We drive. Humming to the beat-up stereo of Luca's car. Our voices merge with the buzz of his Romero - an orchestra of bees. We continue like this for miles until, our final destination finally surfaces in the valleys.
Vernazza. A coastal town filled with colour, lights and salt water air. The music here is more alive than ever.
Luca grabs my wrists and pulls me out of his car. We dart for the main plaza. The music grows and fills my head with sonnets.
Sitting on the lip of a water fountain is a herd of musicians. They all play various instruments peacefully - smiling to themselves as Luca pulls me to the center of the plaza to dance. He places his hands gently on my waist as we begin to sway to the rich music. Enchanting even. I gasp as he pulls me in for a turn and we both start laughing as I stumble - trying not to hit the ground.
When I find him again the tempo of the music has picked up. Our dance becomes springy and light-hearted. He now grabs my waist harder - trying not to lose me again in our tangle of limbs. We dance and laugh. Seemingly lost in music. Drunk on Italian melodies.
The music stops. Coming to a graceful end, as the last note of their song continues on through the town. A harmonious echo. We clap and cheer for the musicians as they take exaggerated bows - reacting to our enthusiasm.
I turn to Luca, out of breath and exhilarated. He brushes the strands of hair covering my face with one swift motion and smiles.
"We better get home, people are waiting." He says with a smug expression.
"I could stay out here dancing for hours," I laugh out, still running on a high.
"There'll always be time for dancing tomorrow. Follow me."
I follow him, holding hands and smiling to myself. Tomorrow. The reality that today is endless hits me. Tomorrow we can do it all again. And the next day, and the next...
We leave the plaza. Leaving the ring of music and laughter behind us.
To be continued.... xox
YOU ARE READING
I'm Sorry You Love Me
General FictionBella Rawlins is a high school student in NYC when she flies to a remote town on the coast of northern Italy to reunite with her exchange student over the summer. As she spends midsummer season entranced by Italian sonnets and budding feelings she c...
