by L. C. Maciel
After three comedy trailers, the film finally began. The story was about an oriental girl who lived in a place with beautiful scenery.
Homero remained silent, focused on the plot that deepened in a loving relationship. I noticed his eyes fixed on my hands a few times, deviating immediately the moment I noticed.
Two hours passed until the tragic end. The young woman with tiny eyes pulled out dies in an accident, leaving the romance without continuity.
A sad and delicate film.
When we arrived at the entrance to the cinema, I still had the chocolate bar in my hand.
-Did you like the film?
-Yes, but it's very sad... -Yes. I ended up remembering the accident with my parents.
- What happened to them?
-They died, like the girl in the movie. -Yeah.
-I'm sorry. -Yeah. - He said with sorry eyes.
-It's okay...
-Do you want to leave now?
- Yes, if it won't bother you.
We left the theater and walked to the spot where the Vespa was parked. When we arrived Homero handed me the only helmet that was hanging in the direction of the vehicle.
- And you? - I asked with the helmet in hand.
- Don't worry, I'll be fine. You'll wear it.
Homero had a strange way of imposing words. Somehow I knew it was better not to insist otherwise.
Okay, I'll be fine. - I said get on the scooter and put on the helmet.
Are you ready?
Yeah, I'm ready.
-Hold on. - He advised it.
I hugged Homero's waist, I was uncomfortable with the approach. He seemed to ignore my discomfort when he started the engine, starting quickly.
I felt the wind beating against my face even though I was wearing a helmet. Homero drove with ease, at a gentle pace, maintaining a balanced speed that made me safer. The mixture of narrow streets and avenues moved by tourists formed a peculiar traffic. Homero sewed his motorcycle through the small spaces available between cars and pedestrians, making some turns that scared me. He made the trip to my house in less than four minutes.
-We arrived. - The tone transpired a certain pride.
- Thank you very much and sorry for the inconvenience.
-It was no bother.
-So... See you... - I said goodbye. - See you at school.
-So, I'll see you. - He kept looking as I turned to open the door.
-Cecilia. -Pause. -You're free next Friday? -Yes.
-Yes. -I answered discrediting what I had heard.
- You want to go out with me? - He asked serenely.
To go out? - I asked hesitating.
Yes... Wouldn't you like to? - He was looking for something in my eyes as he spoke.
-Of course, I'd like it. - I finally answered.
-Okay. - The smile was transparent. - We combined the details during the week.
- Okay, see you. - I said going in the house, trying to contain the feeling that was starting to come over me.
- I'll see you. - He said before he left.
I went into the room listening to the voices coming from the kitchen. Giane was still with Giovanna eating apple pie in Lorraine's company. When they saw me smiling
ironic.
- I can't believe they did this to me. - I spoke immediately by removing my purse from my right shoulder. - What if he was a madman, a psychopath or something?
-Don't worry Cecilia, I know Homero's family. -Hmm. In fact, I know his mother, because his father died when he was still a child. They're great people, he's not crazy. - Giane said with conviction.
- I know, but I don't like your attitude. - Lorena kept quiet, preferring not to intrude.
-We're already sorry. - Giovanna got ahead of herself. - Now tell us how it was!
It was nice...
Cool? That's it? Did you guys watch the movie?
Yes.
- And what else?
- He asked me out on Friday.
They both vibrated. Lorena smiled while doing the dishes.
-I said he liked you. -Oh. - That concludes Giane.
- And you accepted the invitation, right?
- I did. - I couldn't disguise the enthusiastic tone and they vibrated again.
- I'm going to take a bath, save a piece of pie for me. - I said while I was pulling out of the kitchen.
I went down the hall and into the room. I got clean clothes and my towel wishing for an almost cold bath that would make me forget the burning heat.
After twenty minutes under the water, I left the bathroom with wet hair. My skin, now fresh, drank the scattered droplets that slowly evaporated. I put on the knitwear I had chosen and returned to the kitchen. The delicious apple pie was waiting for me in the crystal glass container.
The rest of the afternoon passed quickly, making the night fall without me noticing the exact moment when the sky darkened. Sleep came early accompanied by the fatigue of the walk. I went to bed at nine. Giovanna and Lorena stayed watching TV.
When I woke up it was already eight o'clock on Sunday morning. Giovanna's bed was empty, with the sheet perfectly extended. The smell of spring came through the open window and spread through the room. Noises came from the kitchen, reminding me that it was time to get up.
I jumped out of bed suddenly trying to scare away the insistent laziness. I washed my face with cold water and had a strong breakfast. Giovanna and Lorena agreed to go to Pienza in the afternoon to visit Louise, a friend of the family.
- Are you coming with Cecilia?
-Sure, but Pienza is not far away?
-Not far, in an hour we'll be there. -Yes.
-When are we going?
-Logo after lunch.
Giovanna and I enjoyed the morning helping Lorena with the house and lunch. We invented a different salad with pieces of mango and orange that would accompany the bird meat that was in the oven.
