COMPLICATED.

CHAPTER 30

THE PENROSE

My phone keeps vibrating and the same name keeps popping up on the screen, Nick.
He'll probably be worried and , knowing how he behaves in these last days, he's getting ready to fight Leo.
I'm so tired and so shocked that I don't want to talk to anyone, not even him.
It was so good today and I experienced new emotions that I had never had in my whole life and for no reason do I want to ruin this moment of
"momentary happiness" .
"Emma, not answering will get him even more angry and he'll come looking for you!" my evil mind commands me.
I go through the pictures in the gallery of my phone and immediately appears a picture of Nick at the beach, will it be a sign of destiny? Sure, fate...I'm going crazy.
His piercing green eyes stare at me, begging me to answer the phone.
Hold on, hold on! No you have to answer, no I don't have to...what the hell! I decide to send him a quick message.

" It's all right, don't worry. I can't talk right now but I'll talk to you later, Emma. x "

That's it! All solved, right? There are a few minutes to get to the bar, I hope Aria hasn't been waiting for me for too long. The phone informs me of his immediate response.

" No, we're talking now! Where are you and why aren't you answering at my calls? You're driving me crazy! "

Honey this is my intent, to drive you crazy...
Wait what?! Emma but what are you thinking? These aren't thoughts to do, reset everything. I understand that he wants to check if I'm okay, but that's enough. Don't screw it up!

" As I've already told you I can't speak, so I don't answer. I'm fine, I'm at the bar with Aria, I'll call you later. "

<< Emma! >> Aria exclaims, smiling and waving at me with her hand. I step up, across the street until I reach her.
We hug each other but she breaks off immediately from me.
<< Sorry but I'm not very well, I drank too much at the party and now I'm destroyed. >>
I can see that, his hair is all in disarray, the dark glasses to hide probably the big dark circles, black sweatshirt combined with gray pants, in short the typical situation from hangover.
<< More than a coffee you would need a nice chamomile! >> I say laughing, she's really destroyed.
<< Forget it. Oh! Sorry, someone is calling me...>>
She takes the phone in her hands and looks at the number for a few seconds, I can tell from her face that she doesn't know it but she still decides to answer.
<< Hello, I'm Aria...>> she answers by pretending a professional voice.
I can't hold back a laugh and in response she hits me on the arm.
Suddenly she stares at me.
What happened?
<< Cold, is it really you?! >> she exclaims putting her hand in front of her mouth pretending to be shocked.
Are you kidding me?!
How the hell did Nick get her phone number?! Seriously, he should become a spy and not a pianist!
<< Ah, she doesn't answer you say uh? Who knows what you've done! Yes, she's here, no problem. >>
I haven't done anything! That's so exaggerated!
<< He wants to talk to you...>> she says blinking quickly and sending me kisses.
I roll my eyes and put the phone to my ear.
<< Yes Nick, tell... >>
<< Which bar are you in? >> he says interrupting me with his typical serious and authoritative voice.
Please, not this again...
<< Why do you want to know? I've already told you that I'm fine, there's no need to...>>
<< Em, what's the name of the bar? >>
Now you're exaggerating.
<< Not your business. >> I answer sourly.
<< The Penrose! >> Aria screams so he can hear it clearly. I put my phone on my chest and reproach her with gestures and all she does is answer me with a wink. I'm hating you right now.
I take the call again expecting a series of rebukes.
<< Nick? >>
No answer.
<< Nick? >>
Still nothing.
I check the phone. I can't believe it!
<< He hung up! >> I exclaim in disbelief.
<< He just wanted to know where you are. Come on let's go in, I need something to face the day. >>
Actually it's already afternoon...
Once we enter in the luxurious bar, if we compared us to the other customers we look like two girls just escaped from the asylum!
We decide to sit.
<< Next time ask me if I want to talk to him or not. >> I tell her by looking at the menu.
<< And what's the fun part about this? >> she says raising her left eyebrow.
I answer her by snorting and at that very moment the waiter comes to ask for our order. He looks down on us and we know it, we're not as elegant as you, you'll get over it.
I start to talk.
<< So for me a cappuccino with a glass of sparkling water. Thank you. >>
Now it's Aria's turn.
<< Ehm, for me... >>
I hope for you a chamomile because you don't  look great.
<< A chamomile. >>
Good girl.
<< Something to eat? Cookies? >> the waiter asks. Aria immediately gets a gag.
<< Yes please. >> I say staring at her as a challenge.
The waiter takes up the menu and leaves us alone.
<< You're cruel! >>
<< Consider it a payback for what you just did to me! >>
<< You're not the good girl I thought you were... >>
I don't know who I am but I'm definitely not the one she thought she knew.
<< Sooo, let's say Nick did a great show in front of everyone , I mean at the party...>>
Oh yes.
<< And you too, you were quite drunk. I must apologize for allowing you to drink so much... >>
<< Yes, just a little. Don't be sorry it was my decision, it's not your fault. >> I say laughing.
<< How did all end this morning? >>
<< Your curiosity frightens me...>>
The coffee and chamomile come to the table and so I start to tell her everything, from the beginning until the discussion with Jack.
For the whole story Aria went through all the possible reactions a human can have.
<< And there was a picnic...>> I say without being able to look at her face.
She smiles at me, she has already understood everything.
<< Aaand? >>
<< We spoke. >>
<<  Yeeeess? >>
<< We hugged several times. >>
<< And theeen? >>
Please don't make me say it...
<< Wekindakissed. >> I whisper quickly and coughing.
<< What? I didn't understand...>>
She's chanting pretending that she didn't hear what I said.
You understand everything.
<< We kissed, okay? Let's not make a big deal of it! >> I say putting my hands in the face.
Aria starts screaming, turning half the bar towards us
<< Kissed or made out? Because there's a huge difference. >>
<< Aria! >> I exclaim upset.
<< Come on, tell me! >>
<< Oh God, what you think but stop it now...>>
She claps her hands like a little girl who just got her favorite toy.
<< Is he good at kissing? I've always wondered... >>
<< No, I refuse to say it. >>
Aria stares at me with her arms folded, waiting for an answer.
<< Let's say I'm pretty good at it. >> a voice answers behind me.
It's him, I know.
<< Nick? >>