I quickly made my way home but I couldn't shake the feeling I was being followed. Nevertheless, I didn't have time to look back and worry about it. Nonno will have my head if I don't get home soon.

I made it home and went inside to see Nonno standing there as expected. I quickly closed the door and handed him ten dollars and he sent me to bed.

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I followed Lovino, hoping I didn't look like a creepy pedo-stalker and watched as he went up to a big huge house. It looked big enough to be a mini mansion.

"Lovino lives here?!" I whisper/shouted quietly.

I watched him open the door and saw a man that looked like he was probably Lovino's father standing there waiting. Lovino closed the door and I was cut-off from view. I turned around and headed back to the pizzeria, my thoughts swarming.

When I got back, Dad and Nick looked at me expectantly and I sighed.

"He's home, but you should have seen the size of that house. It was practically a mini-mansion. That kid must be rolling in cash," I said and Nick's eyes widened.

"Then what would he need a job here for? It makes no sense," Nick said and I nodded in agreement.

"Hold on a second, don't jump to conclusions now. I'm sure there's a very logical explanation for all of this," my mom said coming into the room. She was always the voice of reason for us.

"Do you think we should ask him?" I asked but she shook her head no.

"If he wants us to know, he'll tell us. This is a personal matter. We shouldn't push him,"" Mom said and I sighed.

"You're always right about these types of things so I won't push it," I said and she smiled warmly.

"I guess I won't press the issue either," Nick said and dad nodded a silent agreement as well.

"Well then, I think it's about time to hit the sack, eh?" Dad asked and we headed out the back door of the pizzeria to a small house. It's funny how we live behind our restaurant. Now we have no reason to be late.

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The next day on lunch hour, I waited at my locker for the BTT to come. I only had to wait a short time because soon, they were standing in front of me.

"Before you do anything know zat ve're not here to beat you up or ask for money. Ve just vant to talk," Gilbert said and I rolled my eyes and whipped out my money.

"Here, take this bastards and then you can talk," I said handing each one of them a five.

Gracias, but that's what we're here to talk about," Antonio said and I rose an eyebrow.

"You're upping the price?" I questioned. I'd have to work a double and triple shift to be able to afford that.

"Non, we are trying to tell you zat we don't want you to keep paying us like this. How the hell can you afford it anyway? You're giving us five dollars each everyday. That's fifteen dollars a day," Francis said and I frowned at the situation I just ended up in. I don't want to tell them I'm working my ass off at a pizzeria but if I don't tell them something they might beat me up.

"Um, well... I have a job," I said. There! It's not the full truth but it's not a lie either.

"You got a job just to pay us?!" All three of them shouted and I was thankful the hallway was empty.

"Not exactly just for you. I have other responsibilities to take care of too," I said.

"Ja, but still, you're probably giving us the bulk of it just because we beat you up," Gilbert said and I glared at him.

"You listen here bastardo, the only reason I'm fucking paying you bastards is because I gave my word that I would and as an Italiano, when I give my word, it's fucking law, cápito?" I said growling slightly at the end. I picked my bag up (when had I dropped it?) and went on my way towards the library.