After we ate, I went to the room to organize some of my personal items. Then I put on a shorts and put on an old sand colored sneaker that matched the blouse of the same color, while Lorena took the Renault Duster from the garage.
As we left Siena the landscape changed along the road. After Fifty minutes, the beautiful hills slowly began to reveal a small, villagelike region. Pienza had just over two thousand inhabitants. It was one of the most beautiful places I had ever seen. Most of the houses respected a rustic architecture that exhaled romanticism and an unmatched style, enchanting any visitor.
We got out of the car and started walking towards a small chalet that had a steep roof and windows that opened out. Lorena gave two slight knocks to the oak door. A golden-haired woman who looked almost the same age as my aunt, picked up animatedly.
- I thought they weren't coming anymore! - She said with a happy timbre. Please come in.
Before we entered Lorena hugged her demonstrating that there was a strong friendship between
them.
- This is Cecilia, my niece.
I greeted her with a smile.
-What a beautiful young lady! She looks a lot like Giovanna...
-Everyone says so... - Giovanna commented, while greeting her.
A smell of cake reached the room with walls covered with mahogany and a lighter shade.
- I'm making a stuffed cake for our snack.
- You needn't bother, Louise.
- You know I love to bake, it's no bother at all.
Lorraine went to Louise with the intention of inviting her to an administrative position in the chain store she owned. While they were chatting, Giovanna and I decided to get to know the surroundings of the house. Pienza was quiet and peaceful, with streets full of flowers and bushes.
At some specific points it was possible to contemplate small gardens, often visited by yellow butterflies.
- Beautiful place. - I said while looking at a set of jasmine in the street of Louise's house.
-It's beautiful, but it's very still. - Giovanna said.
We walked slowly down the
street for a few minutes until we heard Lorena calling us.
- Giovanna, Cecilia! Come and try the cake!
We came back with long, hurried steps. The cake filled with strawberries and a white cream was served with chilled fruit juice.
We'll be back in Siena later this afternoon. The car was sliding down the road, while I admired the sunset light that filled the horizon. When we got home, there was no more sun.
I got out of the car feeling tired and sick. As soon as we got in I went straight to the kitchen to drink a glass of water and went to the bedroom, eager to change the clothes stuck to my body.
When I opened the wardrobe door I noticed something different about one of the offices.
Another note.
I got up the courage to take the paper folded in four parts. When I opened it, I discovered a new sentence with the same handwriting as mine.
STAY AWAY FROM HOMERO.
I felt a chill go through my body as a whirlwind of thoughts formed in my mind. Who was doing that? It was the question that came and went at a frantic pace robbing me of my calm.
Obviously it was someone who knew about Homero's approach. The only people who knew were Giovanna, Lorena and Giane. I had to exclude Giane when I considered the date of the first note. There was my aunt and my cousin left.
- They would never do that. - I conclude. - Or would they?
I sat in bed trying to balance the confused chain of emotions that took hold of me until I was surprised by Giovanna.
- What happened? You're white as milk! - She said scared.
-I'm just a little queasy from the trip. -Oh. - I answered by hiding the paper in my left hand.
-Do you need any medicine?
- No, it's already passing.
- My mom's calling for dinner.
- I'll be there in a little while. - I said with my voice failing.
- Okay, anything is just calling.
When Giovanna closed the door, I noticed that I had completely crushed the note when I hid it. Even crumpled, that handwriting was still the same as mine.
Several new questions took the place of the first. Should I really stay away from Homero? Why should I? Was he someone dangerous?
I didn't know what else to think.
I kept the note in the same little box where the first one was trying to keep a quiet breath. I went to the bathroom, threw cold water on my face, hoping that it would stabilize my feelings. When I thought I was presentable, I went to the kitchen.
-Is that better?
-Yes.
-Oh, well, if you need any medicine, let me know. -Yeah. - Lorena said. -Now come to dinner.
- I'm not hungry, Lorena.
-How are you not hungry? -Oh. You just had a piece of cake in the afternoon. At least try, if I can't understand. But only after you try.
I took a plate from the drawer in the middle of the cupboard. Lorena had heated up the food left over from lunch. I put a minimum amount and tried to eat.
My stomach refused to accept.
-I'm sorry, Lorena, but I can't. -Oh.
-All right. - She said trying to be understanding. - I'll leave milk in the fridge and cookies in case you feel hungry later.
-Thank you.
I went back to the room still unbalanced by the mess the ticket had caused. My hands were freezing and I felt my feet numb as I walked. I couldn't find any sense in what was happening.
I lay on the bed going over the moments I'd spent with Homero in my mind. I was looking for some sign of danger in his every attitude.
There wasn't.
Apparently he was a normal kid who was easily nervous, but who knew how to recognize his mistakes. Maybe he was a little secretive... Was there something else?
Weights went and came to the tiredness to weigh my eyes. I was forced to remove the lenses before I fell asleep with them.
When I put my head back on the pillow there was no room for the thoughts that haunted me. The afternoon in Pienza had totally exhausted my energies, making my body and mind give in to deep sleep.
I woke up at three in the morning feeling drops of cold sweat running down my face. I could not remember any dream or nightmare.
