Loving you

The view

A few weeks later.

Within the last couple of weeks everything has been going great. I got a new job, Gigi started school, I got my own car and I'm even seeing someone. We met at a coffee shop. He's Tall, Sandy blonde hair, the cutest smile. We had only really been on a couple of dates but it was nice to be able to have those adult conversations with someone since I spend the majority of my time with Gigi. We're going on a date tonight but also next weekend. Someone his family knows, it's their end of summer party. I don't get why you would celebrate summer ending but it'll be fun.

"Mum" mumbles Gigi as she's got way too much popcorn in her mouth. She sitting so comfortably, plump pillows, fluffy blanket, popcorn and of course her favourite tv show.

"Umm when can we see Luca again. He promised ice cream." She explains gesturing her hands to the door. She may only be 6 but she is not forgetful.

"Soon... you don't need ice cream just now your eating popcorn." I laugh squeezing myself inbetween Gigi and the end of the sofa. We hadn't seen Luca or Gianni much recently our paths didn't cross. To be honest I was avoiding Gianni which meant avoiding Luca which I hated. I hadn't seen Gianni since the night I drank his bourbon and now I'm seeing someone I think it's best. He's only tried calling once so I guess he's loved up with Lola. I don't have any plans until my date later on so until then I don't plan on moving off the sofa.

I decide to get ready at 3:30 since I'm getting picked up around 4:30. I don't know what to wear, I don't even know where we're going. He's sweet, funny, romantic and not to mention handsome. I pull open the old creaky closet in my room and pull out a burnt Sienna coloured dress with white polka dots. Its fitted at the top kind of like a corset with a more frilly effect at the bottom. Cute, comfy that's what I was going for. I get dressed and do minimal makeup, I started getting ready too late to do that. As I finish brushing my teeth Gigi bursts in the bathroom door. "Mum there's someone at the door." She whispers pointing behind her. When we moved here she was answering the door on her own which we thought was dangerous but now when she hears it she gets scared of who it could be. We go downstairs hands in hand and I open up the door.

"Hey, sorry I'm a little early. You look great." Smiles Jack. He's wearing dark blue jeans and a shirt with a sweatshirt.

"Okay that's fine. I'm ready anyway. You look great. Should we go?" I ask grabbing my bag on the way out. Leaving Gigi sitting comfortably beside my mom.

We're still really new into this dating thing and i think I've forgotten how to do it. We get in his car and head towards wherever this party is, I really have no clue so all trust is in Jack. We listen to some music on the way there and it's calming, music always me feel this way. We pass through the town passed the houses and estate just outside of town. We're about 15 minutes out of town when Jack pulls into a huge gated house, it's beautiful. "We are here." Smiles Jack opening the car door. I follow with my small bag and phone.
"It's beautiful here... I've never seen anything quite like it." I lie Luca and Gianni's house was just as grand.

As we walk in it's quite busy but by the way the flow of the people are going I can tell there going out the back. We follow them and I think I lose my breathe from the beauty of this back yard, I don't even think it's a back yard at this point more like a bunch of different gardens and it's just breathtaking. There's lights, bright lights but also dimmer ones it gives a twinkling effect. Sculptures, faux butterflies in the trees, fruit on the trees which adds to the aesthetic and i can't get enough. "Are you alright?" Ask's Jack heading towards the stairs that leads down to the gardens.

"Yeah just taking it in... it's beautiful." I smile continuing to look around.

"Let's get a drink." Follows Jack as we walk down the stairs and towards a waiter with a full tray of a bubbly liquid, champagne I'm guessing. We walk around a little and Jack tells me about previous end of summer parties, and some of the people here. Who I've never heard of. As we're talking I feel a hand on my shoulder. "Hi Jasmine, how are you doing sweetie?" I recognise the voice as soon as I hear it. It's Luca and Gianni's mom. She's wearing the most stunning peach coloured maxi dress, which looks great with her makeup and hair. "Excuse me." I say to Jack turning around.

"Hi. Yeah I'm well thanks. How are you? You look stunning if I do say." I smile giving her a hug. I haven't seen Gianni and Luca for a while but their mom has a heart of gold and is lovely.

"I'm well. Thank you, I've had this dress for a while this colour is stunning for this type of year!" She smiles taking my arm. I turn round to look for Jack but he's not there anymore. "I'm here with a friend but I'm not sure where he went." I say continuing to walk with their mom. We walk a little bit away from the party and are up onto of a small hill at the edge of the property. There's two benches and I don't know why I've been brought up here. We sit down on the bench and look out. "Sweetie look this way." She smiles touching my cheek.

That's when I see it. The view from outside Gianni's room, it's not right here maybe a 15 minute walk away. It's beautiful and looks so peaceful. "Luca tells me all the time how much you love this view. With us both being here I thought I'd show you it... at least from a distance." She smiles giving my hand a light squeeze.

We sit for about 30 minutes and talk about everything, Gigi, my mom, my job, how she's been travelling. She reminds me of when I was 16 and she makes me feel safe. After a while we head back and we say goodbye but I'll see her around the party.

I look for Jack and find him sitting at a table with people who seem to be friends. "Hi Jack." I say standing at the side of him. He pulls out a chair and gets me to sit down. He introduced me to some of the people sitting round the table. However my mind can't stop from going to the view that I've still never seen up close. I drink the rest of my champagne when I turn to Jack "Hey I've got a bit of a headache... I'm going to go on a walk. I'll be back soon." I smile standing up and ticking my chair back under the table.

"Are you sure? Will you be okay by yourself?" He asks turning to look at me.

"Yeah of course I'll be fine." I say walking away known full well I'm going to that view!