caller • mattia polibio

049.

The friends dropped Claudia off at Mattia's house.
Already eagerly waiting, the tall boy stood with tulips in hand, dressed in shorts and a long sleeved tee. A smile beamed on his face as Claudia climbed out of the car. Alejandro and Kairi bid their goodbyes, telling them to be safe and left the pair to rekindle their romance.

"What is all this?" Claudia smiled as Mattia pulled her into a tight hug.

"This is me getting back my girl.. Now we've got a picnic which I'm not sure how long it takes for vegan cheese to go off, so we best hurry!" He replied ushering her to the passenger door, it made Claudia smile how he remembered she couldn't have dairy. Mattia opened the door like a gentleman as always and hopped into the driver's seat himself.

They drove for quite a while but it didn't bother either of them, with music and each other's company they felt content. In the end, the couple ended up taking their picnic on a cliff edge, Mattia underestimating how long the drive would be. He had packed sandwiches and cute little bite-sized chocolates and snacks.

"Where do you see yourself in a years time?" Claudia asked as they drove a while more, staring out the window thinking about how much everything had just changed.

"Well hopefully doing a soccer scholarship, with a pretty girl supporting me too, but of course pursuing her own dreams" Mattia winked, moving his hand from the gear stick to squeeze her thigh gently.

"You see me in your future?" She was slightly shocked with the answer, but it was a happy shock, it was heartwarming that he saw them being a long time thing: even if they weren't together.

"Of course, why'd you ask?"

"Well everything has just changed that I never would've expected a year ago." The girl hummed.

The conversation died down for a while, Claudia placed her hand out the window fingers dancing in the wind. Her eyes widening as the beach came into view. The beach that the couple came to with their friends. They parked up and jumped out, leaving their shoes behind, Mattia held her hand as they ran towards the sea. The boy pulled Claudia close, both looking over the horizon, the sun hadn't yet set and birds were still soaring high above in their groups.

"Want to know the reason why I brought you here?" He asked, twirling her around like a ballroom dancer.

"Go on."

"Because on this beach was where I realised I love you." he took a pause and got on one knee. "Now don't worry, I'm not proposing, but I do have a ring. A promise ring. I'm making the promise that I will love you for a long time, not only do i want to see you in the next years' time but for the next fifty, hundred, hundred and fifty years. You're my girl, no matter what. Yes I've made mistakes but we've bounced back like nothing happened. Claudia I never want to lose you again. I love you."

Claudia had tears dampening her but a smile beaming from ear to ear, Mattia stepped back up to his own two feet; taking her small, dainty hand and placing the simple but gorgeous ring on her finger. He used his own large thumbs to wipe her tears away and pulled her into a passionate kiss. Finally, Mattia had his girl back for definite now.

"I love you Tia."