You Look Lonely - F1

II. before

I scrambled to get ready, knowing Fernando would be waiting near Sempione Park with an idea in mind.

Slipping into baggy jeans and my beloved oversized coat, I grabbed the keys and dashed towards the tram. Driving in Milan on a Saturday was madness, especially in the late afternoon, so public transport was the best option.

"Be there in 10"

I texted him, double-checking the location he'd sent. After a few tram stops, I hurried, following the directions. But as I arrived, a sense of confusion got to me—he was nowhere in sight.

I glanced around the cramped park, families and friends enjoying a walk despite the gloomy weather, then I checked my phone and, to my surprise, noticed he had messaged me minutes ago. Frowning, I scanned the area once more.

"I'm here"

In the end, I decided to dial his number and, immediately, a nearby phone rang. I caught a glimpse of a figure slouched on a bench, sunglasses on despite the nightfall, a scarf and a cap covering his features. My confusion turned into laughter as the mysterious figure answered.

"Hi, Lila, where are you?" my giggles from the other side of the phone caught his attention.

"What are you wearing? " I asked approaching the disguised man. He looked comically out of place.

"Nice to see you too!" he called out chuckling, his voice warm beneath the layers. "Sorry, it's just that you look like you've just escaped prison".

"I'm Hispanic, I'm not used to this cold!" he grinned, lightly hugging me, his spicy cologne filling the air. I fluttered my eyes closed and instinctively breathed in the heady scent.

"Sorry for keeping you waiting," I said apologetically. In response, he waved it off. "No worries. Did you sleep well?".

I wrinkled my nose at his question. The dark circles under my eyes were neatly covered by concealer. I had only slept a few little hours. However my lack of sleep wasn't induced by anxiety, but by his sight appearing beneath my eyelids every time I tried to empty my mind.

He was still a stranger, yet something had shifted when our eyes met.

"I managed. And you?" He nodded, motioning for me to follow. I held a smile in watching him covered head-to-toe. He was hilarious.

Dismissing it, I focused on where he was taking me.

We were in front of an unfamiliar building I had never noticed before. A queue of people, especially families and kids, was forming right in front of the entrance.

"Where are we?" I asked clueless as we joined the line. He put his hands in his jeans pockets and I could sense a smirk forming under his scarf "Wait and see" he whispered.

As we entered, I spotted a huge sign in capital letters: a planetarium. My inner child began jumping with joy. There was none in my hometown, and it never occurred to me to seek one in Milan.

"No way" I said a little louder than what I had intended. He chuckled before leaning into the ticket office. He spoke to the boy at the cash desk and then secured our tickets.

"This is for last night's snack," he said, waving them in his hand. I sheepishly smiled at him with appreciation, as I felt excitement bubble in me.