Chapter Ten: Precious Memories

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{Mikhail}

Max left in a hurry as he got a sudden phone call. He was practically running outside to pick up the phone call. I was curious as to who was calling but even if I asked he wouldn't tell me. I had a feeling that Max wasn't real fond of me. Honestly, he didn't look all too fond of any body. I looked at Dylan who was still looking in the direction Max ran off to. I wanted to know what he was thinking but I didn't want to bring anything up in front of Nico.

Nico only watched Max with a weird expression but it didn't seem like he was bothered by his sudden disappearance. It made me wonder if they were actually friends. He didn't seem concerned or curious at all. He pushed back on the chair again and closed his eyes.

"What was that about?" Dylan asked trying to sound as casual as he could.

"Dunno." Nico answered without opening his eyes.

Dylan rose his eyebrows at me and I shrugged slightly. Dylan leaned forward slightly to drink his smoothie and let out a small sigh. "Nico? Can I ask you something?"

Nico opened one he slightly and said, "Depends."

Dylan coughed nervously and asked, "Does Max... Uhm, I don't know how to say this... You know? Go out often?"

I frowned slightly at Dylan as he fumbled for words. I knew that I should have stopped Dylan's curiosity about Max when he first met him. I should have done something to prevent them from speaking. Dylan didn't need to get involved with Max. The way I saw it, Max didn't have much of a future for himself. Dylan did. His grades were slightly above average. He had already been accepted to the three universities.

"Sure." Nico shrugged. "We all go out sometimes."

"No. No, I mean like..."

"What Max does on his free time isn't my business. Take it up with him if you're so curious."

"Ah, you're right. Sorry." Dylan said rubbing the back of his neck softly, "Aren't you friends though? Aren't you at least curious as to what he does-"

"I know what he does. That doesn't mean I'll spill everything just because you ask. I don't like to gossip behind my friends back." Nico said with a serious expression. He already had both eyes open and placed his chair back on the ground. "I suggest you back down. Max is capable of taking care of himself. He doesn't need you or I babysitting him."

"I wasn't trying to-"

"You think you should be responsible for him because he's younger. I get it, but stop looking down on him. He's been through so much more than you think despite his age. The moment you start treating him like a child is the moment you lose everything."

"I don't understand."

"You're not meant to. Just stay out of his life, deal?" Nico said expecting Dylan to just back down easily.

I knew it wasn't going to be that easy. Dylan is very stubborn. It could be an advantage or a flaw on his part. Dylan had a look that said he wouldn't back down. He spoke up and said, "So, you're saying it's okay for a minor to sell his body at night? What he's doing is dangerous. If you were his friend you would stop him, don't you think? Or are you also sleeping with him?"

"Dylan!" I said trying to get him to shut up. He often let his mouth run off when he was angered. I wanted them to just drop the conversation but I was also curious. I wondered if Nico was the one forcing him to sell his body like a pimp or something. Though, I hoped that wasn't the case.

Nico let a small chuckle escape his mouth as he looked away. "You don't know anything. Stop talking as if you do."

"So, you do sleep with him, huh? That's disgusting man. He's a child-"

It all happened so quick. It took me a few seconds to register what was happening. Nico had reached over the table and pulled Dylan over to him by his collar. Nico had a small knife pulled to Dylan's throat under his sleeve. Nico spoke in a small whisper so only we could hear him, "You ever heard the one about the curious cat?"

"Nico! Let him go." I grabbed onto his arm and tried to pull them apart but it was no use.

Dylan gulped down but didn't tear his eyes away from Nico, "I might have." He answered

"You don't know Max. You don't me. Say something else that offends me and I swear I'll cut out your tongue. Max is like a brother to me. If you keep getting into his business and he tells me about it. I'll make sure you learn your lesson. It won't be pleasant. Understood?

"Nico! That's enough!" I said as he allowed me to pull them apart. Dylan looked a bit shaken up as he was just threatened. Nico sat down like normal and pretended he didn't do anything. "Do not go around threatening Dylan. Are we clear?!" I asked him as I sat down roughly.

Nico looked over at me with a small glare and opened and closed his mouth several times as if he was going to say something. He finally spoke and said, "Then keep your friend in check, Mikhail."