I stayed awake until the sky was clear bringing Monday morning.
I got up before Giovanna and went to the bathroom. Again, there were swollen bags under my grey eyes, reflected in the mirror. My horrible-looking skin wasn't rested enough to look healthy, underlining my deplorable look.
After having coffee with Giovanna and Lorena, answering lies when asked how I slept, I grabbed my purse and went to school.
Giovanna hardly spoke on the way, she seemed thoughtful. Since my thoughts were already too dazed, I preferred not to ask what was happening.
I felt selfish for a moment.
We arrived at school almost late. I entered the room looking worriedly at the floor, thinking about what Homero would say if he noticed any strange behavior. I couldn't walk away from him suddenly. Obviously, he'd question it.
When I looked panoramically at the class, I noticed that his place was empty. Would he come in second class?
I took my place, opening the Italian handout. The class passed slowly raising my expectations and my anxiety.
The signal for the second class sounded.
Homero had not arrived.
The day passed slowly, giving me plenty of time to write down the main observations of each subject. The static blackboard fixed to the wall reigned, ordering everyone to look at it.
On Tuesday, I arrived early at school thanks to the insistent and inconvenient anxiety that had taken hold of me. In the parking lot I had noticed the silver wasp that I knew exactly who it was.
There were three people inside the room when I walked in: a young girl with straight black hair who I didn't know the name, Lucenzo , the best student in the class and Homero.
-Hello, good morning. - He said coming up.
-Good morning, all right? -Oh, good morning.
-I'm fine. -Oh. - There was something strange in his voice.
I didn't know if there was enough intimacy to ask why he was away the day before. I still decided to take my chances.
-Something happened? -Yeah. You didn't come yesterday...
- Nothing happened, I was just a little indisposed. - The voice remained strange as if he was hiding something.
-I see. - I said as the teacher arrived in the room.
The students in class would come in and take their places. During the rest of the day I talked very little with Homero, who remained most of the time with an introspective expression. At a few moments he seemed as worried as I was about some situation I did not know about.
On Wednesday during recess I discovered a new note while I took a handout from my personal closet.
DON'T GO OUT WITH HOMERO.
My skin pale as if the blood had stopped running through my veins.
Fear invaded me.
There was someone who knew deeply the facts that had occurred in my life in the last few days and I didn't know who it was. And worst of all, I didn't know whether to trust that advice.
I tried to stay calm when I got back to reality and realized that I was in the hallway at school.
The signal sounded forcing me to go back into the classroom. When I saw Homero, I felt a chill in my stomach.
- Is everything okay? - He asked, staring brown eyes at my face with abnormal color.
-Yes, I'm fine. -I responded with stuttering.
-You sure? -Yes.
-I'm sure. -Yes. - I tried so hard not to get my voice broken.
I spent the rest of the day wondering if I should refuse the invitation. If I did, how would I do it? What would I say to Homero?
Doubts bothered me until Friday. I woke up considering the possibility of not going to school and running away from it all. Would that work?
I'd have to make up lots of lies for Giovanna and Lorraine and especially Homero. I got up out of bed excluding the possibility.
> I had to decide if I'd cancel the invitation before I got to school.
On the way, Giovanna noticed my uneasiness.
-You're not normal... What is happening Cecilia?
-I don't know if I'm going out with Homero. -Yes. - I said determined to tell only part of the truth.
-Why?
-I don't know if I should go... I don't know him properly.
-But you already accepted the invitation, didn't you? -Yeah.
-Yes, but I can cancel... I don't know, I'll make something up.
When we got to school I was inclined to cancel everything, until Homero came out in the hallway with a clear smile that made me change my mind immediately.
-Hey... - He said overflowing with charm.
-Hello.
-We didn't make the schedule yet... -Hey. - He said as we walked side by side toward the classroom.
- Yes... You didn't tell me where we were going.
-Surprise... But I'm sure you'll like it. Can I pick you up at seven?
- Sure. - I said, without considering the ticket messages.
The classes went quickly against my will and definitely confirmed that time was relative. The afternoon was slowly saying goodbye, giving way to a night full of stars. The crescent moon appeared illuminating the dark sky, while the warm air circulated through Siena.
It was half past six when I got out of the shower. The light blue lace dress was on the bed waiting to be worn along with the tiara of the same color as my hair. After making an almost imperceptible makeup, I put on the pearl-colored sandal I had bought last Saturday and went into the living room.
- You look beautiful. - I said Lorena as soon as I came up.
- Thank you, Lorena. Where is Giovanna? - I asked, noting her absence.
- She's in the bath.
When I turned on the TV willing to wait, I heard the sound of the bell.
- He's on time. - Said Lorena in a funny voice.
I looked at the clock and it was five minutes to seven. I opened the door and the first thing I saw was a rose of velvety red petals wrapped in transparent paper with a satin bow.
-For you. - He said handing me the flower that had just come out of a Siena flower shop.
Thank you.
My face reddened.
The white shirt bulged his broad shoulders and contrasted with the dark jeans he wore.