1.07 - Five o'cock

Simmering on the stove was a pot of overflowing pasta. Stains soaked into the tiles along with gritt and grime, sending the small complex into an always disgusting state. Walking past the kitchen, Giuseppe walked into the living room, what was once aqua carpet was now faded and stained. Alcohol, food and what they assumed was blood, was stark against the carpet. A pot-belly man lay passed out on the couch, a layer of grease seemed to permanently coat his body. He was a regular, Giuseppe had almost bothered to learn his name.

"I can't believe you Giuseppe, guaio." His Mother yelled from the kitchen, storming in from the car, her hands flying up in the air. The unconcious man on the couch didn't even stir, only snored louder.

"Mama, I didn't mean to." He chuckled, walking into the house, his Mother fuming behind him. Thankfully his Mother never punished him, that's why he always did things, because he could get away with it. The hallway was filled with red, stained carpet. It had once been a brilliant colour, way before Giuseppe and his family moved it. Cigarette buds and burns were all along the floor, no one bothering to clean it up. Unclaimed clothes in a stinking mess, flies hovering around them.

"Why were you even out, non buono guaio." She got louder, following him close behind. He knew his Mother was extremely mad, listening to her switch between English and Italian. "I'm extreme surprised that Officer Morgan let you go."

"I'm not." Giuseppe turned to his Mother, smile charming. "I know her daughter." His Mothers hand flew to her temple, as if the blood rushed from her face. He was surprised at her response, then remembered that his Mother didn't know Andrian. But when he thought about it, Andrian was like all those other girls - he had his way with them and then left them. But he didn't leave her, tonight proved that true.

"Oh Dio, I'm surprised she didn't throw you in jail." She exclaimed, animated movements as she threw her hands abover her head again. Giuseppe had to fight to keep from laughing. He wasn't ready to explain or acknowledge how he actually felt.

"No, Ma." He placed a hand to his heart, grin never leaving, he felt his phone buzz in his pocket. He knew it was Andrian. His face felt warmer, especially when his Mother squinted suspiciously at him. "I go to school with her."

"Cucciolo, you are in big trouble, what do you mean go to school?" She shook her head, the smallest smile gracing her lips. "You go to school with her." She repeated to herself, walking down the hallway.

"I mean I go to school with her, have a few classes too." He shrugged, folding his arms tightly over his chest. Gazing down the stained hallway, his eyes landed on the door to his Mothers room. The door was chipped and was so beyond repairing, it would be easier to repair it.

"She told me as soon as she brought up her daughter you were on your best behavior." His Mother started, her eyes squinting harsher. "You leave that poor girl alone, I don't want you getting mixed up with a posh."

"She isn't a snob." He scoffed, rolling his eyes. "You remember Andrian Morgan?" His Mother's eyebrows furrowed, drawn together as she thought long and hard on that name. "She used to give me her lunch when we were little." He had told his Mother about the girl who had always tried to be nice to him, even when others in the playground didn't. She had weaped when he first told her in primary school, that someone gave him food when she couldn't.

"That Andrian." His Mother gasped, eyebrows raised, a hand going to her heart. Smiling warmly, she relaxed in the hallway. "She Angelo my Cucciolo, in casa country you would sposare."

"There is no way in hell I'd marry Andrian." Giuseppe spat, gagging at his Mother. Sweeping past his Mother and down the hallway, he wanted to pull his phone out and text Andrian, but he didn't want to prove his Mother right. In Italy, where his Mother grew up, everything was leading up to marriage. But when his Mother got pregnant with him at seventeen, she left the country.

"We talk more in morning boy." His Mother warned him loudly, walking back to her passed out guest.

"Night Ma!" He called after his retreating Mother, a smile wide across his face. As soon as she was out of sight, he whipped his phone out, the smile still on his face.

***

"Oh - and never text him more than three times if he doesn't reply." Sparkles ordered over her shoulder while Andrian tried to shove them out the door.

"I won't Sparkles, remember I know how to text a guy." Andrian laughed, trying to get the girls to stop trying to come back inside. "I need to get ready for bed before my Mum gets back."

"You sure boo? I mean if that even is Giuseppe, you don't want to be fallin in nobodies dicksand too soon." Sparkles cackled, her fingers digging into the wood of the doorframe to keep her inside. Andrian tried to pry the two girls out of her doorway, but they were determined to stay.

"I'm just talking to him." She rolled her eyes, finally getting Sparkles out the door. "I will see you at school, bye." Closing the door in their faces.

"Send me screenshots!" She heard called from the other side. Laughing, she walked back into the now empty house, cleaning up after herself and friends. If her Mother found out she had people over there would be a long lecture and probably get grounded.

It wasn't like she invited them, they just turned up to talk. Although, if she was grounded, it would give her time to think about what was happening with Giuseppe. He barely spoke to people he had slept with, one night stands that made them just another name off a list. He was supposed to move on. She was supposed to move on. But after Sam, she needed a release - maybe even a flirt, but with Giuseppe... This was dangerous territory.

Humming, she continued to clean. Throwing the pizza box in the bin and putting the pillows back on the couch, she went back to her roon. As soon as she was in her room, her phone went off, pulling it out her pocket it was another text from Giuseppe. Trying to fight back a smile, she rolled her eyes at Giuseppe's words.

Giuseppe: All I can think about is that little jumper you wore at the club

Her cheeks heated, definitely going red. Chuckling, she did the most reasonable thing anyone could do in  this situation, she said good night and went to bed. She didn't even hear her Mother come home.