Andre said smiling whilst ruffling Luca's hair.
Once everyone was completely stuffed and had second helpings people started to get up from the table when Andre called out "hey before everyone disappears Luca will be staying here, he will not be part of the gang but he will be here to help with school work and homework, no one is going to fail anymore classes got that" the kids all groaned "Let everyone know who isn't here that 5-7 Tuesday to Friday they can get help here" he then turned to Luca "them times are ok?" "I guess so, to be honest I'm starting a new school on Monday" everyone stopped what they were doing and sat back down "explain" Grace said "some teacher put me forward for a scholarship at Kingsdown Academy and I got accepted, I start Monday" everyone was looking at Andre with wide eyes "what's going on?" "Everyone can leave, let's go to the lounge Luca and Grace". Luca was so confused why were people upset with him, he sat on the sofa playing with his hands Andre sighed as he sat next to Luca
"So myself and Reggie noticed you about 6 weeks ago and we mentioned you to Grace and Connor they knew of you" Grace cut in "we don't know your history just that sometimes you were homeless" Luca Snorted "not sometimes, I've been homeless for 2 years" "oh I'm sorry, so I don't know if you knew but you got picked on a bit" Luca nodded "and it stopped one day" Luca nodded again looking at Grace and tilting his head
"well myself Connor and Trent may have sort of threatened them to back off,we have sort of been watching you" Luca's eyes went wide "I just thought they got bored with me not caring and found someone else to annoy, so was it you guys that would leave odd snacks in my locker?" She nodded "whenever we had extra I would bring them to school for you" Luca didn't get emotional very often, his tears ran out years ago or so he thought "can I hug you?" Grace nodded and opened up her arms "Them snacks saved me so many times, thank you" he looked at Andre
"so what's that got to do with me moving schools?" "Well we don't know anyone at the Academy" Andre didn't finish the sentence "you think I can't look after myself against teenagers?" He looked at Grace and Andre "I can look after myself, the reason I never fought back against the bullies at school was because they weren't worth the hassle of detention, suspension or getting kicked out as you said earlier you don't know anything about my history like I don't know anything about yours but I haven't been mean or thrown it in your face" he said angrily and started to get up to leave. Andre went to grab his arm but Luca moved out the way, "Please stay with us Luca" Grace pleaded, he walked to the door picking his belongings up "I.......need to think, I will let you know Monday after school" with that Luca left.
"He is stronger than I gave him credit, interesting" "Andre please don't hurt him, don't make him one of us, he is too good for this life I can already tell" Grace said facing Andre, Andre nodded then left and went up to his office.