Random Tidbits

When In Rome

“When in rome, do as romans do. Or something like that.”, Xavier said, smiling at me. I smiled back before snapping a picture of the Colosseum. “That is definitely going in the scrapbook.”, I muttered, looking at the majestic building on the screen of my camera. It was a shame that I had to settle for a picture of it instead of the real thing, but hey. You can’t steal the Colosseum.

        I think. I turned back to Xavier. He held his hand out. I placed my hand inside of it, the warmth infectious to my cheeks. “Are you blushing Ellie?”, he asked, knowing full well that I was. “God, I hate you sometimes.”, I informed him. He showed me his crooked grin. We had met on the plane going to Italy. We had ended up sitting together and, luckily, he had asked me my name. I had rolled my eyes at him, planning to ignore him the whole time. We had talked and talked.

        About everything. I think he knew more about me than most of my friends back home. He knew things that ranged from my favorite food (which is, ironically, spaghetti) to things like my stance on gay marriage (which I am strongly pro) to things like my deepest darkest secrets. He was a man of culture, a man with dignity, the man of my dreams.

        Okay, well the man of half my dreams. The other half is occupied with Tom Hiddleston and David Beckham. Flying to Italy was not something my parents approved of, but it didn’t matter. What mattered was that I wanted to, and fortunately, I met a wonderful man on the way. 

*Flashback*

“How are you liking the airline?”, he asked. It was clear by the look on his face that he had run out of questions.

I laughed at his question. “That’s kind of desperate, isn’t it?”, I asked jokingly. I nudged his arm playfully with my own.

God, he’s almost as nervous as me. I guess I’ll humor him. 

He smiled at me. “So, what would you like to talk about then?”, he asked expectantly.

Immediately I blurted out, “Have you ever heard of the band No Doubt?”

To my surprise his eyes lit up. “Yes. They’re my favorite. It’s too bad Gwen decided to split it up and become the Justin.”, he said.

My brow furrowed. “Become the Justin?”, I asked, confused.

He rolled his eyes skillfully, the gorgeous irises tossing like the sea on a stormy night. “You know. Justin Timberlake? He left N’ Sync and became ever so famous.”

I giggled girlishly. 

*End Flashback*

I smiled at the thought. We had only had a few hours on the plane, but once we landed he asked me for my number. I gave it to him, with the premise that he would actually call. Which he did. After he left my hotel room. 

*Another Flashback*

I reached for my plain black suitcase at the baggage claim. To my surprise, an arm reached over me and claimed it.

“That’s mine!”, I shouted, turning to hit the baggage thief. He narrowly dodged my arm.

“I know! That’s why I have it.”, Xavier claimed, holding his own belongings with mine.

“Whatever.”, I stated strolling away. I heard footsteps behind me. “Would you like to give me my luggage or are you going to follow me to my hotel?”, I asked him.

“Second one. What kind of a gentleman makes a lady carry their luggage themselves?”, he asked.

I pointed to a couple where the man had one wheeled suitcase and his wife was carrying three gigantic bags.

Xavier visibly cringed. “Chivalry is dead.”, he stated, holding the door open for me. “Mi’ lady.”, he said, trying and failing to achieve a British accent.

I giggled at his silliness. “Thank you, sir.”, I said watching as he followed me outside. The hotel was just a couple blocks from the airport so, we walked. 

We were in comfortable silence until we reached the hotel. Xavier fidgeted for a bit. “So, um. You should, um. Um...”

I smiled. “You still need to take the bags upstairs. I couldn’t carry them all by myself.”, I said shyly, hoping I wasn’t coming on too strong or appearing cheap/easy.

He smiled and nodded. Approaching the desk, I checked in. He handed me a room key that was for level 5. 

The elevator was classy. Xavier and I rode, just staring at each other. The air became thick and saturated with something I couldn’t distinguish.

The doors opened after what seemed like two years. We reached my room and I fumbled with the door key, increasingly aware of his presence behind me. 

It finally clicked open. It all happened so fast. The clatter of bags could be heard, his lips were on mine and the door was closed by someone.

His hands dug into my hips and he whispered 8 words into my ear. “What am I going to do with you?”

I answered for him. “Everything.”

*End Flashback*