Forelsket

Selcouth: (adj.) unfamiliar, rare, strange, and yet marvelous.

For him, the ocean was more than a dream; it was a place he needed to visit in an attempt to rediscover himself. He liked the sharp salty smell of the air, and the vastness of the horizon bounded only by a vault of the azure sky above.

To him; salt smelled like memories, some pleasant, some unpleasant.

Amidst the incessant waves. His surfboard rocked gently as he watched the blurred shore.

A silvery voice called out his name. He turned around coming face to face with dark chocolate brown eyes. In front of him, his childhood best friend Salvatore faced him with a small grin on his face.

“Eros, mama called, said they were celebrating uncle Leonardo’s birthday?” he asked, Eros rolled his eyes before replying, “Yeah, she called me over an hour ago to tell me. Isn’t he too old for a birthday party anyways?”

Salvatore stifled a laugh, before nodding. “He’s turning 38, maybe they’re throwing him a party since he acts like a toddler,” Salvatore teased, as both boys laughed imagining their uncle as a toddler.

“Did mama mention anything else?” Eros asked, as he watched the forming upcoming wave, Salvatore shook his head, turning his head to the side. “Aside from the usual to come get you, then, no she hasn’t.”

Eros hummed, making eye contact with Salvatore. “Home?” Salvatore grinned before nodding.

Both boys walked alongside the shore, as they talked about their upcoming summer vacation. “Sienna and I are celebrating our one year anniversary, I’m thinking of taking her to Aunties cafe, where we first met.” Eros nodded, “I think she’ll enjoy it, she’s very simple to please.” Eros slung his bag over his shoulder as Salvatore dried his hair. “Are you coming to the party?” Salvatore shook his head, frowning. “Papa needs help in the restaurant. I’ll go by later and congratulate him”

Eros huffed dramatically, before turning his back towards his friend muttering curse words. Salvatore chuckled at his friend’s childish behavior and wrapped an arm around his shoulder. “Bambi, don’t get mad. I promise I’ll be there, now let’s hit the showers before mama calls non stop.”

Eros rolled his eyes, “Stop calling me, unless you want me to tell Sienna about last saturday.” Salvatore blinked slowly, before smirking. “Never.”

Eros blinked as his friend smacked his head softly before fleeing, shouting “Last one to get there has to buy ice-cream.” Eros’s eyes widened as he ran towards Salvatore, “Not fair! You got a head start jackass!”

Both boys laughed as one ran away from the other, the sun emerged from its undisturbed slumber. Announcing that summer has officially begun.

“It’s our final year of highschool, have you finally decided what university you’re going to?” Salvatore questioned, as he ate his ice-cream. Eros shrugged; he hadn’t given university much though since his passion had always been surfing. But as senior year got closer, picking a university was on his top list.

“Not yet, mama wants me to attend Università Campus Bio-Medico. I’m avoiding the subject as much as possible. The last thing I need is her dictating my life.” Salvatore glanced at Eros, before fixing his eyes back on the crowded streets of Amalfi. “I know you better than anyone, Eros. I also happen to know you don’t want to attend university. But you are the best student in our school, you’ve received scholarships from over 4 schools.” Eros lowered his head, before shrugging. “I guess.”

Salvatore smiled sadly, “I just hope when the time comes you’ll know what to choose.” Eros turned his head, eyeing his friend’s side profile carefully. Both boys knew what the other was trying to convey but neither spoke.

Eros consciousness knew what it wanted. He’d promised his father that he’d do what he’d love, and surfing was his passion. However, he wasn’t an ignorant little kid, he knew medicine was his best option to succeed and make his mother finally proud.

“Don’t overthink it; just take it as an advice from a close friend,” Salvatore said, turning his head with a grin “A lot of people wish they were as bright as you.” he teased, though both boys deep down knew they wished they were the other.

Eros nodded, smiling softly. “I’ll see you around Salvatore,” Salvatore smiled briefly, turning the corner shouting “I love you bambi, stay safe!” making the other chuckle softly, before continuing up the road.

Summer has officially begun, which meant the streets of Amalfi coast looked lovelier than ever, kids ran down the streets as the euromatic smell of coffee and freshly baked bread coated the air. Eros greeted neighbors as he walked up the hill towards the cozy two-floor house he called home.

From the outside, he could hear the shouts of his aunt Maria and his cousins Lorenzo and Tomasso. He set his surfboard down in the open garage where a small redhead greeted him with a wide hug.