"Dylan is only worried-"

"It's not his place to worry about my family."

I sighed loudly and shook my head. I was angry that Nico could be so simple minded. Although I did agree that Dylan shouldn't get involved with Max. I also understood that Dylan was only worried about Max's safety. Dylan was a kind person that usually bought about others rather than himself. It was only in his nature to worry about Max when he seemed to be doing dangerous things.

Dylan sat down in his chair and looked away. He was angry but he wasn't going to push anymore. Thankful, I sighed softly letting out the breath I wasn't aware I had been holding.

I really didn't understand Nico. I looked over at him and he was calmly throwing grapes into the air and catching them into his mouth. His actions and words contradicted themselves. He said that whatever Max did was his own problem but he was also very protective of him. Nico even went as far as calling Max family. I knew that just because he was apart of the Mafia, that didn't mean he had no feelings. If anything, the Mafia bond was probably stronger than regular bonds. It was just a little surprising to see Nico get so angry at Dylan for Max's sake. It made me wonder if he was like that with Sera as well or it was just special to Max.

I didn't know why the thought of Nico solely caring for Max bothered me, but it did.

The table stayed quiet until Max came back from his phone call and he seemed bothered by something. Dylan looked like he wanted to ask but kept quiet instead.

Max sat back in his chair and looked around at the table, "Why is everyone so serious?"

"A little kitty almost died just now." Nico said with a grin towards Dylan.

"Huh? A cat?" He looked between Nico and Dylan and frowned slightly, "what are you talking about?"

"Don't worry about it. Rather, worry about finishing your food. It's probably all cold by now." Nico said with a light smile.

Max glared at both of them before shrugging and began to eat his food. Conversation moved along swiftly as all mentions of Max was dropped.

We went  talking about whatever came to mind for a few hours. The sun was setting and we didn't do much shopping. No one was really interested in walking around, besides Dylan but no one was going to go with him so he stayed at the table with us.

I found out that Nico use to have two sparrows but they died. He mentioned that one died from an accident and the other died from sorrow. He didn't give much more after that. He looked uncomfortable to talk more about the sparrows so I let the conversation drop. I was curious but I also didn't want to anger him.

I turned my head and saw Sera and Dan walking towards us with way too many bags. I looked at the time and stood up. "I should be leaving."

"Eh! Already?" Dan asked placing her bags on the table.

"No fair. You just don't want to get stuck carrying all these bags!" Dylan whined standing up, causing his chairs to fall to the ground.

"Quit making a scene. It's getting late. I have to go check on my dad."

Dan frowned slightly and said, "Fine. Leave us. I'll only let you go because I have your present in one of these bags and I don't want you to see."

"Dan-"

"It's nothing expensive. Don't worry." She waved me off.

I watched her with a blank expression. I figured she was probably telling the truth so I pushed my chair in.

"I'll walk you home." Nico said standing up alongside me.

"That's not necessary." I added, "I'm capable of walking home alone."

"No way. You'll just fall asleep at the park again. I'll have more peace in mind if I make sure you get home safely."

"Wait!? You fell asleep at the park?" Dylan asked.

"No-"

"Yes, but I was with him." Nico interrupted me as if that would ease Dylan's mind.

"I'll head out with you two. I have somewhere to be." Max said.

"Then I will too-"

"Nope. Sorry, Dylan. You're staying here. Us girls need a man to help us carry these heavy bags." Dan said pretending to be weak when we all knew she was more capable of carrying the bags herself. "We're not done shopping after all." She just wanted him to carry the bags.

"Your sacrifice will be remembered, Dean."

"It's Dylan."

"Right. Sorry Drew." Nico said

I rolled my eyes and smiled at Dylan and Dan, "I'll see you guys." I waved and walked off as I heard Dylan's protests behind me.

I heard Nico talking to sera but I couldn't make out what he was saying. Soon after I heard footsteps right behind me. I looked back as I kept walking and groaned softly, "I thought I told you I didn't want you coming."

Nico winked and said, "I didn't hear you say that."

Max caught up to us and walked alongside Nico. I wondered if their relationship really was like that. I was watching him closely so when he turned to meet my eyes I looked away embarrassed. I heard him click his tongue in annoyance.

"Where are you going?" Nico asked him.

