The Blue Moon In Winter

Chapter Five

When they got there, Chris opened the gate with so much enthusiasm, He had a big smile, he was in his usual euphoric mood. Sandra hurried to hug him, and they both muttered, Willow didn't care about what they said because she was agitated by the journey, she just helloed. As Chris led them into the house, he told her that Javier was in his study and he would call him. She began to think ' why do Chris need to call him on phone when it's the same house? Why would someone in his twenties need a study?' her mind answered the latter, 'because he can'. Her eyes were fix on the paintings on the walls, it looked like graffiti to her, but more artistic than any she had seen. In a few minutes he was down, with his hands in his pockets looking like he forgot he invited her. He wore a long-sleeve black top and a very tight pair of grey sweatpants, which embraced nearly every inch of his mascular legs. He also wore a pair of black trainers, and a pair of reading glasses. Even on casual clothes he still looked like an epitome of masculinity. He passed his fingers through his hair; with how often he does that, she was starting to think it was a habit.

"Hi, and this must be Sandra, I think Chris has said something about you." Sandra blushed, he stretched out his hand and shook her, then returned his hand into his pocket.

"I would have told you she's coming too, but I don't have your contact..."

"It's not a problem at all, I'm sure Chris would enjoy keeping her company."

"I'll be more than happy to keep her company" he winked, he put his arm around her shoulder. Sandra turned bright red, she was holding her breathe.

"And you missy, would follow me upstairs." He held her hand, and took her up the stairs, she turned to look at Sandra whose face was still colored. She suddenly felt extremely nervous when they got upstairs. It was a smaller living room than the one down, but it was still a large living room. It was painted white, and all the furniture were white. He sat down, then encouraged her to seat with him.

"Your house is beautiful, and the paintings downstairs I almost thought it was spray paint because... " She slowly sat beside him on a white couch.

"It isn't all spray paint." He interrupted her.

"How would you know?"

"I painted it,' he said in a matter of fact.

"Wow! You're so good, are you studying creative arts or something?"

" Creative writing."

"I was expecting you to be more of a business person, so who taught you how to paint?"

" I learnt from my zio, he paints as a hobby."

"Oh, so why creative writing? Do you want to be a writer? Have you written any books yet?" She asked, though, she wasn't quite sure what zio meant. 'i think I'll need to learn a little bit of italian'

"I've been working on a book, but I'm more into poetry, I've written dozens since I was a kid."

"Aw, the romantic Italian." She mimicked his accent.

"I could write one for you everyday bambola."

"Every single day?" She smiled.

"Sì, do you want me to?"

"It would be very nice of you," she tucked her hair behind her ears, and cleared her throat. She looked around the living room trying to avoid his eyes, "so you paint, write poems and play the piano. You're like an embodiment of art."she giggled.

"I've gotten a lot of compliments from you but haven't given you any."

"It's fine, I'm plain, my only hobby is watching Netflix if it counts."

"You have the most stunning pair of eyes."

"No I don't, it's too big for my face."

"I'll say you're doe-eyed, I makes you look seducente and innocente at the same time."

"Don't forget it's hazel" At least she understood those words, because the was similar to their English translation.

"Hazel is my favorite eye color."

"Liar!" The word came out almost involuntary.

"You caught me, fine it's blue." He chuckled, and raised his hands in surrender.

"Just like yours", she smiled, then make an effort to look at his eyes for the first time.

"Sì, but your eyes can make me change my mind."

"You're such a flirt." She looked away from his eyes, "so how long have you known Chris?"

"Mamma mia! What are you doing to me bambola? I totally forgot my manners," he looked up like he was thinking, while Willow had confusion written all over her face. "What would you like drink or eat?" He stood up to opened a door that led to a kitchen. Willow could swear she had seen a kitchen in the living room downstairs. She followed him to the kitchen.

" Water would be fine."

"No it wouldn't, how about a sandwich?"

"If you insist", she shrugged.

" I insist" his voice was hoarse, almost as if he was holding something back. He began to make sandwich, she was surprised at his tone, but looked around kitchen instead of asking why. "Are you allergic to anything?" His voice was back to normal.

"No, but I don't like tomato"

" But you ate pasta with tomato sauce" he raised his eyebrows.

