You're the Music of My Heart

Eleven: Welcome to Austria!

As we landed in Austria, I realized how far away I was from home. No worries of making sure my parents would nag at me about keeping my dorm clean or having to worry about test grades. And although I was incredibly thankful to have my parents let me go to Austria to see my friend participate at world's, I was happy I was away from the bubble of my dorm, family, and friends. And now, all I had to worry about was Marco's competition and taking his cute, pudgy, body of freckles out on a nice, well-deserved date. The problem is, is that I would look like a complete idiot speaking in German. Yes, my name was French and my mom was born in France, but my dad was from Berlin, Germany so I guess I was accustomed to becoming fluent in German at a young age.

As we strolled out of our gate into the depths of the Viennese airport, I realized how big and awkward the orchestra group looked. Like a pack of frat boys that had just gotten back from a party, we were loud, boisterous, and drew WAY too much attention to ourselves than I ever asked for. Sasha was in a conversation with Connie on chips vs. french fries while Reiner was in a friendly talk with Bertholdt about God knows what. And to be quite honest, I didn't really want to know what they were talking about.

We passed a couple of small fast food shops and although I was hungry, I didn't want to eat airport food; there was just something about it that made me lose my appetite. We walked outside and little did I realize how unprepared I would be for Austrian weather. The sun was already set even though it was not even 4 pm, and the cobblestone streets of the city were coated with a dusting of snow that must've been at least a couple inches high. Moreover, the weather was COLD, COLD, COLD. I made a mental note to find the time to go shopping for a heavier coat while I was here.

As we were ushered to a coach bus and our luggage put away, we were off to our hotels. This certainly was going to be a fun experience. And especially because I was paying for my hotel fees, food, insurance, stuff like that, it certainly was a BIG BLOW out of my bank account. Thank God Mom and Dad were at least paying for a good chunk of the prices.

The bus drove down into the heart of Vienna and to be quite honest, I was entranced by its beauty. It was like being in the middle of the royal family's palace. The streets were decorated with an abundance of Christkindlmarkets (little German markets), Christmas lights, coffee shops and pastry shops, fashion stores, and exquisite buildings etched with one-of-a-kind marble and stone. My heart ached to live here.

I sat beside Marco, who was looking out the window, and I could see him trembling underneath his fit, gray pea coat, his tawny brown scarf, and his black driver cap. Although he looked genuinely attractive as hell, I worried for him. I give his arm a tap, and he looked over at me, his breathing hitched while he gave me a look of anxious eyes.

"Marco... what's wrong?" He looked away, and I was disappointed that I couldn't see his deep, honey eyes, as they were hidden away in his Ray Ban circular Matte Havana eyeglasses. "It's just... I c-can't believe that we're here. I mean... look at this place..." his breathing fogging the window. "I just want to live here... forever." I give the shy, freckled man a slight pat on the back, rubbing his shoulder, and he seems to relax tremendously by me doing that.

"Hey. I totally agree. This place is just... so beautiful. And honestly, I feel like I could live here too." I would love to live here but with Marco would make it the absolute best. I make another mental note to take him to one of those Christmas markets that we drove by.

The bust comes to a slow stop and the doors open, signaling us to get out and head inside our hotel once we grabbed our luggage from underneath the coachbus. Little did I realize how beautiful the hotel would be. As we felt the snow dust our coats for one last time before entering the building, I stopped in amazement as we walked inside.