Lara’s Point of View

All I wanted as a child was a sister. I grew up with seven older brothers, yeah seven! Thankfully they’re all really nice and we’re all really close but a sister is all I have ever really wanted. Our neighbours had four girls and they were like my sisters but I had a falling out with them when I was sixteen over their brother.

My name is Lara Calabria, I’m the youngest in a family of eight and the only girl. I was born on the 16th June 1982 in Ruskin Florida. My parents are originally from the region of Calabria in Italy from the town of Plati. It’s known for being a bit of a trouble spot with Mafia gangs and unpleasant people.  Two of my brothers were born there; Francesco (or Frankie) who was born in 1968 and is now an old fart at thirty-two and Pasquale (or Patrick) who was born in 1969 is thirty-one now. They moved to America in 1970 after some Mafia troubles in our extended family.  My other brothers and I were born in America, Jonatino (or Jonathan) who was born in 1972 he’s twenty-eight, Domenico (or Dom) who was born in 1974 he’s twenty-six now, Luca who was born in 1976 and he’s twenty-four, Giuseppe (or Joseph) who was born in 1978 he’s now twenty-two and Matteo (or Mathew) who was born in 1980 and he’s now twenty. My parents stuck to the traditional Italian names and they made us speak Italian at home, not English. The only time I could speak Italian was at school or at friends houses. Now I am eighteen and about to move out of home and to New York to live with my best friend. Why New York you ask? Well I am a musician, I have been writing music since I was eight years old and teaching myself piano since I was six. My Dad wanted me to have a respectable career when I finished school and college, he wanted me to be a teacher. Sorry but music is my calling, my Mum was always supportive though because she liked music as well.

"Lara, Nick è al telefono per te.” Matthew called out from downstairs
Lara, Nick is on the phone for you.

"Grazie Matteo, te la entrare incamera mia." I called back then reached over to grab the phone from the cradle I had in my room

Thanks Mathew, I’ll get it in my room.

“Hey Nick, what’s up.”
“Hey chicky, it’s like the inquisition when I call your place. How are you?”
“Good thanks, what’s happening?”
“I was just calling to say I’ll pick you up at the airport tomorrow morning. Your stuff arrived today.”
“Really?” I replied excitedly.
“Yeah, I’ve put the boxes in your room and set up your bed. It looks awesome.”
“Thank you! I owe you so much for this.”
“No hun, it’s nothing. At least we get to spend more time together. That’s what I’m looking forward to. We’ll be able to write more songs and maybe start recording your songs.”
“Definitely! But only if you have time before the tour starts.”
“I always have time for you Lara, you know that.”

"Lara, vieni giù, abbiamo bisogno di portare a termine il tuo domani volo! Nickolas chiamate più tardi.” I heard my Dad call from downstairs.

Lara, come downstairs, we need to finalise your flight tomorrow! Call Nickolas later.

"Sì papà, vengo ora al piano di sotto." I called back

Yes Dad, I’m coming downstairs now.

“Sorry Nick, I have to go and sort out my flight times with the family. I’ll call you later.”
“Okay, talk later Lara. Be good.”
“Always.”

I went downstairs and found my Dad and Mum sitting at the breakfast bar.

“Così Lara, che ora il vostro volo lasciare la mattina? " my Dad asked.
 So Lara, what time does your flight leave in the morning?

“Alle sette in punto papà, ma ho bisogno di essere in aeroporto da sei al più tardi.” I replied.

At seven o’clock Dad, but I need to be there at the airport by six at the latest

“Mi metterò Matteo di abbandonare lì allora. Tua Madre e devo andare a Orlando stasera per una funzione. È possibile tornare indietro fino ad ora la tua camera. Dacci un abbraccio e un bacio e la promessa di chiamare quando si arriva a New York.” He stated, Mama just sat there smiling.

I will get Mathew to drop you there then. Your Mother and I have to go to Orlando tonight for a function. You can go back up to your room now. Give us a hug and a kiss and promise to call when you get to New York.

“Prometto papà, chiameròappena arrivano.” I replied as I got up and kissed them both and gave them a big hug.

I promise Dad, I’ll call as soon as I arrive

“Lara, assicurarsi che Nick si prende cura di te, sinutre bene e non permette di vagare per le stradeda soli. Si è giovani e non voglio alcuntrattamento ragazzi fare molto male. Ho fiducia Nick.” Mum whispered in my ear
Lara, make sure Nick takes good care of you, feeds you well and doesn’t let you wander the streets of New York on your own. You’re only young and I don’t want any boys treating you bad. I trust Nick.

“Sì mamma, io, non preoccuparti per me. Adesso vai e stasera divertimento.”

Yes Mum, I will, don’t worry about me. Now go and have fun tonight.

I went back upstairs and packed the last of my things which I was taking in my suitcase tomorrow morning. I looked around my room which was now pretty much bare except for my bed, desk and bedside tables. All my posters and photos had been taken off my walls, all my soft toys had gone and my guitar wasn’t by my bed. My room had pretty much always looked the same, sure the posters and photos changed over the years and the guitar was added but other than that it stayed the same, the Italian flag always taking pride of place on the wall behind the bedhead.

I’m going to admit right now, I’m nowhere near perfect, there are seven things no one knows about my life and I don’t plan on anyone knowing.

Nick’s Point of View

I frantically began tiding my house for when Lara arrived. I did a huge load of laundry and ironing and made my room so tidy there wasn’t a speck of dirt anywhere. Now I’m not normally this anal but Lara is my best friend and has been since I was six years old and she was four. As we went through elementary school together, I used to protect her from the bullies because they used to tease her for not being able to speak English properly. I gave her lessons and she soon picked it up. I helped her write music and I taught her how to sing. When I started with the BackStreet Boys in 1993 when I was thirteen and she was eleven, she came to every single show and used to come along to our rehearsals. As we got older, when I was seventeen and she was fifteen, my career was just beginning to take flight. I wasn’t home as much and her Dad was becoming quite strict with when she was able to go out and who with. So when I was home, she used to sneak over to my place in the middle of the night with the help of her older brother Joseph. I took over the basement of my family’s house and turned it into my own den with my Nintendo, all my games, my guitar, a couch, my bed which was just a mattress on the floor and a fridge. I was happy with that. Lara used to come over and we’d write and play Nintendo. When I was eighteen, things started to change between us. She had grown from the little Italian girl who felt like an outsider, to a girl who fitted in perfectly.  She had grown into her own skin and started to feel more comfortable with herself and her heritage.  I think I started to fall for her; we spent less time together but thank god for the internet and instant messaging.  There were times when I was home and I saw her and I just wanted to kiss her but I knew if anyone caught us I’d be shot by her Dad and her brothers plus it would make things awkward for us.

In April this year, Lara found out she was accepted into Julliard for Music Performance and composition so she convinced her parents to let her share a house with me in New York. Her Dad was a bit hesitant to let her live with me because he didn’t exactly trust me but her Mum was perfectly fine with it. I was still on tour with the boys but I was based in New York now so it suited me to have Lara share the house with me then it wouldn’t be empty.

I never made a move on my feelings for Lara and I’m now twenty and she’s eighteen. I guess now is as good a time as any but first I think I better let her settle in here. Here’s hoping.