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Warning: This first book has a lot of grammar errors.(Including present/past tense writing) I wrote this story back when I had no idea how to write, I just wanted to have fun. Lots of cringe and I tried to fix as much as I could but ultimately it would take too long to rewrite everything. Second book is way better and new, so just try to get through the first part. It's worth it just for the second book.

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   I wonder what's worse than moving to a new country, a new town with a new home and a family you've never met before. What happens if you move away from your home that you have lived in since the day you were born? Is it madness? I mean, I've spent my life around my loved ones. I was so accustomed to always seeing them down the street and knowing exactly where they were at every minute of everyday. That was my life in Italy, but now things are different.

   And now I'm torn to pieces as I wonder about this new world and the life I'm going to have. A new life. This past summer I spent differently. I was with my family in Italy spending every waking moment with them. I lived with my dad, until my mom offered me an opportunity to make my life different and invited me to live with her in America. Yes, my parent's are divorced. They divorced when I was five years old. I don't think it ever affected me because I always saw them and I was a big traveler. Italians are big with families so I never really suffered from it. They just weren't together anymore.

   But my mom is different from the rest of my family. She's Italian-American, she was born over there and had been living in the states for as long as I could remember. I traveled a lot back and forth and honestly I loved it. She works at a huge company that many are aware of, Google. There she met a man and they married by paper a few months ago.

   I think the reason she asked me to come live with her is because she knew I was hurting. Ever since she met her husband and was living a life with a new family, I wasn't able to talk to her or see her as much as I used to, putting a lot of stress on our relationship. She's everything to me. I love her dearly. And without her I feel like I'm not complete. I guess you can say I'm a momma's boy. I have all the right reasons to be.

   She called me one day and I still recall the excitement in her voice as she popped the question. Her husband had his own house, a very nice one from what I knew, and they had room for me. He was all for it, so how could I not refuse to go across seas to live in AMERICA of all places.

   I had my doubts about her husband. I've known for a while that she was happy, but I was still her son and I was miserable thinking about her and another family. I'm not even sure if the normal kid enjoys seeing their single parent marry someone else. I keep thinking I'm not going to like the guy, and maybe I rightfully won't. He did take away my mom, so call me petty but I'm ready to destroy a family if I have to. Just kidding, or am I?

    I wasn't going to lie, I was TERRIFIED. I was two years from being eighteen and an adult. Most of my childhood is gone and I couldn't exactly pretend I was a child again so I could relive life all over again, this time Americanized. If anything goes bad, I can always just say I was kidnapped.

   "Leo." My mom snapped.

   "Yes, Jenny?" I replied by using her first name.

   "Don't make me smack you. You can't stay quiet forever."

   It's true. I can't be quiet forever but I can sure as hell try. Ignoring my mom is my best skill. It comes in handy in so many situations, like this one for instance. My mom is the kind that thinks she's cool just because she looks like she is still eighteen years old.

   "You're going to like them," she assured me.

   "How can you be so sure? I've never even met them."

   "Because I'm your mother and I know."

   "So?" I looked at her. "I'm not gonna lie to you, but the only reason I even agreed is because I miss you, I never asked for another family."

   She sighed. "I promise that it will be a good opportunity for us all." She extended her fist. I collided mines with hers.

   "Together forever," we said simultaneously. Then she punched my shoulder and I shut my eyes in pain. I rubbed my shoulder. It always surprised me at how strong parents really are. I should report her for child abuse. Then I laughed.

   "Why can't you grow old like any normal mom?"

   "Honey." She placed her hand on my arm and squeezed it. "I'm sixteen forever."

   "Does that make my new dad." I formed the sarcastic hooks with my fingers at the word dad. "A pedophile?"

   "We're both sixteen."

   "Oh, great," I said in a fake enthusiastic tone. 

   Just what I needed, another immature adult to take care of me. As if I didn't already have a family of the same species to do that. I was hoping for a step-dad that was more mature and could handle my teenage mood swings, since my mom would only heighten them. I don't know him yet, though. So I couldn't really judge.

   "He has two kids you know . . . You're going to have step siblings."

   "Yes, I know. As if I need more family members." I rolled my eyes. 

   I wasn't so excited about this. I was always the only child and the only thing that was close to siblings were my cousins and my friends. And I had many of them. Big family. This is why America will torture me to death. America isn't the same. I've only been here an hour and already feel home sick.

   There are so many houses and they don't even look friendly. Not like my home.

   There are too many streets, too many buildings, too much technology. Everywhere I look is technology. Where I live, we don't have much of that. We have houses and small streets. Many shops and tourists but not this. I do get what people mean when they say you feel free. There's just so much space. But it makes you feel alone.

   Everything I've learned about America is wrong. I don't see kids playing outside. I don't see the typical American families outside enjoying the sun or the nice clear skies. They are all inside, like if they were afraid to step outside. What if every state is the same as this one? I don't even know what state I am in.

   Sure, everything looked nice and clean and very beautiful but there's just so much missing. Clearly, America will take sometime getting used to. But in the end, this has to be a good thing, right? It's an adventure, a reason to grow and see the world for what it really is. Different.

