Four Things My Geeky-Jock-of-a-Best-Friend Must Do in Europe (11 page)

“I love baseball,” he says. “I want to see a game in America—the Nationals!”

“I LOVE the Nationals,” I say (wondering if that sounded stupid).

“You are also a geek?”

(Once again, thank you SO much, Delia. It has been such a pleasure to be known internationally as a geek.)

“It is good to be smart,” he adds. “And did you find a codered Euro-hottie?”

Okay. I guess he had a LOT of time to read my hand. I am VERY embarrassed. And, Delia, you know what? Now that I see this guy without his sleep mask, he is CUTE. I am feeling suddenly VERY tingly. Am I having a stroke or something? Or, do you think, Delia, that this is . . . he’s EVEN wearing a blue shirt! That MUST be a sign! WHAT do I do NOW? HELP! HELP! HELP! I know! Maybe I should answer his question.

“DEFINITELY,” I say.

“I am a high school exchange student from Firenza,” he says. “I am, eh, staying with a family this year in a place called Old Town.”

“That’s, uh, exactly where I live.” The cabin is spinning all of a sudden. Either I am about to faint, or the plane is crashing.

“They call it Old Town, but it is only two hundred years old?” he says. “In Italy, that would be a new town.”

I just tried to laugh, but only a snort came out. I’m going to jump off this plane now.

“I am an art student. Do you know the National Gallery?”

“Definitely. I’ve been there lots. Awesome place.”

“Maybe you could show me art there sometime.”

(I am KEEPING that blue mermaid FOREVER.)

“Okay. I’m Brady.”

“I am Guilio. Are those ‘thrilling adventures’ you are writing about?”

“Were. I’m all done, actually.”

“Do you know, Brady, how I can get a bus from the airport?”

“We’ll give you a ride. I’d like to introduce you to a friend.”

(Is life a trip or WHAT?)