The Romanov Diary

Chapter two

April 23, 2020

"Hey guys, how are you?" Milo greets his friends by the bus and gives all of them a gentle hug.

"Tired, bored and hungry. This whole trip is so useless". Theo says while rolling his eyes backwards. Ophelia agrees with him and both of them would rather stay home and spend their time in other ways.

"Come on Theo, there might be some pretty girls in London for us to hang out with" A laugh leaves Ella's lips and she gives her friend a jerk on his stomach.

Ella came out as bisexual just a few months ago, but no one in Bradford has yet captured her interest. She's hoping for some fun and excitement in the capitol. New boys, new girls and a new city to explore for the enthusiastic 17 year old for two whole days.

"I'm just hoping the beds at the hotel are nice, I barely got any sleep last night" Ophelia says before something a few meters behind them catches her eye.

"Yeah, me neither. I was watching that documentary you recommend." Theo nods at Ella with enthusiasm.

"Huh? Which one?"

"That on Netflix... "

Ella and Theo fall into a conversation that neither Milo or Ophelia can relate to. He yawns again just as Ophelia opens her mouth.

"So, what do you want to do after this very exciting study visit?" Ophelia asks Milo with a lot more sarcasm than excitement.

"I don't know, maybe just stroll around the city. I'd like to find a bookshop, I'm running out of books to read." He smiles. "What about you?"

"I want to do a lot of shopping! Clothes, makeup, bags... I. Want. It. All."

"You've been to London before, haven't you?"

"Oh yes, many times. You'll love it, Milo. You and Ella should look up all of the old history attractions."

"Yeah I've heard that Westminster Abbey is beautiful."

Ophelia smiles at her friend. They're waiting for their teacher to return and tell them to board the bus. The morning is chilly, yet very sunny and refreshing. Their school, shifting in orange and grey behind the green fence, is filled with early bird students who are not joining the trip. Kids are entering the doors wearing their school uniforms in black with yellow and red details. Some are yawning and listening to music in their headphones, others are talking with their friends as they walk towards the school grounds.

"Um Milo, don't look now but this day just got more interesting".

Ophelia nodges Milo's side and nods to something behind his back. He turns around confused and his eyes land on a familiar face.

Leia.

Milo and Leia started dating last year and were together for almost 8 months. She was his first girlfriend. Well, his first everything actually. They had a lot of fun together and Milo felt more safe than he had in many years. Their relationship ended 2 months ago when he found out that she cheated on him with Bryan, a handsome and very popular soccer player who suffers from extreme arrogance. Milo hasn't spoken to Leia since their break up, but seeing her again awakes their memories together and brings them back to Milo's retina.

"You've got to be kidding me" he signs as Leia meets his glance and no one who walks past them can miss the tension in the air.

She gives him a gentle smile and pulls her now blue hair behind her ear. Leia 's dark eyes, clear skin and caring personality captured Milo the moment they first saw each other when she started at Bradford Academy. She smiles at him, and it's a smile filled with honest concern and love. But he doesn't return it. He stares at her, reminding himself of what she did to him and turns around. Ophelia pushes her lips together and looks at her heartbroken friend.