a dance?

Twenty-Two - Valerio

Twenty-Two - Valerio

"So you're writing a new album huh?" Renee asks me, bringing me a cup of water. I take it and adjust my position on the stool. She gathers another stool and places it a few meters away from me, so she can have a view at the door as well. "Mhm, yeah, I had written lyrics along the way and felt like it's about time I should make some music," I say, giving a glimpse of my music life. She fondly smiles at me, "I have to say, I still am not over your last single 'daydreams.' It sounds so perfect for just sitting with a drink and just staring into space, plus it also gives a reminder that you're not alone and it's okay to dream." She says, making me feel good about the fact that my music makes my fans comfortable.

An idea strikes me. "Do you have any other orders?" I ask her, slurping the water. The fact that the taste of water changes every place always amazes me. "I don't, Jasmine was the first and last one for today, why?" She lets me know, with a hint of inquiry. "I was hoping we could spend the day together, you know?" I tell her, slurping again. She hits me playfully as I laugh, "Sneaky." She gets up, as I finish drinking and throw the plastic cup onto the trash can by the counter. She gathers her bag, while I text Luna that I won't be home any time soon...

Immediately, she texted me back saying that "I am not even at home either-" That is not a surprise. I lock my phone and shove it in my pocket, as I tell Renee that there's something I want to show her. We leave the flower shop, as she nods and locks the shop. Her key plops into her bag: "Let's go!" She locks her hand on my arm, and I could get used to this.

We walk through the crowded streets of Nancy, as our discussions start from my music, to what fans can expect from this album, featuring a little bit of her convincing me not to give spoilers (when I don't have any) and how she wants the best for me. I ask her music style, how she heard about me to which she went on: "Your music actually came on my Recommended on YouTube. It was your debut song, and what surprised me was that a French singer singing in English-" I dramatically gasp, while I pause and say "This way," and she follows me inside the metro station. "Are you saying that one should only sing in their mother tongue?" I ask, teasing her, while I take a hold of her hand. "No!" She exclaims, "Let me rephrase this: It takes me a while to fall in love with any type of genre because I really don't have a preference. But the way the guitar just cushioned my senses and I felt at ease, not to mention your style of singing. It's so rare-" She explains, "That still doesn't answer the question," I smirk, playing with her.

"It just felt nice for global singers, to sing in a language you're comfortable in." She says, making me smile at her explanation. She sure makes me feel good about what I do. We reach the station and hear the announcement of the metro arriving in a minute. Her grip around my hand loosened up as we passed the rush. The metro welcomes us with ease as it comes to a stop. The doors slide open, and I spot a free two-seater. I sit down, as Renee swings around a pole and sits right next to me. For a second we look at each other like there's no one in the metro station, but it vanishes as soon as the metro starts moving.

We sit in silence, her face trying to catch hold of the view in the window, while I see the sky and simple life in front of us. Faces moving, the bridge not too far away. I notice Renee trying to peek into the window, so I wrap my elbow around her neck and bring her closer. Her laughter sounds like music to my ears. "Oye, watch it- " She says, as we exchange seats. She peers over the window like she hasn't seen the world in ages. Her elbows on the rail and my eyes can't seem to leave her.

"Next station is Parque de la Pépinière. Next station is Parc de la Pépinière." The male voice informs the metro, as it enters a tunnel and stops at the station. I take her hand, and she's startled at my sudden notice. "This is our stop, come on!" I tell her, my head tilting to the side. She gets up as we run out the doors before they close in on us.

We run down the escalator, let go to pass our metro cards as she gives her hand back to me and we leave the station with elegance. "Woah, that was close." She breathes out, her hands on her knees as I try to catch my breath. "Well, this is just the beginning," I say, and she sighs. "Come on, give me your hand-" I say, as she plops her hand onto mine, and we run again. I can hear her faint groan and chuckle.

"How far?" She asks "A little more!" We keep running, I can hear her getting closer as her legs pick up the pace.

When we stop, I carry her by the waist and put her down slowly, as she faintly blushes. She tugs a strand of hair behind her ear and somehow becomes active as soon as we reach the park.