Short Stories

A Day in Venice

Him

There was something different about her. I never thought a customer, a girl like her could ever make me feel like this. But then, there's never been a girl like her.

Her

I wake up in Venice. I look out the small window of my room and smile, seeing that the sun hasn't gone up yet. I get ready for the day, grab my sling bag and head out for a morning walk.

I've been here five times before but every time is magical.

It's five thirty am, and as I walk out the hotel, I observe the people around me. There's barely anyone up at this time and I smile to myself, enjoying the view.

I walk around the square, along the sidewalk facing the sea and cross some bridges before heading back the same way to watch the sunrise from the gondola service.

The day goes by quickly, my sister waking up when I head back, and she smiles at me.

I sit across from her and eat my breakfast, trying to avoid her questioning eyes.

"I did not see anyone nor feel attracted to anyone, Crystal. There was barely anyone there anyway." I mumble, biting into my second croissant.

She laughs softly. "Okay, okay. I'll leave off it. I just wish you'd find someone soon."

I roll my eyes playfully. "Thanks."

We finish breakfast and we walk back out, taking pictures and exploring the beautiful city.

By two, we take a forty minute gondola ride with an older man we met the past five times.

"Always riding with me eh?" He asks with a smile.

He helps Crystal in and I follow.

"You two must get to know the others. I'll introduce you to them. Mato is getting old." Mato says with a smile. "You will have your two more rides tonight right?"

"Yes, Mato. Ever since you and dad became friends, we can't pass up three rides in a day." Crystal says in Italian.

"Ah! Good, good! You've been practicing!" Mato exclaims happily as we pass under a bridge. "Your papa will be proud."

"He already is." I reply, smiling at my big sister.

We look around the buildings, the view so familiar.

A younger man stands on a gondola to our right and Mato shouts to him.

"Ronaldo! Say hi to these girls." He says, our gondola slowing down.

Ronaldo looks at us and I can't help but stare into his eyes.

"Bonjourno, señoritas." He says with a soft smile.

"Hello." I say, looking away before it gets too weird.

Crystal waves too and notices me looking away. I look back and she smiles, looking at Mato.

"I think we found our guide for tonight." She says as we leave Ronaldo behind.

"Crystal." I hiss.

"I agree. It will be a wonderful night." Mato says, whistling now as we finish up our first round.

"Crystal, what have you done?" I say, as we pay Mato and head out to shop.

She shrugs. "You never know what'll happen on a trip."

I follow her as we go in an out of stores, shopping not just for ourselves and personal uses, but for her wedding.

This is our first trip without our parents or John, her fiancé. We decided to do some sister preparations, organizing and getting ideas from our Europe tour before she gets married and has no time to travel with me anymore.