wild child (A Tony Perry love story)

chapter 7

TONY

I hear a knock at the door. I assume it's Mike telling me Lowri won't come with me, but it isn't. It's Lowri, looking amazing. I stand there in shock for a moment, before inviting her in while I get my shoes on and grab my keys. I can't believe how different she looks, while still not looking too made up. I reach my hand out to her and lead her to my car. I ask her what sort of food she would like to eat and she says she will eat anything. I know a lovely Italian place not too far away so we head there. We get to the door and I ask for a table for two. We are shown to a table near the back and are handed two menus. I choose a pasta dish while Lowri picks a chicken meal. We order garlic mushrooms and garlic bread to go with it. I ask for a coke being as I'm driving and she does too. I think she's trying to get last nights binge out of her system. We chat all night. She seems less shy now. I learn that she's Welsh born but moved to Cornwall as a young child. She has won surfing competitions in the past and was ranked 10th in Europe at 15 years of age. I tell her about the band and how we've just finished touring the US. We are working on our fourth album now.

I ask her what music she likes. Rock by the sound of it. I'm glad to hear that. Our music is more rock than anything else I guess. Post hardcore is what it's been classed as. When Lowri talks about surfing I see her eyes light up. I notice they're a green blue colour. And I notice the tiny nose stud she has. It's so small I hadn't noticed it before tonight.

LOWRI

We order a delicious cheesecake after. The food here is gorgeous. Almost as gorgeous as Tony. He's wearing a short sleeved shirt and skinny jeans but manages to make it look smarter than it sounds. He hasn't got a snapback on for once and his hair is gorgeous. I can't take my eyes off him. His big brown eyes, his tattoos - he looks perfect.

Our waiter brings the bill and I go to get my money when Tony shakes his head.

"My treat" he says, smiling.

We head back out to his car and drive back to his house. He asks me if I want to come in. I tell him I'd rather go for a walk on the beach with him. He takes me by the hand and we head down to the soft cool sand. I slip my borrowed shoes off and scrunch my toes up in the sand. We walk over to the rocks where I'd sat earlier with Mike.

"Are you warm enough?" Tony asks.

I nod. I spend so much time in the water it takes a lot for me to feel the cold. I lie back on the rocks and look up at the sky. I see a shooting star and make a wish. That I could stop feeling so alone.