A Florence Affair - 16
Well, here it is the FINAL! Thanks to the commenters and voters throughout the story who kept me going even when sometimes I didn't want to. This is your story! Thanks :D.
PART ONE
Time was out. The volcano exploded. The rocket flew...and April's class was leaving Florence. She felt like crying, so many beautiful romantic memories were spent here and there were a lot of Awful ones too, but she'd give anything just to relieve it again, secretly, even about Alex. Even though things never worked out with them, she'd never loved any man like she did Alexander, in veracity. And now they were leaving, she looked out her window once more and felt her heart beat wistfully. At least she managed to work things out with Maggie the day of their second fight, they said their apologies, kept their space and were able to still be able to be roommates. April even admitted to saying it was her that placed the gum in her mouth and was glad Maggie wasn't as mad as expected, because April felt she had been equally scarred. When Alexander played her.
She began to pack her bags again for they had only a few hours before the buses would be here to drive them to the airport. April thought she be glad that she was leaving Florence, but she did felt gloomy. Florence too her was now wonderful and home, even after a month.
"Woohoo! Yeah! Let's get these people on the road!" Maggie jumped into the room from the dancing crowd in the hallway.
They were celebrating.
She started to fist pump into the air crazily as April only cracked a smile.
"What's the matter with you, aren't you happy? We're leaving! Yeah! Woo!" Maggie kicked her foot high in the air and cheered, April shook her head.
Maggie raised an eyebrow" You of all people?"
April looked up at her and Maggie paused.
"Oh, I see the problem, it's that boy again, Alexander Troy," Maggie said quietly and it was not Awkward quiet, but both of them were deep in thought, not able to notice.
"Well, he's stupid for playing you, April I've known we've been through tough times and all and were not as close as we first started this stupid trip, but it don't take me or much to tell you, you are a beautiful, smart girl and can get a dude like this!" Maggie snapped her fingers and April cracked another smile.
"C'mon, we're leaving this place! Have fun and Party!" Maggie shouted out over the loud music that shook the house, she gave herself a head start and jumped out to the bed. Jumping onto the bed she shouted "C'mon, April, Join me!" and so April grinned and threw her suitcase off her bed and stood up on her bed and started to jump, too.
"Yeah! Woohoo! Yay, we're leaving! Yay, we're college cuties! Yay sororities and frat parties and me!" Maggie shouted out as April fell off her bed choking from laughter...
* * *
He wasn't him. His regular, gambling self. He moped, grumbled, sulked all around Ronnie no matter where they went. They barely went to school, mostly stayed in Alexander's office over at the cathedral or at some pub. Where ever they went things just were never the same.
He wasn't the same.
He wanted to be upset over April Wendice, he felt so foolish, and his inanity had triumphed over him. Today would be the day she was leaving and then he'd never see her again.
He didn't think he was ready for that.
It had just turned noon, because he heard the loud bell ring from the cathedral, for him and Ronnie were chatting away, well at least Ronnie was about his hectic date last night at some restaurant.
The last thing Alexander wanted to talk about was girls.
Apparently Ronnie had said something huge, because he looked at Alexander for an expression, whose mind was elsewhere.
"Wow, that's crazy," Alexander said surprised.
"No, it's not it's sad," Ronnie frowned "It's sad that your still all over that girl,"
"You just don't understand," Alexander muttered and looked down.
"It's been two weeks," Ronne said matter-of-factly "I mean, you lost that's it...why are you all over her?"
"Ronnie, I won her, we went out many times, so many amazing times I have gone out with this girl-" Alexander said the fervor burning and flowing through his words.
"Then why'd you-"
"I don't know...I think. I'm starting to think that if I told you she fell for me, and then you'd think I'd like her, I was afraid you'd be right," Alexander said as Ronnie's eyes widened "Too right..."
"Do you?"
"More than you know,"
"So, what's the problem?"
"I told her-"
"About the bet?! Sheesh, Alex! Now she'll never forgive you!"
Ronnie shook his head and paused as he saw Alexander sigh tiredly.
"You're really hung over on this girl?" Ronnie asked him seriously now.
"Yeah," Alexander admitted and looked up sheepishly to smile.
