"A very good starter, I must admit. You are ahead of the class in just a week of your arrival, splendido!" He nodded curtly at the academic head of the civil engineering department. He was standing in the office of the short pudgy man despite the fact that he had offered him a seat. He stood just so he didn't seem too far from the academic's desk and hence seem rude but also quite close to the door so he could make his escape quickly. He had been standing for over 20 minutes now while the academic wowed over the result of the test that was conducted three days before, on Friday.  "This is squisito! I can't believe it! A 25!" The academic announced, peering over the rim of his glasses at the sheet of papers that was his. "Thank you sir but can I leave now? I have other classes to..." "Yes, Mr. Cerintti. Of course." "Goodbye Signore."  He turned quickly, his eyes catching something on the academic's desk. He shook his head and

Domenico lounged outside the solid mechanics lecture room. Clemente was still packing his books inside, that boy was too slow, he had been standing for over 10 minutes now. He let out an exasperated sigh and turned back to match into the class just as Clemente walked out of it, or rather... He raised a bewildered brow, tiptoed out of it. "What are you doing?" He asked, staring at Clemente who had a stricken look on his face, his back still hunched in the posture of a stalking thief. Clemente straightened up, clearing his throat, "I... I'm sorry. I didn't... uhm..." Clemente itched his head. His mouth formed into an O as he realized what happened. Clemente had wanted to avoid him. Hence, the delayed stay in class and tip-toeing. He really scared him that much? He cleared his throat, adjusting his hold on his bag as he remembered why he had been waiting. "Are you still interested in getting tutored?" He asked. His voice didn't exactly co

He didn't think his present self was much different from his past self before the bullying, except for the effects the bullying cost him, but after the abuse started, he slowly became complacent, giving in to people's will to get in their good books, to get the slightest ounce of sympathy and kindness. He was done with that now, that life, that part of him was long buried. 6 months was what it took him and even if he was still damaged, so damaged that he derived joy from watching those who had suppressed him be suppressed themselves, he was determined to rise above all, he was determined to show them that he was far better than they imagined, far better than any of them would ever be. And he would have to teach Clemente that... In the hardest way possible. "My rules" he started, facing startled Clemente, "When I teach, you listen... Attentively. Two, no questions asked until I'm done. Three, no unnecessary words; apologies, requests, whatever. Four, no lateness. That

Rosetta walked out of the montagna biblioteca, a huge smile on her face. Win, Rosetta, she smiled happily, reveling in the shocked, disbelieving, angry look Domenico had displayed after her sudden announcement. She chuckled, he was going to tutor alright. It was first a handful of people that had responded to her call then within a few minutes, he had a small crowd gathered around him, all of them his potential students. She smirked, she had slipped away before the librarian could get to her. Ahhhhh, she breathed out, heading in the direction of her apartment after stealing a glance at his parked Ferrari. One for Rosetta. She practically skipped all the way to her house, having to suppress the smile on her face to avoid looking weird to passers-by. She skipped all the way up the stone stairs of the old Villa customised student apartment. The house sure had a lot of modernizing to do but she loved the ancient feeling mixed with the new. Part of the rea

"Domenico! What do you take me for?! Your baby sitter?! Why the hell will you come back this late and not tell me beforehand?!" He heard Marino rant before he even opened the door. "Mio Dio!" Marino exclaimed, seeing him, "Whatever happened to your face?!" He pushed past Marino and stumbled into the house, falling back-first when he got to the Chobi rug. He needed the comfort. "What happened, man?!" Marino queried after locking the door. "Stop shouting." He muttered, licking his bloody lips. "Why wouldn't I shout?! You come back by this time when I know you don't attend parties or do the stuffs that I do, all bloody and weak and you tell me not to shout?!" "It's not that bad." He retorted, his eyes fixed on the panelled ceiling gleaming with the bright lighting. The thugs had only gotten a few hits on his face and back before he escaped. Thank Dio they did not have a gun. "What?!" "It's not that bad! Stop shouti