Volata da Solo (Flying Alone)

It’s curious, flying alone when one has been accustomed to some form of company, (I’ve always either had my brother or my family as companions on our journeys) but in this instance I had to fly solo. As we were rolling up to Dulles airport in the big blue truck, I figured this would be no problem. My parents raised me to be independent, so how much trouble would it be?

After getting everything sorted out and my baggage checked-in, my family bunched up together in a prayer hug and we exchanged teary goodbyes. Thankfully I didn’t lose myself in the middle of the airport. Would have been messy, and not even like a ‘oh-there’s-a-bad-crash-let’s-stop-and-look’ sort of deal; one like you just want to put your head down and scurry past because there’s no other viable response to help the situation.

So off I went, trucking through security with my passport clamped so tightly in my hand I’m glad the covers seem to be sweat-proof. Everything on that end went without a hitch, my Visa checked out and my passport was good-to-go. Now, the only trouble I ran into was the extremely invading bag checks that were going on just before my gate. This was due to the fact that my layover was in Moscow and because the Olympics are going on, TSA really does not want any unpleasant aerosols, eyeliners, and hand-sanitizers to wander into Sochi as bombs. Thus, every single person’s carry-on bags had to be groped, prodded, and dumped out on a line of white plastic tables before being swabbed around the inside seams with a strange white pad that apparently would tell the TSA agents whether or not there was anything fishy going on behind the scenes. Needless to say this made the boarding process a lot lengthier than originally intended (which made me a little later for my connecting flight than I would have wanted). 

As neat as it initially sounded to fly through Moscow, I instantly regretted that thought as we taxied in after about ten hours of airplane time (thankfully the passengers were sparse and I got a whole row to myself to spread out on). There are just a handful of things I noticed about Russia (specifically Moscow) as we came in for the landing. The earth and sky are made up of a bland assortment of gray scale colors, but the citizens have attempted to liven this up with audaciously colored roofs and siding on their houses; the outside air smells like sadness; and Russian sounds like a giant conglomeration of half-pronounced grunts and tongue flicks.

The airport also was a little sketchy feeling to me, so I was clutching at my things, staring wide-eyed at all my surroundings (as wide-eyed as I could get, flying across nine time zones and not getting much sleep), but I was fortunate enough to get to my connecting gate on time. However, much to my family's worry, I wasn’t able to check in with them on the wifi at the airport (that I had done my research to find out whether it existed or not, and it did, but apparently that wasn’t true or recent information), so I was desperately attempting to connect with any of them in some way or another. And when the futility sank in as the plane took off towards Milan, it settled so deeply in my gut I haven’t eaten for several hours, and I’m not getting hungry any time soon.

The sudden, jolting lack of connectivity just spun my entire world around and around, when I’m so used to being able to send a text or read an email wherever I am. Thinking of flying solo and actually doing it ended up being two totally different universes.  I realized I was, in fact, alone. Even if I wanted to call mom with a few questions, I couldn’t. It simply was not possible. I have never been so demoralized to see “no service” at the top corner of my screen in my life.

I was on a plane going through foreign countries, surrounded by people who spoke languages that I had no hope of following. Lacking that airplane-companion to laugh and communicate with really took a toll on my sanity.

I was so shaken, staring at my phone, staring at the severed connection and willing it to somehow work despite the fact we were climbing higher and higher into the clouds. I trembled all over and my stomach writhed, threatening to lose everything I had packed into it that morning for the trip. I focused all my energies and thoughts on gazing out the window and waving goodbye to the solemn snow-covered land that was Russia, but the unwarranted tears flooded forward anyway.

I. Was. Alone.

In a grand, dangerous mixture of lack of sleep and worrying, I had fried my emotional endings. I had no control of the liquid welling behind my eyes.

So I used my sleeve and wiped at the mess, but every time I thought anything remotely close to how much I missed my family, or being so detached from them, the tears surged again. A few minutes into the flight, I managed to wrangle my emotions and hold them down – unfortunately it didn’t last for long. The stewardesses were coming around offering drinks, and the nice lady asked me what I wanted, and when I opened my mouth to say two small words, my eyes drowned again.

I was past the point of it being acceptable.

Nevertheless, the trend continued. I tried watching a movie to reroute my train wreck of a brain, but when there was any mention of “don’t let go” or missing someone, I had to bite my lip to stop it from wobbling. It was pathetic, truly, but I was helpless against the onslaught of these powerful waves of emotions.