"Then don't give up, Alex. Well, you shouldn't," Ronnie grabbed his hand and they got up.
"Where are we going?" Alexander muttered.
"Not we, you. And to that girl's house, you're going to win her back can't hangout with you, when you all over the place moping and sulking," Ronnie said as Alexander walked on.
"Go get her! Atta boy!" Ronnie shouted at him as Alexander turned around to grin.
* * *
April was sort of having a good time as Maggie and her jumped on there beds and jumped to another bed as the music boomed around and even Mrs. Davidson was seen dancing, just as Sabrina came in.
"Mags, Kev wants to see you," She stood by the doorway to say.
"I think I should take this," Maggie winked at April and jumped off her bed and followed Sabrina out.
April closed the door then to drown the music out from her dancing, she had to focus and finish packing, and she hadn't realized she had brought all this stuff! She was almost done with her wardrobe closet; she picked up her small purple bag and stuffed it into the corner of her suitcase and turned around to close the wardrobe closet when she saw the camera. The camera Alexander managed to tape back.
The camera with them together.
She held it so close to her for several moments as she closed her eyes and dreamed and then opened her eyes widely and grimaced at the thing and shook her head for thinking about him.
Again.
She should act like Maggie at this moment, but what would Maggie do?
She glanced at the window.
"She'd throw it out the window," April said to herself and decided that is what she would do. She ran to the window opened it up wide open and pause to look at it once more and heaved it out the window.
"Ouch!"
"Huh?" April paused there fretfully as Alexander came into view. The butterflies in her stomach had grown now. She hasn't seen him in over two weeks! Now here he was, standing outside her window as they stared openly at each other.
"You look lovely," He said to her softly and it was then that she remembered, but she grinned and gazed deeply into his eyes as he leaned over and so did his fingers over the rail as she slammed the windows hard and he quickly moved his hands away as she turned her back on him.
He sighed staring at her through the closed window that separated them, part of him almost when back, but he was tired of trying to not be humiliated, he didn't care about any of that, but her. So he knocked on the door as of course she ignored, but he kept on. Till finally annoyed she opened it and he pushed her out of the way to get in.
"Get out," She stared him down to say coldly as she pointed at the window.
"We need to talk,"
"Ha! You need to talk to that sick friend of yours and yourself! What kind of gamblers, betters, stakers bet on the girls they can get? Who cares?! That's all men do brag! Brag Brag brag!" April packed her clothes angrily.
"You sound like a parrot," Alexander muttered.
"And you need to leave," April threw at him.
"I'm sorry, forget I said that, please, my love. Can we talk?" He tried to hug her but she backed away from him.
"There is nothing to talk about-" April told him.
"April," Mrs. Davidson's voice was heard and April pushed him into the wardrobe closet and closed the door.
"Yes, Mrs.Davidson?" April replied as she was seen.
"Make sure you have everything packed," The teacher said as the wardrobe shook and Mrs. Davidson paused confused.
"Sorry," April pretended to shake it, and then stopped.
But it shook again and April pounded her fist on it and she sighed.
"Mrs. Davidson, do you mind if I go on a walk?" She asked her teacher.
"Sure, just keep in mind, you have an hour and if you're not here, you'll be in Florence forever," And with that her teacher walked on. Alexander got out of the closet then as April hopped out her window and Alexander followed.
* * *
They went to same park, it was a beautiful day for both of them to be sad, but things aren't as it seems. Sometimes life isn't a fairytale to the particulars.
Particularly them.
"What is it Alex?" She asked him impatiently.
"Don't do that," He shook his head sadly.
"Why shouldn't I? I can to whatever I want and I'm in a rush to go back to America and be away from you," She told him avoiding his eyes as she talk, she was and could be indifferent.
"That hurts," He muttered.
"Good, now you know how it feels, to not be in on your little secret when I bumped into you at the beach, when we first met-"
"Forget about the bet, April, please? Will you?" He said to her with pleading eyes, but she only folded her arms uncomfortably.
