40） Our Last One
Rava
I'm packing slower than I should.
Folding things too carefully. Shirts, socks, a book I probably won't read but still want with me. Everything goes in. And still, I feel like I'm forgetting something. Maybe not something. Maybe someone. I think back to the beginning of the summer.
When everything felt messy, loud and too much. I remember saying, "At least I'll leave after the summer. At least I won't have to see him every day." And now I can't believe I actually said that.
Because from tomorrow on, I'm going to miss his face every day. His voice. His arms. The way he calls me names. And I just know that the second I think about him, my throat's gonna close up and I'll probably cry like a loser in the middle of some hallway.
I zip up a side pocket. Then glance over my shoulder. Gio's sitting on my bed completely hunched over. He looks serious.
"How's it going?" I ask gently.
"Trying to fix it," he mumbles, not even looking up. I walk over a little and see all the tiny beads laid out in front of him, Emiliana's bracelet.
"I didn't even notice when it broke..." I say quietly. He lets out a frustrated sigh. "We're missing an A," he says.
"So now it spells 'RAV'. Guess that's what I'm calling you from now on."
I laugh softly. "I don't mind," I say. "If I ever see Emiliana again, I'll ask her for a new A." He chuckles under his breath, but it's kind of sad. And I guess I understand why.
Because we probably won't see her again. I sit back down on the edge of the bed and look at the bracelet in his hands. He's trying so hard to fix it. "Hey…how's your mom?" I ask, trying to sound casual while folding the last pair of socks.
Gio looks up from the sea of beads. "She's good. Still tired, but better. Doctors gave us a whole list of things to keep in mind, but she's home. That's what matters."
I smile, relieved. "That's really good. I'm glad."
Then I pause. Think. "Can we stop by tomorrow?" I add. "To say goodbye? I'd really like to see her." He glances up at me and nods, smiling. "Of course."
And then it hits me.
Wait. Oh my God.
WAIT. I haven't talked to her since before. Since before Gio and I became this. In other words, I haven't spoken to her since I became her son's boyfriend.
And suddenly it feels like I can't breathe. Oh my god. What if she hates me now?! What if she thinks I'm just some awkward, quiet boy who latched onto her son and tricked him into dating me with sad puppy eyes and good grammar? What if she thinks I'm a phase?! What if she thinks I'm boring?!
She probably expected Gio to date someone cool. Someone with edge. With way more tattoos and a past and a sharp tongue. Not me. I'm the guy who makes color-coded study guides.
I say "thank you" too often. I eat with both hands on the table.
She probably thinks I'm the human version of lukewarm tea.
And now I'm going to show up at her house like: Hi!
I've been secretly sucking, riding and dating your son this whole time and I forgot to tell you because I'm emotionally stunted!
"Gio…" I say slowly, turning toward him. "Your mom, does she…know about us?" He nods, unbothered.
"And…what did she say?"
He shrugs. "Ehh. She was a little disappointed. Said I could do better."
I stare at him. My soul detaches from my body. "WHAT?!" He doesn't even flinch. "She hates me," I whisper. "She hates me. I'm boring. I'm awkward. I speak too politely. She thinks I'm a loser, doesn't she?!" Gio finally looks up. "Ravioli—"
"I wasn't charming enough, oh my God. I didn't even offer to help with the dishes the last time I was there, what the fuck was I THINKING—"
"Rava."
"I'm gonna cry. I'm literally going to cry. I should've brought her flowers. I should've learned how to bake. I'm going to get broken up with by your mother."
Gio starts laughing. Quiet at first, then full on. "She's gonna hate me forever. She's going to sit you down and say, 'Gio, that boy is the reason you're tired all the time.' She's going to say I suck the joy out of you like a mosquito."
He's losing it now.
"Don't laugh! This is serious! She's your mother, Gio. If she doesn't like me, I'll have no choice but to set myself on fire. It's over. I'll die."
He gets off the bed and sits on the floor next to me, laughing, still shaking his head.
He pulls me into his arms, hugs me so tight I can barely breathe, and kisses the top of my head.
"Baby," he says, smiling against my temple, "I'm messing with you.
She loves you. She was really happy when I told her. "
I freeze in his arms. Pull back slowly. "Gio."
"Mm?"
"I swear to God, I'm going to slap you. I don't care who you are." He bursts out laughing again. "Oh no! Rava's mad! What ever shall I do?"
"You deserve it."
"You love me."
"Against my will."
He kisses my cheek. "Too late now."
"You're serious? She really likes me? Even after you told her about us?" He pulls back just enough to look at me. "Yeah, Rava. She loves you." I smile a little. Then a lot. "Really?"
"Yes," he says, smiling back. "Really."
"Of course she likes me. How could she not? I'm great. I'm a great guy." Gio looks at me, shocked. "You're insane."
"Excuse you," I say with full fake offense. "I'm polite. I'm respectful. I remember birthdays. I'd love me too." He rolls his eyes but I see the way he's biting back a smile. Then I change the subject before I can embarrass myself further.
