After a two hour drive, my brother coughed to wake me up: "We're here Lucia." He gave my leg a quick shake. "Hey, wake up…"
I kept my eyes closed. If I opened them, it would be real. I'd have to say goodbye. It would be for a long time. Longer than I wanted.
"Hm?" I mumbled, trying to play dumb. He sighed and rubbed his face. "Jeez, we're in Florence. Get a grip."
Mattia was always in a rush — whether we were back home in quiet Bagnone or here, in the chaos of Florence. It didn't make a difference.
"Mattia… relax for once." I muttered. It wouldn't change anything, but I said it anyway.
"How can I relax?!" he snapped. "My little sister is going to university for… I don't know! Maybe six years? In this city?'
He cleared his throat, his voice thick with that familiar disapproval.
"You know how the people are…"
He always brought this up. How bad the city people were, like they were some kind of monsters, and that it was a dumb choice of me going here.
I don't know his experience with these so called city people but it seemed to get under his skin.
"No, I don't know", I said, my voice flat. We were both too tired to argue —and I was too tired to keep my mouth shut.
"Good. Keep it that way," he muttered, grinding his teeth.
We were parked on the side of the road. It wasn't far from the center, and my dorm would be a few minute walk.
"I'm gonna miss you Mattia,' I said after a few minutes of silence.
He nodded, eyes fixed on the steering weel "I know… me too. But we'll meet again soon, alright." His voice had softened quieter than before.
"Yeah, we will." I started gathering my things slowly — delaying the moment.
"Text me once you're settled in your dorm," he added, almost like a reminder to himself.
"I will," I said, trying to sound sure.
I opened the door and stepped out. The street felt warmer than I expected.
I paused, letting the weight of the city settle around me.
The houses stood tall, old but proud.I had dreamed about coming here for so long—and somehow, it was even more beautiful than I imagined.