Musical prodigy Elio Perlman returns home after studying abroad all year in Scotland. Only, when he opens the door to his bedroom, someone else is sleeping in his bed.
* Set in modern universe (2018)
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Wednesday, June 27th 2018
14:21
Oliver.
That was the man's name. He was his father's student for the summer. Elio should've known someone was occupying his bed when he came home but, according to his father's recent e-mails, the student he had selected for this summer had a last minute impediment and couldn't make it to Italy. Only, his father forgot to mention that the student had reached out to him two weeks ago, returning on his words.
Elio met Oliver properly over breakfast. It was brief but long enough for Elio to make an opinion of the man.
Everyone at the villa was enamored with Oliver. If he didn't know how solid his parent's wedding was, Elio would've thought his mother had an eye on the american student. ''Oliver is so charming and handsome, isn't he?'' she said to him as he helped her with the fruit garden.
The adolescent had remained silent, not diving into a risky territory. Agreeing to his mother's statement could open many doors Elio wasn't ready to open.
''I'm going to the river tonight,'' Elio informed his mother as he plucked cherries from the cherry tree. ''It's Marzia's birthday.''
Marzia was one of Elio's many friends here in Crema. Just like Elio, she was only here for the summer. Her parents owns a house a few kilometers down from the Perlman's. Elio's known her since he was ten and they have been best friends ever since.
''Why don't you take Oliver with you?''
''It's Marzia's birthday, maman. I can't show up with a stranger at a birthday party.''
''Why not? I'm sure he'd get along with your friends.''
Elio huffed, shaking his head. ''I don't think Oliver wants to party with adolescents.''
Oliver, Oliver, Oliver. It rolled on the tip of Elio's tongue perfectly.
''Have you asked him?'' Annella continued, moving to the next tree.
That's when Oliver chose to arrive in the garden, backpack slung over his shoulder, the first three buttons of his shirt unbuttoned.
''Oliver!'' Annella called, waving him over.
Oliver smiled at her and walked in their direction, asking if they needed help with the fruits. With his height, Oliver was able to reach the higher branches of the trees where the fruits usually stays there and burn under the Italian sun. For a minute, Elio thought his mother had forgot about the party by the river but, unfortunately, she didn't.
''I'd love to,'' Oliver replied, flashing a smile at Elio.
.
19:37
After dinner, the two got ready and left for the river.
Oliver had changed into a blue shirt - again, unbuttoned at the top - and beige shorts while Elio went for a bolder look, aka denim shorts and a tee shirt. He used to be a fashion icon before he left for Scotland but, the gloomy weather turned him into a basic and plain Tumblr boy.
