Sun and Moon

Chapter one

A bundle of red came flying at Alberto. He had been waiting at the train station for half an hour, fidgeting with his hands. Gulia had just graduated college with a degree in fashion and another in psychology. Alberto didn't understand how those two went together, but when he asked Gulia, she replied, 'It's a girl's world, you wouldn't understand,' He didn't ask her about it again.

For half an hour he waited, alone, waiting the arrival of his sister. Only by adoption where they related.

He had tried to smarten up himself but gave up after 20 minutes. Albertos hair just did not want to cooperate and kept falling in front of his eyes or puffing up every time he ran a brush through it. It had ended up with the hairbrush being chucked out the window, falling with a splash into the lulling waves.

Albertos head snapped up as the first faint whistle of the school train reached his ears. Anxiety spiked his heartrate as he began to bounce on the balls of his feet. The train pulled into the station, pulling to a screeching halt. The doors had hardly opened when a bundle of red came flying towards him. All the breath was knocked out of Albertos lungs as he stumbled back. Gulia. She released him, jumping up and down lightly with excitement. And then a wicked grin flashed across her rounded face. She lunged at him, rugby tackling Alberto to the ground. The siblings crashed to the floor, Gulias high laugh startling the bystanders. Alberto shoved her off, sending her rolling across the stone platform.

He pushed himself to his feet, a smile stretching across his face. Alberto rubbed the sore spot on his head where he had hit the ground when gulia tackled him. She walked back over to him, still doubled over laughing. Alberto looked her up and down. She was no longer a child. She was nineteen. The same distinctive red curls resting on top of her shoulders was about the only recognisable thing about her. She sported a pair of red converses on her feet, the edges decorated with little stars sewn on in white thread. Gulia had obviously sewn them on herself. She wore black cargos, which had little moons and suns sewn on in golden and silver thread on every pocket. Alberto rolled his eyes. The astrology side of Gulia had clearly never left. A red turtleneck peaked out from beneath a long white raincoat that came down to her ankles. Little cats slinked themselves up the sleeves, wrapping around her arms. The hood had little pointy ears sewn on.

'You have a fashion degree and still can't dress?' Alberto teased, nudging her in the arm.

'Very nice greeting,' Gulia said, picking up her discarding suitcase and satchel, which was overflowing with random pens and half shredded sketches.

'I do pride myself in my greetings,' he said, scoffing as Gulia smiled smugly as she shoved her suitcase into Albertos arms.

Before he could argue, she slung her satchel over her shoulder, winking, and walked off.

'Big brother privileges,' she called over her shoulder as she left the station. Alberto snorted and ran after her. Gulia was already sauntering down the cobblestone roads, dodging young children zooming around on bikes. Alberto caught up to her just as she took her heavy coat off, already sweating in the summer heat. Alberto sniggered.

'Cat Coat not helping much?' he said.

'Look, it was raining in Genova,' Gulia scoffed, trying to wriggle her arms out of the long sleeves. She let out a long sigh when she finally got out of the coat. Gulia finally looked at her surroundings. Children of all ages were going around on small bikes, some blurred colours, others struggling to stay upright. The sight of children practising their riding made Gulia nostalgic. It brought back memories of the trio racing around, getting luca to stay upright. The thought of Luca made her face crumple. Memories of Gulias last cup race flickered across her mind. The trio celebrating their victory, changing the peoples view on sea monsters after luca and Alberto changed in the rain, Gulia crashing on her bike. And waking up to Alberto practically tearing up the small garden searching for the brunette.