It was unlike anything I had ever experienced before, without a doubt. Leaving the States to live in Peru didn’t even touch this trip, somehow.

Finally we hit Italian dirt and I hurried off the plane, 1) because I had to pee badly, and 2) I had spent enough time on an airplane (about fourteen hours total in one day) and was ready for some real ground to stretch out on.

So I hustled for the bathrooms and rejoiced at the wifi signal. I would have sold my soul to the sign-in window, just to get on for a second and let everyone know I was all right. I had been freaking out the whole flight, trying to send mental and spiritual feelings of well being so that my family wouldn’t worry, that I had made my connection and was on my merry (not) way.

My mother hadn't spammed my email and Facebook with messages asking where I was and if I was okay. She trusted that the only reason I wouldn’t contact her was due to inability, not choice.

Instead, my inbox was crammed full of sweet things and thoughts just waiting for me to sign in and see. So I cried again, of course. I wept in the bathroom stall for a good ten minutes at least, but this time it was a relieved cry. Mostly.

Upon figuring my way out of the airport and into the city of Milan (it very much resembles Philadelphia, from my experience), I kept going through bouts of wanting to be there in Italy and experiencing everything, and coming so close to wanting to tear out my laptop and book a flight home as soon as possible. It was terrifying, conquering the metro for the first time alone, when dealing with a language I was a mere beginner at. I didn’t believe in myself to be able to properly find my university and then get to my apartment, all by my lonesome self, so I thought perhaps the easiest way out would be to claim homesickness (which wasn’t a lie) and feeling utterly incompetent and incapable.

Some of you may know this, but I am horrible with directions and maps, so to challenge the busy streets of Milan after 15+ hours powering through airplanes and airports was an even heavier weight to bear. I got lost three times on my way to the check-point I needed to reach, but I was determined, no matter how many strange looks I got from the locals as I, a five-foot-three-inch, one-hundred-and-fifteen-pound white girl dragged a fifty-pound rolly bag in one hand and a twenty-two-pound carry-on in the other, while a loaded back-pack grasped my shoulders. In the end, I probably walked nearly half a mile from the metro station to get to my check-point, and I was unashamedly sweaty when I got there.

As soon as I rolled through the doors, panting and heart beating hard, a student at the University who was wandering the halls noticed my disheveled, frazzled appearance and asked if he could lend a hand in whatever it was I was looking for. I greedily accepted his help and he led me to the office I needed to get to, all in pretty well spoken English.

Upon arriving upstairs, I noticed that the office was frighteningly empty, and two blonde girls sitting nearby told me they were probably all on lunch break (which takes forever, according to them). So they ushered me over and I sat down next to them. They, just like my first assistant, inquired as to what I was attempting to do, and so I explained to them that I just got in after a long flight and simply wanted my apartment keys. Out of curiosity, the main girl, Sabrina, asked me where I had flown out from, and when I said Fredericksburg she nearly lost it. She was from Fredericksburg also, and her best friend attends Roanoke where I just so happen go. (It’s a school of two thousand students, guys. The odds of that are slim.)

Anyway, the pair of girls had come a few weeks prior for the first session (I signed up for the second) and shared with me a detailed metro map as well as the offer to house me for the night in case my apartment didn’t work out for some reason. I had known these girls all of fifteen minutes, but because they understood what I was going through and we had common ground, they were willing to help me out.

I nearly cried again as they invited me to lunch with them, made sure to add me on Facebook in case I needed anything else, and parted with a “see you later!”

Once the ladies in the international office resumed their work day with full bellies, they led me into the room and explained to me exactly what was about to happen. I no doubt looked like a zombie and an idiot. My brain was about out of fuel.

So I got my keys (there are three just to get into my front door, and two extra ones I have yet to discover their purpose), my info packets, and a call for a taxi to drive me to my apartment without any trouble.

If all that kindness wasn’t enough, I met my roommate just a few hours ago when she arrived back at our apartment from school, and she is so incredibly sweet and nice. I, being a bimbo, forgot one very important thing: an adaptor for my plugs. Italy runs on 220, round prongs. I asked her if she knew of a good place to buy adaptors and she recommended a store just down the road, but didn’t stop there. She also told me I was welcome to use her set up, without any prompting or obligation.

