Chapter 3 BLUE EYES

CHAPTER 3: BLUE EYES

On Monday evening, I walked out of the university premises in the direction of the diner. It was my first shift and I left the dormitory an hour earlier as I intended to make a good first impression.

I looked around the campus and sighed. I was becoming familiar with the countless buildings interconnected by winding paths and lush gardens. When I first set foot in Pavia, I soon realized that finding my way around would be a challenge. Despite having a map, I spent hours getting lost and wandering through unfamiliar corridors, occasionally asking friendly students for directions. Now, I have found solace in the beauty of the campus. Each corner seemed to hold a discovery.

When I found a hidden courtyard and the location of a breathtaking view of the city’s skyline, I thought about Matteo. He would have loved to get a tour of the campus and we could find new places together. The thought of exploring the premises with my brother excited me at first, then the odds of that happening which was nearly nonexistent saddened me. I repressed the nostalgia I felt for my family and focused on getting to the diner.

As I strolled through the vibrant city of Milan marveling at the bustling markets, savoring the aroma of street food that saturated the atmosphere, and admiring the historic palaces, I could not help the feeling that this metropolis would soon become my playground, a place where I could lose myself in the vibrant tapestry of its culture.

I walked through the doors of the bustling diner, my heart pounding with a mix of nervousness and excitement. The warm atmosphere of the quaint enterprise enveloped me and I instantly felt at ease. My eyes roamed throughout the room, searching for a familiar face then I saw a man wave from across the counter. Next to him stood Signora Moretti, smiling.

“Hi, Elsa. You're early.” She said when I had walked up to them. “This is my son. Leonardo,” She added and gestured towards the young man standing next to her. He stretched out his hand for a handshake and I obliged.

“Hi. I've heard a lot about you Elsa. Welcome," Leonardo beamed.

“Only good things I hope,” I said smiling as mother and son chuckled in response.

“Certainly,” He replied, still holding onto my palm which had started to make me uncomfortable. I considered pulling away but quickly decided against it as it might seem disrespectful. I forced a smile onto my face, studying his features as he introduced himself, wishing away my discomfort when he began to draw circles in the middle of my palm with his thumb. “....I manage the diner but Mamma likes to be around and keep an eye on things.”

“I cook some of the meals too,” Signora Moretti said. “My Risotto alla Milanese and Osso buco are rumored to be the best in the area," She added, beaming.

“That's lovely. I love Risotto alla Milanese. My mom always made Panettone for my brother and I even when it wasn't Christmas day. Absolutely delicious, I can't wait to taste your meals Signora.” I replied excitedly.

“And I can't wait to show you around. Come with me," She said

I exhaled silently as I withdrew my palm from Leonardo’s grasp and followed her past the kitchen into the area assigned for the staff, grateful to have my hand back. I donned the crisp uniform she provided and stepped out of the dressing room.

She took one look at me and clapped excitedly. “Marvelous. It's your size, I was worried it wouldn't be. You'll fit right in. Come along, watch, and learn," She said and strode towards the dining area.

I eagerly stepped onto the bustling floor taking in the environment as she took me on a tour of the diner, pointing out the different sections and explaining my responsibilities.

The place was abuzz with activity— waiters hustling between tables, cooks preparing orders in the kitchen, and customers chatting and enjoying their meals. It felt like a world of its own. The sound of chatter and clinking cutlery filled the air as we approached a table. With a smile on her face, she greeted the customers and took their orders. When we had gotten to the fifth table, I had learned how to take orders and she gave me a chance to take my first order smiling and nodding approvingly.

Days turned into weeks, each one filled with a whirlwind of activities. From attending classes and participating in academic activities during the day to taking orders and serving food to engaging in conversations with customers at night. The diner became a second home, a sanctuary where I found solace. I relished the interactions and connections I had made as I became an integral part of the diner's team. I had formed connections with some co-workers, learning from their experiences, and sharing stories of my own while ignoring the lewd stares Leonardo seemed to give me every chance he got. The customers, too, became familiar faces, and I found satisfaction in brightening their evenings with my service.

As I walked home from the diner an hour before dawn, the neon lights of Milan illuminated my path and I couldn't help but marvel at how far I had come. Studying at the university and working at the diner had given me a sense of purpose and belonging in this bustling city. Juggling my studies and work proved to be a challenge initially as late-night shifts at the diner sometimes left me weary and sleep-deprived, but I knew that my dreams were worth the sacrifices. I developed a meticulous routine that enabled me to master the art of time management as I was determined to excel academically while honing my skills at the diner but there was one aspect of my new life that I was still trying to navigate— my roommate, Serena.