"I have a love and it's all that I have and want and need, I don't blame you if you don't feel the same for me, but I can't help the way I feel for you. I didn't see it coming, April, honestly," He took her hand in his as he came closer "I guess that's why I fell so hard, because I was so careless...and it was so easy, why was it so easy?" His warm brown eyes melted into her green ones.
"I don't know," She whispered to him as they dazed into each others eyes.
"It is," He whispered and leaned in for a kiss and she couldn't resist the sweet, passionate kiss, as they stood there, but she had to back away, because her heart was breaking and the tears came and she pushed him back. She couldn't say anything, afraid her voice would break as she stared at him, backing away, and finally she disappeared into the crowd.
She was gone.
PART TWO
SIX MONTHS LATER
April sighed as the crisp autumn November breeze flowed through her. She ran her fingers though her black locks that she combed tiredly in a rush to psychology class early that morning, but now it was high past noon, probably four as April sat there alone at the local Bayridge Park. Here at her college, Bayridge campus. She had an essay due on a huge textbook Mr. Lockhart gave them just yesterday and he said it was due today, so, she'd have to hurry up and do it, so, there she sat, alone. She wishes the library was open on Saturdays here; she'd rather get her homework done there. She looked up and over at the lacrosse's team over on the field. Some of the guys on the benches were eying her. She looked back down and hid her smile.
"Hey, April," A manly voice called and she looked up at a huge smiling jockey.
It was the football team.
"Hey," She waved at them and smiled politely as they walked by her and grimaced as they left, they were so dumb.
"Hey April," Tony came over with a basketball in his hands. One thing that was good was that at least Tony ended up in her college. A whole lot of people did, for the Bayridge High School and college campus were pretty close so, a lot of the old seniors came over here, just like April.
"Sit with me," She invited him with a smile.
"Don't mind if I do," He sat down easily.
"Just here, trying to finish old Mr. Lock's assignment here," She showed him with a frown as he chuckled.
"Going to that fundraiser next Saturday?" He suddenly asked her.
"I love going to those, but I don't know yet really," She shrugged though.
"Maybe we could go together," He said to her.
"Oh, well, um, yeah, I'll try, but I've been very busy lately- I barely have anytime for myself, sorry tony," She excused herself as he nodded with a sigh and waved goodbye. That was close.
She hadn't known why she said no, well in her mind she did, probably she enjoyed being single, enjoyed being lonely with hundreds of books at the library all the time. What a nerd!
I need to go to that fundraiser, she thought.
April suddenly heard two girls talking about her behind her, she could hear them and she knew their faces, they were freshmen also.
"What does he see in her, anyway?" One girl said.
"Well, she is pretty..." the other said.
"Hmpf, ever since I've been in this school a lot of cute guys like her and she never went out once. Who do you think she is?" The same girl went on.
"I don't know, Kelly," the girl replied "But don't go and get jealous,because Tony don't have eyes for you," April could her the tease in the girl's voice as April turned around to look at them as they glared at her. April turned around to hide her smile then.
* * *
"Hey, look at that one,"
"Shut up,"
"Look then,"
"I can't wait to take you back to Florence,"
Ronnie looked up and laughed his heartily laugh.
"Alex, I'm disappointed in you! You have never told me the American women are gorgeous," Ronnie patted his back with a laugh.
"Sorry, but they don't go for pigs, "Alexander said and grinned.
"Apparently they do, since you've been getting a lot of attention," Ronnie pointed at a nearby table, where the girls made kissing faces at him and shouting ridiculous things at him. So immature.
"Not interested," Alexander muttered.
"C'mon, man. I'm trying to hook you up!" Ronnie dug his fingers into Alexander's neck as Alexander impatiently shook his head.
"Will you stop?! Let's just deliver these papers for their assignment; this is the last college we'll have to go to for the day.
Then the project will be done," Alexander's paced grew.
"Fine, what's the next?" Ronnie asked him.
"Uh, Bayridge," Alexander read the card "It's cool we're almost there," He said ignoring the many looks from the girls he was getting.
"Couple of fine ones in back of us," Ronnie muttered to Alex who rolled his eyes. The group of girls picked up their pace and were now in front of Ronnie ad Alexander (who rolled his eyes), one of the girls looked back and winked at Alexander who seemed surprised as the girls were about to enter the building and so were Alexander and Ronnie when one of the girl's wallet dropped out of her back and Alexander had picked it up.
