Stronger than the storm

Unexpected

Piper

I keep browsing these books. I shake the dusty pages and read carefully.

"It's not a dream, it's not a dream.", I say to myself.

Several minutes pass, and only then do I realize that Alex is missing.

I go downstairs and see her sitting, intent on reading one of the books placed on the table.

I walk up silently and sling my nose on her neck: her perfume is so good.

I really couldn't help myself. Aware of what I have just done, I go upstairs, hoping she hasn't noticed anything.

A little later Alex clatters up the stairs and joins me.

She smiles and slowly approaches.

Reset the distance between us. She takes a lock of my hair in her hands and pushes it aside.

I hold her gaze, I challenge her to stop doing it. She continues undeterred, approaches my ear and whispers that I am beautiful.

New sensations take place in me: I have the storm inside.

I can't stop focusing on her, she bites her lip, obviously trying to control herself.

I would like to take the initiative, but I don't even know how to do it.

I've never kissed anyone, I've never loved anyone.

"I really think we should go now, or we'll go back to London when it's dark now.", she suggests clearing her throat.

"You're right. But I'd stay here forever ", I admit melancholy.

"There will be other occasions and many other places to visit.", she says.

We head towards the stairs, Alex lets me down first - I constantly feel his gaze on me, but I pretend not to notice.

I don't know exactly what's happening to me. It's all so new and confusing to me - I don't know about her.

A few minutes later we turn one last time towards the imposing vintage building and venture into the dense vegetation.

"Would you like to take a picture of us?", I start out of the blue.

"Of course I like it.", she replies without hesitation.

I take the phone out of my backpack and point to a tree beyond. With one arm I encircle her shoulders while with the other I take a photo.

We watch it together - we are really photogenic - we exclaim in unison.

Shortly after we reach the car.

That was the greatest experience for me. I mean ... I've been to the house of one of my favorite writers, I've walked where she walked, seen what she saw.

"Thanks.", I say while Alex starts the bike.

"You don't have to thank me," she replies.

I open the window a little and wave my hand out.

Alex doesn't turn on the stereo, she wants to concentrate.

"Why are you doing this for me?", I ask her before I can think about it.

Remain silent for seconds that seem interminable.

"I'm trying to understand why," she replies, and I know what she's saying is true, because I'm trying to do it too.

"You know when someone decides for you and you just want to leave?", she asks me changing the subject.

"More or less.", I reply.

"This happened to me. Since I was a child, my choices have been influenced by people who should have thought about my happiness and not their reputation. I have always obeyed, blaming myself for having completely different views from theirs. And you know what? At one point I said enough - I had to take my life in hand and stop being the puppet of the moment - so I left home; I mean ... they actually kicked me out, but I prefer to say I left on purpose. "

I stare at her for a moment.

"That's why when you said about sacrificing yourself for the happiness of others, I felt deeply hurt.", She continues.

"I'm sorry.", I justify myself mortified - "I didn't know."

"And how could you? You don't have to apologize for anything, it's your points of view, it's your life. Don't apologize for who you are. "

"Piper", she exclaims shortly after.

"Yes?", I go back to look at her.

"I don't know what is happening to me, but since I met you I feel that my life is better, you are making it better. I know it may seem absurd to you, we've only known each other for a few days, but it seems like an eternity to me. "

I feel my heart pounding in my chest.

"It's the same for me too, Alex. I'm fine with you, and I don't know why we accidentally bumped into each other that day in the center ... ", she interrupts me.

"It was you!" she suddenly exclaims.

"I thought you knew, that you recognized me.", I reply.

"No, not actually.", she laughs.

I laugh too and we remain silent for the remainder of the journey.

I fall asleep, lulled by the emotions and thoughts that whirl through my head.

The car has always had this effect on me: a sleeping pill.

"We're here," Alex exclaims an hour later.

I rub my eyes and try to focus.

Suddenly I remember Jack.

"Alex." - I tell her - "are we still in time to change direction? I have to go to Jack's hospital, "I continue.

"No problem.", she says smiling.

Turn the corner and make a U-turn.

After five minutes we are in the hospital.

"Do you want me to come too?", she asks me, unfastening his belt.

"There is no need, you will be tired and then I will not be here long.", I reassure her.

"Okay, in that case ... it was nice to spend time with you, Piper," she says sincerely.

"For me too it was wonderful to spend time with you, and then ... Virginia Woolf ", a smile appears on my face.

I gesticulate with the opening of the seat belt to take it off, but it doesn't really want to work.

With a deft gesture Alex comes dangerously close to me, pulling my belt off over my head and fumbling with the clasp.

"It's a little defective.", she says a few meters from my mouth.

"So ... I'm going.", I announce looking into her eyes.

"Yes, that would be the case. I have to prepare the lesson for tomorrow, and ... ", she stops.

"And ...?", I urge her to continue. I want her to talk.

"Besides, I don't want to do things that I could regret.", she exclaims.

"Yeah, because then it's likely you won't sleep.", I challenge her with my eyes.

Swallow saliva quickly. I know she's in trouble, I feel it.

"To hell with it!" she exclaims violently pressing her lips against mine.

I close my eyes and let the electric shock that kiss causes go through me.

"How was it?", she asks me immediately after interrupting the magic of that moment.

"Unexpected", I answer, opening my eyes again.