You know how I said I had been tempted to call mom crying “get me out of here!” earlier? Well, after all these amazing shows of grace and compassion, I am convinced that I will have a great time in Milan for the next three months. Not without a few tears (okay, several), and some hard obstacles, of course. But things will truly be all right.

I’m now reconnected to the world via the wifi in our apartment and am back in contact with my family, so that makes me feel infinitely better as well.

The past three days have been a wild rollercoaster ride of feelings, and though it stressed me out (which never happens), I don’t wish it didn’t happen. In the midst of it all, certainly – I wanted to jump out of the plane and land in the snowdrifts just to get away from the fact that I was heading to a destination not my home, away from familiarity.

It has already been an unforgettable experience, and I’m looking forward to the next three months mirroring that.

Now, as I sit in my bed in the apartment I will call home for the next little while, I am reassured and at peace. I am reconnected, feeling the overflowing love and support, and have had no trouble digging my brain out of the dumps it had flung itself into. It’s currently six P.M. here, but I think I deserve a nap after all that.

So with that, arrivederci, friends! I love you all and am so incredibly thankful for the good vibes and prayers. Couldn’t have done it without you!

V

Lazy Afternoon

He lounged back against the arm of the lazy swinging bench, his arms wrapped around the waist of a tall woman. She had slid down in his loose grasp, her head now resting softly on his stomach and her toes nearly falling over the other side of the bench. The boy pulled his knees up, creating a fence on the unsecured side of her torso to prevent her from accidentally rolling off the swing.

She rested her forearm along his thigh and tousled the frayed ends of the worn knees in his jeans with her fingertips. “These jeans are getting old,” she murmured as the wind danced through the leaves above them. Tipping her head back, she stopped when she could see his face.

“So are you,” he replied, smiling down at her. She grinned and let her head fall forward.

“Yeah, but you don’t believe that, do you?”

“Mmm, no.” He kissed the top of her head and she hummed.

The chains supporting the bench creaked and groaned with every swing back and forth, but it was rhythmic and somehow calming instead of irritating. A few blossomed flowers drifted down from the trees, the wind having shaken them loose, and they graced the boy’s black hair. He absently brushed one off, but grabbed the other and held it down in front of her face.

“For you,” he said, and he knew that smile was spreading even before he heard her giggle. She put the flower to her nose and breathed in, murmuring something about it smelling beautiful before reaching back to tuck it into her hair. “Let me.” The boy took it from her and brushed back a few locks of striking auburn hair behind her ear, placing the flower just above the curve. He grinned.

“Can I tell you something?” He whispered, grabbing her hands in his and crossing them over her stomach.

“Mhm,” she hummed in drowsy reply, settling herself into a comfortable position prime for sleep.

“Your ears are pretty,” he whispered, his lips near her ear.

She twisted her head to glance at him, her expression strange and disbelieving.

“What?” He asked, the smile continuing to grace his lips.

“My ears are pretty?”

“That what I just said isn't it?”

“Yeah, but…no one’s ever told me that before.” She turned back around and relaxed against him.

He couldn’t stop grinning to save his life. “Well I am honored to be the first one to do so.” Being silly, he kissed her ear and she laughed, pulling up her shoulders in attempt to shy away.

“You're silly, you know that?” She continued to giggle as he hugged his arms tighter around her.

“Yes, and I love you, you know that?”

Her gaze traveled down to the intertwined fingers of their left hands and the rings glimmered dazzlingly in the sunlight filtering through the leaves. “Yes,” she replied dreamily. “Yes, I do.”

She twisted around in his arms, smiled, and kissed him.

In Over Your Head

The two bikini clad girls giggled as they hopped down the carpeted stairs, beach towels and goggles clutched in their fingers. “Daddy, we’re gonna go swim in the lake, okay?” Susie called, swinging herself around the banister at the bottom of the staircase. Violet and Susie walked past the living room doorway, Susie’s Dad sitting comfortably in a recliner, newspaper in hand. “Be careful, you two.” He ordered despite the hint of a smile on his face. He knew they were both excellent swimmers, but as a parent, he was obligated to say it. “Aiden, why don’t you go read out on the dock so you can keep an eye on them.” He hooked a thumb in the direction of the screen door that lead out to the short backyard, sloping subtly down to the rocky shore of the lake.

