A Rome Affair

Zorba's Dance

CHAPTER 2:  Zorba's Dance

Greece was amazing. That’s the only thought that kept running through my mind. It was like stepping back into ancient time and falling in love with everything all over again. Our first stop was Olympia. Olympia was a small little town that gave off a home-like feel. Souvenir shops were everywhere; there were also many clothing stores selling modern versions of traditional Greek wear.

“Oh my gosh. Isn’t this the cutest thing ever?” asked Peyton as she held up a short white dress with Greek designs around it. Peyton the person I considered my best friend. We met freshmen year of college when we roomed together and we both bonded over similar situations that we have been through. She was a shopaholic and also a kleptomaniac who had this ability to manipulate me into doing things that I did not initially want to do. She loved to party, drink and she recently began smoking (and I’m not talking about cigarettes). I looked up to her, and multiple times I wished I could be like her: extroverted, carefree, and able to make everyone around her love her. She was an expert manipulator, and sadly I didn’t see that I was just one of her pawns until much later. But at this moment I considered her my best friend and the person I had planned to travel Europe with.

“You should buy it. It’s absolutely adorable” I replied honestly and she looked at me with a wicked gleam in her eyes.

“Rose could you do me a favor and ask if they have this in another color?” she asked and I went up to ask the old lady at the counter who smiled sweetly and walked to the back to check. She came back a minute later lamenting that she only had a similar dress in a beautiful blue-green color. I smiled at her and felt bad for putting her through that trouble and I told her that I wanted it. I then turned around with my new purchase in my hands, looking for Peyton. She was nowhere in sight so I walked outside. She was standing at a shop near by and I walked up towards her.

“Thanks Rosie” she replied as she patted her large black Vera Wang purse. Once again making me an accessory to her crimes. I just smiled and nodded, not really wanting to upset her or make her think that I was a horrible friend.

“Hey Rose, hey Peyton! Are you excited about Greek dance lessons tonight? I am! I can’t wait. It is so exciting and –“ rambled Amelia as she walked up to us. I assumed she’s had some caffeine earlier because she was extra hyper that evening. I smiled and silently thanked her for intervening into what might’ve become a tense conversation. Amelia and Peyton began talking fashion and shopping as we headed back to the hotel. I stayed quiet like I usually do, fading into the background and letting Peyton be the star. Like she always was.

Once we got back to the hotel, Peyton and I headed up to our room to change and get ready for dinner.

“So has Jason said anything to you today?” she asked as she looked for what to wear in the many suitcases that she had brought with her.

“Not really, I mean I haven’t really seen him today” I replied while pulling out the dress I’d bought today. I was beautiful, so why not? I was in Olympia after all, so I might as well dress the part.

“You should totally get with him,” she said as she began putting on her make-up.

“I’m not sure, I mean we’re both so different from each other and plus he’s interested in Sarah” I replied as I began applying some mascara.