Chapter 6

It didn't take long for him to reach the white door of the music room. Standing in front of the door, he could hear very deep screaming trying to drown out the notes from the piano.

"Just a regular day at the office," he smirked before stepping inside.

In the back was Sven smashing the keys of the piano and screaming so hard that his veins looked like they were about to pop out of his neck.

Behind him was a Nick, sitting on a large speaker and trying desperately in vain to tune his guitar over the monstrous bellows of the Berserker.

"Hey, Sven, you mind keeping it down? Trying to tune my baby here," complained Nick

"Nick you know that I have to warm up as well. Can't growl without a warm up, that would be like running a marathon without stretching. Tell you what, why don't you go tune up that piece of wood there in the bathroom?"

The blonde-haired Christian sighed and jumped off the speaker.

His eyes met Arnaldo and a warm smile formed on his face. He walked past him, patting the well-dressed man on his shoulder, scrunching his nose slightly.

"Are you even listening to me?!" came Laura's sharp voice from his right.

She was currently screaming at Matt, who was sitting on the window sill with headphones on and scribbling in his notebook, a common occurrence ever since he reluctantly joined the group.

The boy in black sighed, jumped off the window sill and removed the headphones from his ears, music still blasting from them at full volume.

"What do you want this time?" asked the young man and Laura smacked the back of his head.

"I was telling you to get your feet off the radiator, Matt!" screamed Laura while Matt rubbed the back of his head and glared angrily at her.

The two immediately began to exchange insults and kept screaming at each other.

Arnaldo smirked, pulled out a chair and made his way towards Sven, who was drinking tea from his plastic container. Arnaldo placed the seat next to him and began to take off his vest and just as he placed the vest on the chair and was about to sit down, Sven offered him a piece of gum.

Arnaldo scoffed

"That obvious huh?"

Sven nearly nodded.

Arnaldo took the minty stick and threw it in his mouth, as Sven looked at him with a sad frown and arms crossed over his chest.

"Don't look at me like that."

"You reek of poppies and your pupils are dilated."

"I don't want your pity."

"Arnaldo I'm just trying-"

"You're just trying to be a supportive friend and you have full right to voice your concern regarding my mental stability. Don't get me wrong, I appreciate your concern. But I've heard it all before. After a while, it just becomes white noise to me," Sven sighed and they both looked upon the Arms race of insults that was Laura and Matt bickering. After a while came back Nick with his guitar and took a seat next to Sven on the giant speaker.

"Finished tuning your piece of wood?" joked Sven.

"Hey, Rosebud and I take great offence to that, thank you very much," he joked before they heard a very audible groan from Laura and they all turned their heads to the direction of the two barking dogs.

Matt went back to the window and scribbled in his notebook with headphones back on and Laura was stomping towards them with a frustrated look on her face.

She rubbed her eyes and gave a long sigh.

"I swear that boy is going to be the death of me."

"Why do you even bother? It's not like the radiator is a sentient being unless it became one while I was away."

"I don't know-" said Laura as she turned around and looked at the dark-haired boy, who was scribbling with frustration and anger which could be seen in the way he moved his pencil.

A sad and small smile crept on her face, which Arnaldo and Sven took notice of and Nick just raised an eyebrow. She quickly snapped her heads back at them.

"Ok, now are we ready to start with practice?" she asked.

"Wait, where is Sarah?" asked Sven.

"She texted me, saying that she's feeling a little bit under the weather, so she won't be able to join us today," answered Nick.

When the clock chimed 15:00 everyone was feeling rather worn out and hungry, so they all agreed to go to lunch.

The boys were currently standing at the fountain in front of the school, while Laura decided to stay behind and lock up the music room.

Nick and Sven were discussing something and sitting on the steps of the fountain, whilst Matt was leaning on the said fountain and was listening to his music. Arnaldo just marvelled at the baroque architecture that covered most of the city.

Soon enough, Laura stepped out of the building and threw the keys into her purse.

"So, where are we eating?" she asked as she walked over to the group.

"You know who recently opened up a restaurant here?" asked Arnaldo.

"Who?" asked Laura back.

"Uncle Mario. Come on, his cooking is always good. Besides, we haven't seen him in like, what, five years now?"

A few minutes later and they were in front of a restaurant called Italia Turrita.

"Oh, of course, you would pick an Italian place to get food," commented Nick.