"So..." I say casually. "Where are we going after this?" He stretches and leans back on his palms. "Finish packing your stuff and you'll see."
"Gio…" I whine. "Come on. Just one hint. Please. I deserve it after the emotional rollercoaster you put me through."
He tilts his head, pretending to consider it. "Hmm….okay. You're right. You do."
I blink. "Wait, really?!"
He grins.
"Come on. Just tell me. I'm gonna explode."
Gio smirks. "Hmm…alright," he says. "There was a lot of noise. Most of it was you complaining."
I blink at him. "That could literally be anywhere we've ever gone."
He laughs. Doesn't even pretend to argue. I narrow my eyes. "You're seriously giving me that as a clue?"
"Yup. That's all you get."
I stare at him. "That's so vague it's disrespectful."
He turns to me, grinning. "You'll see."
Gio
I'm sitting on his bed, leaning back on my elbows.
He's standing in front of the mirror with no shirt and messy hair. We're not talking about the fact that this is the last date. The last night. No. Not today. Today, we're just here.
He's digging through his drawer humming some song under his breath, completely unaware of the way I'm staring at him. And yeah, sure. I've seen him like this a hundred times. But today, for some reason, it hits harder.
And when he bends forward just a little…yeah, okay. I get up, walk over, and slap his ass, hard.
He spins around wide eyed, hands flying to his butt like I just committed a crime. "You horny freak!"
I raise both hands like I'm innocent. "Sorry! That juicy ass was provoking me." He glares. I nod thoughtfully. "I might make it my phone wallpaper. For motivation."
He squints at me like he's trying not to laugh. "Go ahead. Just don't ever pull out your phone in front of my future students."
My heart skips. Future students. He sees us in the future.
We're still together. He's not planning to leave and never look back. That shouldn't be enough to calm me, but it is.
I smirk and point toward the closet. "So. What are you gonna wear to this mysterious date?" He pauses, thinking. "No clue."
I try to remember what he wore back then. That night. Then it hits me.
That ridiculous wine-red polo. That pair of black pants that actually fit him too well. "Wear that burgundy polo," I say. "And the black pants. You know the ones." He turns and looks at me like I've said something suspicious.
"You hated that outfit."
I shrug. "I love everything you wear."
He smiles. Like, really smiles. Dimples. Eyes crinkling. Head tilted just a little. God. He's gonna be the death of me.
I clear my throat and head for the door. "Get ready. I'll be waiting outside." He nods, still smiling. I turn to leave, and just as I'm walking out, I hear him murmur.
"This feels like the beginning a little. When you used to always wait for me outside."
I stop at the doorway. Look back at him. And smile.
I roll the bike out front, park it right in front of Rava's house. Start her up. I swing one leg over and stretch out across the seat, feet propped up on the handlebars.
Woah. Look who it is. Charles.
Walking up the sidewalk. I sit up straight immediately, feet hitting the ground. He scoffs.
"Calm the fuck down, punk," he says, not even looking at me. "I'm just here to grab whatever crap I left in that shithole." I clench my jaw, say nothing. Because I promised myself, no fights today.
Not in front of Rava. Not when we're supposed to be having a good goodbye. I pull out my phone and text him real quick:
ME:
-Charles is here. Don't say anything.
-He's in a mood.
RAVA:
-He can't afford to be in a mood. Thanks to Lorenzo’s genius.
I smile. Right. Forgot about that little video.
Rava steps outside. Sweet as ever. I slide off the bike, walk up to him, and press a kiss to his forehead. "Did he say anything to you?" I ask quietly.
He shakes his head. "No. I don't think he knows I'm leaving tomorrow. Or he does…and he just doesn't care."
I nod. Not surprised. But it still stings, hearing him say it like that. "How do you feel?" I ask. He takes a breath. "Like I'm gonna explode if you don't tell me where we're going."
I snort. "Patience, baby." I grab the helmet and place it gently on his head, adjusting the strap as he stares at me. I glance up at him while I fasten the clip. "What?"
He just shrugs. "Nothing."
…
I slow the bike and stop just outside the gates. The lights. The colors. The music. It's all still here.
Rava gets off behind me and just stares. Amazed. He turns to me shocked. "I can't believe it. The fair?! I didn't expect you to be this romantic."
I smirk. "Well, here we are."
He looks around again. "This was the first time I ever went out with you willingly. While also wanting to strangle you the entire time. And now you brought us here for our last date."
"Please don’t call it our last one."
"Right… sorry."
I laugh. "This is where I discovered you had really nice lips." He snaps his head toward me. "You were looking at my lips?!"
I raise an eyebrow. "Of course I was fucking looking at your lips." I step closer. "Back then I had to pretend I wasn't. Now I can finally kiss you without holding it in."
He tilts his head. "Only if I want it too. Takes two for a k—" I grab his face with both hands and kiss him hard. He doesn't resist. He melts into it like he's been waiting just as long.
When I pull back, I grin against his mouth. "See? Not so hard." He's still catching his breath.
I take his hand. "Now come on," I say. "Let's go inside."