"Miss?" He said to the girl holding out the wallet and she turned around, but not to take the wallet, but to stare.
It was him.
It was her.
"Damn," Ronnie muttered annoyed and April's friends waited (sadly).
"Thank you," She said, but did not take the purse, but just kept on staring, till she embarrassed did "...Hello, Alexander,"
"Hi," He smiled so sweetly at her.
Alexander Troy had looked better than ever. He was no longer a lanky teen, but a tall, wired young man with golden, light brown eyes that was the softest it has been to her, his bronze hair was disheveled and untidy, but it was a good look for him, too good.
This was too much of a great moment to pass up.
"Long time no see," she said as they started to walk together inside, side by side.
"Yes, I believe so," He agreed "It's much of a coincidence,"
"Yes, but I go to school here," She told him with a smile.
"Really?" Alexander said and gave Ronnie the hitch-hike look as even April's girls began to leave.
"Do you?" She asked him, although she knew the answer.
"No, I'm into business, full-time,"
"Yeah, well, it's been awhile," April said, suddenly feeling a joy erupt inside her, it was really great seeing him.
She missed him too much.
"Yes, the last time I saw you was in Firenze," Alexander said to her with an accent.
April laughed "You're so accustomed to there,"
"Yes, those we're good times," Alexander paused as she opened the door to her dorm. It was a comfy place. Jade green place, dark curtains and furniture, Alexander gave her a worried look and wondered if April's been okay with a longing sigh. He still loved her.
"Nice" He complemented it though.
"Thank you," She poured them each a glass of water.
"So, what are you doing in America?" She then asked him as they sat across from each other in the kitchen.
"College,"
"After?"
"Take over the cathedral,"
"Oh, that place was just wonderful," April grinned.
"It was," Alex dazed.
"But you're taking this business thing seriously,"
"I should,"
"So are you going to stay there forever?" April asked him directly
"...yes,"
"Interesting," She looked down.
"What?"
"Well, I figured a boy like you would like to travel,"
"Do you?"
"I would like to,"
"Would you go to Florence if you knew about it?" He asked her.
"I would,"
"Experience what you felt and saw?" He wanted to get somewhere with her, he had to know.
"I would like to,"
"Interesting,"
"Why, Alex?" She asked him then.
"...remember when we had gone out?" He had brought it up.
"Ah,"
"Yes,"
"...well, I think about you sometimes," April admitted quietly.
"So do I," Alex said to her, his eyes resting calmly on the glass.
"Miss those days..." April's eyes were on Alex.
"You're welcome," Alex smiled and met eyes with April's.
"If it wasn't for Ronnie we would have never met,"
"If it wasn't for Ronnie I would have never fallen in love with you,"
"Yes, Alex,"
"Have you found some yet?" He pried.
"No,"
"Nobody asked you?"
"...that's right,"
"Huh,"
"You?"
"...No one,"
"Well, it seems we've got to stop looking for people like each other," April laughed nervously.
"...yes,"
"..."
"Well, I better get going," Alexander got up and April didn't want to. She didn't want him to either.
She did not want this day to end.
But she saw him walk out the door.
Alex couldn't help think, he was letting go again, he walked slowly down the hallway. Thinking, he was letting the love of his life go again, slip away from his fingers and gosh did he felt guilty for many and nights and always will for what Ronnie and him did to that poor girl, it wasn't right for him to love her. It wasn't right for her to love him, but she did. She did. And he wondered if she did...and it couldn't hurt to try to get her back, again. After all she knew her place now and would be here all night if he'd have to, a few months away from her and this, but he stopped then and turned around for he was on the 1st floor and walked back to elevator as it opened and April stepped out, they did not even stared at each other,but hugged each other close, for all the hugs in the world couldn't compare to this one, April gave a sweet kiss on his lips then. A passionate one, one that she hopped would make up all the others. They did not want to let go and did not say anything to each other. Words did not describe how they felt right now. The wet tears tolled down April tears as she snuggled her chin up to Alex's shoulder where they couldn't see each others faces anymore.