   "When we get there, please be nice. For me," she said, knowing exactly who she was talking to.

   My mom was different from me physically. She was blonde and I had brown hair. She had blue eyes and I had brown eyes. She was pale and I was tan. Except in winter when I turned icy pale like my mom. I guess I came out like my dad. She looked more stereotypical-white-American. It was funny.

   Books can't teach you everything, you have to really experience it for yourself to know everything.

   "I'll try..."

   "Let's go over a few things before we get there," she said. "First off, school."

   "I missed the first month of school. Do you know how terrible that is?" I said. "Everyone already knows each other and I'm just going to be the new kid. Why does every country have to have a different summer? What's wrong with just sharing one?"

   "You don't know that, honey. This place is different." She rubbed my chin. "Anyway, I can't drive you to school because I work from morning to night."

   "Mom, I know that. You've been going over every detail with me since I agreed FOUR months ago. Stop being nervous, you're making my nervousness worse."

   "I'm just saying, I won't be there to drop off my little baby," she cooed at me, making my face blush in embarrassment. "You're going to ride with your new brother."

   "How old is he?" I stared in shock. When my mom said I had step siblings, I thought she meant little kids. Not teenage form siblings! My step sister is 8! I was hoping for the other one to be 8 too!

   "Seventeen, just like you in a month."

   "MOM!" I shouted. Seventeen? What if he's . . . Oh God . . . Homophobic.

   "What? What?" she said nervously. "I thought I told you."

   "No . . . You told me how old Molly was, not Derek."

   "Oops."

   No one knew my biggest secret, that I'm gay. I'm so far inside the closet that sometimes I wonder if I will somehow come in contact with Narnia. I've never told anyone. I'm too afraid of the consequences. I don't know how my mom will react. I don't know what it could do to her. What if this new guy she loves is super homophobic? He will surely kick her and me out and she would be so devastated.

   I've never had the guts to come out before she met him either. I act normal, and by normal I mean stereotypical-straight. The only time I act feminine is when I'm comfortable around my friends, and even then they don't know what I am, they just think I'm being funny. I walk, talk, eat, breathe like any regular guy just so that I wouldn't get ridiculed. I'm afraid to be a disgrace to my family. What would my dad think, too? Would I lose both of my parents? I try not to think about this too much unless I feel like I'm in jeopardy and then I start analyzing everything to make sure I'm being safe. It was exhausting and it hurt.

   I might not be out but I'm smart enough to know that these are the thoughts that homosexual kids go through every day. It's why society is so messed up. Too many closed-minded people. Not enough support.

   Maybe America is different and I might come out during my time here. Who knows?

   But right now I have to worry about my safety and my moms. Not who I'm attracted to.

   "We're almost here baby," she said, excited.

   I looked through the passenger window at the passing houses. They were big. I've never lived in a big home. I wonder if my new home is going to be big. I guess I'm about to find out.

   We pulled up in front of a dark brown mahogany house. The front yard had many flowers and it was really green and neat. Something tells me they prepared for my visit. Well, call me impressed cause' this was one hell of a house. The only times I had seen the house was from the inside when my mom and I did video calls. She never told me about the beautiful garden outside. It made me wonder if it was hers or if her husband did it.

   The straight pathway was surrounded by rose bushes of different colors. The path itself was made out of beige colored stones. Almost like sand. The house was impressive and large. Two floors but large in width.

   My mom got out of the car and so did I. I stared at her and gave her looks as she took out my luggage. I grabbed them and placed them on the sidewalk. Then I took out the five boxes in the back and I heard the front door of the house open.

   I quickly took a glance at my mom and guessed that it was him, my new step dad. Okay, here I go. Let's see what this demon looks like.

   I turned around and nodded in my mind. He looked like a man, with two eyes, a neck and some clothes. Some arms too and two legs. Nice.

   He quickly smiled when he saw me and he was walking towards us. Well, me mostly.

   "It is so nice to finally meet you Leonardo," he said as we shook hands.

   "Call me Leo, please." I smiled, or at least tried to, but I forced one anyway.

   "You are just so handsome!" Then he turned to my mom and I looked away while their staring moment happened. You know...the one where the couple hasn't seen each other for centuries and they finally meet again and they have this staring contest with awkward smiles.

   They held hands and stood close to each other. I coughed to break the silence and they both focused back on me. They kissed quickly and he took my luggage.

   "DEREK!" He called out. Then twice then four times but no sign of Derek. "I'm sorry, he must be too busy playing video games."

   Great. A nerd.

   "Why don't you two head inside, I'll take care of these," he said.

   "Come on, honey" My mom grabbed my arm and walked me through the garden. 

   We entered and the first thing I saw was the living room to my right. The floors were all made out of very shiny dark wood. There was a fish tank behind the large couch. And the wide open kitchen behind it. It was big. But anything was bigger than where I used to live in.

   "Do you like it?" she asked.

   "Its...big." 

   A little girl appeared from the kitchen, she ran towards my mom and jumped in her arms. She looked kind of like my mom except with long black shiny hair. I'm guessing this is Molly, unless random little girls just happen to appear out of nowhere.

   "Jenny! I missed you!" she hollered.

