Chapter 5: A Week Of Memories

Danica

My friend's voice from hangover pains woke me up. I opened my eyes to see Amanda on the phone ordering coffee.

“I’m never drinking that much again.” Amanda swore as she dropped the call.

“It’s all your idea to keep the drink coming.” Kylie held her head and went into the restroom.

I tried as much as possible to avoid laughing out as I got out of bed; these girls will not be the death of me.

“What’s with you?” Amanda raised her eyebrows at me.

“What about me? I didn’t say anything.” I raised up my hands in surrender.

“Don’t think I didn’t see you and that hot specimen of a man.” She pointed her fingers at me with squinting eyes.

“Yeah, she got the hot guy and forgot about her friends.” Kylie screams as she comes out of the restroom.

I know I’m not going to get out of these in one piece if I don’t start talking.

“Why are you both ganging up on me, and there’s nothing going on between us at the moment?” I turned away from them, trying to hide my blushing because I knew I wouldn’t hear the end of it.

“I can bet she’s blushing now.” Kylie said.

“I can also bet that she exchanged numbers with the guy.” Amanda whispered.

“I’m in the room okay, and I can hear you guys.” I rolled my eyes and sat down on the bed.

“What’s the deal, girl?” Kylie winked at me and joined me in the bed.

Amanda opened the door and collected the coffee she ordered; she gave us a cup each and joined us.

“Is he going to be your fling for the vacation or what?” Amanda sets her coffee on the table.

“What? I don’t even know him.” I screamed at Amanda.

“And that’s what makes it a fling.” Amanda replied with her eyes wide open.

“No thanks, it’s no fling, though I do like the guy, but I don’t know what he wants from me.” I take a sip of my coffee.

“We are here for you; whatever you want to do, we would support you.” Kylie winked.

“Be good, okay.” Amanda squeezed my hand.

I thought Ignazio was going to call me, but I am yet to get his call; maybe he isn’t interested, unlike he claimed.

“Earth to Danica.” Kylie sings out in my ear as we stroll the local market.

We decided to explore this part of Rome for better experiences.

“What’s it.” I snapped out of my thoughts and turned to her.

“Your ice cream is melting in your hand, but you are not aware.” She tilted her head towards my hand.

“Oh, I didn’t realize." I pulled out a tissue and wiped the stain from my hands.

“What the hell?” I shirked just as I was bumped into; I looked and was surprised to see Ignazio.

“I’m sorry, are you hurt?” He held my hands with worry written all over his face.

“I’m fine; it’s just that it was sudden. What are you doing here, by the way?” I asked.

“I just came out to stroll around.” He said just as Kylie cleared her throat.

“Oh, meet my friend Kylie.” I almost forgot about her.

“Nice to meet you; I’m Ignazio.” He shakes her hand.

“What am I missing?” Amanda returned with candies.

One of the things we have in common is teeth for sweet things.

“Of course, meet Amanda as well.” I grab the candy from her.

“Nice to meet you, Ignazio.” She beamed. Ever the drama queen.

“Do you mind if I tag along?” Ignazio asked.

"Sure, no problem.” Amanda was quick to reply before I could say anything.

Amanda made some excuse about wanting to get something and dragged Kylie along, leaving me and Ignazio alone. We chatted for hours talking about nothing but everything; I got to know more about him. He told me about his work being a businessman; he didn’t talk about his family if he has one. It went on like that for the rest of the week, and I was beginning to think it wasn’t a coincidence anymore because he appeared almost everywhere we were. If I was not the one who sighted him first, I would have thought he came deliberately to me, but there’s no way he could have known our location; I mean, he’s not some kind of seer. We ended up spending most of the vacation together, and today’s finally the last day, but I feel so sad because I’m really going to miss him. He asked for where I lived, but I brushed it off with a joke because my dad had told me that I wasn’t allowed to make friends aside from our community and I shouldn’t give up my location to a stranger, all for reasons best known to him.

“I’m going to miss you.” He said after escorting me home from our dinner.

I can’t call it a date because he said we were just spending time together.

“I’ll call you, if that’s okay with you.” He stepped closer as he tucked a strand of my hair behind my ear.

“It’s okay, you can call me.” I bit my lips.

He stared at my lips that I thought he was going to kiss me, but he just smiled and left. If he had kissed me, I wouldn’t have mind; he has worked his way into my heart, but he left me hanging afterwards. I entered the hotel room to meet my friends questioning gaze.

“Are you going to be meeting in the future?” Amanda asked when I entered.

“I don’t know; he only asked me if he could call me, and I said yes.” I stepped out of my heels and sat on the bed.

“Maybe he doesn’t want to be attached yet.” Amanda said and pat my hand.

“Or maybe he wants to take his time to think about this. They just met, and you know, he might want to think it through before going deep, because I can tell he’s got eyes for you, Danica, and you alone.” Kylie nodded.

“You need to see the way he looks at you, like you’re all that he sees. So, I believe he’s going to reach out, yeah.” Kylie concluded.

“I hope so.” Amanda said,

“I can’t believe I would be departing with you guys again.” I whispered, wiping my tears.

“And I would meet you at school in a month time.” Kylie smiled, blinking back her tears.

“I’m going to miss you guys. When I get back from America, let’s do this again.” Amanda pouted her lips while blinking her eyes.

“Yeah.” “Sure.” We hugged ourselves and went to sleep.

The next morning we departed with tears in our eyes as we boarded our flight and went back home. I know my mom would probably be outside awaiting my arrival.