Aiden groaned, but a stern look from his father made him get off the couch and slump towards the door after the girls. “Why, Dad, they know how to swim well enough.” He grumbled, not expecting a response. He knew arguing was useless.

Violet and Susie had already laid out their towels under the sun, slipping off their colorful flip flops and testing the water with their big toes. “Oooh, it’s a bit chilly today!” Susie exclaimed, shivering for effect. Violet rolled her eyes, smiling. “Psh, it is not! You’re just a big wuss.” Susie crossed her arms, a challenging grin creeping across her lips. “Oh yeah? I dare you to jump in first, then, Miss The-water-isn’t-cold.”

“Fine, I will.” Violet accepted her dare, slowly sliding her arms out of the cover-up sundress she was wearing. The firey hues contrasted with the deep blues and greens of her suit, the pair covering all colors of the rainbow. She took her time tying up her long black hair into a tight ponytail atop her head, laughing when Susie began to tap her foot against the dark wood of the dock. “You're stalling!” She accused, lunging forward.

Violet evaded her attack by jumping sideways, hoping that Susie lost her balance and tumbled into the water, but she wasn’t that fortunate. They mirrored each other, standing at the edge of the dock facing the shadowy water, waiting with mischievous smiles for the other to strike first.

Out of the corner of her eye, Violet saw Aiden approaching them, ambling over to the bench on the dock with a thick book clutched in his hand. Curiosity flitted shortly across his face when he took in the girls’ stances, but soon left, his expression turning unreadable. “I’m surprised you two aren’t already racing each other across the lake.” He commented, his heavy footfalls thumping hollowly on the surface of the wooden platform.

“Yeah, well, we’re trying to settle something first. It’s none of your business anyway. Butt out.” Susie retorted meanly, just the way a little sister might. He just shrugged, uninterested, and made his way over to the cushioned bench.

Violet’s gaze had shifted from Susie over to Aiden and Susie used this distraction to her advantage. She pounced forwards, arms stretched out in front; the perfect position to push someone. Violet was lucky to have her quick reflexes, and, to Susie’s dismay, dodged at the last second. “You can't catch me!” She yelled giddily, leaping to the other side of the dock around Susie.

Susie growled, despite the smile on her face, and threw herself at Violet again. She missed, for the third time. Violet stuck her tongue out, mocking Susie and laughing at her expression of frustration. “That’s it!” Susie declared, pointing a long nailed finger at Violet. “You're going into this lake!”

Susie and Violet both screamed simultaneously, falling into the water with confused expressions bending their brows. Susie hadn’t pushed Violet and Violet hadn’t even touched Susie. When they surfaced, Violet knew exactly who did it.

“AIDEN!” Susie shrieked, making a flock of crows in a nearby evergreen caw and fly away. He looked over the top of his book, lounging on the bench like he’d been there the whole time. His eyebrows rose at her. “What?” He asked innocently, a smile threatening to break out. His lips quirked at the corners as he tried to hold it back.

“You pushed us in! I know it was you! Don’t play dumb with me!” She fumed, climbing up the rust incrusted ladder screwed to the platform to stick a wet finger in his face. “Hey, water is a book’s enemy.” He said, slapping it closed and holding it away from her dripping body. Violet had to laugh at the absurdity of his expression against Susie’s fury, how it seemed to glance off of him.

She regretted it instantly when Susie rounded on her, turning all her anger towards her and piercing holes in her face with the intensity of her stare. Violet held her hands up in surrender. “Hey, calm down, Suz. He just pushed us in. We wanted to go swimming after all, don’t get all fired up about it.”

It only took one step and a good shove and Violet was in the chilly water once again.
Susie yelled, frustrated, hands balled into fists at her sides. “I cannot believe you!” She huffed, turning her back to him. Violet surfaced, taking in air and wiping wet strands back from her face. “C'mon Suz, ignore him. Let’s race.” She suggested, gesturing with her arm for Susie to get back into the water. Reluctantly she slipped back in, disturbing the liquid with her body.

The water rippled restlessly around them as they swam between the parallel shores. The second time they got to the other side they stopped for a rest and stretched out on a floating platform, letting the sun dry their dripping skin.

“Don’t mind Aiden,” Violet murmured, knowing Susie was still thinking about what happened earlier. “He’s just being your big brother. He aims to make you mad and enjoys your anger and frustration. You remember him smiling up at you, right? He didn’t care; he was happy that he made you mad. He thrives off of that.” Suz just made a grunting noise indicating that she had been listening.

