Lost Lombardi

Chapter 25

When Dino went home after rugby practice, Pietro was already there. Dino felt exhausted when he got out of the vehicle.

"So, how was rugby practice?" Pietro asked, seeing Dino.

"It was horrible. I hate it," Dino said.

"It's the first day. The first day is always hard. You'll get used to it," Pietro said.

"Okay then," Dino replied.

"Looks like you got some wounds too," Pietro said, nodding at Dino's lip.

"Oh, that one? That's not from practice. Helio punched me," Dino explained.

"Really? For no reason?" Pietro asked with concern.

"Well, he started to mock me, and we argued. It ended up like this," Dino said.

"Did you hit him too?" Pietro asked. He questioned like a news interviewer. It didn't seem like Pietro took it seriously. Dino was sure Pietro thought it was normal because he had done the same at that age.

"Yeah, but as you can see...," Dino said, opening his arms and turning in a circle to show his body, "it didn't affect me much."

"You need to eat well and go to the gym," Pietro said.

"Say what now? I... I just—"

"Dino, do as I said," Pietro said firmly.

"But I just want to pass the exams and go to college. I hate sports," Dino pleaded.

"Then do both," Pietro said without mercy.

"But Papa," Dino begged.

"It's just the first day. You'll get used to it. You said you played football at the other school," Pietro said.

"Yeah, but I was bad. I was on the bench. I was the last guy on the bench," Dino replied.

"You better not be on the bench at this school, Dino. Don't make me ashamed in front of Niko and Rocco. Now go and rest," Pietro said and left.

"Shit, I have tons of homework," Dino thought while climbing the staircase. "Why isn't my room on the first floor? I hate climbing all these stairs."

On the weekend, Rocco came to the mansion with Helio. That was the last thing Dino wanted to happen. Dino thought Pietro might take him somewhere, but instead, Rocco and Pietro wanted Helio and Dino to get along.

"So, why don't you two try to be friends since we're all in the same family?" Rocco said to Dino and Helio. Pietro was also there. It was clear that the two fathers wanted them to be friends.

"But why?" Helio said rudely.

"I already explained why. I'm not going to repeat myself," Rocco snapped, looking at Helio.

"Oh yeah, we're family. So what?" Helio said, trying to leave, but Rocco dragged him back.

"Why don't you take Dino somewhere and bring him back safe after a few hours?" Rocco suggested.

'Hell no,' Dino thought.

"No, Uncle Rocco. I'm fine. I want to study," Dino said, trying to back off.

Dino saw Helio smirk.

"Study? You always study. What's wrong with going out on the weekend? Life isn't just about being stuck in your room studying," Pietro said.

"But he's a bully. What if he hits me?" Dino protested.

"Hit him back," Rocco said, pushing Dino toward Helio. Helio moved away, disgusted, to avoid Dino hitting him.

'Is this how they're trying to make us friends? This is so annoying,' Dino thought.

"Dino, it's not bad to have some friends," Pietro said as if he were giving great advice.

"I have friends at school," Dino replied.

"Who? Kacper?" Helio laughed. "He's a loser."

Dino felt angry and sad at being called Kacper a loser. Kacper was a nice guy who got neglected by everyone, yet he took everything with a smiling face.

"He's not a loser. He's a nice kid, Papa. He's not a loser," Dino said, looking at Pietro.

"I'm sure he's a nice kid, Dino. Now go out with Helio and be friends, then come back," Pietro insisted.

"What's going on?" Don's voice came from inside.

"Let's go before he comes," Helio whispered to Dino, suddenly running. Dino got the hint and ran with Helio. Going out with Helio was better than talking with Don. Finally, there was one thing in common between Helio and Dino: neither of them liked Don.