   "I missed you too, sweet heart."

   "Hi, Leo." She waved at me in my mom's arms.

   "Hi, Molly." I waved back.

   She was really cute and I could get used to having a little step sister. Maybe this won't be so bad at all. Steve was obviously very kind and he was the perfect fit for my mom. They were both at the same weird level and they were both slightly good looking.

   "DEREK! GET DOWN HERE THIS INSTANT!" Steve shouted behind me which caused me to jump a little. Steve looked at me like I was prized diamond, and smiled. I was definitely a diamond.

   "WHAT!?" I heard Derek growl from upstairs. I recognized his voice from the video calls I had with my mom, but never really saw what he looked like.

   "JENNY IS HERE!" he shouted back.

   Was it really that hard to go upstairs and get him instead of screaming at each other through the house? Is that how they communicate? Nevertheless I'm not screaming.

   I heard footsteps going down the stairs and my heart stopped as Derek, my new step brother, came into view. His straight brown hair shot from all directions in a messy way, his eyes were sky blue. He stared at me, and I stared at him, but almost like in shock. His face was so flawless and perfect. I quickly looked down on him. He was wearing pajamas. That's weird, considering it was late in the afternoon. Unless he was going to sleep soon, which was also weird, did people go to sleep this early here?

   The room was silent except for the beating of my heart that was unheard by anyone else. I couldn't swallow. It's like time suddenly stopped and I was forced to look at him against my will because he was so damn gorgeous.

   Steve cleared his throat after a few seconds of silence. "Leo." He looked at me. "You're going to stay in Derek's room until your room is finished. It's being renovated and a new bathroom is being installed. Derek's room is the biggest in the house so you will stay there until then."

   "What?" Derek said. "Why didn't you tell me this? You should have told me so I could have cleaned my room." He looked at me but showed no expression.

   "I did tell you." Steve raised an eye brow. "And since when do you clean your room? You wouldn't even clean it if the queen of England came."

   "I...Because...He's staying in my room?" He said all confused. Steve's response was a big sigh. Molly and mom giggled.

   "Yes. Now please take his things to your room and show him around while I set the table for dinner." Steve took mom's hand and they left towards the kitchen. I stood there, unable to breathe correctly. I moved forward and bend down to grab my luggage.

   "Wait!" Derek hurried over to me and took my luggage. "I got it. Go up the stairs, all the way to the end of the hall and turn to the right."

   I nodded slowly and walked towards the stairs as he followed me. Just having him following me sent shivers down my body. It's like I just suddenly turned insecure and everything that didn't matter before, mattered now.

   He even smelled divine. Not that I was smelling him but I passed by him and he smelled so good. I wish I could bury my lips in his neck.

   "Calm down Leo." I whispered.

   "What did you say?" Derek asked.

   "Nothing."

   I stopped at a door and looked at him as he approached with my things. He was so strong, his muscles showed through his shirt. Okay Leo, you and I need to have a little talk. One, you need to stop drooling over him. Two, you've only been here a few seconds and you already want to bury your face in his neck. You need to think about mom and realize there are more important things right now.

   Alright, alright. I won't. Jeez, I'm so mean sometimes.

   "Are...Are you okay?"

   "Uh, what?" I looked at him and regretted it. He was so beautiful. And this is going to be my step-brother? "Oh, yeah, I'm fine."

   He squinted his eyes at me and walked past me to enter his room.

   "I'm sorry about the mess. If I knew you were coming . . . Well, my dad told me you were, but I guess I forgot." He pushed a few things out of the way but I don't know what he was talking about. The room was fine. Only a few clothes and game cases on the floor. There was a huge television on the wall. It had a shooter game on pause.

   The room itself was huge. You could fit like eight cars in here. (Only if they were smaller than the regular car).

   "If you want to use the bathroom, I promise it's clean." He smiled and his eyes crinkled when he did. "The maid cleans it all the time."

   "You have a maid?"

   "We," he corrected. "But yes. My dad is always busy so he has no time for cleaning and there's no way in hell I'm cleaning this house." He chuckled. "Here is your bed." He pointed at a bed next to his. "I was thinking of removing this bed because I only use it for when friends come and they want to stay over. But they barely make it to the bed, they just fall asleep on the floor. But I guess I have some use for it now."

   I didn't respond, just kept nodding my head like I was writing everything down on a notepad in my head. I was completely shy now. And that is so strange, even for me. I'm never shy. This is just so wonderful, so amazing!

   "You don't talk much, do you?"

   "I'm just . . ." I tried to think of an explanation. I couldn't say I was drooling over him, or that I'm too shy to speak to him because of his Godlike looks. "I'm trying to adjust. This is all new to me."

   "You're from Italy right?"

   "Yeah."

   "How do you speak English?"

   "All my family speaks English."

   "Do you speak Italian?"

   "Yes?"

   "And this is your first time coming to America?"

   "No."

   "You know what, we actually haven't properly met." He smiled again and took my hand and shook it for the both of us. "I'm Derek, and you are?"

   "I'm Leonardo, but call me Leo."

