Along the street of Antibes

Chapter 1

Aries

I woke up to the sound of waves and the heat of the sun's rays hitting my face. The calendar showed it was the 14th of July 2024.

I walked to my room's terrace and watched the sea and sun shining together. The blue hues of the water and the warm yellows of the sun hovering above it. I think the sun and the ocean are meant to be together.

There's the salt air, the quietness, but it's not empty. I'm alone with my thoughts, but there's no danger. I'm alone, but I don't mind.

I'm in a small place with a population of 106. But the beauty of it fills every corner of this island. The number of people is few, the places to visit are also limited, but this place never feels too small.

For me, it's enough. More than enough, to say the least. I think I found my place.

Alicudi-Sicily. This island Gus stayed on before is the one I've seen countless times in his camera.

Back then, I didn't understand what was special about this island he always talked about. I didn't even believe that the population here is nothing compared to my Anatomy class.

"I'm sure it feels remote, Alicudi?"

"Yes, it's so remote it's like you disconnected yourself from everything. From the noise of everything back at home," he replied.

"Why do you like it if it makes you feel like you're a million miles away from civilization?" I scoffed at the thought of what I just said to him.

"It gives me the very thing I wanted, Aries, peace."

Now I get it. So excruciatingly clear, it hurts my ego because it never occurred to me that the last thing I wanted was a vacation to this place with no nightlife, girls, no weed, no parties, no noise.

This sad and mundane place I thought of before is the very thing that will give me what I need back in a year and four months.

Peace.

I've been here for almost two months. I can't completely say that I've grieved enough for our loss to Gus. But one thing I'm sure of, I'm far better than the Aries at Pennsylvania, depressed and failing his class, friends, family, and his self.

My chest doesn't feel that heavy, the baggage I'm carrying is lighter. I'm not expecting that a place can do so much other than numerous of trips and girls.

I was right after all. Going to Professor Denever to help me process dropping out of medicine was the right decision. Me leaving that apartment, and the expectations of the family, whom I only cared for, who seemed to have already abandoned me, is the best decision I've ever made. What else to do if the passion I once had and the people I loved all my life don't serve me anymore?

Just the thought of what I've left behind ruins the beautiful sight in front of me.

I just realized that the girl I slept with last night was gone. A brunette is nowhere to be found in my bed. I smell something, breakfast being made in the kitchen of my Airbnb. Don't tell me the girl made me food.

I went down. I'm right. There she is.
Wait. The girl who's making Shakshuka, which I've been having every morning since I arrived here, has mid-length hair. Brown hair with stripes of gold.

I remember her having long brunette hair last night. I think the beer had affected me badly.

I propped myself at the stone dining table. Did she get tanned overnight? Why do I mind? She's just the girl from the beach last night who provoked me by sipping from my beer bottle. I didn't thought I'll be sleeping with a Sicilian girl here in Alicudi. This place continue to surprise me. Tiny community, yes, but it doesn't mean there aren't girls who can make my lonely nights satisfying.