Chapter 2 - Mysterious Stranger

I was walking down the main street of Rome, looking around. I had to admit that this city captivated me with its beauty, but all the people here were strangers and that overwhelmed me. The thought that I had to make friends again, from the very beginning, terrified me.

No. I decided to stay away from everyone else this time, in case my mother wanted to move again. Why would I need to worry myself unnecessarily? My heart was already broken, and I didn't want to break it into more pieces with another break-ups and disappointments. All I wanted now was to get through high school, finish it and start my own life when I reach the age of majority, preferably away from my mother and her paranoia. And for now I will stay aside, alone, without friends, it will be better for everyone this way.

On the way I stopped at a nice, cozy cafe, about two hours away from the hotel.Tired of walking around, I went in mainly to rest a bit. I took a table by the window and sat there sipping cappuccino, which tasted much better than the same coffee bought in Californian coffee shops, which was another plus. I stared at the window, watching people walking down the street, and for perhaps the first time in my life, I wondered if any of them were a wizard or a sorceress, and if so, if they had to do what I did - to always run away from something and be careful about everything they do - are they as homeless as I am?

I sighed and took a sip of my cup of coffee. After looking out the window again, I saw a tall, well-built guy, about 19 years old, with dark eyes and black half-long, wavy hair, falling slightly over his left eye. His complexion was milky white, which was quite strange, as his features suggested that he was rather Italian. This young man wore dark navy blue jeans and a white shirt with the first four buttons open, revealing a torso with an equally light skin, and he had a black leather jacket on top. I couldn't just take my eyes off him - this guy had some kind of magnetism that just wouldn't let me do that. For the first time in my short life as a sorceress, I felt as if someone had cast a spell on me.

Then suddenly this boy also looked at me and was doing it for a long time. When he passed the coffee shop, paused for a moment and turned towards me, giving such a charming smile that for a moment it took my breath away. Then the mysterious stranger left, quickly disappearing into the crowd.

A small sigh escaped from my chest, for I knew you only ever meet such guys once. Besides, even if I met him again, closer acquaintance with this guy would not make sense - I had just lost someone whom I loved very much and was not going to experience it for a second time, and it certainly would have happened, because knowing my mother, we won't be here for long. Even if we break the California record, something will eventually thwart our plans to stay permanently - if not a meddlesome mortal, then some demon or a vengeful sorcerer, as happened many times when I was little.

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In the late evening I found myself at the hotel. Of course, my mother had a fuss, but I wasn't going to be polite.

- I will go where I want, when I want and come back at what time I like it.- I replied, locking myself in the bathroom.

- Honey, you can't act like this. Don't forget that I am your mother and I decide everything and take responsibility until you are of legal age!- mother shouted through the door.

- Is that why you're ruining my life?- I screamed, sobbing.- I had to break up with the boy I loved because of this damn moving! It's all you fault! I hate you!- I added, then sat down on the bathroom floor, leaning my back against the door, crying that day once more.

I felt anger rise in me at my mother and everything she did to me. I hated that paranoid personality that was telling her to run away at the slightest hint of danger. But what I hated the most about my mother was that she stayed with me in California for so long that I had managed to build a life for myself there. If we had escaped from there as quickly as from previous places, I might not care too much, because I wouldn't have had time to forge strong ties with anyone.

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I only left the bathroom after my mother had finally gone to sleep. I didn't feel like talking to her about my sadness because I knew she wouldn't understand me. For her, my love for Johntahnan was a typical crush that teenagers of my age have been going through every now and then, so I will get over it eventually.

But I knew what I felt - I loved Johnathan and wanted to spend the rest of my life with him, even though he was mortal. It is true that relationships with humans were not completely forbidden, but also not advisable, because sorceresses lived even several thousand years. However, there was a way for that - one ritual was enough, and the mortal became just as long-lived - all he had to do was truly love the sorceress and be willing to spend his life with her for the ritual to work. While in California, I was already gathering the courage to tell Johnathan who I really am and what needs to be done for him to spend his life with me. I even planned a ritual, collected all the things needed for it... And thinking about it, my heart was torn again with a dagger. I leaned my hand against the wall and put the other against my chest, pressing down on the spot where I could feel my heartbeat.

When I finally got to my bed and lied down with the duvet wrapped around me, I chased away all my sad thoughts, otherwise I wouldn't have been able to sleep. I didn't know why, but my thoughts suddenly focused on that mysterious stranger I saw through the cafe window that day. Am I falling in love? Impossible, after all I still loved Johnathan, I could feel it clearly. So it must have been an infatuation, very strong one, but I was hoping that this one would just disappear soon. I really didn't want to get in closer relations with anyone, at least not until I graduate and will be free from my mother.