   "Nice name." He took a few things from my new bed, boxes and games and he stored them inside his huge closet. "I'll change these bed sheets for fresh ones." He looked around his room. "Do you play xbox?"

   "I have once."

   "Well, we're about to play for the next four hours."

   I fake laughed and pretended to be into this. He excused himself when Steve called him from downstairs. Right when he left the room, I fainted on the bed. It was a dramatic fake faint but it was so necessary. I don't know how I managed to keep my cool but somehow I did. He's definitely not a nerd.

   If he is then damn, he's one hot nerd.

   "Hey," Derek said when he came back, "Dinner is ready, your mom said to go downstairs."

   I gave him a thumbs up and he was gone again. Five minutes in this home and I'm already having a small problem.

   I headed out of our room after staring at myself in the mirror, checking that I looked good. Like I said, he burst my insecure little bubble. Now I cared too much about what he thought of me. Let's hope it doesn't go to my head and I end up making a fool of myself.

   I walked down the long hall then went down the stairs and looked around for them. They were all already waiting for me in the dinning room. A dinning room. A real American dinning room. There's actually nothing special about it except that it's American.

   "Welcome, Leo!" Steve and Molly said together. I smiled at them and sat next to my mom. Derek sat across from me.

   I shot my mom a look. She knew what it meant. You're in trouble Missy. She shot me another one, I knew what this one meant. Shut up before I smack my DNA out of you.

   "You two are strange," Derek told us. "No offense, though."

   "None taken, sweetie," mom replied.

   I looked at the food on the table. Steak, mash potatoes, vegetables and other things I didn't know the name of. They must be American. I thought they only ate cheeseburgers though? That's a big stereotype and I loved it.

   "So, tell us about yourself, Leo," Steve said as he began to place food on our plates. "We already know Jenny, now you."

   "No offense, but you sound like a serial killer. I wouldn't be surprised if you jabbed that steak knife right through my neck. I can tell you're nervous and you don't need to be." I smiled at him. "I'm not going to bite you if you want to act like a dad."

   Derek suddenly started laughing hard, his dad shot him a look and he quickly went silent.

   "Why thank you, Leo. What an abnormal way of saying things." He chuckled a little.

   "Well, there's not much to say about myself. I've lived in Italy all my life."

   "I'm sorry that you had to leave behind all your friends and family," Steve apologized.

   "It's fine, I never left them behind," I prompted a smile. My cheeks were staring to feel sore from smiling so much. Derek was the main cause of this. The attention in the room was on me the entire time, but I kind of knew it would happen. This was my first time here. All that made me feel better was that my mom went through it before, but now it was my turn to suffer with the curious eyes and burning questions.

   At least I'm the one that is rooming with a God, she's rooming with the devil.

   Steve isn't that bad looking, it's just he's my step dad and married to my mom. So thinking of him that way is kind of gross and repulsive. But on the other hand, I can think about Derek as much as I want. I like the way he's eating. It's cute. Like he doesn't exactly know how to chew but he doesn't care.

   I've never felt this way before, for no one. It was such a distinct feeling. It almost hurt.

   I ate my dinner rather quickly and sat there, I felt so out of place right now. Molly and mom seemed to get a long very well. She's the daughter my mom always wanted. I was happy that my mom was happy. Steve is really funny and such a dork, he really is perfect for my mom. And Derek . . . well I haven't gotten to know him very well. He sat quietly the whole time we ate and talked.

   He just stared at his empty plate and excused himself a few minutes ago.

   My mom talked to me about school again. She gave me my schedule. She said I needed to get my student ID. I would use this for lunch and if I needed to rent library books. Also for other things that were mandatory.

   Schools are very different in Italy. So this should be fun.

   "Can I be excused?" I announced. They all stopped and stared at me. Like, enough with the staring, jeez.

   "Sure. Get some rest, your first day of school is tomorrow," my mom said, still repeating everything I already knew.

   "Good night sir, good night Molly, good night mom."

   I left and walked through the long house and went up the stairs where my heart was building with speed. I walked a little slower. I need to get over this shy thing or I won't do much while I'm here. Maybe I should pretend to hate him or something. That way he will back off and ignore me and then I can do the same.

   But what kind of harsh person does that? That's ruining a future friendship.

   I knocked on the door and waited for an answer. After a while of no answer I decided to go in anyway. Derek wasn't even in here. That was good, that way I can go to sleep without having to say something to him.

   I quickly went through my clothes and changed into more comfortable clothes to sleep in. Derek changed my bed covers and everything. He even cleaned up a little bit. At least I'm not living with a pig. 

   I pushed my book bag under the bed and jumped inside the covers. Then I heard a few noises and I got up again and walked over to the big window. And when I say big window I mean it. The window was the size of the walls. The view was of the backyard. I saw a shadow and I leaned slightly and saw Derek outside on the roof, looking down at his pool with a phone on his ear.

   That's really cool, it's like a nice place to be when you want to get away from everything. I smiled to myself then went back to my bed. I let the moon's light help me fall asleep. I remember hearing a voice, it must have been Derek but I can't remember.

