PERMANENT - Leonardo DiCaprio

Chapter 43 - Revisited

Saturday 6.45pm (1 month 3 weeks later)

I stepped out of the plane, down the steps that opened down from the cabin. The warm air hit my face and I breathed in deeply. It wasn't hot by any means, but the sun was shining, and there was no need for a big winter coat, so it made a welcome change from the cold January weather in Europe.

I heard Leo step out and follow me down the stairs. "Good to be back where we started, eh?" he said as he stopped beside me, where I stood, reading the Spanish words on the signposts at the side of the airport, a sense of déja vu creeping up on me.

"Welcome to Tijuana International Airport," a local man said in a strong Mexican accent, grinning wide like a Cheshire cat. "Come on, this way."

We followed him silently into the airport, where we proceeded to get our bags, and safely get into our car, where a man who worked for the promotional tour drove off to our hotel.

After about 45 minutes of driving, the driver stopped, and I only realised we had arrived when he cut the engine and got out, because I had been too engrossed in a conversation with Leo about working with Robert De Niro.

I glanced outside the window, the view all too familiar as I frowned and opened the car door so I could see better than I could through the darkly tinted windows.

"Oh my god..." I whispered to myself, breaking into a huge smile. Leo too got out of the car.

"Can't believe we're back here." He said, his voice sounding distant because he was staring up at the giant black sign hanging above the entrance: 'Playa Bonita Luxury Suites'.

The driver was busy unloading our bags onto the luggage cart, which the hotel porter was waiting to take to our rooms.

I heard Leo's phone ring inside his pocket, so he took it out and looked at it, rolling his eyes to me jokingly. "Lisa, how nice of you to call," he spoke into the phone, then smiled at me before walking off to the side to talk.

I tried to look into the lobby, from where I was standing, but the sun made it impossible for me to see anything inside, so I left everyone outside and walked in.

A wave of memories washed over me that made my stomach feel weird. So much had changed since the first time I stepped foot into this place. Back then I had barely any money, no fame, I had an asshole of a boyfriend (not that I knew that at the time), and as for me and Leo, that had been one giant roller coaster ride. Since then we'd become best friends, more than friends, had a few fights, made up again, got each other through break ups and as of last month, celebrated our first Christmas together in France.

"M-Miss Nava?" a voice at reception said, and, of course, I knew who it was. He had stood up from his chair and moved round the desk as I ran over and threw my arms around him.

"Alberto!" I pulled away from the hug. "How you doing?" I stood back, smiling and admiring the boy, who was beaming. "Look at you, what, you doing day shifts now?"

He gave a half-suppressed laugh "Yes, I am. I planned to uh...what's the word...?" he muttered in his usual gorgeous accent, searching for the word. "Quit! Yes, but they gave me a raise and promoted me to work day shifts instead of night ones." I smiled adoringly at him as he talked, like a proud mother who found out her son just got into college.

"Well I'm really happy for you." I leaned in and whispered jestingly "You always were my favourite receptionist." He laughed and went back behind the desk, sitting down and leaning back in his chair.

"And what about you? You came here an up and coming star and now you're back as America's sweetheart! I'd call that a win Miss Nava." I chuckled heartily at his comment.

"America's sweetheart? I think that's Leo's job." I retorted back, to which he again laughed.

"Nel!" I heard Leo shout across the lobby, as he started approaching us from the entrance where he stood.

"God, where'd you disappear to? I've been looking-" he stopped talking as he neared us. "Bert?" He broke into a smile. "Hey good to see ya buddy," they did their weird little man hug that guys seemed to always do, and then carried on talking.

There weren't a lot of people at the hotel this time of year, but the few that were had already started gawking, unable to believe it was really the stars of Titanic in Rosarito, of all places. I gave them a warm smile and turned back to the boys. "Hey, can we get checked in now?" Alberto nodded and started typing away.

Leo turned to me, smiling silently, and I nodded my head to the onlooking crowd, which seemed to be building in numbers. He exhaled a laugh from his nose. "Weird to be here without everyone, isn't it?" He muttered quietly.

"Mhmm. I miss Jason and Frances. And Billy and- god even the extras. They were always so happy, so enthusiastic." Leo nodded in agreement, seeming to go into his own little bubble as he stared into space.

"Alright, here are your keys," Alberto held out two sets of keys, which we took. "Room numbers are attached. Have a lovely stay, hope we talk again soon." He waved us off. What a nice guy.

//

The waves crashed loudly onto the shore as we walked along the sand, barefoot, with the moon illuminating the familiar surroundings.

"You know, I think this might be one of my favourite places of all time." Leo said, his arm slung around my shoulders loosely as I clutched onto his jacket.

I looked up at him "Really? I always thought you were more a city guy." My voice then turned sickeningly sweet and high pitched. That voice that every girl had when they hear or see something cute. "Oh and this is where I told you the beach was my favourite place, remember? Awww-"

"Yeah, yeah I remember," he laughed, shutting me up as we both walked along like idiots. There wasn't a soul around, probably because it was 1.) January, 2.) About 1am, and 3.) We were really only here because we were feeling sentimental.

"And this is also," he guided us off so we could sit, further away from the shore line. "Where I realised, and fully acknowledged that I had feelings for you." I smiled widely like a love struck little girl at his confession.

"You had a girlfriend then." I said, as if it made any difference.

"I did. But there was something about the way your skin glowed under the moonlight. And your hair, how it fluttered against the breeze. I dunno it just....made me happy. Still does." I hadn't taken my eyes off of him. The boy should've been a poet. He probably was in his past life.

"And then we kept coming back here, and every time it just got better. You just got more beautiful every time I looked at you." I stared, unable to speak from fear of blubbering like a baby.

"Leo...you are..." I sighed "Something else." He smiled and bent down to kiss me. His lips were warm, as was his hand, which he rested on my cheek, cupping my face firmly. I felt him smile into the kiss and he pulled away slightly, looking down at me and grinning and then pecking my lips.

He stopped again, his face inches from mine as he fiddled with something in his hands, then slowly placed a long cigarette in between his teeth, his eyes never leaving mine. I was mildly turned on, but I spoke differently "Way to ruin the moment," I whispered. He burst out laughing, turning back to his back pocket and pulling out a lighter.

"Sorry princess," he brought up the lighter up to the end of his cigarette. "Plenty of moments still to come." He wiggled his eyebrows and I laughed, leaning against him with my head on his shoulder, looking back out to the vast ocean ahead, and the endless stars in the sky.