When In Rome #ONC 2020 [COMPLETED]

Amore et melle et felle es fecundissimus - Love is rich with honey and venom

Zach knocked his head against the sand dusted frame of the jeep, jolting awake while both the seats and windows shook with every small bump in the ragged sand dunes, jostling all the passengers back and forth.

"Why the hell did I agree to come with you to this godforsaken place," Lloyd grumbled under his breath as he tried to steady himself in his seat.

Zach shot him a guilty but thankful smile before he whipped the beads of sweat from his forehead. The stiff, dry desert air made his clothing overwhelmingly hot and sticky, even while sitting in the shadow. He seriously started to doubt that he could excavate anything out here, where the sun's never-ending rays will beat down on him mercilessly. But still, this was the opportunity of a lifetime.

"It's not every day that you can be a part of the excavation at Mons Porphyrites." Zach remarked. "Who knows, maybe we'll be famous archaeologists by the end of it."

Lloyd rolled his eyes, "Dream on. We first have to graduate. Which reminds me, we could now be writing our theses while enjoying a nice, refreshing ice coffee."

"So, you would rather spend your summer working on a boring thesis than exploring one of Egypt's most fascinating Ancient Roman quarries with me?"

"Most fascination, according to you," Lloyd clarified. It takes a second or two for the new information to sink it, but Zach still couldn't process Lloyd's reasoning. "Mons Porphyrites was in Ancient Rome the only known source of porphyry. Which was prized for sculptures, monolithic columns and other architectural elements in Roman and Byzantine times."

His friend scoffed in response, "the emperors liked some rare shiny rock. Shocking!"

"I thought you said that you owed me for that Palaeolithic summer camp last year." Zach mumbled deflated.

"Of course, man," Lloyd grunted, "the heat is just making me a bit cranky, that's all."

"Understandable. I'm still glad you're here." Zach concluded with a smile so bright that Lloyd couldn't help but smile back as he mumbled, "that's what are friends for."

The car stopped abruptly at a small campsite on the edge of the excavation site. As soon as they step out, the stiff, dry desert wind stirred up the wispy sand, and from the side of the pit, a burly man stared at them from under his wide-brimmed hat. His cowboyish gait was at odds with the gleeful smile he had as he made his way over to the two boys. "You must be the students from Washington. Nice to meet you, I'm Blake Shubert, the lead archaeologist of this excavation." He smiled like a long lost brother, shaking Zach's hand enthusiastically.

"Honoured to meet you, Mr. Shubert. I'm Zachariah Perez, and this is my friend Lloyd Koch. We are honoured to be here, sir." Zach exclaimed.

"Call me Blake," the burly man chuckled. "I must say I was a little worried about you boys when you didn't show up with your classmate, but I'm glad you are here now. There is a lot of work to be done."

"Classmate?" Lloyd inquired glancing sideways at Zach.

"Olivia," Blake responded, pointing out a redhead working at the sifting screen. Ginger locks swept across the willowy features of her pale face. Zach gazed upon the countless freckles that adorned her skin in the harsh desert sun when she glanced up from her work and caught his stare. Her emerald green eyes had a boldness in them, prompting Zach to look away in shame.

"I've never seen her in any class. You?" Lloyd asked. Zach shook his head. He would have remembered a stunning girl like her. Not that she would ever notice a plain guy like him. As they make their way past the pit, Zach stole another glance at the girl standing on the other side.