                                                      *           *          *         *        *          *          *        *

      I had a good sleep, despite my long and hard day. Moving to a whole new world is something tough and most people can't deal with it and they just crumble to pieces before they even start living it because they don't even give it a chance. But I will. I will give this a chance, for my mom.

   Yesterday might have been a long day but it surely went by fast. The plane ride was incredibly horrible and long. You're traveling across the world. I'm lucky I'm back in one piece, or I should say that the plane is lucky to be back in one piece.

   I would have freaked out if it weren't for the stops we had a long the way.

   But this was honestly one of the best sleeps I've ever gotten, I kind of felt safe being so close to Derek, maybe that's why. Or maybe because there were no annoying cousins near me to bother me for the whole day.

   I was awakened by a sudden jab on my side and I opened my eyes. It was dark and all I could see was a small faded light coming from the bathroom. I rubbed my eyes and forced myself to get up.

   "Morning." 

   I jumped. I couldn't even see Derek in this darkness. I could see a distorted figure but I thought it was just the dark playing tricks on me. But no, it was him.

   "Morning." I replied shyly without making it obvious.

   At least it was dark, and he couldn't see m- The lights turned on. I guess I spoke too late. I blocked my face from the burning lights.

   "Your mom told me to wake you up." He shook me when my eyes closed. "Wake up! We have school!"

   "Right..." I opened my eyes again and yawned.

   "Here." He threw something at me and I caught it. A new American phone. Yes, everything was American to me now. iPhone was written on it with my name carved in golden letters. "It's a gift from us."

   "Thank you."

   "Do you want to eat breakfast here or in school?" He asked.

   "I rather not eat."

   "Nervous?"

   "A little."

   "Don't be." He laid his hand on my shoulder. I looked at it and he quickly removed it. "Get ready, we have to leave soon."

   I nodded and he left.

   I got out of my bed and went through my luggage and took out a pair of clothes and laid them on my bed neatly. I took out my body spray, hair spray, comb, toothbrush, toothpaste, all my daily things and placed them on the night stand next to me.

   I went into the bathroom and began to brush my teeth.

   I was starting to realize that I was thinking of Derek without even noticing. It was like he was in my stomach, so my stomach twisted with nerves each time he came across my mind. It made no sense but it did to me. His eyes, his face, his entire being, I couldn't shake him off my mind.

   Why did I have to have him as my step brother? Why! What did I do wrong!?

   I stopped talking to my subconscious and turned around to get dressed. I have bigger things to worry about. Like what the hell is going to happen in school now. I've seen many American movies about new people coming to new schools. Bullies, mean cheerleaders, lockers...shudders.

   And what about these groups that divide everyone into a different category? The popular kids, cheerleaders, nerds, emos, band geeks and more.

   Will I have to choose a group? I'm sure you don't get to choose...Let's hope they don't have that here. Or I'd have to get on top of the tables and sing like Zac Efron.

   After I was done day dreaming and got ready, I headed downstairs with my book bag on my shoulder, my dad's watch wrapped around my wrist and my wallet in my butt...not technically.

   Everything was ready. I was ready.

   "Hey, are you ready?" Derek asked.

   His hair wasn't messy anymore, it was really nice now. It flowed with his flawless and mysterious yet innocent face. He was wearing a black stripped long sleeved shirt and dark colored jeans with boots. He looked so adorable. He was making me more gay than I already was.

   "I'm ready," I lied.

   "Alright, lets go...Bro..." He winked.

   Yeah, bro... I wish it was more than a brother. At least he isn't blood related. That would have made things so much more complicated. Wait, did I just get bro-zoned?

   My mouth dropped as he opened his garage and a shiny grey Ferrari convertible appeared. It was only two seats and it was so sweet.

   "How..." I gasped. "How did you afford this?"

   "It was my mom's. She gave it to me when she passed away."

   "Oh, I'm sorry."

   I didn't know his mom had passed away. It must be hard for him to have a new woman in his dad's life. I guess were both kind of going through the same thing. I could easily see it in his eyes. The pain.

   "It's fine," he assured me then pointed at the seat. He jumped in without using the door. I could do that but instead I opened the door of this very beautiful car and got in. "You can use it when I'm not using it if you want."

   "That's very generous of you but I don't have my licence."

   "Then I'll help you get it," he said while he pressed his seat belt on and I copied.

   He started the engine and the car roared to life. The car became vibrant with colors and the radio turned on. He chuckled at my expressions. But I'm sorry this car is just so amazing. It looks brand new as well.

   "What music do you like?" he asked.

   "I like listening to varieties of rock music."

   "Cool, me too. So like what kind?"

   "I don't really have a favorite kind. If I like how it sounds then I will like it."

   "So what artists do you listen to then?" He chuckled. That smile of his was so life like! Not that he wasn't alive but it was so astonishing in so many different ways. It's like seeing perfection.

   "I don't know. I hate picking favorites."

   "Fine." He put his hands up in surrender then brought them back on the wheel as he went in reverse and drove to school. "Too shy that you can't tell me what bands you like. That's fine. You will tell me eventually."

   Oh God, was my shyness noticeable now?!

   I took out my new phone to avoid more conversation and saw one number in it, my mom's. How wonderful. I began saving my friends numbers from back home. Including my dad of course.