"Trust me, you will not be disappointed with this one," shot back Arnaldo as they stepped inside.

At the counter, they saw a man in his mid-forties talking on the phone. His black hair was cut in a Caesar cut, he had a five'o clock shadow, a white T-shirt and blue jeans. He looked up at the group with ocean blue eyes and smile began tugging at his lips.

"Honey, I'm going to have to call you back. Yes. Yes. Yes. I love you too." he kissed into the phone before hanging up.

"Well look, who finally decided to show up! Arnaldo Caglione!" the man said to the group walking over to Arnaldo and giving him a big hug and kissing him on the right cheek and then the left.

"Uncle Mario! It's so good to see you! How long has it been since we last saw each other?" asked Arnaldo as he returned the gesture.

"Too long nephew. Too long. My, how much you've grown," he noticed Laura and gave her the same greeting.

"Laura Riverman! I would say that you have grown as well, but lying is a sin after all," he joked with a toothy grin. Laura glared daggers at him, but the man just laughed even harder and ruffled her hair.

"Who are these guys? Friends of yours?" he asks Arnaldo pointing at the rest of the Killjoys with his thumb.

"Uncle Mario, I'd like you to meet the rest of the music group that I attend at school. Killjoys, this is my uncle Mario," Mario walked over to Sven and extended his hand.

"Head chef and owner of Italia Turrita. You name it, I cook it!" Sven looked at his hand for a second before he took and gave him a thigh squeeze.

"Sven Gustav. Lover of metal and history," Mario smirked and gave him a squeeze that was just as strong.

Sven smirked back knowingly and playfully as he adjusted his strength even more.

Their veins appeared as though they were about to burst out of their arms, as they continued their manly exchange. Eventually, Mario gave away from the "handshake" and moved on to Nick.

"Nick Hart. Here on a mission from God to spread his gift of music around the world," he greeted as he extended his hand, to which Mario laughed and shook his hand.

He finally moved on over to Matt.

"M-M-Matt Friday. Pleased to m-m-meet you," he said shyly.

Mario shook his hand and gave him a warm smile before he turned to Arnaldo.

"You guys go take a seat and I'll be with you in a minute. Just have to take care of some last minute paperwork."

The group took a seat by the window with Sven, Nick and Matt sitting opposite of Arnaldo and Laura. Soon after, Mario returned with five menus.

"Give me a whistle when you're ready to order."

"Thank you, uncle," Mario walked back to the counter and they opened their menus.

"Whose treat is it today?" asked Nick.

"I think it's Arnaldo's turn today," said Matt.

"How is it my turn? Shouldn't it be Sven's turn to pay for lunch?"

"I already paid last week,"

"When?!"

"Last Saturday. You didn't show up because you were sick," answered Laura.

"Ugh. Fine, what will you guys be having?" asked Arnaldo annoyed.

"I'll have the Four Seasons pizza and a coke," said Nick.

"Salmon and beer," said Sven.

"Lasagne and a glass of water," said Matt.

"I'll have a mozzarella and a coke," said Laura.

"Fine, then I'll have the Diavola and wine. Moscato," Laura frowned upon hearing wine but quickly shook it off.

Arnaldo whistled and soon after, Mario returned with a notepad and pen. He took down their order and went into the kitchen.

"So-what's the plan for the upcoming Spring Festival?" asked Nick.

The Spring Festival was a seven-day event that their school planned every year. It was a big event that included art shows, cookouts, theatre plays, sports, games and even poetry slams. On the seventh day, the school hosted a big concert and the Killjoys were called upon once more to be in charge of in charge of organising, preparing and executing the event.

"I think we should follow the same order of appearance as we always do. Nick, you will go first and will ease the audience in with Rosebud. Start with something slow," said Arnaldo.

"Got it."

"Next will go Sven. Sven, you know the drill."

"Scream at them about history?" asked Sven.

"Yeah."

"Roger that."

"After that, there will be a small break so that Matt can set up his stage."

Matt nodded.

"Then will be Laura's turn."

"And I'm guessing you go last?" she asked.

"But why of course. What better use of my talent than for a grand ending," joked Arnaldo with his chin held high.

"When exactly is the festival?" asked Nick.

"Three weeks from now," answered Sven.

Soon Mario returned with their meals, much to the joy of Laura and Arnaldo. He pulled up a chair and sat down at the end of their table looking at the three newcomers with expecting eyes. Sven, Nick and Matt all looked over to Arnaldo and Laura, who were too busy eating their food to notice them.

