Te Adoro - Book 2 ✔️

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It's been five years since the 'incident' as it was regarded as, and the day Luca and Giulia were finally coming home.

So, he and Giulia took the train to Portorosso, seated beside each other in a silence they both grew to enjoy. They've been like this for a good hour, smiles on both their faces. Giulia, nose deep in a book she kept close to Luca, who kept his gaze out the window. They had left Genova just after lunchtime, hopefully getting there by early afternoon.  The train cart was silent, not many in this one specifically, which Luca grew to appreciate. Quiet meant focusing on his thoughts, something he never had time to do as he went to school, and helped Giulia's mom with paintings.

They were both thinking the same thing. Although it would be great to come back to their hometown, there'd be one important piece.

Alberto.

Luca swallowed. He still regretted that day, the day he cried out against Alberto, getting him killed. He remembered the day vividly; a mix of salt, rain in the air, and the bitter breeze made it worse for him. Hell, he killed a guy for him!

He bit the inside of his lip. He killed Ercole for hurting Alberto. Surprisingly, Giulia didn't resent him but instead comforted him like an older sister would whenever he had a nightmare about it.

He shook his head. Now wasn't the time for that. He sighed, catching the attention of the fiery redhead quickly. Luca smiled, and Giulia returned his expression, seeing he was okay, returning her gaze to her book, and his to the window.

She aged well, he came to realize, his chocolate brown eyes flicking back to his best friend. Her hair was still unruly, curls sticking out of her beanie yet in a messy ponytail to control the now long hair, a look she kept on throughout the years whenever they weren't in school. She had her ears pierced, something Luca envied; he was too afraid it would hurt, though envious at how well the piece of jewelry looked on her.

At 5 feet and 4 inches, she grew into her clothing style, the baggy shirts, jeans, and the occasional dresses. She looked just like Signora Marcovaldo, yet shorter and more, well, Giulia.  She had her legs crossed despite wearing shorts, her foot bouncing eagerly, Luca could tell she was just as jittery as he was.

He however, didn't change all that much. He was skinny as he's always been, yet had all the strength in his legs from biking so much. He managed to grow a small stubble on his face, but learned to shave it off. He wore simple slacks with an off white button up. He stood at 5'10 now, after hitting a very confusing 5 year long growth spurt. He often teased Giulia about her shortness.

Soon her eyes flicked up at him and raised an eyebrow, making Luca look down with a shy look on his face. Oops.

Noting his expression, Giulia put her book down with a sigh and shifted, pivoting her body so she was facing him, leg now over his unoccupied armrest and an elbow on her own. "Alright, spill."

Luca snapped his attention to her with a confused expression, muttering, "Che cosa?"

Giulia rolled her eyes, "You're staring. What's going through your head, ragazzo?"

Luca looked away and shrugged, "Nothing important."

Usually, she'd press on, but Giulia took notice of his quivering bottom lip and dropped the subject completely and instead looked out the window. Her face lit up as familiar faces came into view. "Hey," she nudged him, "Cheer up. We're here"

_____________

Luca set his suitcase on the pavement, catching himself when his mom came and nearly tackled him with hugs. He laughed and hugged her back, receiving a pat from his dad and a nod from his grandma.