   "Want my number?"

   "Sure."

   "***-***-****"

   I typed in the number and saved it under his name.

   "If you get too nervous during class you can text me anytime. That's all I do anyway."

   I smiled a response.

   "Still quiet I see..."

   "Sorry." I looked down on my hands and away from his stare.

   "Don't be. But just a little bit of advice. Don't be shy in school. It gets you no where. Be yourself and be out there."

   "I'm always myself. Whether I'm quiet or not, what if that's who I am?"

   "Fair enough." He laughed. "At least I'm getting you to talk more. If we're gonna be step brothers then I want to know everything about you."

   "Oh, look, we're here." I changed the subject as I saw the school ahead.

   The school was very American. It was just like in the movies; very big with an American flag in front of the entrance. There were also two extra flags over the entrance. They were Gold and red. The school's colors I assumed. The school had three entire floors, it was gigantic.

   Everything was inside too. I've never went to a school that had everything inside. My old school was really hot and there were no inside hallways with air conditioning. I'm already liking this. I feel like I'm somehow in the future.

   Derek entered the parking lot that had a big sign. Senior parking only.

   "You're a senior?" I asked confused. I thought he was a Sophomore like me since we're both basically the same age.

   "No, my girlfriend's dad is the principal. So he let me."

   Girlfriend...Great...

   It's not like I was planning to ask him out or anything anyway. I can't do that. He's my step brother. What would my mother think! I wish I knew honestly. What would a parent think in this situation? Not a blood brother but just a step brother. Does it make a different? It doesn't matter anyway. He's straight and taken.

   So I will never find out.

   "Helllooo." Derek waved his hand in front of me.

   "Oh, what, sorry."

   "You space out a lot."

   "I like to call it thinking without distraction."

   "What were you thinking about?"

   I opened my mouth and closed it. I almost said that I was thinking about him. That would have given away a clear indication that I was thinking of him in a none brotherly way. He has to be really smart to figure that out though. So I'm safe.

   I got out of the car after he parked and I immediately heard a squeal. I thought maybe we drove over a squirrel, but it was just a cheerleader running our way. She jumped into Derek's arms and kissed him.

   "Vicky, calm down." He laughed and pointed at me.

   "Oh," she exclaimed. "Who is this? Is this your new step brother you mentioned?"

   "Who else would be riding with me?" he said.

   "Nice to meet you. I'm Vicky, his girlfriend." She looked back at him and battered her lashes.

   "Hi, I'm Leo."

   "Cute name," she complimented with a smile.

   "He's from Italy," he told her.

   "Wow, must be beautiful there."

   "It is."

   "Anyway." She turned to him and held his hand for a second. "I have to go. Daddy is making me practice harder with the girls so we can win the championship."

   "Alright, see you later." He gave her a kiss and she did a cartwheel and flashed her pom poms in the air. "She's a little crazy."

   "She's fine." I chuckled, he looked at me weird then I noticed what he might have thought I meant. "Oh, I don't mean like she's hot, I mean she's not crazy."

   "I know what you meant," he teased. He took the schedule from my hands and read it out loud. "I can show you to your locker and your first period. Then you will need to find the rest of your classes by yourself because I won't be near you. I do have two classes with you though."

   "Which?" I asked.

   "Art and Biology."

   I took my schedule back and turned it around to see my combination numbers of my locker. My first ever locker! I can't wait to tell my friends back in Italy. I should take pictures but then I'd look weird if I take pictures of myself in front of the lockers. I'll do it later when no one is around.

   I jumped over the grass and walked on the sidewalk with Derek. People were waving at Derek and saying hi a lot. He ignored them though and continued to talk to me while we entered the school.

   It was so bright and colorful inside, and very cold. I should have worn a long sleeved shirt. I'll remember next time. The halls were filled with colorful lockers; red and gold.

   The walls had hundreds of flyers and photos of the school's events and programs. This was just like in the movies. This is great. For the first time ever I actually felt somewhat happy. I could feel it in my stomach. It was all mixed up with my current emotions which just made my nerves a little bigger but I felt good.

   After a minute of walking through the school and trying to remember which path we took he stopped at a locker, number 890.

   "Alright this is your locker and guess what?"

   "What?"

   "This is your first class right here." He pointed behind him. Oh, how convenient. That way I don't have to walk so far. Lucky me.

   "Thanks."

   "Well I should get going. I have to meet my coach for the new football season schedule."

   "You play football?" I said. Oh, the irony.

   "Yeah," he said excited. "Do you?"

   "No."

   His excited has left the building.

   "Don't worry. I'll teach you." He winked and he was off, running through the hall carrying that Godly look of his. I stared at my locker and opened it by using the numbers on the back of my schedule.

   I saw Derek at the end of the very long hall talking to a bunch of jocks. He looked so stunning with the sunlight hitting him through the windows. His hair seemed lighter in the sun and black in the dark. What an extraordinary color.

   "Are you checking him out?" A voice startled me behind me. "Whoa. Didn't mean to scare you, sorry."

   "What? No...No..." I hesitated for an answer but couldn't really find one. "He's my brother."

