Fallen (Fallen 1)

“We’re going to go to the Colosseum first.”

“Okay.” I said.

“Again with the one word answers.” He muttered chuckling.

I really was excited to go to the Colosseum but I had butterflies in my stomach, caused by Jonathon. He still managed to make me nervous. Even though we’ve been together a couple of days I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to get used to his presence. That is if he sticks around in my life. The fear of losing Jonathon was still strong in my mind. He’s helped me so much I didn’t know what I would do without him. He was my savior.

We passed many ancient monuments. So many I lost count. If I had one wish it would be that this day would never end. The day was getting more perfect by the minute like some surreal movie.

The massive Colosseum loomed up in the distance. Jonathon parked the vespa in front of a storefront.

“What are we doing?” I asked trying to keep my balance.

“We have to park here. They don’t offer parking up ahead.”

“Oh.” I replied. Jonathon laughed but I don’t know what at. Probably me and my stupidity. Something about him made all coherent thoughts go out the window. I felt like babbling idiot around him.

“What?” I asked.

“Are you going to let go of my shirt?” He chuckled clearly amused. I hadn’t realized I was still clinging to it, as if it was my life source. The fabric was bunched together and wrinkled where I had, had my hold on it.

“Sorry.” I said releasing the soft heather gray tee shirt.

I got off the vespa and stood on the side walk. I felt awkward not knowing what to do. So, I stood with my arms crossed over my chest which unfortunately made me look mad.

Jonathon got off the vespa and un-snapped his helmet locking it onto the vespa. He then turned to me and un-strapped my helmet, which he then locked onto the vespa along with his.

I studied Jonathon. He was so extremely beautiful that I tried not to look at him. Jonathon somehow managed to look like a model in a thin cotton gray shirt and paint stained jeans. I had a feeling Jonathon looked good in anything and probably nothing. I pushed the dirty thought out of my mind and focused on another thought.

“You paint.” I stated pointing to his jeans. It was a statement not a question.

“Yes sometimes. That’s what I was about to tell you when I was interrupted by your stomach.” He grinned. My face flushed scarlet.

“That’s really cool.” I said.

“You really like art?” He asked.

“Oh! Yes, I love it. I don’t know what I would do without it. Art has gotten me through some pretty tough times.”

“Wow,” said Jonathon.

“Wow what?” I asked.

“You are the most amazing girl I’ve ever met. I truly mean that.”

I couldn’t think of anything to say. I blushed and tried to hide my face. Finally I managed to squeak out, “Thanks.”

“Come on.” He said grinning, grabbing my hand, and pulling me toward the Colosseum.

The massive structure loomed higher and bigger before us. The monument was beautiful even with its crumbling stone. I tried to picture it in its early days, complete. I had never seen anything like it. I wanted to memorize every stone and every crack. I ignored the tourists and the snapping photos.

“Do we need to wait in line?” I asked Jonathon referring to the massive line of people.

“No, we natives don’t need to wait in line.”

“But, I’m not a native.”

“True. But you live here.”