Serena came from a wealthy background and lived a flashy lifestyle that was a stark contrast to my own humble upbringing. I soon learned through the student gossip grapevine that she was one of the popular girls in school. She drove a fancy car, wore designer clothes, and seemed to effortlessly attract attention wherever she went. At first, I was intimidated by her opulent lifestyle, unsure if we would ever find common ground.

However, I gave up on the thought seeing as we had never met nor had any conversation and the end of the semester drew near. To me, she was a kaleidoscope of contradictions, an enchanting enigma that both perplexed and fascinated me. As I made my way through the campus towards my dormitory, I was delighted that it was a Saturday morning. It meant no classes for me and I could sleep in for as long as I needed to. When I got to my room, I inserted my key into the lock, pushed the door open, stepped into the room and turned on the lights in my corner which barely lit up the room.

As I dropped my tote bag on my reading table, I noticed a silhouette of a person seated on Serena’s bed out of the corner of my eye. When I turned fully to catch a proper glimpse of what it was, bright blue eyes stared back at me. Shocked, I opened my mouth to scream but the person jumped off the bed, took three quick strides towards me and placed their palm over my mouth.

“Don’t scream, you'll wake up the entire wing for nothing. It's me. Serena.” Her voice was silky, it had a soothing effect on me. “I'm going to move my hand away now, do you promise not to scream?” She asked.

I nodded in affirmation.

She took her palm away from my face, walked towards the wall and flicked the light switch, illuminating the room. I could see her clearly now. Her caramel skin glistened in the light as her long blond locs tumbled onto her shoulder. The diamonds in her necklace twinkled as the blue Jersey of the Pavia basketball team she donned outlined her blue eyes which seemed to draw me in. She had an athletic physique, her aura intimidating yet welcoming. She looked so beautiful, and this made me feel somewhat insecure.

“No. They're not contacts.” She said, her eyes twinkled as a smile danced at the corners of her lips.

“What?” I asked, puzzled.

“My eyes. They're real.”

“Oh. I didn't ask.” I replied awkwardly.

“But you thought about it, right? Most people do when they see me.” She retorted and smiled.

I nodded and sat on my bed as she walked towards her bed and sat down. “Yes. I thought about it but I also thought it would be rude to ask,” I responded and she chuckled in response.

“You’re . . .You’re on the basketball team?” I added after a moment of awkward silence.

“Yes I’m on the women's basketball team. Do you play any sports?”

“I barely have time to breathe with everything I'm juggling, I wouldn't be able to fit that into my schedule as well.”

“Aw. That's sad but I—”

“Understand it? I doubt that.” I said chuckling. She smiled sadly and pouted.

“Look,” she said. “I, we've never had a conversation before and I thought it would be nice to get to know each other seeing we share a room together.”

“That would be great. I had gotten used to being alone here most of the time but it’d be wonderful to get to know you,” I said and watched as a smile spread across her face as she nodded approvingly.

As we conversed, I realized that there was more to Serena than what meets the eye. Beneath her glamorous exterior, she was kind-hearted, down-to-earth, and genuinely interested in getting to know me. She possessed an insatiable thirst for life, an unyielding spirit that craved adventure and connection. We quickly discovered common interests and shared a genuine enthusiasm for our studies. I admired Serena's unwavering determination and her ability to effortlessly navigate the social scene, this was something that I had always struggled with.

However, as the days turned into weeks, I realized that living with Serena came with its own set of challenges. Her extravagant lifestyle clashed with my frugality. The constant stream of expensive purchases and lavish outings made me feel inadequate and out of place. While my limited budget forced me to prioritize my expenses, opting for affordable meals and thrift-store finds, she indulged in extravagant shopping sprees and luxurious dinners, often extending invitations to me. While I was appreciative of her generosity, I couldn't shake off the feeling of being a burden or intruding on her world of luxury and we had a conversation about it. To my surprise, she was empathetic and understanding. She acknowledged the stark differences in our financial situations and reassured me that our friendship was not contingent on material possessions. She suggested alternative activities which were more inclusive and aligned with my budget. When we didn't have our noses stuck in books or busy with activities in school and at work, we explored local parks, visited free art exhibitions, and even cooked meals together in our dorm room, creating a comfortable and welcoming space.