wander

39|rose

A yawn escapes my mouth and my eyes flicker open. I rub my eyes a little and scoot my body closer to the side of the bed. Romeo wraps his arm around me tighter, restricting my movement. I turn to look at him, his eyes are closed but I know he's awake because his grip is strong.
"You always get up so early, just stay and cuddle for 10 minutes. Please?" His voice is thick with sleep.
"Okay, ten minutes only." 
"Mhm." He groans into my ear.

Ten minutes pass, or more I wasn't counting, and I lift his hand from my body and place a kiss to his cheek. He lets out a long sigh and sits against the headboard.
"Morning" I say chirpily.
"How are you so happy in the morning, it's not normal." His voice still deep from waking up.
"I don't know, maybe because I woke up to you." I smile as I reminisce as the memories of waking up next to him take over.
"Okay good reason." A smile creeps onto his face.

I yank at his arm to get him out of bed. He barley moves.
"Come on I'm so hungry!" I whine.
"Okay I'm coming." He slides his legs over the side of the bed and slowly stands up. He holds out his hands for me to pull him up. I take both if his hands in mine and pull him up. I let go of one hand but keep the other attached. 

As we approach the kitchen, I stumble on one of the stairs but Romeo catches me before I fall.
"Woahhh easy there." He laughs as I watch carefully each step I next take. I drop my hand from Romeo's and search the cupboards for cornflakes. I slowly lose patience but as I open the last cupboard I find the cornflakes hidden behind another cereal box. I reach for it and place it on the counter. Romeo already placed two bowls and two spoons down beside me.

I pour the cereal into the bowls and as I go to put the cornflakes back in the cupboard, Romeo is pouring the milk. I shake my head at his impatience and I take my bowl to sit at the breakfast bar. I take each spoonful slowly and Romeo is already finished. He's searching the fridge and pulls out two cartons of orange juice. I nod my head gesturing that I will take up the offer.

As I pierce the straw, I text Rose to come over. I want to spend the day with her because I feel I spend all my time with Romeo. Rose replies immediately.

'Be there soon x' 

I read off the message and put my bowl in the dish washer. I go back upstairs to shower and get dressed for the day. I notify Romeo and he gives a see you soon kiss. I leave my phone on the counter top and grab a towel. I shower quickly and blow dry my hair in front of the mirror. I search my dresser for an outfit. As I search the drawers, a knock on my door echoes through the room.

"Hold on I'm getting dressed." I shout.
"Hurry up I'm bored." Rose's voice chirps from the other side of the door.

I pick out a red skirt and a white bralette top. I would never usually wear something this... different but I felt pretty in it and that's all that matters. I open the door and Rose is leaned against the wall. She turns her head quickly and eyes my outfit. I wait for her comment.
"Sexy, I like it." She emphasises the like.

We sit on my bed and she flicks through a magazine. I look over her shoulder to see what she's reading. It's all about the latest fashion trends. I read a small section but leave it because I'll just leave all the fashion advice to her. She shuts the magazine shut and snaps her head to me.

"What are we doing today?" She asks.
"I don't know... I was kind of hoping you had something planned?" I give a slight laugh to mask my awkwardness.
"We could go to starbucks. One just opened around the corner." She suggests.
"Yeah that sounds amazing. Let me get some shoes." I stand up and walk to my pile of shoes. I pick out some random white canvas shoes that I know would match my outfit.

She follows me to the kitchen to tell Romeo I'm going to be with Rose for most of the day. He pouts and I kiss him before he can beg me to stay at home or for him to come with us. I pull away and he passes me my phone. I say a small "thanks" and turn back to Rose.

I wave goodbye to my Dad and we step out the door. The middle of summer feeling hits me. The Italy weather is a blessing. Rose pulls me so we can walk together. I hadn't realised I had paused when the heat hit me. I tucked my phone into my bag and made conversation with Rose.

"He's good to you, yeah?" Rose makes sure her brother isn't disrespectful.
"He's amazing, he makes me laugh, he makes me smile daily and makes me so happy overall." He speak so quickly.
"Good. If he's ever a dick come right to me, I won't hesitate to start a fight with him."
"I'll take note of that." We laugh together.

We step into starbucks and Rose orders some sort of iced drink for me. I'm not sure what it is but its fruity and sweet. It's nice but not something I could drink every day. We take a seat outside under the shade and I check my phone quickly as Rose goes to the bathroom. I have two texts from Romeo.

'I miss you :(' 

'When are you coming home? I'm so bored x'

I reply quickly. 
"I miss you. I'm not sure we're at star bucks now'

I put my phone away and Rose still hasn't came back. I tap my fingers against the table as I take small sips from my drink. I look around to see if Rose is anywhere. I can't see her, but I do see a guy at a table across from me looking at me. I smile a little and he gets up from his seat. Oh god.

"Ciao come ti chiami?" He asks.
"Oh I- I don't speak-" I stutter
"Oh English. Okay... hi" His Italian accent present in his voice.
"Hey" I reply shortly.
"What are you doing here. I've never seen you around?" He asks.
"It's complicated. I guess I moved here only recently. I'm just waiting for my friend."

I look around for Rose. She's walking back towards me... scowling at the guy. The guy follows my gaze and stiffens. Rose struts over and takes her seat.

"Marco. What are you doing?" She says... quite rudely.
"Speaking to your lovely friend." He says with a smirk.
"Yeah, now you're leaving us." She remarks.
"Okay whatever Rose. Goodbye... I never caught your name?" He questions.
"Chiara."
"Nothing you need to know." We reply at the same time.

"Bye Chiara." He smiles and walks off, taking his drink with him.

I turn back to Rose. I am so confused.
"Who was that?" I question.
"An old friend. We don't speak anymore." She confirms my thoughts.
"Oh right." I shoot back.

We continue with our talk about our dream jobs. She says that she's already doing her dream job. She works with my Dad and she writes in magazines... that's probably what she was reading earlier. 
"What's your dream job?"
"I had this conversion with Romeo. Dream job a model but if we are being reasonable, I want my own business. Like I want to sell skin care and make up, you know? Or a boutique... but my fashion sense isn't it." I laugh at myself.
"Well we can work towards it yeah? See how it works out." She supports my ideas. I smile at her and I finish the last of my drink.

We decide to go home since Rose got called on to do something for work. She apologises multiple times but I don't mind. I can spend some time with Romeo before I have to go for dinner with my Dad.

I pull out my phone. Of course Romeo text me back. I smile as I read his message. 

'Text me when you're coming home x'

'On our way. Rose got called on to do something x'

I wait for Romeo to text back but it doesn't take long. I giggle as his message pops up on the screen.

'I should probably get up and make it look like I've been produvtive then' 

He sends a picture of him laid on the sofa watching friends. It warms my heart because every time I put that show on he whines that it's pathetic. I save it to my camera roll to show him the next time he whines when I put it on. Rose watches over me as I'm laughing to a phone screen.

"You guys are so weird." She laughs at me.
"I'm just happy. Not weird."
"A little weird."
"Okay a little." I skake my head as I laugh.