Wandering

14|

"Chi what's going on with that Harry guy?" Rose asks me.
"Oh um yeah. Mom's with his Dad so we've been hanging out more. He apologised for everything. We went to the movies today too." I say nonchalently.
"Be careful. He might be faking it." Rose warns.
"Don't worry. I haven't really spoke to him. I don't trust him fully yet." I say with a reassuring smile.

"Anything else happening there?" Dad asks.
"I made a new friend, Chloe. She's really nice and she got me and Romeo talking again." I send him a smile.
"How?!" Rose squeals.
"She searched my instagram but found Romeo and she made me DM him... and here we are." I say with an awkward laugh.
"Wait so how do you have a phone?" Rose asks.
"Chris and Ben. They warned me about Harry's dad and I got Chris' old phone. Romeo give Rose and Dad this number." 
"Chris and Ben? As in Harry's friends?" Dad asks.
"They aren't friends anymore. Chris and Ben said they didn't like what Harry did." I state with no emotion.

"Wait wait wait! What did Harry do?" Rose asks.
"Harry basically told mom everything about Italy. I don't know really. But when I got here, Harry offered to help me get back. I said no since you're doing it." I say with a smile. 
"Yeah I don't trust him." Romeo buts in with a scowl.
"Me neither really." I say, rolling my eyes. 

"Anyway Rose, what happened with Marco?" I wiggle my eyebrows at his name.
"No. We aren't talking about me." She says.
"But I want to know." I whine.
"Later." She gives me a glare.

The four of us discuss all the legal things going on and I nod every few minutes. I watch as Romeo speaks so passionately. I know he worked for my Dad but I didn't realise that he was so interested in his job. From what I've heard today, he's determined and wants to get me back. We never really spoke about his work when I was in Italy. We would always speak about us together or the moments and memories but we rarely spoke of our daily life. 

I begin to yawn knowing we've been talking for ages. I glance at the time and it's nearly half past two in the morning. I wipe my eyes as they become tired and I find myself blinking a lot.
"You should get some sleep." Romeo says.
"Yeah. I should." I say with a tired smile.
"Good to speak with you Chi. Love and miss you! We'll talk regularly yes?" Rose asks.
"Yeah. Got to keep this phone secret from mom. If she takes this then I have nothing." I say with a sad smile.
"Talk when you can. Don't risk it." Dad says.
"Good night Chi." Rose waves goodbye.
"Night." 
"Goodnight."

Rose and Dad leave so it's just me and Romeo.
"I think Leo appreciated that call." Romeo says looking at me.
"I did too." I say with a genuine smile.
"I miss you. I can't wait until the day I see you again." He says.
"I miss you loads." 
"Night Chiara. I love you." He says with a smile.
"Goodnight Romeo. I love you." I say and blow a kiss.

I wait a second and we hang up at the same time. I place my phone on charge and lay my head on the pillow.

I spoke to them. I actually spoke to them. 

-----------

A woke up the next morning in a pool of tears. My dream had felt so real and I had woken up to find myself in my cold dark room, alone.

I hopped out of the taxi and opened up the gates to my Dad's house. Flowers trailed up the sides of the road along with bright green grass. The gravel drive way crunches under my feet as the soles of my feet meet the ground. The front door opened and three of them stood out waiting for me. My feet picked up their pace, and my feet hit the ground harder.

Suddenly I'm held in a tight embrace. He kisses the top of my head and I let the tears run down my cheek as I'm pressed against his chest. I pull away and his thumb swipes under my eye, ridding the tears away. He presses a kiss to my lips. 

I'm then held tightly by my best friend. Her smell of flowers, blossoming around her. Blonde hair falls over my own. She sobs on my shoulder and when we pull away we admire each other. I pull her in for another hug.

I find myself in the last hug. My Dad. Tears stream down his flushed face. His arms wrap protectively around me and I wrap my arms around his neck. He also kisses the top of my head. I'm happiest here.

When the hugs are all over, the three people I know and love disappear. They whither away until I'm left alone. A new cold, empty, italian house in front of me. Empty without them. 

I wake up. The tears sat on my hot face. I rub them away. I'll be with them soon, I repeat to myself reassuringly. I can text them whenever I want. Rose needs to tell me how it went with Marco. I've been dying to know. 

I look at the time on my phone, 5am. I woke up early from the dream. I google what time it is in Italy and I see that it's 12pm. I guess I can call Rose now? I'll send her a text first. 

ME: hey rose. It's chi... can we talk x

I send the message and turn my phone off immediately. I wait for the screen to glow, indicating Rose texted back.

ROSE: of course!! why you up so early? 

ME: Woke up and can't go back to sleep... also desperate to know about you and Marco ;)

ROSE: Ugh okay! I'll tell you.

Her call comes through and I accept. I flick my bedside lamp on so she can see me a little but not too well since I expect I'm still drenched in tears from my dream.

"Well good morning to you!" She greets.