It's been a Year

Dylana III

I feel a strong arm shaking me. ,,Awake from your slumber." That's my dad. Now someone's pulling at my foot. That's Helia. "Just leave her alone. Dylana, we're leaving for breakfast in five minutes. Join us please." That's my mom. Rubbing my eyes, I sit up and give my mom a thankful look. She's always got my back. I walk to the small bathroom of our hotel room. The room is nice, cream coloured walls with pictures of Cape Town, drawn by some artist called 'Portchie'. While I'm waiting for the water to get cold, I look in the mirror. My eyes are glowing in the bathroom light. Colson used to love my eyes. They reminded him of the forest, because they have a dozen different shades of green. I loved his too. Every time I looked into his eyes, I felt like looking into the sky while it's turning dark. He even has lighter and darker spots that makes his eyes look like a sky filled with stars. I remember one night, where there were uncountable shooting stars, we counted them together. 21. "Dylana, Cape Town has a water shortage and you're not turning the tap off!" I quickly wash my face and mumble "sorry dad" and then we walk to breakfast. At the table we talk about our plans. My dad tells us that we have a one-day tour of Cape Town. "The guy, Pedro St. Clair, got the best reviews, so I booked him." Helia looks at me and rolls her eyes. She's not very fond of guided tours, especially not if the alternative could be swimming at the beach.

An hour later we're in our minibus with Pedro, who really is a funny guy. He tells us a little about the history of Cape Town, plants, animals and some of his experiences. "So now we're getting out. There's a peeeeerfect photo spot over there-" he points to a cliff next to the road "-where I can take a picture of you if you'd like that." With us there are two other families. One Chinese family that's very enthusiastic about taking a photo. The other family hasn't said much so far. One of them -a boy with blonde hair- catches my eye. From a distance he looks just like Colson. When it's my family's turn for the photo, I catch him looking at me. "So, everybody, gather around.", Pedro announces. "Now, those that want to, can walk to our lunch stop. It's only one kilometre. In that time, I'll go and prepare the lunch at the little park down there." He points to a park about one kilometre away. "If you're not fast enough, I'll eat everything, so you better hurry up!" Everyone laughs and then we head off. I'm walking with Helia and my parents are talking to the Chinese people. I turn around and catch Colson's double staring at me again. I don't look away, that would be weak. He raises his eyebrows and tilts his head to the right. I follow his gesture and see a little house. He's walking towards it. Does he want me to join him now? He looks back and points at the house. Nervously I turn to Helia. Luckily she didn't see the awkward 'conversation'. "I need the toilet. Go and join mom and dad." She runs ahead and I go over to the house. I can't spot him at first, but then I see a hand waving from behind the house. My arms crossed over my chest I walk to the waving hand. There he stands. For a few seconds we just stare into each others eyes. "What's your name?", I ask, to break the awkward silence. "Milo, you?" "Dylana." He raises his eyebrows. I'm starting to get annoyed, so I ask: "Why did you want me to come here?" He leans his shoulder against the house's wall. "You look interesting to me." I stare at him. His eyes have the same colour as sand, very light and glowing. Nearly scary. The wispy blonde hair is so long, that it's falling on his forehead. He's raising his eyebrows. "Your eyes are beautiful." Abashed, I mumble a 'thanks'. I'd compliment his eyes too, but the way he's leaning against the wall is turning me on so much, that I'm unable to speak. His lips aren't as big as Colson's, but they're nicely shaped. Damn it. I compared them. Again. "Let's eat lunch together." Milo takes my hand and we walk back to the others. His hands are soft and warm. Before we reach them, he lets my hand go and joins his family, without saying anything. No one had seen us sneak away. I join Helia, who's been walking all by herself. "Hey." She turns to me and smiles. "Fancy eating lunch with that boy over there?", I ask her. I point to Milo's little brother. He seems to be a bit younger than Helia, but he seems very outgoing. In the bus he was the one asking the most questions, especially about baboons.  After frowning at him, she nods. Phew, that won't make Milo and me look like a date. I wonder why he wants to eat with me. I'm very keen on eating with him. Is it because he at first reminded me of Colson?