Summer Romance

Chapter 11

Before either of us could say anything, the bus stopped.

We were still looking at each other when George tapped Aaron on his shoulder. "Come on, we gotta go!", he said, pulled him off his seat and out of the bus.

It took me a few more seconds but I eventually got up as well. Nat followed my tranced self out of the bus and looked at me concerned. "You okay? You look like you've seen a ghost." She had to giggle for a second, but then she got serious again when I didn't reply still staring into space. "Scar? Are you sick?", she asked carefully and took a step back afraid she'd be within range.

I turned my head for a moment and looked at Aaron. He turned the same second, but I quickly looked away.

"Scar, what happened?", Nat asked again.

"I... am so... stupid...", I sighed with my eyes closed.

"What did you do?"

"I told Aaron, that I love him...", I said quietly, then opened my eyes again.

Nat's eyes widened and her jaw dropped. "Get outta here." she breathed.

"Believe me, I wish I could.", I replied.

"Nah, you didn't. You're messing with me.", she said with an insecure grin.

Tears started to fill my eyes and I shook my head. "I'm not."

"And what did he...?"

"What?", I said.

"What what?"

"What what what?"

"Why did he say?"

"What?"

"Wait a second... What?"

"Yes.", I said.

Nat started blinking in confusion, trying to follow our conversation. "He said..."

"What.", I said again.

"Ah! Got it, he said what."

"Yeah, that's what I said, what."

"That wasn't confusing at all. What did you reply to his what?"

"Nothing. The bus stopped and we got out of it.", I explained with a shrug.

"So... You said I love you, he replied with what and that's the situation between you two at the moment. Did I get that right?", she summarized.

I nodded, trying not to cry. Nat saw my tears and hugged me. "Aw, honey." I buried my head in her shoulder and let out a quiet sob. "Don't cry now. I'm sure everything will turn out okay.", she tried to comfort me.

"I don't think it will.", I whispered into her shoulder. "I ruined everything. An amazing guy likes me, and I screw it up by – "

Nat let go off me and looked into my eyes. "By telling him about your feelings?"

I nodded and wiped the tears away before they could roll down my cheek.

"If he's really that amazing, he's not gonna be scared away by your feelings. Trust me.", she tried to reassure me. I sniffed and nodded slightly knowing she was right.

"You really love him, don't you?", she asked carefully. Again, I nodded.

She pulled me into another hug.

"Okay, this way everyone!", our bus driver said and started walking.

"Come on. I'm sure Rome will distract you.", Nat said, took my hand and pulled me away.

We followed our bus driver/tour guide John to the Colosseum and listened to him telling us about its history. Well, I guess the others did because I surely didn't pay any attention.

My head was still spinning, and I tried to think of what had happened and what would happen next.

After John had finished, we had 30 minutes free time to explore, to take pictures or to buy some souvenirs.

I took some pictures of Nat and vice versa and other tourists of us together.

I tried my best to smile an honest smile for every photo, but I was afraid I failed miserably.

Afterwards, I started looking for a little souvenir for myself when someone tapped my shoulder. I turned around and saw Aaron standing in front of me. "Can we talk?"