   "Really?" she said in a disbelief tone. "I never knew Derek had a brother."

   "Step brother," I corrected myself. "I just moved to America yesterday."

   "Oh," she said in awe. "Where are you from?"

   "Italy."

   "Oh my God, that's amazing!"

   Did I just make a new friend? We were suddenly interrupted by Vicky.

   "Hey, Leo," she said in a flirtatious way, dragging the o in it. "What are you doing talking with...her?"

   "Hello icky."

   "It's Vicky," she said angrily then turned to me. "You're new so you have a chance to hang out with the real people."

   "If you're so real then why do you have fake boobs?"

   "Shut up Nicole!"

   "Make me!"

   "You know what, I'm not even going to waste my time with you." She gave her the talk to the hand move. "So Leo, as I was saying before I was so rudely interrupted, hang with us and your brother."

   I looked over at Derek then back at Nicole and smiled at her. I knew right from wrong.

   "I'll stay here, thanks."

   She looked at me like she was about to chew my head off. "Fine what ever. I'll give you a day with her so you can really see how horrible she is then I'll let you be friends with me." She disappeared down the hall and she skipped through the jocks, ignoring Derek as he tried to talk to her.

   "She's a bitch," Nicole said.

   "I kind of noticed."

   "I'm Nicole." She extended her hand.

   "I'm Leo." I shook it.

   "You're smart not to go with her. People think that by going with her you will be suddenly popular but instead she eats you from the inside then tosses your body aside."

   I laughed, that's a weird way of saying she's a bitch. Nicole was very pretty, long brown hair, she has an evil look but she's so kind. Her eyes were like chocolate cups of darkness. She's actually one of the prettiest girls I've ever seen. She doesn't look American though. I can't quite remember what she looks like. I know that if my friends were here, they'd be all over her and then wondering why I wasn't making a move or something.

   "Hellloo? Are you okay? Why are you staring at me?" She snapped her fingers.

   "Oh, I'm sorry, I wasn't, I was just thinking."

   "Alright." She chuckled weirdly. "You don't have to be my friend though."

   "My mom taught me right from wrong, and Vicky is definitely wrong. I rather have good friends than fake friends." I grinned at her then we began walking together.

   "Vicky makes everyone not talk to me because I'm way smarter than she is, and because she's my sister."

   "Sister? Oh, wow. I hope Derek doesn't do the same to me."

   "Yeah, her dad is my step dad. Vicky never liked the idea of having another mom so she hates me and my mom."

   "That's terrible."

   "Yeah, but she can't hurt me. I don't care if people don't talk to me because of her. It just shows their true colors and I wouldn't want to be friends with them anyway."

   "So you don't have any friends because you're smart? Wow. Well consider me your new friend. I'm smart too...on Thursdays only though."

   She laughed.

   "Oh hey we have English together," she said as we both stopped at our first period. "It's fate."

                                                                ...Derek's Point Of View...

   I watched Leo walk inside his first period with Nicole. I saw the whole thing and I wanted to tell Vicky to lay off my new brother. I didn't want her to ruin him with her stupid attitude. I don't want her to scare him off or make him more nervous than he already is.

   I love Vicky and all but sometimes she can be a pain in the ass. Leo made a new friend and a good one. Nicole is sweet and kind so it will be good for him. I kind of smiled when he turned Vicky down at the offer of popularity. She only asked him because he's my brother.

   My brother...

   It felt weird to say that, but it felt even weirder to say step brother. I remember when my dad told me the news that they were moving in. I freaked out, I threw a tantrum. I didn't want a brother, specially one at my age. It's weird.

   I wondered for days, what could he look like? How does he act? Is he going to be an asshole? I wouldn't want to beat the shit out of him in front of his own mom but I would if he was what I thought he was. But I was wrong, right when he stepped through my door.

   It was all good... 

   He was the opposite of an asshole, a bit too shy and all but he's new here. He would be weird if he wasn't shy. I think we would all feel the same way after going to a new place, thousands of miles away from your true home. But I'm glad he's cool. I just gotta watch out for him now. My stupid friends don't even know that I have a new step brother.

   And unfortunately for him, this is America, there are bullies.

   But don't worry Leo, I have your back.

                                                                  Leo's Point Of View

   I was standing next to Nicole at the entrance of the school's cafeteria. I'm about to enter hell. There should be a sign that says Hell instead of cafeteria. I went in with Nicole, she walked so casually while on the other hand, I was burning. Burning in hell.

   First thing I noticed were the many many lunch tables. Half of them were filled with students and the other half were empty. I looked at the ten lines, this was like a food court. You can pick anything you want. There was a line for everything. Pizza, salad bar, snack bar, a subway line. This was so weird. It's like being inside a mall.

   My friends are not going to believe this.

   "What do you want to eat?" Nicole asked me. Some people were staring at me.

   "I'm not hungry."

   "Well you gotta eat something. You're Italian!"

   I chuckled. "I'm just not hungry, but I will get that." I said pointing at the snack bar. There was a fruit punch machine and I loved to drink anything cold. It relaxed me.

   "I will get one too." She pulled me through the crowd of hungry students and we reached the snack line.