For they grinned, in relief.
THE END
Time was out. The volcano exploded. The rocket flew...and April's class was leaving Florence. She felt like crying, so many beautiful romantic memories were spent here and there were a lot of Awful ones too, but she'd give anything just to relieve it again, secretly, even about Alex. Even though things never worked out with them, she'd never loved any man like she did Alexander, in veracity. And now they were leaving, she looked out her window once more and felt her heart beat wistfully. At least she managed to work things out with Maggie the day of their second fight, they said their apologies, kept their space and were able to still be able to be roommates. April even admitted to saying it was her that placed the gum in her mouth and was glad Maggie wasn't as mad as expected, because April felt she had been equally scarred. When Alexander played her.
She began to pack her bags again for they had only a few hours before the buses would be here to drive them to the airport. April thought she be glad that she was leaving Florence, but she did felt gloomy. Florence too her was now wonderful and home, even after a month.
"Woohoo! Yeah! Let's get these people on the road!" Maggie jumped into the room from the dancing crowd in the hallway.
They were celebrating.
She started to fist pump into the air crazily as April only cracked a smile.
"What's the matter with you, aren't you happy? We're leaving! Yeah! Woo!" Maggie kicked her foot high in the air and cheered, April shook her head.
Maggie raised an eyebrow" You of all people?"
April looked up at her and Maggie paused.
"Oh, I see the problem, it's that boy again, Alexander Troy," Maggie said quietly and it was not Awkward quiet, but both of them were deep in thought, not able to notice.
"Well, he's stupid for playing you, April I've known we've been through tough times and all and were not as close as we first started this stupid trip, but it don't take me or much to tell you, you are a beautiful, smart girl and can get a dude like this!" Maggie snapped her fingers and April cracked another smile.
"C'mon, we're leaving this place! Have fun and Party!" Maggie shouted out over the loud music that shook the house, she gave herself a head start and jumped out to the bed. Jumping onto the bed she shouted "C'mon, April, Join me!" and so April grinned and threw her suitcase off her bed and stood up on her bed and started to jump, too.
"Yeah! Woohoo! Yay, we're leaving! Yay, we're college cuties! Yay sororities and frat parties and me!" Maggie shouted out as April fell off her bed choking from laughter...
* * *
He wasn't him. His regular, gambling self. He moped, grumbled, sulked all around Ronnie no matter where they went. They barely went to school, mostly stayed in Alexander's office over at the cathedral or at some pub. Where ever they went things just were never the same.
He wasn't the same.
He wanted to be upset over April Wendice, he felt so foolish, and his inanity had triumphed over him. Today would be the day she was leaving and then he'd never see her again.
He didn't think he was ready for that.
It had just turned noon, because he heard the loud bell ring from the cathedral, for him and Ronnie were chatting away, well at least Ronnie was about his hectic date last night at some restaurant.
The last thing Alexander wanted to talk about was girls.
Apparently Ronnie had said something huge, because he looked at Alexander for an expression, whose mind was elsewhere.
"Wow, that's crazy," Alexander said surprised.
"No, it's not it's sad," Ronnie frowned "It's sad that your still all over that girl,"
"You just don't understand," Alexander muttered and looked down.
"It's been two weeks," Ronne said matter-of-factly "I mean, you lost that's it...why are you all over her?"
"Ronnie, I won her, we went out many times, so many amazing times I have gone out with this girl-" Alexander said the fervor burning and flowing through his words.
"Then why'd you-"
"I don't know...I think. I'm starting to think that if I told you she fell for me, and then you'd think I'd like her, I was afraid you'd be right," Alexander said as Ronnie's eyes widened "Too right..."
"Do you?"
"More than you know,"
"So, what's the problem?"
"I told her-"
"About the bet?! Sheesh, Alex! Now she'll never forgive you!"
Ronnie shook his head and paused as he saw Alexander sigh tiredly.
"You're really hung over on this girl?" Ronnie asked him seriously now.
"Yeah," Alexander admitted and looked up sheepishly to smile.
"Then don't give up, Alex. Well, you shouldn't," Ronnie grabbed his hand and they got up.