The three collectively looked down at their food.

It certainly looked appealing: the salmon looked crisp, the lasagne seemed to almost be melting and the pizza's smell was hypnotising.

Still, they were sceptical and they all took little pieces into their mouths.

As soon as the food landed in their mouth, their eyes went wide, or at least Nick's and Matt's did, with Sven it's hard to tell, and they began to shovel food into their mouths at Mach 5 speed while Mario wore a proud smirk.

"I'm guessing the food is good?" Matt shot his head up from his plate, bits and pieces of lasagne were stuck on his cheeks.

"This is beyond sublime! The cheese just melts in your mouth! The meat is expertly cooked! The flavours from the spices complement each other perfectly! It's been baked just long enough to also give it a crunchy taste! And the texture is-" he stopped rambling once he realised everyone was staring at him.

The rest of the Killjoys looked at him with a mixture of disbelief and complete awe while Mario had the brightest smile on his face and stars in his eyes.

Matt looked down and wiped his cheeks, which turned a bright pink colour.

"I may have a bit of a passion for the culinary arts," he said meekly.

"How so?" asked Mario.

"Well-my parents are always busy with work and all, so I had to learn how to cook pretty quickly. At first, it was a chore, but after a while, it became a passion," he said as he took another piece of lasagne into his mouth.

"The way I saw it, it was either this or microwave dinner, so I chose the former."

Mario slapped him on the back, which caused him to stiffen and nearly choke on his food. "

I like this kid! Laura, you should marry him!" he said to the girl in purple who was, unfortunately for Matt, taking a sip of her coke.

Her eyes snapped open, her face turned red and she spat the contents of the coke at Matt, who was also blushing.

"The fuck Uncle Mario?!" exclaimed Laura through violent coughs that had to be subdued by Arnaldo as Mario gave a deep and haughty laugh.

"I'm just messing with you kid," laughed Mario, countering Laura's near deadly glare with yet another fit of laughter.

She looked at Matt, who was apparently busy trying to separate the lasagne into its base components with a face as red as a tomato and she looked back down at her own food with an equally embarrassed expression.

Mario looked at his nephew with a raised eyebrow and the well-dressed Italian nodded.

Mario stood up and placed the chair back at its original table.

"Well I'd love to stay and chat, but I have to go call my wife."

"Oh how is Auntie Juliana?" asked Arnaldo. Mario grew a sad frown and he glanced down to his feet.

"She's sick again- Pneumonia," Laura stood up and hugged him.

"Don't worry. She'll be fine," Arnaldo stood up as well and placed a hand on his uncle's shoulder.

"She'll be fine uncle. If she can survive cancer, then she can survive a simple Pneumonia," Mario smiled back and hugged Laura.

"Yeah. You guys are right. She'll be fine., He released himself from Laura's hug. "Sorry for being such a downer. I'll be at the counter if you need me."

They finished their meals and got their check from Mario. "That will be 40.56€!" said Mario cheerfully and Arnaldo groaned in annoyance as he handed him his credit card. As they stepped back into the daylight they could hear the church bells ringing.

"Ah great. I've got to go. Got a math tutor to deal with," complained Nick.

"I need to catch the bus," said Matt.

"We probably should go to if we want to catch the train," said Arnaldo to Laura.

Laura and Arnaldo were walking along the old city's main square when Arnaldo decided to break the silence.

"Couldn't have made yourself even more obvious back there?" he joked as Laura punched him in the arm.

"Shut up," mumbled the girl under her breath as he laughed.

"You know, if you need any relationship advice, I'm always there to help," she glared at him.

"Yeah, you and relationship advice. I'd rather take sex tips from a eunuch."

"Hey now! First of all: I'm surprised you know such a big word. And second: what's that supposed to mean?!" asked Arnaldo, faking hurt.

"No offence Arn, but you're a gigolo who can't keep a girl for more than a month. I'd rather have a relationship that lasts."

"Look, as far as dating is concerned, I have the most experience. Which means that I get to help and train you, someone, who has been single for seventeen years," he explained as he extended his hand.

Laura hesitated but reluctantly shook his hand.

"I'm trusting you with this."

"Oh please when have I ever let you down?"

Her cold, unamused, deadpan expression answered for her.

"Ok fair enough..."