Nine

   “You’ve really got a big appetite Annalia, I mean you really eat a lot”. Levi tells me as we walk out the pizzariea after eating to our fill. The boys are still chatting about their upcoming basketball games. “Well you really didn't expect me to sit there and watch you guys wolf down that pizza while I don't get anything”. I look at him with my eyebrow raised. “You really know how to give the worst compliments Levi”. Matteo says. “Yeah, at this rate you'll never get a girlfriend”. Adrian shakes his head.I turn my head to them, I didn't know that they were listening to our conversation. “You guys should quit picking on him. He is being truthful, I do eat a lot”. I cover up for Levi when I understand what their statement means. “Bleh, we know but if he had said this to another girl who isn't you, she would have felt really offended, kind of”. Adrian is right not many people like being told that they eat a lot but it really doesn't matter, I mean it is a good thing. “He is right you know, some people would have taken offense but then again I'm really glad you didn't”. Levi voices out my thoughts.I smile at him as he scratches the back of his head. “Bleh”, I use the word that Adrian used earlier. ”I still like your compliments though, they are really sincere”. I turn to the boys “So you guys would prefer to give a girl false compliments than sincere ones”.Micheal whistles and looks away. “Nope Lia that isn't what we mean, he could have actually said something like ‘damn girl you do eat like a baby dragon’ or something like that”. Matteo says and I gasp.The boys laugh as Adrian says “I would prefer Levi's compliment”.Matteo smirks “Well forgive me for using your line Lord Adrian”.I am really wheezing right now. “That was one time”. Adrian says as he tries to hide his laughter. “I really want to hear about that one time”. I say as I try to adjust myself.I actually moved few feet away from them while I was laughing. “Of course, I would be glad to fill you in on it sometime”. Adrian lightly punches Matteo as the words come out from his mouth. “Yeah sometime. Well I need to get going soon, Andrea has called me a few times”. “Oh it's okay, send my kisses to her”. Adrian says and blows me a kiss. I laugh as I pretend to catch it. “I really need to know who Andrea is”. “Shut up Adonis”. Adrian playfully snaps at him. “Alright, we will see you again right Annalia?”. Levi asks me. “Sure, of course you will”. I turn to Adonis “And you'll definitely meet Andrea then”.He nods and smiles at me. “Goodnight Annalia”. “Good night”. I reply and start to walk home. “Wait Lia”. Matteo calls and I stop and turn to them. “You guys should get going, I'll catch up with you later”. Matteo tells the boys.I am about to protest but I don't. Maybe I could use some company on my walk home but then I really don't walk him to walk back alone. So I speak up. “Listen Matteo you don't have to, I mean my place isn't too far from here I can walk alone”. “Nah, it's okay Lia I don't mind, or you don't want me to walk you home?”. He asks, I see Adrian laugh and I know that the battle has been lost. “Fine Matty, let's go”. He laughs but still follows me.We say our goodbyes and go our different parts.

We walk in silence, our footsteps and breaths are the only sounds that are heard.The night is really chilly —funny how I didn't notice it before— and I instantly regret not bringing out a sweater. I look at Matteo and see that he isn't wearing his jacket, it's still in his hands. The jacket looks really comfy so I swallow and ask, “Uhm, if it's okay with you please can I borrow your jacket”.He turns to me and nods his head. “Sure you can”. I take the jacket from his outstretched hands. “Thank you”.I put the jacket on and inhale his colonge and some other scent on it.Carrots. “I love how you smell like carrots”. I say and immediately I wish I could take that back.He looks at me startled but then gives a hearty laugh. “I‘m glad you like the scent, I don't even like it at all”. I am confused, if he doesn't like the smell then why does he use what brings about the scent. “Why?”. “Well, that carrot scent is as a result of Mariquita‘s soap, it was a dare given to me by Adrian”.I shake my head. “You boys do crazy things”.He laughs. “Of course we do and since you like the smell Lia I think that I would continue to use that soap”.A blush creeps up my face and I'm really grateful for the dark night, I start to smile but then I stop, my brain reminding me that I have got to tell him something.I take a deep breath. “I need to ask you something Matteo”. I say as we continue to walk to my place. “Sure, go ahead”. “Can you please stop calling me Lia?”.He looks at me quite shocked. “Uh, why is that?”. He asks his own question and I sigh looking for a way to make the situation lighter. “Well that name brings back a bad memory and most at times I really find it hard to shake it off”. He looks at me and is about to say something but I continue. “Don‘t get me wrong, I really like the name sounds when you say it, with your fine Mexican accent but then I can't help the bad memory that comes with it”. I finish and slightly lower my head as I await his reply. “I wouldn't ask you the reason for the memory and I won't stop calling you Lia”. His reply shocks me. I immediately snap my head up. “Wait what?”. “Dont get me wrong Lia, I know how hard it is to get rid of bad memories and it's quite hard to stop them from coming too, but they can always be replaced even if not instantly but gradually. I mean create new and good memories with the name Lia and try your best to let go of the bad one”.He gives me a cheeky smile, I get his point right now. There are sincere words in his statement.He moves a bit closer to me and puts his hand around my shoulder. “You said you like the way the name 'Lia' sounds on my lips right?". He asks and I nod my head trying to get what he is saying. “Well then, any time you hear the name Lia why don't you think of my handsome face with my smooth, fine Mexican accent and my beautiful deep voice”. He wiggles his brows. “Huh, how does that sound”. I let out a laugh and slightly hit him. “Don't get too cocky Matty”. I say but I don't mean it. He wasn't being cocky, he is just stating pure facts but I wouldn't tell him that.

His hands are still on my shoulder when we get to the building I live in. “And we are here”. I say as he lets go of my shoulder, I instantly miss his warmth. “Yeah we are”. He puts his hands into his pockets and looks up to the starless sky. “Want to come in?”. “Nah, maybe some other time, it's pretty late now and I've got to rush home”.I nod my head in understanding. “Yeah maybe some other time”. I say. “Well Lia”. This time around there is a smile on my face when he calls me that. “this is where we say our goodbyes”. I nod my head and turn to go into the gates but he grabs my wrist, stopping me. “Give Andy a kiss for me”. He says and I wait for him to blow a kiss but he doesn't. Instead he leans in and gives me a light kiss on my cheek. His lets it linger there for some seconds before he removes it. My heart beats faster and blood rushes to my face.He gives me one of his beautiful smiles and I return it. I might be standing in front of him composed but on the inside I am having a melt down. “I will definitely give her your kiss”. I say and giggle.He laughs with me and hugs me. “Goodnight Lia" “Goodnight Matteo”.

As I climb the stairs that leads up to my apartment my mind goes back to the kiss on my cheek earlier, so what if I'm acting like a love struck puppy I can't help it, it is really cute.I get to my floor and walk to my door. I knock a few times on the door but no response.I get my keys from my duffel bag and use it to open the door. God bless Andrea for reminding me.I go into the house and straight to Andrea's room which is exactly where she is. She is sprawled on her bed with her blanket halfway through her body and is sleeping peacefully, I go over to her and tuck her in properly and when I'm done I stroke her hair softly. “Goodnight”. I say as she adjusts properly and walk out of the room. I perform my normal nightly routines as I prepare for bed.                       

I sigh as I lay on my bed. I forgot to return Matteos‘ jacket.