“But you don’t have any older siblings who’re like him. He’s a big idiot.” Susie sighed heavily, rolling over onto her elbow to face Violet more directly. “Do you really think that’s what he wants when he makes me mad?” She pondered aloud, her eyes darting all around in her head in thought.

Violet nodded and closed her eyes, reveling in the warm blanket the suns beams cast down on her. Susie hummed in thought, rolling onto her back and copying Violet. Violet turned her head to the side and watched Aiden flip pages on the opposite dock. His dusky brown hair was short and messy; it hung down low enough to cover some of his forehead but not shadow his blue eyes. The black shirt he wore hung loosely on his frame, but pulled tight in just the right places and his jeans were dark-wash, faded and gray. There was a hole at the left knee, the darkened edges fraying into white.

“Earth to Vi.” Susie jabbed at her shoulder and Violet blinked over at her. “What’re you staring at?” She demanded, her eyes following the trail of where Violet’s had just been. Her lips curved into an excited O and Violet braced herself for what she was about to say.

She gasped dramatically for starters. “You like him!” She half yelled half whispered. Violet rolled her eyes and groaned, turning away from Susie. She squealed. “I should’ve thought of that before! Ooooh, you would look so cute together! And then, if you get married, you’ll be, like, legally my sister!” She leapt up to her feet and grabbed Violet’s hand, tugging her none-too-gently onto her own.

“We must tell him the great news!” Susie smiled gleefully. “Hey-!” She started, waving her arm in a huge arc to get Aiden’s attention. Violet slapped a hand over her mouth and jumped off the platform, plunging them both into the lake. “Are you nuts?!” Violet hissed once their heads were above water. “We don’t even know if he likes me back!” “Well then, let’s find out!” Suz replied simply, oblivious to Violet’s anxiety.

“No, Suz wait! Please, let’s talk about this! I don’t know what he’s even like!” She begged, swimming alongside Susie. She giggled in response. “He’s smart, he reads a lot, he’s not a pervert, and he loves taking walks, he’s perfect for you!” Violet groaned, knowing at this point that Susie wouldn’t stop. Nothing Violet could say would prevent Suz from marching up to Aiden and telling him she likes him.
“Please, Susie. What if he rejects me? It’ll be your fault, you know.” She pleaded again feebly, without any real intention to win the debate. Susie just snorted, amused. “He won't; you're too pretty to turn down.” Violet was so surprised by that comment that she stopped in mid-kick.

Quickly regaining herself, she paddled up next to Susie. They were halfway to the dock; maybe if she pretended to drown, but acted real enough, Susie would totally forget about this whole thing? That might work, she thought. Violet could, at times, be a great actress.

Before she could begin her act, however, Susie was pulled under.

Something appeared to grab her ankles and yank her underneath the water; it closed in rapidly over her disappearing head. “OhmyGod - Susie!” Violet shrieked in shock and horror, taking a deep breath before diving down into the murky water. To her frustration, she could only see a foot or two in front of her face through the shadowy green lake.

She rushed to the surface, gulping in air before throwing herself back into the depths of the lake. She quickly glimpsed the dock before she went under and saw that Aiden had stood up from his seat, looking out towards Violet. She scissored her legs as fast as she could, propelling herself downwards with her arms. Squinting her eyes open, her cheeks bubbled and she knew she was running out of air quickly.

“Damn it!” She cursed loudly when she got back above water, treading it and huffing. She felt light headed and knew, with a sinking heart, that she wouldn’t be able to go under again for a few minutes at least. And at that point, it would be too late.
Aiden dove in, swimming swiftly over to her. “Where’s Susie?” He asked in a hurried tone, bordering the edge of worry. Violet shook her head, eyes squeezed closed. Tears burned behind her lids, threatening to push past the barrier when she thought of Susie’s scared face being suffocated by water.

Aiden dove under, leaving Violet to tread alone on the surface. His body faded with every kick he took, searching for any sign of Susie until she couldn’t see his feet through the dull, mucky water.

He returned a minute or so later, shaking his own head in despair. Tears filled her eyes at the action, making his sister’s death true. This was reality.

She desperately wanted to reject reality.

“S-Susie…” She mumbled between pants, trying to regain her breath. Tears burned hotly in her eyes in great contrast to the chilly water she treaded.

