Somewhere in Northern Italy

Chapter 8

That morning I awoke with the distant sun rising in the east. I picked up my phone resting on the window sill and looked at the time- 5:37

I sat up and stretched in bed before pulling both feet across the sides and looking down at the floor. I began to recall the events from the previous day and took a deep breath before jumping out of bed and walking into the kitchen. I made myself a cup of tea and a piece of toast and brought them out to the balcony to enjoy as I watch the sunrise on the quiet square.

10 minutes later, after I finished my toast, I heard the balcony door click and open behind me. I turned to see a sleepy eyed Palmer walk through the door with a coffee in his hand.

"You're up earlier than usual," I commented, giving Palmer a small smile as he sat and made himself comfortable in the chair beside me.

"So are you," he said slightly annoyed but still in good humor.

"Yeah just one of those mornings," I said shrugging my shoulders, staring past the old Italian shops to the peaceful countryside in the soft, early morning light.

"One of those mornings," agreed Palmer nodding his head.

We sat there in silence for a good 7 minutes sipping our drinks while we allowed our bodies to fully awaken. I was in the middle of planning my day when Palmer exclaimed, "I almost forgot to ask how it went with Timothée!"

I talked excitedly the whole time while telling Palmer about my time with Timothée. I didn't realize I was smiling until he pointed it out which made me blush with embarrassment.

"So will you go out with him again?"

"Of course I'll go out with him again!"

"Okay well, do you have anything planned like what are you doing?" He asked in a tone that came off as challenging. I may be more organized than my twin brother but he is definitely way better at making plans than I am.

"I'm actually not sure about that yet," I said defeated. "But I've been working on it," I mentioned, attempting to wipe the smug look off of Palmer's face.

Later that morning when the hour began to near 8:00, I checked my phone as I was headed out for a run.

Meet me by the river in an hour, I have a surprise.

The message caught me off guard and I found myself canceling all the plans I had made earlier to meet Timothée.

I left the apartment in a hurry after I changed my outfit from athletic clothes to a cute, casual outfit. I rushed through the bookstore and greeted the old man who worked there and hopped on the bike pedaling towards the familiar dirt road that led towards the river.

When I neared the tree Palmer and I usually gathered at, I parked my bike and piled my things against the front wheel. I approached the river's edge, examining the flow of the water and the playful little tadpoles that dashed away when my feet came near.

"Beautiful day isn't it?" said a familiar voice behind me.

I quickly turned around startled and completely caught off guard.

"God, you scared me!" I exclaimed at the boy, throwing my hands up to my face and then down onto my shoulders.

Timothée chuckled as his checks began to grow red. He walked closer to me eventually standing next to each other, staring into the water like I had been doing before he startled me.

"So, what did you have planned today?" I asked after a few seconds of silence.

"Well, I was thinking," he started, shoving his hands in his pockets, walking away from the water's edge. "You know how I'm working on that movie?"