“Mommy, Eros is home!” the three-year-old shrieked. Eros grinned widely as he picked up Lorenzo and walked inside the family-filled home where kisses flew left and right and compliments poured in.

Eros smiled warmly as he greeted everyone. He set Lorenzo down as he headed towards the back terrace where an older woman with white hair sat sipping her tea while staring at the sky.

“Grandma Luisa,” he greeted, kissing her forehead before sitting on a bench next to her. Luisa smiled gently, “Mi amore, you’ve grown so much. You remind me of Luisito, when he was younger.”

Eros smiled sadly, and stayed sitting next to her as she spoke about his father for what felt like hours before they were called for lunch.

As Eros helped Luisa sit, his aunt Maria and his mother helped set up the table. Next to him was his five year old cousin Tomasso who grinned as Eros kissed his forehead before sitting. The table was full as the family laughed and talked for a few before it went silent. “Today, we celebrate Leonardo’s 38th birthday. I hope this year is full of love and your dreams will be accomplished. Thank you lord for another day, and the food set on our table. Amen.” Ero’s mother prayed, as an echo of ‘amens’ surrounded the table.

While the family ate and conversed, the subject of University became apparent. “Mouricio is coming home soon, Princeton has been a huge change for him and he’s apparently found himself. He says he’s got big news when he arrives.” Leonardo said, Eros glanced at his empty plate reaching out to grab more tortellini soup.

“Eros I heard Harvard sent you a scholarship due to your outstanding record, I hope you thought with that brain of yours and accepted it. We don’t need another failure in our family.” Leonardo spoke harshly, as he ate another spoonful of the soup.

Eros set his spoon down and glanced directly at his uncle “You mean like you?”

As Leonardo glared at him, the table grew silent. “What did you just say? After staring blankly for a moment, Eros spoke. “I said like you, didn’t I? Face it Uncle, all you’ve ever done is live off my father’s money, you’ve never done anything for this family and you’ll never do.”

“Eros Romano! Apologize to your uncle this instance!” His mother screamed, her gaze fixed on her only child “Why should I?” he asked, “We all know the truth, we also know you’re a cheating who-” the insult was cut short by a harsh slap. Amelia’s eyes were filled with tears as she stared at her son.

“What is wrong with you? You’ve changed so much” she said, tears streaming down her cheeks. “I opened my eyes, something I should’ve done a long time ago,” Eros simply shrugged.

As his mother called for him, he stood up and grabbed his jacket, he spoke just as he stepped out the front door.

“Oh, and that scholarship, well, I rejected it.”

Screams could be heard from within as he grabbed his bike and pedaled away towards the only place he called home.

Eros placed his bike outside Capri Cafe, a restaurant owned by his closest friend’s father Norman. The wonderful aroma of coffee and freshly baked bread greeted him as he entered the bright orange building. He said hi to everyone before making his way to the back of the building, where his best friend was playing volleyball with his girlfriend Sienna.

“Salvatore, stop throwing the ball so damned high!” she moaned, rolling her eyes at her partner, who smirked back. As Eros grinned evilly as he watched the couple, deciding to scare them, he slammed the door harshly, causing Salvatore to jump towards his girlfriend, who giggled.

“Did I interrupt something?” Eros teased, laughing as Sienna playfully slapped his shoulder. “Annie, are you gonna let him treat me like that?” Salvatore cried, poking out his tongue, causing Eros to roll his eyes as Sienna turned to scold him. “Eros! Don’t scare our poor baby again. Look he’s trembling” she said dramatically.

In the midst of their laughter, Salvatore whined to Sienna and Eros. “What’s bringing you here?” she asked, looking at Eros as Salvatore rested his head on her shoulder. “Had an argument with Leonardo, you know the usual,” he shrugged, and Sienna gazed calmly before picking up the volleyball.

“How about playing?” she asked, smiling at him. Eros’ eyes softened. “I’m down.”

They joked and taunted each other as they played volleyball until Salvatore’s father called them. Inside the cafe, a table was piled high with various appetizers and desserts, ranging from lasagna to gelato, and pizza to tiramisu. Eros whistled as he sat down, his mouth watering at the abundance of goodness in front of him.

