The Vacation

Chapter Seven

“What about you? Where are you from?” I asked after a pause.

He hesitated before answering, “I'm from Italy, and up until my fourteenth birthday, I had never left the country. When I turned fourteen, my parents were in a car accident. They both died, but my brother lived. He only has a scar across his chest as a souvenir. They were on their way to my grandparents, actually, for my birthday party. My boarding school was closer to their house, so I often went there for the weekends and that's where the party was to be held. My favorite color is navy blue, but I also like all shades of green. My favorite food is crocchette di patate, which is a kind of mashed potato mixed with egg and cheese and then fried in oil. It's more of an appetizer type of food, but I would eat it all the time if I knew how to make it. I'm a total foodie, ha-ha. Like I said, I spent the majority of my childhood at a boarding school for gentlemen. So mostly I hung out with my classmates. I had a few good friends there that I would still consider myself good friends with today, but most people there were insincerely chivalrous and in reality, stuck up and arrogant. They kind of judged me on my lifestyle and who I chose to associate myself with. So I mostly stayed away from that group. I also like the Bourne Trilogy, but my favorite celebrity isn't one that you would know. Her name is Greta Bianchi. Greta is from my hometown originally, but moved to Florence when she became a famous actress and there she started foundations for undernourished and impoverished families.” Noticing that my dinner was gone, he turned to me and said, “Ready to head back to your flat, hun? You said to were tired before, so I'll take you back there if you want.” I said I was good to go, so I went to pay for our meals. Alessio was actually pretty nice, taking his time to pick us up and spend with me and all that, so I decided I would pay for his dinner. Just this once. Don't go thinking I'm a nice person now or anything.

“I'm sorry about your parents. I lost my mom when I was younger, too. I don't remember her at all, but I kind of know how it feels to grow up devoid of a parent,” I said once we got in his Corsa. He remained silent, but he nodded his head towards me in thanks. Or maybe understanding. “Hey, Alessio?” I asked hesitantly.

“Yes, tesoro?” He answered without even taking his eyes off of the wheel. “Most call me Ali, by the way.”

“Yeah, you said that. Doesn't that sound like a girl's name though?”

“No. In Italy, we do not have girls named Ali. It is an American name. What did you want to ask?”

“Would you mind driving around for a bit? I don't want to be at the flat by myself, and I know Dad won't be back until late. You can show me some places that you like to go.” And I want to spend more time with you, I thought to myself. Lordy, what was happening to me? I've only known him for like five hours and I can't stand his gorgeous face and his gentlemanly ways. Why did I want to spend more time with him?

“Sure, Jess. Whatever you want. My uncle won't care if I get home super late. He trusts me to not get into trouble.” He flashed me a smile.

And so we drove around London in his Corsa well into the night, alternately talking and sitting in silence, until we were both yawning every five seconds.

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Sorry for the short chapter, but hey at least I published two at the same time!

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Thanks for reading!

Hannah