"Some of us need to work for a living."

"I would believe that if you weren't living at my house for free."

"You already know so don't ask."

"Max-"

"See you. I'm heading that way." Max said quickly crossing the street. He stuffed his hands into his sweater and walked away from us. Before I knew it, it was only the two of us.

We continued to walk down the street in silence. The silence between us didn't seem to bother Nico at all. Maybe I was just getting too self conscious around him.

"-smoke?"

"Huh?"

"Can I smoke?" He held up his cigarette to show me.

"You're asking me?" I asked him surprised. He nodded and I shook away my surprise. "I don't like the smell of cigarettes." He huffed out annoyed and shoved the cigarette back into its box and then in his pocket. I found myself smiling. I put my hand quickly up to my mouth and blew into them to cover my smile.

Why was I smiling? I felt so out of my element suddenly. I was starting to feel things that I hadn't experienced before.

"Here."

I looked down and saw Nico was giving me his gloves. "For me?" I asked looking up at Nico.

"You're cold, aren't you?"

"Uh.. No, I-"

"Just take them!" He shoved them into my chest and looked away with a scowl on his face.

I grabbed the gloves quickly so they wouldn't fall on the ground and said, "Okay, well, thank you." I slipped on his gloves and bit the sides of my lip to prevent another smile.

Another silence surrounded us as the only sounds heard was the wind and the occasional car that passed us. Though, Nico seemed fine, the silence eventually became unbearable for me. "Hey. Can I ask you something without you getting mad at me?" Nico looked at with and nodded, "What happened to your sparrows. You seemed sad when you spoke of them."

I saw his breath as he sighed gently. He looked reluctant to tell me. I was going to tell him he didn't have to tell me but he began to speak, "My mother kept two Sparrows at her home. Whenever I visited her, I would always spend hours staring at them. She would tell me that they were lovers and how she found the female injured with the male guarding her protectively. After my mother passed, I took them in to live with me but because I didn't know how to take care of them, I did a lot of research. I did everything and even found some cool things about them. A lone sparrow represented deep loneliness and sorrow, as sparrows are known to travel in clans. Sparrows are small but mighty and extremely vigilant in every aspect of their lives. The tiny sparrow is a reminder that good things come in small packages, and the loudest voice is not always the most powerful."

I listened to his story seriously. He suddenly look so far away as he spoke. Like, his mind was elsewhere. I wanted to comfort him but I didn't know how.

"A few months later the female died. The male fell into depression and died soon after. I felt like everything was getting stripped away from me. Looking back on it, maybe I was being melodramatic. However, my mother and the Sparrows were all I had with me at that time that made me feel better."

"I'm sorry-"

"Do you know what a Sparrow tattoo means?" I frowned slightly and shook my head, he continued with a small smile. "When together they symbolize undying love, commitment to one person, sacrifice and bonding. A lone sparrow tattoo often represents solitude and loneliness. "

"Do you have one? A sparrow tattoo?" I spoke up softly.

Nico smiled and shrugged, "Who knows."

"I'm sorry I made you speak about a bad memory."

Nico laughed softly and shook his head, "It's not a bad memory. It's one of the few precious ones that I have."

I looked up at Nico and suddenly saw him in a different light. He had a soft facial expression as he spoke to me. He no longer looked like a gang member. Instead, like a lost child.

"I imagine your dad wouldn't be too happy to see me at his shop again." He said as we stopped at the end of my street, "I'll drop you off here."

"Uhm, Nico." He looked at with and raised his eyebrow questionable, "Thank you for telling me about your Sparrows. I won't tell anybody."

Nico grinned sadly and nodded, "I know you won't. That why I told you. Now, go on."

"Nico.. I-" I felt like my heart was going to jump out of my chest as we looked at one another. It was getting darker outside but there's setting sun still peaked over the mountains.

"I know." He said with a kind smile. "I'll come see you again." He put a hand on my head and moved my hair out of my face. It was like he read my mind.

"Okay." I said shyly and turned around to walk back home.

My mind was spinning in a couple different directions. I looked around to see if he was still there but he wasn't. I took in a deep breath and let it out gently. I tried convincing myself that it was just the mood and I let myself get taken by it. There was no way I could start to fall for a soon to be Mafia boss.

Right?

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