“Your mother called and asked whether you were here, Eros. I’m assuming you had another fight.” Norman commented as he took a bite of pasta from the enormous bowl in the center. Eros shifted his weight before nodding. “Eros, you can’t keep arguing with Amelia, but you can stay as long as you need,” Norman said. “Thank you, uncle,” he said, his mouth filled with pasta, making the others wrinkle their noses in distaste.

Norman rolled his eyes and shook his head. “Avoid talking with your mouth full.” He swatted Eros on the shoulder and scolded him. They ate the remainder of the food in silence until Eros said, “Thank you for letting me stay here, uncle, but I think I should go home.”

Norman sighed before nodding, “Drop Sienna first, I don’t want her going home this late.” Eros nodded as he looked at Salvatore who’d stood up and retrieved the plates a few minutes prior. “Alr, I’ll see you in a few minutes, dad,” he replied as he dragged Sienna and Eros out the door.

“Sienna really is something else. Salvatore, I’m happy you found her since you two are truly meant to be together.” Eros said as the two boys trudged slowly upward while toting their bikes. “Thank you, hopefully you’ll find someone soon. Like that you’ll leave us alone” Salvatore teased.

“We should go to SkateMania tomorrow, we haven’t seen the boys in a while,” Eros replied, looking ahead. “We should certainly do it, guy, I can’t believe we’re finally graduating,” Salvatore remarked. Eros hummed and stared up the hill at his lit-up house.

His gaze was drawn to the large white moving van parked in front of Gloria, an elderly neighbor’s house. He locked his gaze on the van as a young boy not much older than him came out.

Eros stared as he saw the dark skinned 6′3 youngster, his dark curly hair tied back by a bandana, and Eros could plainly see his features. “Eros?” Salvatore asked, his gaze drawn to the figure a few blocks distant. Salvatore raised an eyebrow as he touched Eros. “Do you know him?” Eros stiffened, shaking his head.

“It must be Gloria’s nephew.” Salvatore stated. “Yeah, must be,” Eros murmured.

Eros’ pulse beat as he watched the youngster smile at Gloria; the elderly woman was chatting, but it was too far away to tell what they were talking about. ‘How can someone be so strange but so appealing,’ he wondered, his face flushing slightly as he watched the man chuckle.

As Salvatore spoke about his plans for Sienna and himself for the entire summer, Eros turned his head and continued walking. “And afterwards, I’ll take her to the most romantic dinner on the shor-Are you listening, Eros?” Salvatore raised an eyebrow as Eros blinked before nodding.

“Are you okay, man?” he questioned.

“I’m fine,” Eros responded.

They parked their bikes outside Eros’ house when they arrived. “Do you think she’ll say anything about you coming late?” Salvatore asked, his gaze fixed on Eros. “Yeah, she’ll probably just say something like, ‘don’t do it again or I’ll send you to boarding school,’” Eros shrugged.

While watching the neighbors unload boxes, Salvatore hummed “Think they’ll stay here for long?” he asked, Eros looked towards them, resting against the fence “Probably the whole summer.” Salvatore glanced at his watch before facing Eros. “ight, I gotta go mate. Give me a call if you need anything, yeah?”

Eros nodded, clasping their hands together before saying goodbye.

His mother was in the front entrance when Eros entered his house. “What did Salvatore say?” she asked, to which Eros simply shrugged and said, “the usual.” “Don’t think I forgot what you said this morning,” Amelia murmured. “I know you were upset, Eros-”

“Are you done.” he asked, staring at her blankly.

Amelia stared hard at him before sighing. “Just go.”

Eros walked up the stairs, opened his bedroom door, and threw himself on the bed, a hand ran through his face. He glanced at the ceiling before strolling towards the window and coming to a halt.

Outside his window, he could see the guy from earlier, and next to him was another boy of similar height, but they didn’t appear alike; this boy had honey complexion and dark bushy wavy hair.

Eros felt like a stalker as he locked his gaze on both lads while they played basketball. They both laughed while talking and passing the ball to each other while practicing. Eros maintained his sight on them as he tilted his head slightly, and before he knew what was going on, he and the boy locked eyes.

Eros’ cheeks flushed with embarrassment as he swiftly closed the drapes, leaning against them and cursing. ‘How humiliating,’ he groaned. ‘How am I going to face him in the future?’ he thought, before face planting on the bed.

“What has gotten into me?” he groaningly asked. “I’ve officially gone insane.”

Eros rolled over and looked up at the ceiling before delivering his final words of the day, announcing the official start of his summer.

“What a terrific way to start off the summer.”