Somewhere in Northern Italy

Chapter 4

I needed some air. I needed room to think. The only place I could think to go was the river. It was quiet and cool under the shade of the trees and the refreshing water of the river. I found the dirt road that lead to my newfound oasis and began to pedal as fast as I could until my lungs couldn't keep up with my body's demand for air.

I found the same tree Palmer and I had stopped by the day we arrived in Crema. I propped my things up on the trunk of the tree and started towards the water.

After floating around and splashing in the river's currents, I was thinking of returning back home until I heard a familiar voice echo through the network of trees and streams.

"OLIVER!" the voice called.

I bolted towards the tree, scrambled into my flip flops, snatched my bag and took off on my bike. Again I found myself pedaling down the dirt road as fast as I could stopping only once to look back, but seeing only a cloud of dust.

When I arrived back at the apartment, Palmer was still asleep.

"Thank god," I thought.

I frowned at the thought for a moment. I had never been one to sneak around or keep secrets from Palmer. Except for one time I accidentally crashed his brand new bike and broke the handle bars when I was 8 but other than that I've never really lied to him.

I changed out of my wet bathing suit and tugged my sweatshirt back on. I sat myself on my favorite spot by the window and pulled out my book. I began to read but found I couldn't focus. I kept thinking about the voice that sounded very similar to the voice of the actor from the coffee shop.
I continued to think about the occurrence until it finally hit me, because a film crew and actors meant only one thing.

"A movie!" I thought. "How could I be so stupid? They're making a movie."

I beamed at the thought. I had always loved movies. I always found a way to get drawn into the character's world. Movies made my life more interesting and it helped spark new ideas into my brain. 

I stared out the window lost deep in the thought of movies and summer and the actor, until Palmer barged in announcing he was finished with his nap and asking what I wanted to do.

"Food," I answered.

"Food," he replied.

We got dressed in less than ten minutes and rushed downstairs to the bikes.

It was around five o'clock at the time and we were looking forward to an early dinner. I was wearing my favorite pair of jeans and open white button up tied above my waist to create a cute crop. I curled my hair which made it look effortlessly wavey and accessorized with gold jewelry.

Palmer and I walked into the restaurant. It was a small, dimly lit space with simple round tables and chairs scattered throughout the area. The tables had white table clothes and roses in small vases on top of them. Palmer and I were seated at one of the tables and instantly turned our attention towards the menus.

As I was thoroughly scanning the menu I felt someone come up behind me and ask, "Hello, erm, I'm Timothée. I think we've met before."

I turned my head to stare back into the eyes that had captured my attention in the coffee shop. His face relaxed and stared back into mine letting his eyes wander over my face to study its structure. I held contact until I felt my face begin to grow hot. My body told me to turn away and answer him but something inside told me to hold his gaze.

"Yes I believe we have," I said staring deep within the deep green pools of his eyes.

"Well, I thought I saw you at the river this afternoon and I noticed that you left your shirt hanging up on the tree. I thought you might want it back so... here you go," he said holding out my yellow button up.

That's when my face burned hot with embarrassment.  

I turned my face away from his and with a forced laugh I said, "Oh my gosh I was wondering where I left it! Thank you so much."

I scolded myself for making such a mess of the situation. Probably saw me run away like a scared maniac who can't heaven remember to put on a shirt.

"No problem," Timothée said with a kind smile.

He began to walk towards his table which I noticed was a few paces in front of mine until he turned back and asked, "I'm sorry I didn't catch your name."

"Eliza," I said turning my head towards him giving a small smile.

"Well it's nice to meet you Eliza," said Timothée also giving a small smile and turning towards his table and sitting down.

I held my smile as I turned back towards Palmer to see him staring at me wide eyed with a huge smile.

"Eliza!" he whispered. "You just had a conversation with Timothée Chalamet."

"He was only returning my shirt," I said while folding it, but something fell out of the shirt pocket and onto the floor. I picked up the slip of paper and examined the writing in it.

Call me-   ***-***-****

I froze in my seat while my heart raced uncontrollably. In my hand I was holding his phone number. Timothée must have seen me because when I looked over at him I barely caught him staring waiting for me to notice the shy gesture.  

"What is that?" asked Palmer.

"Nothing, not your business stay out of it."

I quickly pulled out my phone and typed in the number so I wouldn't forget it.

"I'll call him later," I thought.

Throughout the night Timothée and I would exchange glances every now and then. At one point our eyes locked until the server came with our food.

Palmer and I finally finished our food, and I was eager to escape my self consciousness and the pressure to look beautiful while eating pasta.

"I'm gonna go ahead and walk outside, I need fresh air," I said getting up out of my seat.

"Okay I'm gonna pay the bill, I'll be out there in a sec."

Once I was outside I walked into the dimly lit ally and leaned against its old stone wall. I closed my eyes to rethink everything I did that night but once I opened them he was in front of me.

Startled I tensed and straightened my stance.

"It's you," I said while we gazed toward each other. The ally was narrow and this is the closest we've ever been to each other.

"I just came out here to apologize," he said softly.

"What for? You did nothing wrong," I replied, my eyebrows furrowed.

"Would you like to have lunch with me tomorrow?" he asked hopefully.

I was speechless. My mouth was trying to find the right words to say as my mind screamed with excitement, nervousness, and adoration for the man standing in front of me.

"You don't have to if you don't want to I jus-"

I interrupted him with a shy peck on the lips.

"Of course," I said smiling. "Where are we going? What time do you need me to be there?"

His wide grin and kind eyes gave me reassurance in the bold decision I had just made. My face couldn't help but turn a bright shade of red while I stared at his soft lips. Maybe one day I could feel them against mine once more. But only if I did things right.

"Don't worry about it," he said. "I'll pick you up around 12:30 and I'll make it a surprise."

"Perfect," I replied.

I started toward my bike, Palmer would be outside any minute now. I stopped when I felt his hand reach for my waist and pull me towards his body. His lips met mine while fireworks went off in my brain. I felt my body melt into his and noticed how my hips fit perfectly into his.

"This is perfect. Don't ever let this end," I thought as his grip tightened around my waist.

When he pulled away we gave each other one last glance.

"See you tomorrow," I said hopping in my bike.

"I look forward to it," he returned with a small smile.