"Where are we going?" Alexander muttered.
"Not we, you. And to that girl's house, you're going to win her back can't hangout with you, when you all over the place moping and sulking," Ronnie said as Alexander walked on.
"Go get her! Atta boy!" Ronnie shouted at him as Alexander turned around to grin.
* * *
April was sort of having a good time as Maggie and her jumped on there beds and jumped to another bed as the music boomed around and even Mrs. Davidson was seen dancing, just as Sabrina came in.
"Mags, Kev wants to see you," She stood by the doorway to say.
"I think I should take this," Maggie winked at April and jumped off her bed and followed Sabrina out.
April closed the door then to drown the music out from her dancing, she had to focus and finish packing, and she hadn't realized she had brought all this stuff! She was almost done with her wardrobe closet; she picked up her small purple bag and stuffed it into the corner of her suitcase and turned around to close the wardrobe closet when she saw the camera. The camera Alexander managed to tape back.
The camera with them together.
She held it so close to her for several moments as she closed her eyes and dreamed and then opened her eyes widely and grimaced at the thing and shook her head for thinking about him.
Again.
She should act like Maggie at this moment, but what would Maggie do?
She glanced at the window.
"She'd throw it out the window," April said to herself and decided that is what she would do. She ran to the window opened it up wide open and pause to look at it once more and heaved it out the window.
"Ouch!"
"Huh?" April paused there fretfully as Alexander came into view. The butterflies in her stomach had grown now. She hasn't seen him in over two weeks! Now here he was, standing outside her window as they stared openly at each other.
"You look lovely," He said to her softly and it was then that she remembered, but she grinned and gazed deeply into his eyes as he leaned over and so did his fingers over the rail as she slammed the windows hard and he quickly moved his hands away as she turned her back on him.
He sighed staring at her through the closed window that separated them, part of him almost when back, but he was tired of trying to not be humiliated, he didn't care about any of that, but her. So he knocked on the door as of course she ignored, but he kept on. Till finally annoyed she opened it and he pushed her out of the way to get in.
"Get out," She stared him down to say coldly as she pointed at the window.
"We need to talk,"
"Ha! You need to talk to that sick friend of yours and yourself! What kind of gamblers, betters, stakers bet on the girls they can get? Who cares?! That's all men do brag! Brag Brag brag!" April packed her clothes angrily.
"You sound like a parrot," Alexander muttered.
"And you need to leave," April threw at him.
"I'm sorry, forget I said that, please, my love. Can we talk?" He tried to hug her but she backed away from him.
"There is nothing to talk about-" April told him.
"April," Mrs. Davidson's voice was heard and April pushed him into the wardrobe closet and closed the door.
"Yes, Mrs.Davidson?" April replied as she was seen.
"Make sure you have everything packed," The teacher said as the wardrobe shook and Mrs. Davidson paused confused.
"Sorry," April pretended to shake it, and then stopped.
But it shook again and April pounded her fist on it and she sighed.
"Mrs. Davidson, do you mind if I go on a walk?" She asked her teacher.
"Sure, just keep in mind, you have an hour and if you're not here, you'll be in Florence forever," And with that her teacher walked on. Alexander got out of the closet then as April hopped out her window and Alexander followed.
* * *
They went to same park, it was a beautiful day for both of them to be sad, but things aren't as it seems. Sometimes life isn't a fairytale to the particulars.
Particularly them.
"What is it Alex?" She asked him impatiently.
"Don't do that," He shook his head sadly.
"Why shouldn't I? I can to whatever I want and I'm in a rush to go back to America and be away from you," She told him avoiding his eyes as she talk, she was and could be indifferent.
"That hurts," He muttered.
"Good, now you know how it feels, to not be in on your little secret when I bumped into you at the beach, when we first met-"
"Forget about the bet, April, please? Will you?" He said to her with pleading eyes, but she only folded her arms uncomfortably.
"I have a love and it's all that I have and want and need, I don't blame you if you don't feel the same for me, but I can't help the way I feel for you. I didn't see it coming, April, honestly," He took her hand in his as he came closer "I guess that's why I fell so hard, because I was so careless...and it was so easy, why was it so easy?" His warm brown eyes melted into her green ones.
