It's a Love Story

"One he carried around with him as a child. The same one I was going to give you," he admitted. "But if you don't want a plush animal with my brother's spirit residing in it, I suppose I will keep him."

She looked up at him and sighed. "I just go over Pavo being gone... I don't don't if I can do it again..."

He nodded in understanding and got up, offering her his hand. "Let us go relax on the hammock," he suggested. "Perfect day for it."

She nodded, taking his hand and standing. She kept her hand in his as they walked. "I don't know if Roman schools work the same as American schools, but, my sister is gradtuated. Are you?" she asked.

He nodded. "I am," he told her. "I finished my schooling here." He sat down on the hammock and left plenty of room for her to sit with him.

She sat next to him. "So, what are you going to do now?" she asked.

"I'm not sure... I know I will still travel and keep learning about other cultures," he said, laying back so he was laying sideways on the hammock. "I never knew what I would do with my life. I still don't know."

"I think I want to write." she said, laying back also so it was more comfortable. "But I haven't written much since Pavo died."

"Pavo said he was excited to read your writings. Did he get to read some," he asked curiously, gently. He'd talked to Pavo right before he'd gone over to their house to take Roman out to the river.

She nodded, staring up at the clouds. "He said he loved it." she said softly.

"I'm glad he got to read some," he said quietly. "He's always loved every kind of art. He said you could see and hear what the essence was in someones soul based upon their artwork. He encouraged everyone to express themselves in any way they could. He was very loved," he said, cursing himself for letting his voice start to shake. He wiped his watery eyes and looked up at the sky.

Roman let out a shakey sigh. "He said I should publish them..."

He offered her his hand for comfort, just to hold while they laid there. "He also pushed a bit much," he let out a chuckle. "He used to tell me that I should paint every billboard in Rome."

She chuckled, holding his hand and feeling better as she did. "You're an artist?" she asked, turning her head to look at him. She needed to change the subject off Pavo and this was the perfect opening.

He winced. "Used to be. I... uhm... I used to be a bad kid. Stealing and breaking windows, spray-painting graffiti all over." Only his family and locals knew about his bad past. He'd been the black sheep.

"I like the look of tagged art though. Like, the grafitti look. Just not grafitti." she said, taking taking his hand in both of hers and playing with his fingers.

He looked at her, shocked that she wasn't running away from him. "You aren't afraid," he asked, watching her fingers play with his.

She looked at his face, confused. "Why would I be?"

He stared at her. "I used to steal. I used to hurt people for fun..." he kept his hand limp, so she could run away. He wouldn't force her to stay sitting next to a monster like himself.

she nodded, staying silent but kept his hand in hers. "I don't care." she said softly. "You don't do that anymore, right?"

He shook his head violently. "No, no, I don't. I promise," he swore, amazed and in awe. She was the only one who didn't run from him, save for his mother, when he told her what he had done.

Roman nodded. "Good. Everyone has a past, Dante, and I understand that. It doesn't mean I'm going to run away."

He squeezed her hand gently, having a strong urge to kiss her, but he forced himself to only stare at her. She wasn't afraid, he thought again in awe.

She smiled at him. "Why are you looking at me like that?" she asked.

"I am surprised," he said, looking apologetic. "Every other girl I have told has run away, thinking I would end up hurting them. You are the first not to leave."