You're the Music of My Heart

Thirteen: Winter Wonderland

Our server comes by with our food, handing me my soup, liptauer, and water and Jean his beer and schnitzel. The service was pretty quick. It was piping hot and made my mouth salivate. It was the perfect meal for such a cold evening. I stir the soup, letting it cool down before having a spoonful.

Jean clears his throat and I look up at him. This food is too amazing. I grab my phone from my back pocket and give it to him.

"Do you mind taking a picture of me and the food?" I ask him. He grins.

"Yeah sure. You sound like a basic white girl though!" He says back. Jerk.

"Hey! I'm just taking pictures so I can remember them! Besides, I'm "documenting my trip!" If we win world's, then I have stuff to remember it for."

I smile hold up my bowl of soup, angling it towards the camera. He takes my phone and snaps a couple pictures with flash.

He gives me my phone and I hold it up to him. He has a confused look on his face.

"Jean! I'm taking one of you too! Just for the memories!" He grins and holds up his beer bottle and smirks. I take the picture and shows it to him. He laughs.

"I look really drunk in this, oh my God." He whines.

"Nah, you're good." I put my phone back into my pocket.

"I think it's my turn now. Coffee or tea?" I grin. Especially as a college student, this is a no brainer.

"Coffee. More specifically lattes and cappuccinos. I'd rather go to a cafe or coffeeshop than a Dunkin' Donuts or a Starbucks. Their coffees are bland and gross." He laughs.

"Seriously?!? I think Starbucks is REALLY good! I don't like Dunkin and I'm not into Starbuck's super sweet drinks and all. I like my coffee strong. Espresso is my favorite." Jean responds.

"You see, I like my coffee with some sweetener. Like frothed milk or cream." I tell him.

"You know Austria is like super popular for coffee. We should check some out tomorrow so we can compare how shitty American coffee is to Austrian coffee. And besides, you should try it so you can learn it and master it so you can make it at the coffeeshop."

I grin. "That sounds fun! Let's try it! And besides, we need to get you a coat for this weather." He deadpans in embarrassment but he laughs it off.

As we talk, we eat our meals and my belly eventually feels content, tugging against the tightness of my lavender shirt. The paprika and spice totally contrasted the richness and coolness of the cream cheese and the herbs made it really accentuated and flavorful. The soup had semolina dumplings and some pork and onions and the broth was refreshing. I take a swig of water to cleanse my palate.

Jean pays the meal but I promise him that I'll pay him back for it. We leave the cozy warmth of Klaus's Brasserie and into the plunging cold weather of Vienna. I almost regret stepping foot outside of the restaurant.

I reach for my scarf when I realize it's gone. I turn to Jean, who I sere wearing it around his neck. The gold, forest green, and gray plaid scarf lays perfectly around his neck and I decide he needs it more than I do. Besides, he wears it well. I smile.

We walk down the sidewalk besides an open park, the blinking white lights of Klaus's Brasseries disappearing behind us. I feel something soft and cold touch my skin. I look up and another lands on my nose.

"Marco! It's snowing!" Jean hollers from beside me.

There was snow on the ground when we arrived in Vienna, maybe like a foot or two roughly. The trees were covered in lights and snow and the air glittered with powdery snowflakes. It was like walking in a winter wonderland.