"I don't know," She whispered to him as they dazed into each others eyes.
"It is," He whispered and leaned in for a kiss and she couldn't resist the sweet, passionate kiss, as they stood there, but she had to back away, because her heart was breaking and the tears came and she pushed him back. She couldn't say anything, afraid her voice would break as she stared at him, backing away, and finally she disappeared into the crowd.
She was gone.
PART TWO
SIX MONTHS LATER
April sighed as the crisp autumn November breeze flowed through her. She ran her fingers though her black locks that she combed tiredly in a rush to psychology class early that morning, but now it was high past noon, probably four as April sat there alone at the local Bayridge Park. Here at her college, Bayridge campus. She had an essay due on a huge textbook Mr. Lockhart gave them just yesterday and he said it was due today, so, she'd have to hurry up and do it, so, there she sat, alone. She wishes the library was open on Saturdays here; she'd rather get her homework done there. She looked up and over at the lacrosse's team over on the field. Some of the guys on the benches were eying her. She looked back down and hid her smile.
"Hey, April," A manly voice called and she looked up at a huge smiling jockey.
It was the football team.
"Hey," She waved at them and smiled politely as they walked by her and grimaced as they left, they were so dumb.
"Hey April," Tony came over with a basketball in his hands. One thing that was good was that at least Tony ended up in her college. A whole lot of people did, for the Bayridge High School and college campus were pretty close so, a lot of the old seniors came over here, just like April.
"Sit with me," She invited him with a smile.
"Don't mind if I do," He sat down easily.
"Just here, trying to finish old Mr. Lock's assignment here," She showed him with a frown as he chuckled.
"Going to that fundraiser next Saturday?" He suddenly asked her.
"I love going to those, but I don't know yet really," She shrugged though.
"Maybe we could go together," He said to her.
"Oh, well, um, yeah, I'll try, but I've been very busy lately- I barely have anytime for myself, sorry tony," She excused herself as he nodded with a sigh and waved goodbye. That was close.
She hadn't known why she said no, well in her mind she did, probably she enjoyed being single, enjoyed being lonely with hundreds of books at the library all the time. What a nerd!
I need to go to that fundraiser, she thought.
April suddenly heard two girls talking about her behind her, she could hear them and she knew their faces, they were freshmen also.
"What does he see in her, anyway?" One girl said.
"Well, she is pretty..." the other said.
"Hmpf, ever since I've been in this school a lot of cute guys like her and she never went out once. Who do you think she is?" The same girl went on.
"I don't know, Kelly," the girl replied "But don't go and get jealous,because Tony don't have eyes for you," April could her the tease in the girl's voice as April turned around to look at them as they glared at her. April turned around to hide her smile then.
* * *
"Hey, look at that one,"
"Shut up,"
"Look then,"
"I can't wait to take you back to Florence,"
Ronnie looked up and laughed his heartily laugh.
"Alex, I'm disappointed in you! You have never told me the American women are gorgeous," Ronnie patted his back with a laugh.
"Sorry, but they don't go for pigs, "Alexander said and grinned.
"Apparently they do, since you've been getting a lot of attention," Ronnie pointed at a nearby table, where the girls made kissing faces at him and shouting ridiculous things at him. So immature.
"Not interested," Alexander muttered.
"C'mon, man. I'm trying to hook you up!" Ronnie dug his fingers into Alexander's neck as Alexander impatiently shook his head.
"Will you stop?! Let's just deliver these papers for their assignment; this is the last college we'll have to go to for the day.
Then the project will be done," Alexander's paced grew.
"Fine, what's the next?" Ronnie asked him.
"Uh, Bayridge," Alexander read the card "It's cool we're almost there," He said ignoring the many looks from the girls he was getting.
"Couple of fine ones in back of us," Ronnie muttered to Alex who rolled his eyes. The group of girls picked up their pace and were now in front of Ronnie ad Alexander (who rolled his eyes), one of the girls looked back and winked at Alexander who seemed surprised as the girls were about to enter the building and so were Alexander and Ronnie when one of the girl's wallet dropped out of her back and Alexander had picked it up.
