Hollow Highs [h.s]

10.

"Where are we?" Harry asked Eliana who was dragging him along forcefully.

"You tell me," she mumbled under her breath. Harry laughed at her response and took long strides to match with her short and fast steps.

The stoney gravel and dried leaves underneath his feet crunched loudly. Lush grass surrounded them, the sun shone bright today making the farm look prestige. An occasional light breeze blowed from time to time.

"How big is this farm?" Harry asked her, looking around the large farm that never seemed to end.

"It took me a good year to learn its extent. I used to get lost a lot and then I would call Mafalda to come fetch me." She said laughing.

The Rocky Creek Cottage was a large patch of bare farm land. Gustavo and his family had settled in New York a few decades ago, in search of a better future. A few years after moving, Gustavo welcomed a son and a daughter, both having distinct and strong Italian accents.

The farm was vast. It had everything, from stables to crop patches to their own set of several ponds and lakes. It was like an Italian haven in the middle of the bustle of New York City. It was cleverly hidden away from the city, present in the peaceful outskirts.

Eliana used to spend most of her time, around Mafalda and Stefano swimming in the small lakes and riding horses around the vineyards. They had known each other ever since they were babies in diapers because Eliana's mother, was good friends with Gustavo and his wife, Marzia.

Harry and Eliana walked through the large forests, the sunlight peeked through the light canopy of the trees. Eliana had slipped a couple of times, almost falling face first.

"How much time are we going to take-is that a bug?" Harry suddenly screamed. Eliana turned her head abruptly to see what happened to him but slipped down, falling on her bottom.

Harry started to shake his head vigorously with his eyes shut tight, the ends of his eyelids crinkling. Eliana got up and swatted the small bug off of his head, smacking it in the process.

"We're almost here." She said. Harry groaned, Eliana rolled her eyes at his reaction.

"We've been walking for only five minutes Harry. Stop whining so much please." She said. Harry jutted his lip out like a small child and continued walking.

They walked only for a few minutes before reaching their destination. Harry grumbled throughout saying how "unnecessary" this was and how they could spend their day at home, watching a Disney movie.

"The universe next door Harry," Eliana said, standing in front of a large lake.

Harry looked at the lake look in pure astonishment and awe. The lake was surrounded by tall trees and large rocks. The water looked beautiful, it rippled slowly when the wind blew. Small pebbles were under the water.