"I don't like it raw"

"Okay, you asked how long have I known Chris?" She nodded," since freshman year, we became best friends and he moved in with me, he pays his rent though."

"Why would you rent a place this big?"

" I didn't rent it, it's mine, he pays rent to me."

"Would you sell it after you graduate?"

"I'll put it for rent, it was built to have up to six occupant."

" I'm sure it would become the rich guys crib after you leave."

"One for you..." He hand a sandwich to her, "and one for me". She took a bite, she smiled at first, then her face looked disgusted.

"You forgot to not put tomatoes for me" she shook her head and gave it back to him.

"No I did it deliberately, eat all of it, bambola it's good for your salute "

"Okay mom", she rolled her eyes.

"Hey! Don't roll you eyes at me." He walked fast towards her, but she ran out giggling. He grabbed her hand, held her waist, and pinned her to the wall. His lips met hers, and poured out every contained desire. She has never been kissed like this before, but she has not been kissed by another except him. Her body turned into ice and every of his touch melted her. She felt a hunger, an ache in the deepest part of her, she had never known, and it needed to be explored. His mouth left hers, and went to her neck, she let out a moan as her mind went blank. His lips brushed against her skin, moving downwards to her chest. She opened her eyes, and only then could she see the image of Sandra warning her not to let him. Damn her! Nothing she has ever known felt so wrong and so right at the same time. Until she remembered the words 'naive and dumb', she thought of how to escape, which she knew she would regret later. She gently resisted, and he let her go. In his eyes she could see the burning desire, the ocean has turned into blue flames. She moved away slowly from him, she looked around dying to find something else to talk about.

"You own records," she semi-skipped to the record rack, it was her saviour. "Do you have a phonograph?"

"Sì," he pointed at the phonograph, the ocean was back. What a relief! She played a record.

"It's opera but I think we could dance to it." He stretched his hand, and signalled her to come. The smile on his face revealing his two dimples told her they'll be doing more than dancing. She went to him, and placed her hands on his shoulders. He held her waist, then swung her around, she had never danced those steps but she tried to get them right. He was good, maybe too good, the way he moved swiftly like he was part of the air. He soon left her waist to hold her hand, he twirled her around. He let land with her hair almost touching the ground, but his arm was around her waist keeping her balance. He raised her up, and they both breathed heavily. She began to chuckle.

" That was so much fun," She said still breathing heavily. he stared into her eyes, his arms were still holding her waist, she tried to escape from the gaze and release herself from his grip.

"No!" The word were so stern it made her shudder. He moved closer to take hold of her lips...

"Jay!" A girlish shriek stopped him. They turned to find, Sandra, Chris and a blue eyed, brunette next to them. She was definitely the one who shrieked. The brunette hugged Javier tightly like he was a long lost lover, acting as if Willow was invisible. Javier let go of her hand and hugged the girl back. Willow wanted to scream, but she signal Sandra for them to leave. They went down with Chris beside them, his arm was around Sandra's waist. Willow concluded they didn't do anything different from what she and Javier did. As a result, Chris's arm were around Sandra's waist, but Javier's was around someone else's. She forcefully gulped down her tears, and smiled to Chris as they got to the car.

"Bianca is just our level mate, but she knows Javier back in Italy, she rarely comes to classes, she's always shopping around the globe." he raised his hands up." I'm just saying in case it makes you feel any better."

"It's fine, you can tell him I left," she smiled again and got into the car. She saw the shoes and coat she had forgotten to return, she got down to give them to Chris. Javier was coming hurriedly, while Bianca was trying to catch up with him.

"Bambola why are you leaving already?" It was almost a yell.

"Today was very pleasant, but we have to go now." She gave him the coat and shoes, then walked away. He mumbled in protest, but she didn't care to turn back. She prayed the car would start immediately she gets in, she would be more embarrassed if they had to wait for ten minutes trying to make it move. He would definitely suggest to drive them, oh no! It seemed like heaven was on her side when the car moved after two tries. The car eventually broke down, but she was glad it at least survived to get them out of the house. They walked the rest of the journey holding hands, and didn't say a word. That was exactly what Willow needed.