Leonardo[in editing]

Chapter 8

"Of course m'lady," I replied, with a soft smile, "I'm Leonardo, and what might your name be?"

***

"My name is Jackie, it's a pleasure to meet you."

I took his hand and stood up, following him to a carriage pulled up by the sidewalk waiting for us. I don't remember seeing it there earlier. Then again, I never looked.

Leonardo helped me climb into the carriage. Once I was seated, he gave the driver some directions, and we started moving.

"So, tell me about yourself Jackie."

"Oh gosh, I'm not that good at talking about myself, what do you want to know?"

"Well, how about... some of your hobbies."

"Okay, well I guess I really like to read." I paused for a moment to think, "I also like to draw."

"Oh really? Not to brag but, I happen to be quite the artist myself."

"Really? You should show me some of your art sometime."

"I would love too."

I was trying to think of a question to ask him. Something about his life, or his relationships, but as soon as I turned to look at him the words froze on my tongue, like they were trapped there unable to move. I couldn't break my gaze away from his glossy eyes. They pulled me in like some kind of dangerous trap. Those gorgeous, silver....

"Excuse me, Jackie? Are you okay?"

I shook my head a bit and jumped, just realizing that I had been staring at him.

"Oh um, yes sorry, did you say something?"

"You're fine, I just asked you how you got here."

Once again I found myself lost for words, but not in a generally good way.

What do I tell him now? I can't say that I came using a time machine, he will think I am crazy! Shoot, think...

"I, uh, don't... really know. Something just, happened and I guess I wasn't thinking straight and just jumped on the nearest train and got off wherever."

As I kept talking, I noticed myself gradually lowering my head, until I found myself looking at the floor of the wagon.

"Oh, my. Would you care to tell me what happened?" He asked me, sounding slightly concerned. 

I sat there staring at the floor, thinking about what I should say. I mean I just met the guy, if I just blow up on him about all this personal emotional stuff, it might be too much for him to handle. But on the other hand... he did ask.

"Well... my grandpa died the other day and I was going through his room and found something that... really hit me and I guess I just couldn't handle it."

"Oh my gosh, apologies I didn't mean to.. I just-"

"Oh no you're fine, it was a harmless question." I finished, looking up at him and smiling.

Just then the carriage stopped.

"Well, I guess we're here." He stated, brushing off his lap slightly before standing up. 

Leonardo hopped out of his side of the carriage, and walked around to open my door. Once I was out, he closed the door and walked to the back to grab the few things I had.

After brushing my skirt off, I looked up and could not believe my eyes. There was a house, standing there before me, nearly three times the size of my regular house. It was absolutely huge. A cobblestone pathway led up to the front door, rounding around an enormous fountain in the middle spouting water like a volcano.