Whispers of Our Yesterday

Chapter 3

I spent a little longer in the bookstore before I decided it was enough reading for the day. 

As I made my way back through the grassy streets of downtown Valenwood, the sun began to set.

My stomach rumbled, reminding me that I hadn't eaten since breakfast. I paused in front of a little bakery, the wafting delicious scents of pastries leading me to it. I closed my eyes and smiled, bounding inside―

"Hey! Didn't know I would see you again," 

I froze, horrified.

Luca sat near the entrance of the bakery, waving with a cheerful grin.

Oh, how did I find him again? 

"Yeah, hi," I replied. I hoped things weren't awkward after our previous encounter and how I rudely shut him off. "Luca, right?"

Obviously I knew his name was Luca. But I didn't know what else to say. 

Luca nodded. "How was your time at the bookstore? Were you enjoying those... books... you picked out?" He smirked, raising his eyebrows and eyeing me for a response. 

I turned red. Oh gosh. Was he teasing me already?

"Actually, they were great. Maybe next time you could give me some recommendations, though." I batted my eyelashes playfully, and suddenly found myself sitting in the chair across from him.

"Oh, so now you want my recommendations, huh."

"Of course I do. After you left, I found that I was missing out."

We sat there, grinning at each other. It was awkward, but I didn't want to leave.

I could find myself being friends with this person.

"Are you hungry?" Luca asked suddenly, gesturing to the pastries in the window. "I was about to grab something to eat. You should join me."

The invitation caught me off guard, but I wanted to learn more about Luca—there was something intriguing about him that drew me in. Maybe because I was in a new place, so far away from my home, I could play at being someone different. Someone who wasn't weighed down by the memories of the past.

For a couple of months, I could be a different Elena.

Someone who was confident.

Charming. And kind.

A slow smile crept across my lips as I looked up at Luca through my lashes, feeling a rush of boldness. "Sure, I'd love to."

We walked to the menu, and I scanned the different pastries and drinks. After deciding for a moment, I settled on something simple. "Um, just a chocolate croissant please."

"Oh, did I forget to mention it's on me?" Luca said, waving his card.

"Then could I add a blueberry scone, an eclair, and a pistachio latte?" 

He paused for a moment and looked at me with raised eyebrows. Then, slowly he smiled. "Just the chocolate muffin for me, please."

As we started eating the desserts, conversation flowed more easily than before. We talked about the town (and how I loved the city), our favorite books, and our plans for the next few days.

"So, what's your story?" he asked, leaning back in his chair. "What brought you to Valenwood?"

I shrugged. "It's not like I'm staying here for a long time. I'm only visiting my grandmother." 

Luca nodded. "So, how's the city like? I'm dying to get out of this old small town," He sighed. "There's this cycle here that's tough to break. It's like every generation wants to leave, but most people never do. And somehow, you just get swept back into the rhythm."

I suddenly felt a surge of gratitude for my mother. She'd grown up in Valenwood, grown up with the limited opportunities of this place. My mother had worked tirelessly to build a better future, to break free from a life she knew would not get her very far. 

"Hey, don't look so sad," Luca chirped.

"I'm not sad! I was just thinking," I said defensively. But Luca didn't look very convinced. He raised his eyebrows again and smiled. 

"Relax, you don't need to pity me. Besides, I have a plan that might work." He leaned forward, eyes sparkling. "I want to be a doctor." 

I snort. "Explain more please,"

Luca rolled his eyes. "Well, since I already have a dream, I'll work for it. And I can try to get a scholarship, and then go to medical school. Then I'll have enough money to buy a house somewhere else and take my family with me."

"What about paying for school?" 

"I'll take a loan." 

I smiled. Okay. "Well, I believe in you," 

Luca laughed, and then we just sat there in silence. But it wasn't awkward.

 Each of us was both entrapped in our own thoughts, thinking of the present, and the future.