"Miss?" He said to the girl holding out the wallet and she turned around, but not to take the wallet, but to stare.
It was him.
It was her.
"Damn," Ronnie muttered annoyed and April's friends waited (sadly).
"Thank you," She said, but did not take the purse, but just kept on staring, till she embarrassed did "...Hello, Alexander,"
"Hi," He smiled so sweetly at her.
Alexander Troy had looked better than ever. He was no longer a lanky teen, but a tall, wired young man with golden, light brown eyes that was the softest it has been to her, his bronze hair was disheveled and untidy, but it was a good look for him, too good.
This was too much of a great moment to pass up.
"Long time no see," she said as they started to walk together inside, side by side.
"Yes, I believe so," He agreed "It's much of a coincidence,"
"Yes, but I go to school here," She told him with a smile.
"Really?" Alexander said and gave Ronnie the hitch-hike look as even April's girls began to leave.
"Do you?" She asked him, although she knew the answer.
"No, I'm into business, full-time,"
"Yeah, well, it's been awhile," April said, suddenly feeling a joy erupt inside her, it was really great seeing him.
She missed him too much.
"Yes, the last time I saw you was in Firenze," Alexander said to her with an accent.
April laughed "You're so accustomed to there,"
"Yes, those we're good times," Alexander paused as she opened the door to her dorm. It was a comfy place. Jade green place, dark curtains and furniture, Alexander gave her a worried look and wondered if April's been okay with a longing sigh. He still loved her.
"Nice" He complemented it though.
"Thank you," She poured them each a glass of water.
"So, what are you doing in America?" She then asked him as they sat across from each other in the kitchen.
"College,"
"After?"
"Take over the cathedral,"
"Oh, that place was just wonderful," April grinned.
"It was," Alex dazed.
"But you're taking this business thing seriously,"
"I should,"
"So are you going to stay there forever?" April asked him directly
"...yes,"
"Interesting," She looked down.
"What?"
"Well, I figured a boy like you would like to travel,"
"Do you?"
"I would like to,"
"Would you go to Florence if you knew about it?" He asked her.
"I would,"
"Experience what you felt and saw?" He wanted to get somewhere with her, he had to know.
"I would like to,"
"Interesting,"
"Why, Alex?" She asked him then.
"...remember when we had gone out?" He had brought it up.
"Ah,"
"Yes,"
"...well, I think about you sometimes," April admitted quietly.
"So do I," Alex said to her, his eyes resting calmly on the glass.
"Miss those days..." April's eyes were on Alex.
"You're welcome," Alex smiled and met eyes with April's.
"If it wasn't for Ronnie we would have never met,"
"If it wasn't for Ronnie I would have never fallen in love with you,"
"Yes, Alex,"
"Have you found some yet?" He pried.
"No,"
"Nobody asked you?"
"...that's right,"
"Huh,"
"You?"
"...No one,"
"Well, it seems we've got to stop looking for people like each other," April laughed nervously.
"...yes,"
"..."
"Well, I better get going," Alexander got up and April didn't want to. She didn't want him to either.
She did not want this day to end.
But she saw him walk out the door.
Alex couldn't help think, he was letting go again, he walked slowly down the hallway. Thinking, he was letting the love of his life go again, slip away from his fingers and gosh did he felt guilty for many and nights and always will for what Ronnie and him did to that poor girl, it wasn't right for him to love her. It wasn't right for her to love him, but she did. She did. And he wondered if she did...and it couldn't hurt to try to get her back, again. After all she knew her place now and would be here all night if he'd have to, a few months away from her and this, but he stopped then and turned around for he was on the 1st floor and walked back to elevator as it opened and April stepped out, they did not even stared at each other,but hugged each other close, for all the hugs in the world couldn't compare to this one, April gave a sweet kiss on his lips then. A passionate one, one that she hopped would make up all the others. They did not want to let go and did not say anything to each other. Words did not describe how they felt right now. The wet tears tolled down April tears as she snuggled her chin up to Alex's shoulder where they couldn't see each others faces anymore.
For they grinned, in relief.
THE END
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