   "Oh great," Nicole whined as Vicky turned around in front of us.

   "Hey Leo," she said brightly.

   "Hey Vicky."

   "It's Icky," Nicole corrected me.

   "Shut up Nicole."

   "Came here to stuff your second stomach on cakes?"

   "You're so stupid." She turned around when it was her turn to order.

   "Wow, and you two aren't blood related? This is exactly how sisters act," I told Nicole.

   Nicole and I ordered our drinks and two big chocolate cookies and we started walking through the crowd until we found an empty table. We sat down together and started talking. Nicole had a lot of questions about Italy. She seemed interested by the country.

   She then asked me about my mom and why I came here. It wasn't getting personal at all. She found me intriguing so that made me feel special somehow and I answered all of her questions.

   She told me that she thinks Vicky is jealous of her because even her dad seems to like her more than his own daughter. Nicole is smart and beautiful and kind to others while Vicky is the exact opposite. Well Vicky is beautiful too but not smart or kind to others.

   "I once caught her giving her boyfriend head in the back of the football stadium."

   I gulped. I didn't want to hear that. It kind of hurt.

   "Not Derek though, her ex."

   I breathed in and out. I don't really care what Derek does but I never expected it to feel like this. How am I going to get myself out of this? I can't go on pretending it doesn't hurt when it does. Am I in love? I've never been in love. I've known the guy for one day and I already want to get married to him? What in the hell is happening.

   Oh God...Am I in love?

~

   "So how are you enjoying your first day?" a voice suddenly said behind me and Nicole as we walked towards Biology. It was Derek.

   "It's fine. Just a school, same kind of teachers, same work." I shrugged.

   Derek chuckled and got in between me and Nicole.

   "I hate Biology," he complained as we entered the class room. This room kind of reminded me of that Twilight scene when Bella came in and got blown by the fan in slow motion.

   "Me too," Nicole agreed.

   I walked towards the teacher and gave her my schedule and she smiled at me.

   "Welcome to Biology Mr. Russo. Take any seat available."

   I returned the smile and walked towards Nicole as she waved at me. She sat alone at this black table of death. This did feel like Biology class. It had the tables, the fire, the scientific utensils, everything. It was kind of scary though.

   "Okay class," Ms. Lee spoke. "Like I said last week, today I will be giving away the packages on the project that you need to do. The due date is on Monday, so you have one week. Pick a partner."

   Nicole hugged me closer to her. "You're mine!"

   "Now," Ms. Lee continued as she gave each partner a package. "There are twenty subjects on the front page and you will need to decide with your partner which you will do. Once you have the subject that you want, you need to go to the corresponding page number and read the instructions on what to do."

   I looked on the front page of the package. Too many options.

   "You can pick, I don't really care which one," I told Nicole.

   "Thank you Leo," she sang a reply.

   She took her time looking at the options. I glared at Derek who was examining the package with a bored expression. His partner was Vicky. I didn't even notice she had this class too. With her big mouth I thought I would have heard it. But she's been quiet. I wonder what's wrong with her.

   Derek caught me staring at him and I looked away so fast that I almost broke my neck and died. Yeah, story of my life. Nicole noticed and she started giggling.

   "What are you giggling about?" I pushed her gently.

   "Nothing."

   The rest of the hour was absolutely terrible. I thought coming to a new school would be fun but no, it turns out no matter where you are in the world, as long as there is a school, you will be bored. And Biology is one of those things that I really find interesting yet boring. At least I had Derek to stare at. Nicole has been incredibly nice to me. I'm very glad that we met. She isn't like any girl I've ever met before.

   Maybe she will turn me straight, who knows.

   Nicole and I were super late to P.E. because we saw a snail and we wanted to watch it cross a stone. Took longer than expected. We didn't get in trouble though. It's P.E. and even in Italy people skipped this class without being noticed.

   Nicole and I decided to hang out on the football field and sit on the bleachers. It was very windy and it made the air chilly. I was almost freezing to death. We saw Derek crossing the football field in his uniform. He looked so freaking cute. I wanted to squeeze him like a teddy bear.

   He saw me looking and waved at me, I smiled and waved at him back.

   "Who you waving at man?" some guy asked him. Then he saw me as I dropped my hand down and stared at Nicole as she drew on her notebook. "You a fag or what?"

   "That's my step brother you idiot. He's new here."

   "Ohhh sorry man."

   I felt a heart wrenching pain, that word...

   They think I can't hear them across this huge football field. But they don't know about my super sonic hearing ability. I heard it clearly and it left a sting in my chest.

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                                                                  Author's Message

   K So finally I have uploaded the first chapter of my new boyxboy. Keep in mind that the cover has nothing to do with the real characters of this story. I mean they don't look like them. I just saw the cover and I was like aawwhh this fits perfectly for this story. But if you want to see them like that then that's fine with me. Maybe I might change Derek to blonde idk lol...I like blondes :3...

   Let's be clear here...This is NOT incest. Lol..

   Okay. Good. Please vote and leave a comment if you like this story so far.

(Warning: This story is old. All Author messages were written a long time ago, so don't take them for granted. I don't know what I have written, and I don't want to know, but just remember, they are old.)