Chapter 17

-How long do you think we'll be able to do this?

-What do you mean?

-Marcus this is the third time when "I feel like going out" in a week my father will doubt something.

-I don't see anything bad with you getting some fresh air.

-It is when I ignore my studies.

-We can try to go less often.

-Yeah, we can...do...that...

-You don't want to?

-It's about what I care more.

-Hey, you should care about your grades.

-Okay dad. I was referring to them anyway.

-Seriously?

-Yes.

-Are you sure?

-100%

-Well, I guess you are going to kiss your grades from now on.

-Bet they are better kissers.

-Honey, you don't know what a good kisser is, you've only kissed me the past weeks.

-Exactly why I don't know what a good kisser is anymore.

-Fair enough. Want to go?

-Do we have to?

-Kinda. We can stay a few more minutes.

-Perfect.

-But just a few.

-Of course.

(Vivien)Me and Marcus have been hanging out at our special place for a few months now. The upcoming spring weather was making it perfect to stay more than just a few hours, quality which we have been using a little bit too much. Since Marcus, I have been concentrating mostly on spending time with him, I haven't been paying too much attention on school anymore. My grades have dropped a little bit and I was worried that my father will notice this.

I wanted to go out with Marcus less often but every time I was near him all I wanted was to be with him. I rolled over on the blanket to see him. I stretched my hand and caressed his hair, he looked deep inside his thoughts.

-Are you okay?

-Yes, I was just thinking.

-Something I should know?

-No, not really, just unimportant stuff.

-You would tell me if it was important, right?

He turned to me, grabbing my hand from his hair, holding and caressing it up and down.

-Of course.

He took my hand, approaching it to his lips and placing a small kiss on it. He, after, put it back on the blanket and his focus was directed towards my eyes. I leaned over until our lips met, every kiss was sending tingling sensations through my body. I parted only to see his smile turn into a serious expression.

-We should go.

He got up and held his hand for me to grab it.

-C'mon, it's easier if we do it faster.

-It's never easy.

I grabbed his hand and got up. He took the blanket and arranged it and then gave me a soft kiss on the cheek.

-It will get easier one day.

I started to walk towards the car, hitting rocks with my numb legs.

-How?

-We'll be allowed to be together.

-I don't think my father will ever allow me to be with an employee.

-What about a simple person?

-What do you mean?

He put the blanket in the back of the car and turned, sustaining himself on the car.

-Vivien, I am here only for one year.

-Yeah, I know, but I don't know if my father will let me be with someone who worked here.

I said as I came closer to him, putting my hands around him.

-Maybe he will surprise you.

-I don't think so.

He kissed me on the lips and got up, forcing me to distance myself from him.

-We'll see. Now let's go, it's already late.

I watched him leave and enter the car without saying a word. I turned and looked at the beautiful afternoon sky ahead of me, then changed my direction toward the car and entered with a sigh.

I saw him turning into the wrong direction, looking behind to be sure I directed my eyes back at him.

-What are you doing?

-It's Friday.

-Yes?

-We have a whole weekend ahead of us.

-But my father?

-Your father has left for an over the weekend meeting to Los Angeles right about 10 minutes ago.

-What?

-Surprise. We are going to Manhattan.

-What? Why?

-It's a surprise, won't tell you for now.

-But when my father will find out that we went to Manhattan, he'll-

-Don't worry, he knows.

-Really?

-Yes, he said that it will be good for you. Now relax, it's a two hours trip.

I smiled and sat back into my seat. I think I fell asleep for some time because when I opened my eyes again I saw Marcus trying to wake me up. I looked around and saw that we were stopped at a gas station.

-Is this your big surprise?

He looked a bit confused but then remembered where we were and chuckled.

-You caught me. I know how much you like gas stations.

-You kidding? I love them.

We both laughed.

-But for real, do you want something? Food? Bathroom?

-I could use a toilet, yeah.

-You could use some food too, I'm going to buy you something.

We ate looking at the sun setting in, we were staying on the front of the car watching the beautiful spectacle of colors shown by the sky. I was admiring the view but Marcus got suddenly up rushing me to get back in the car.

-We still have some time until we get there and I want to be still light.

I understood his wish of not driving while dark so I just did what he said. I could admire the sky from the car too. We were driving for half an hour when I first started to see the city.

-Okay, now that we are close put this on.

-A blindfold?

-Wouldn't be much of a surprise if you saw it from far away, would it?

-I hate it when you're right.

-You are going to like it later.

-I hope so.

I put the blindfold on and waited until Marcus stopped the car. I could hear the engine being turned off and the sound of Marcus door opening. Soon enough I felt my door opening too and Marcus took my hand to help me get out. The early night wind hit my face spreading my hair on my back. Marcus made me stay still and then went behind me placing his hands on my hips.

-Are you ready?

-Yes.

He slowly moved his hands up my body, getting in sluggish moves to the blindfold. I felt the knot getting untied and as the blindfold fell I opened my eyes. I was met by the image of a house, my house, my old house. Tears started falling on my cheeks as I stepped forward careful to not wake up from a sorrowful dream.

-I don't know what is with this house that gets you...

I heard Marcus say from behind me, his words travelling through my ears like strangers.

-But I thought it will do you good to see it again.

-I used to live here, when my mother was alive.

-Would you like to live again?

I turned to him thinking I haven't heard him right.

-What?

-I asked the owner if we could borrow it for a few days, that if you want to of course.

I ran towards him, embracing him in a tight hug. He stopped but then put his arms around me hugging me back.

-Thank you.

-Let's go in.

I let him go and started to walk to the house holding his hand. He gave me the key and I stumbled as I put it in the locket. The door unlocked with a short click. I let my head down looking at the door opening, my foot transferred from the outside to inside the house creating the first step in so long. I raised my head and there she was, the memory of my mother welcoming me back to my real home.