“We need to get back to shore. Something pulled her down and I’m sure it won’t mind two more humans, whatever it was.” He told her as he grabbed her upper arm to help steer her in the right direction.

Just as he let go, she shot under the water with a gasp. Aiden submerged as quickly as he could, pumping his legs and arms against the water. He ground his teeth together, squinting his eyes as they darted around, determined not to lose her. Her pale hand waved in front of him and he grabbed at it frantically, clutching it with an iron grip and tugging without restraint. She came up toward him but the thing that had her ankles yanked her down deeper.

Her floating face looked lifeless already, eyes closed and lips parted, but he was resolute on keeping her alive. He already lost his sister and he wouldn’t let anyone else die, not when it was in his power to save them.

He gripped her limp wrist firmly in both of his hands and heaved with all the strength that he could, her body coming towards him again. He pulled back his leg and threw it forward into the thing that was trying to drown her, his foot connecting effectively. Her ankles slipped out of its loosened grasp and he hauled her to the surface, his oxygen level depleting dangerously fast.

He wove his arm underneath hers across the top of her stomach, her back on his front, and he crushed her body to his to keep her lolling head above the water. He felt exhaustion settle in his limbs, but he wouldn’t stop until he got to the dock. That thing was pissed and he knew, in his state, they would both go down without a trace if it came back for them.

As he neared the wooden platform he hurled her up onto it before climbing out via the ladder and stumbling over his weary feet. He fell to his knees, his energy spent and chest heaving. Air in his lungs never felt so good.

His eyelids were suddenly like lead, but he held them open against his will. Before he could let torpor take him over the edge of sleep he had to make sure that Violet was still alive and breathing. He put two fingers to her jugular and felt a subtle pulse. That was all he needed.

Putting his ear by her mouth, he noticed she wasn’t breathing. “CPR.” He rasped, leaning over her body to press his hands on her heart. He pushed again and again, stopping to put his mouth to hers and clamp her nose shut. Pumping his hands against her chest again several more times, he began to lose hope. He pressed his mouth to hers and blew air into it, hoping her lungs would take it in.

A gurgling noise came from deep in her throat before she rolled over and spewed lake water onto the wooden boards. Coughing and gasping, she struggled for air. Aiden held a shaking hand to the small of her back to help support her as relief washed over him. He heard rapid footfalls behind him, his Dad’s low voice following shortly after. “What the hell happened? Where’s Susie?!” He asked, but neither of them was in a fit state to answer him no matter how much he pleaded for a reply.

Aiden’s eyelids suddenly slid closed and he fell on his side in an uncomfortable position, his arms out at odd angles from his body. Violet fell back and tried to regain her breath, looking up at the blurry trees lining the lake. “I’m sorry.” She whispered, feeling like she had just run a marathon and then drank way too much water.

“I’m sorry...”

Sorry

               “I’m sorry,” she murmured softly, staring downcast at the blue tiled floor, avoiding his eyes entirely. He shook his head slightly as a small sad smile crept onto his features. “You keep saying that, but you know just as well as I do that no matter how many times it’s uttered, it doesn’t really help. They’re just words, even if I know you mean them.” And he knew she meant them too, but it made no difference. She could be saying, “I think I’ll have a sandwich today,” and it would have the same effect on him as the words she was muttering now. They both knew that those words had lost their sincere meaning over the years because of how much people abused them. She sighed and closed her eyes, that foreign, small frown on her face deepening. 

               “I know,” she practically whispered, opening her brown eyes to stare at the plain white wall, again avoiding his eyes.

               He gazed at her face, letting his eyes trail up her neck and over her softly angled jaw, up around her small but full lips and letting his eyes rest on her unfocused ones after he spied the hardly noticeable patch of dark purple half moons hanging underneath them. 

              “I'm sorry,” she murmured, grimacing as she realized she had said it again. He chuckled softly, shaking his head again. “Sorry, it’s impulse. Ack! Sorry! Gah!” Her hands rapidly came up to her face, smacking hard against it.

               He laughed and walked over to her, gently tugging her hands back from her face. “It’s alright, love. I forgive you,” he whispered tenderly into her ear as he began wrapping her arms around his torso. She caught on quickly and coiled them around his body as she went to rest her head against his chest. Before it lay against him, however, he put his forefinger under her chin to bring up her face so that he could look into those beautiful eyes once more.