Stormy

Chapter 14

A few hours later, I stand in front of the mirror and check my look: I put my light brown hair up into a ponytail and I am wearing a ruby and white checkered blouse over a pair of black skinny jeans. A few refreshing touches to my make-up, a smile in the mirror. I quickly put on my red converse and then leave the room to head to the city center to meet Martijn. When I arrive to the address Martijn had texted me earlier, I already see him waiting in a corner of the street. The evening sun lights up the whole square and it is a warm summer day. Martijn is dressed in a dark blue hoody and grey jeans. I approach him and he gives me a hug: "Hey, Julie! How are you?" "Hi! It's good to see you! I'm good and you? Excited to see what you have planned.", I answer. Martijn smiles and says: "I hope you'll enjoy it. Wanted to take you to see another very special place." "Sounds great to me! Where are you taking me?", I ask. Martijn gives me a smirk and points up the sky. It takes a short while until I get what he tries to tell me. "Look up. We're going to climb the tower of the cathedral. The view from up there is amazing!", he says. "Wow! That idea is amazing! I've never been up there. ", I smile and let him lead the way to the cathedral. As we enter the tower, Martijn suggests: "Let's count the stairs! Whoever is closest to the real number wins!" "What's the prize for the winner?", I laugh. "Okay, so if I win, you'll accompany me to this party. Morten, that one guy from my class, has invited everyone over for his birthday next week. And going alone would be quite boring.", Martijn smirks. Wow, he's setting the bar really high. "You're really pushing your luck, Garrix.", I smirk back and say, "But as I am going to win anyways, here's my prize: If I win, you are going to join one of our jam sessions on the school yard. With me and the girls. You're playing guitar for us." Martijn laughs: "Now you are the one pushing your luck, Julie. We'll see about that. Cause I'm gonna win!" And seconds later, he storms off and starts to climb the stairs. As we arrive on top of the tower of the cathedral, completely out of breath, Martijn asks: "So? How many did you count?" "459 stairs", I answer, "And you?" "465.", Martijn says with a smile. We both turn to the little sign next to the door to the viewing platform to read the answer to our challenge. "465 stairs.", I read out loud and a thought comes to my mind, "You've been here before!!! Cheeaaater!" Martijn giggles: "Hey!!! No, I'm not cheating. I'm innocent. I actually did count them. Every single step. I'm just correct, I guess. And you are going to the party with me. Wohooo!" "Hey, that is not what I signed up for in the first place! A party full of DJs, that is going to be fun.", I protest and jokingly roll my eyes. Martijn pulls me out to the viewing platform and gives me a hug: "It's going to be fun! I can't wait!!! And now, enjoy this view, Julie." I try to flee his hug and laugh: "You owe me for that, cheater. I mean, you could have just asked me to come with you." "You would have never said yes.", he confronts me. "Maybe.", I say, "You'll never known now." "But you're coming with me anyways.", Martijn smirks, "So I have reached my goal. Wouldn't have dared to imagine that though." "You are such a weirdo.", I laugh. We walk around the viewing platform and enjoy the view, without discussing the bet any further. The view is actually amazing, you can see the whole city of Utrecht. On our way down, Martijn suggests: "I'm hungry. Wanna get a pizza and eat it outside, somewhere on the canals?" "Sounds great to me.", I reply with a smile. Martijn and his love for pizza... We walk through the streets of Utrecht for a while until we reach the pizza place, where we order our food and while we wait, Martijn keeps asking me question over question. "So how's Canada? Have you ever been there since you moved back to the Netherlands?", is one of the first questions he asks. "Canada is so beautiful. I love the wildlife over there and also the big cities are so different than here in the Netherlands. We still go back to Toronto like every two years or so, we have a lot of friends over there. It's one of the most beautiful cities in the world.", I say and smile at the memory of my latest trip. "I'm sure it's very important to you to go there every once in a while, as it's such an important part of your story, right?", he says. "Exactly.", I reply, "Canada means a lot to me. I also have a Canadian passport additional to my Dutch one. Both countries have influenced me and the person I am today." Before Martijn can say anything else, he is interrupted by our two pizzas arriving. He hands me the two boxes and pays for the food. "Hey, you shouldn't have.", I say, "But thank you so much." "You're welcome, Julie.", he smiles and points to the door, "Now let's go out and find a place to eat. I'm so hungry and this pizza smells delicious!" We walk to a nearby canal and sit down in the grass at the river bank. While we eat, Martijn and I keep talking the whole time, learning more about each other and growing closer as friends. After the sun has set, Martijn walks me back to the campus, before he takes the train back home to Amsterdam. As we arrive at the student residence, Martijn says: "Hope you enjoyed it today." "I did.", I smile and add: "But you're still a cheater for that thing with the stairs." Martijn giggles: "No risk, no fun, I guess..." "When is that party?", I ask. "It's next Saturday. Promise me you'll come?", he answers. "Yes, I promise.", I sigh. "Hey, come on, don't give a face like that. You'll enjoy yourself.", he protests. I laugh: "I hope so." Before I can say anything else, Martijn gives me a playful punch in the side. I jump to the side and try to flee his attack. He chases after me in the dark and as he catches up to me, he gives me a hug. "But hey, seriously: I'm happy you'll come. See you in the studio on Friday, okay?", he says. I nod my head: "Yes. See you Friday!"