Mismatched socks

Renée - Chapter 20: Vampire

A week later I push my suitcase in front of me. 'Thank you for taking me with you,' I say to Sophia's parents. 'Our pleasure. We love having you around!' Annie says and hands me my plane ticket. After we pass security and all the other stuff, we board our plane. I'm seated next to Sophia and her mother. Jack is in the row behind us by the window. 'I'm sorry you have to sit there. We could ask to switch?' I say to Jack. 'Nonsense, girl. I don't mind sitting here,' he says friendly and gazes out of the window.

              Once we are in the air, Annie puts in her earplugs and tries to take a nap. Apparently she had the night shift at her work and didn't have any chance to sleep in the last day and a half. Sophia lays her head on my shoulder and takes my hand. 'Did you hear anything from you-know?' she asks. During the week we had a few discussions about Stanford. We decided to not speak of it anymore. 'Nope,' I say and kiss the top of her head.

Sophia takes out the book she's reading Little Women by Louisa May Alcott. She has made me watch the film, which is actually pretty good. But I felt like I didn't understand the whole story. Maybe I should read the book after Sophia finished it? Eventually I fall asleep.

We gather our luggage as we are arrived at the airport. Annie is on the phone with her mother. It's chaotic Italian, even Sophia can't understand a thing she is saying. 'I wish you could have brought Molly,' I whisper to my girlfriend. She smiles at me. 'My nonna has a few cats. Well, they are not actually hers, but she feeds them and they are really sweet.' I smile.

A taxi is waiting for us outside of the airport. Annie takes the front seat. I sit in the middle between Jack and Sophia. 'Ever been to Italy?' Jack breaks the silent. 'Once when I was little. My sister kept pushing me in the pool on purpose,' I say. Jack looks at me in shock. 'We do get along now,' I assure him. He smiles softly. 'You are an odd bird,' he whispers. 'Dad!' Sophia exclaims. 'I don't mean it in the offending way. I like your girlfriend,' Jack says. 'It's okay.'

After a not so long, but neither short drive, we arrive at our destination. We get out of the car and are greeted by the most adorable little grandmother you could imagine. 'Antonella! È così bello rivederti! Mi sei mancata, figlia mia .' Annie hugs her mother back and mutters something in Italian. 'They missed each other,' Jack translates a little.

The adorable little lady makes her way to us. 'Ciao, nonna,' Sophia says and hugs her grandmother. They mumble something to each other no one can hear or understand. Sophia introduces me and repeats what she said in Englis: 'Nonna, this is my girlfriend, Renée.' 'Ciao,' I say and shake her hand. To my surprise she extends the handshake in to a hug and mumbles something. It sounded sweet?

Annie shows us around as Jack helps to unload the taxi and pays for it. Sophia's nonna and mother give us a big grin. 'You two are sleeping in the garden house. There's no room in the little kids room Sophia normally sleeps in,' Antonella says. 'Okay,' Sophia smiles thankful. Once we arrive in the cozy and adorable garden house, Jack gives us our suitcases.

Jack and nonna leave to go back to the house. 'I also thought you two might enjoy the privacy,' Annie says and winks at us before leaving. With flushed faces Sophia and I look at each other. We never really talked about getting our relationship a step further. But I think we have both thought about it – well, I am actually sure about that.

'We should unpack,' Sophia says and opens her suitcase. I do the same. There's only one closet, but it spacious enough to fit the belongings of five people. 'You better hide that tattoo. My nonna isn't really fond of it,' Sophia says and looks at my arm. 'Will she dislike me if she knew? She might have already seen it?' 'Well, maybe she wouldn't notice. Her eyesight is getting worse,' Sophia ignores my question.