David

XXXI

  With that conversation, Damiano and I parted. Life's been full of ups and downs since then. I heard he got so much better and they were thriving in their careers. I heard it from Sienna Rossi, she was with Ethan now. Damiano got the help he needed and seemed to be going in the right direction.

  Two years have passed since we last saw each other, since he was in my house. Two years of travels, healing, fun, work, friendships, and life itself. I could say I was doing good. I was doing amazing and that was actually true. I've been on dates with various types of men but they did not last. Luna and I had split up and lived in our own apartments now. We bought them!
  She was very successful in her career and became the leader of the translation team. She also wrote her first book which sold well. Giovanni and her were as strong as ever. He proposed. They were living together, planning the wedding.
  And I, I was living my life, really enjoying every part of it - the love, the pain, the joy, the melancholy - everything. And I found my peace and worked on myself a lot. I was happy with my life.

"You're coming with me today to check the wedding space.", Luna said to me over the phone while I was working on some lyrics.

"Of course, Lu. What time?", I replied.

"4 pm! I'll pick you up."

"I'll be ready."

  It was the mid of July and the Italian summer had already begun. I wore a dark long jean dress and a pair of black Converse. I put my sunglasses on and went outside my building to wait for Luna but she had already arrived. We drove to the place where she wanted her wedding to be. Giovanni granted all her wishes.
  It was a big open space with round tables and golden chairs. I imagined how it would look on their wedding day with all the flowers and tablecloths and everything that comes with it. It had big windows all around and huge white curtains which gave the place a romantic note. I was amazed.

"Luna, this is beautiful!", I said.

"It really is! Oh, my god! I'm getting married! Can you believe it?", she was excited.

"It feels like we've graduated from college yesterday! I can't believe this is happening! You're gonna be someone's wife. And Giovanni is an amazing man!", I said smiling although I was a little anxious.

  I worried that our friendship will change, that we will not see each other so often now that she was going to have a family of her own. Now that she was going to be a wife, and a mother one day.

"I got so lucky with him. He's gentle, and kind, a little bit too emotional but loving.", she said with a dreamy look on her face.

"You deserve it! You are one of the best people I've ever met. And you are a great friend! I love you so much, Lu, and I'm so happy for you! Just promise you won't forget me once you're a married woman!", I said hugging her and felt tears blurring my sight.

"Ooh, I love you too! And what nonsense is that? Me forgetting you? Are you crazy? You're my soul sister, B!", she said with tears in her eyes and we both started crying.

"Look at us! We look so stupid right now! Why are we even crying?", I said as we sat on the staircase of the wide reception space.

"We grew up so fast!", Luna sobbed.

"We did! But this is how life goes! We all grow up and get married and have families. It's all normal.", I said through tears.

"Yeah, but I miss our high school days and stalking the boys we liked!"

"Me too! It was easier then.", I said a little too sad.

"Oh, B! It's going to be okay! Are you still thinking of him?"

"Occasionally, when I hear something. It is impossible to escape them. They are literally everywhere. I don't think Justin Bieber was ever this famous. It's a phenomenon.", I admitted.

"That is completely fine. You loved him. Do you still love him?", she asked.

"Lu, let's not make this about me. Are you gonna pick this avenue?", I said.

"Hell yeah!", she giggled.

  The avenue was very pricey which meant that not a lot of people were having their weddings there, so Luna and Giovanni managed to get it for the end of August.

"Okay, everything is settled now! I just gotta find a dress!", Luna sighed.

"You're gonna find it in time! I believe in you!", I said and we went back to our homes.

  I made myself a bubble bath and lowered myself under the warm water so that only my head was out. After that, I dried myself and lay on my bed to scroll through my social media for a bit. That's when I saw her.
  She was standing next to Damiano, his arm around her waist and they both smiled for the paparazzi on the red carpet. She had voluminous black hair and a red dress going all the way to the floor with one leg out paired with a pair of black high heel sandals. She looked gorgeous. Fiery! Her arms were covered in tattoos and I couldn't help but notice how she and Damiano fitted together. She looked like a female version of him. They were on the red carpet for some awards in Britain. Her name was Alicia D'Este, the world-famous Italian actress and one of the most beautiful women in the world. They looked happy. They laughed heartily and Damiano was glowing. I was glad to see him genuinely happy. Still, it stung. I still had feelings for him. But I was the one who decided it was best if we split up. And I didn't regret that decision.
  Under the post, the caption said: Damiano David and Alicia D'Este on a red carpet only days after the rumors of them being together have been leaked.
  I didn't wanna think about it too much. It's okay if he found someone else. Thank God for that. He was happy. He looked happy. And if she was the reason, I wouldn't mind. They looked great together, I tried to comfort myself. But with Luna's wedding and this news I couldn't help but feel down for not having anyone, for not moving on from him. It was that kind of feeling when you get in these years. Most of your friends are getting married and you just stand there watching, happy for them, but also feeling that little hole inside your chest.
  Unable to deal with those thoughts, I got dressed and drove to Villa Borghese Gardens. When I arrived, I walked to the lake watching the water. As I raised my head to look around I saw a face way too familiar glistening under the sunlight.

Dear readers,

  I hope you're doing amazing and that your summer is awesome! David is coming to an end. I did not wrote everything yet but I am close to finishing this work.

  Great news: I will post one part every Friday from now on since my finals are coming to an end and I will soon graduate college!👩🏼‍🎓

  Thank you for your support! You motivate me! ❤️

Love,
A Kid From Neverland

Instagram: @i_vukotic