Lost Lombardi

Chapter 37

"Dino, what are you doing?" Dino gasped when he heard Pietro's angry voice and looked up at him.

"What are you looking at?" Pietro asked again, staring at Dino across the table. They were having dinner, and Dino had been on his phone, texting May since he came home.

"I'm just checking my phone," Dino said, having only taken one bite of his food. Don hadn't joined them for dinner today, which made Dino feel relieved.

"Put your phone in your room and come back," Pietro said firmly.

"I'll keep it in my pocket," Dino responded, trying to slide the phone into his pocket.

"Do as I said, right now, or I'll throw your phone away," Pietro warned. Dino got up from his chair and did as he was told. He knew Pietro wasn't someone who cared about feelings. For Pietro, rules were rules.

Dino returned to the dining table after putting his phone in his room and started eating, though he wasn't really hungry. His mind was filled with thoughts of May. He had been thinking about her all day, waiting for her replies. She still acted like she didn't like him, yet she replied to him quickly.

"How was school today? Is Helio okay with you now?" Pietro asked.

"Yes, he's okay with me now," Dino replied.

"Helio said you're making fun of him," Pietro said, staring at Dino. Dino choked on a piece of chicken and started coughing.

"I was just trying to be friendly," Dino explained.

"That's not what he told me. You better not mess with him if you can't handle the consequences. Don't cry like a baby if he bullies you again," Pietro said, and Dino realized he might know what had actually happened.

"Okay, Papa," Dino said quietly.

—------------

"Who the hell have you been texting all day?" Kacper finally asked Dino. Dino hadn't talked much with Kacper today. He'd been on his phone most of the time, and Kacper felt isolated and ignored because of it. He wondered what was going on with Dino.

"It's annoying when you're always on your phone," Kacper added.

"Sorry, man. I just found a new girlfriend," Dino said.

"What? Who? You didn't even tell me," Kacper asked, sounding upset.

"Well, we're not officially dating yet. Sorry, I totally forgot to tell you. Anyway, guess who my girlfriend is," Dino said with a smirk.

"May, definitely May," Kacper said, his tone disagreeing.

"What? You're not happy about that?" Dino asked.

"I don't know, man. She's so mean and proud," Kacper said.

"Well, yesterday I went to their school, and I saw your girl too," Dino said, and Kacper's face lit up.

"Natisha?" he asked.

"Yeah," Dino replied.

"You went there alone? You didn't even tell me," Kacper said, sounding disappointed.

"Yesterday, I had rugby practice," Dino explained.

"But you were supposed to go with me. That's what best friends do, I guess," Kacper said.

"I don't think she'd give me a chance if I went with you. She's shy, you know that," Dino said.

"Shy? May? She's rude," Kacper said, and Dino laughed.

As they talked, Dino spotted Helio in the distance. His mouth tingled with the urge to say something, but this time he controlled himself.

—-------

"Boys, at the end of this month, there will be a concert at Rosewood Academy. If you'd like to watch, you can buy tickets," Ms. Bright said after finishing her lesson. The boys started murmuring.

"What kind of concert, madam?" one boy asked.

"It's a talent show. There will also be an art exhibition," Ms. Bright replied.

Dino and Kacper exchanged glances.

"So, are we going?" Dino asked.

"If May is in it, her father will definitely go to watch, and I might have to go with them. So, that means yes," Kacper said.

"Yes! Let's surprise them, then," Dino said, excited.

"Okay, if you want. But I'm going there to see Natisha," Kacper said.

"Why don't you ask for her number if you like her so much? Are you waiting for someone else to take your girl?" Dino teased. "Yo, she even comes to your house on some weekends, and you've never tried to ask for her number?"

"Well, I only started liking her a few months ago, okay? I didn't care about her that much before," Kacper said.

"Alright then, ask for her number," Dino insisted.

"What if she doesn't like me?" Kacper asked, his voice filled with worry.

"What if she does like you?" Dino countered.

"Hmm... okay then. I'll try," Kacper finally agreed.

The next weekend, Dino went to see Kacper again, and this time Kacper's stepfather and mother were home as well. Dino had been wrong about them. They were actually nice, talking with him a bit and making him feel welcome—not like he had expected.

When Dino saw May today, it was different. He felt shy, and he noticed May was blushing too, as if she felt the same. Texting her had always been easy, but now, face-to-face, Dino found it hard to talk. He wondered how he had suddenly become so shy around her.

"So, is she coming today?" Dino asked Kacper while they were in Kacper's room.

"I'm not sure. I don't know May's plans," Kacper replied.

"It's a bit strange because your parents are here. They seem nice, though," Dino said.

"Yeah, they're nice, but they don't care about me. Mom cares more about May than me. Actually, my stepfather cares more about May than Mom does about me," Kacper said.

Dino didn't get the chance to talk to May today since Kacper's stepfather and mother were around. It seemed like May's friends weren't coming over either, so Kacper and Dino decided to go shopping instead.

"What are we going to buy?" Kacper asked.

"Not sure. Let's buy something we like, eat, and then go somewhere," Dino suggested. He took out his phone and sent a text to May, asking if she wanted to join them. She replied that she couldn't because her dad was home, and Dino felt a little disappointed.

First, they went shopping and bought some shoes, then had a meal at a fancy restaurant. After that, they headed to the lakeside again.

"We should find some other places to go on the weekend," Dino said.

"There's a park around the corner. I heard it's cool," Kacper suggested.

"You've never been there?" Dino asked, surprised.

"No, I didn't have a friend before I met you, so I never went anywhere," Kacper admitted, and Dino felt a pang of sympathy. It was clear Kacper lacked confidence, and sometimes he seemed a bit depressed.

While they were having fun around the lake, Dino suddenly felt strong arms grab him. He looked at Kacper, who stared back at him in fear.