life again.”
“You are healed, aren’t you?” she asked.
I forced a smile, and she squeezed my hand.
Chapter 16
Samuel—Find Mia
Budapest, June 2012
Eventually I fell asleep, but it was a restless sleep.
In the morning, I stretched and yawned on my way to the bathroom. After a cold shower, I felt better. I wrapped a towel around my hips and searched my backpack for my iPad. I could think about only one thing. Where was she?
I scanned all social-media platforms without any luck. Either she thought they were a waste of time, she wasn’t active online, or she had given me a false name.
I would never know.
Damn it . . .
I threw myself on the bed and ran my fingers through my wet hair. This was not how I’d imagined my trip. I wanted to unwind and forget about those beautiful green eyes. But I couldn’t, the image of her face refused to leave my thoughts. I had to learn more about Mia. I felt a burning urge to protect her. She seemed so fragile, so vulnerable. Her behavior had aroused my curiosity, leaving me totally confused.
I lay on the bed for a while and eventually got up and dressed. There was not much clothing to choose from. I hadn’t been very thoughtful when I’d packed. I opted for my old jeans and a gray shirt.
After a hearty breakfast, I grabbed a coffee to go and explored the city. I visited the Fisherman’s Bastion and the Buda Castle, but only the outside. I didn’t want to be inside thick, cold walls on such a beautiful day. Buildings fascinated me more from the outside anyway. Then I walked over the Chain Bridge to the other side of town. I was curious to see Váci Street, the famous pedestrian zone. I also needed to buy some more clothes.
I wandered aimlessly, window-shopping, then abruptly stopped. She was there! Just a few yards away, getting up from a bench. It must be her. I recognized her hat from the train.
“Mia!” I shouted, but she didn’t respond. She threw her backpack over her shoulder, then rushed toward me. This was my chance.
“Mia Lang,” I said in a lowered voice. We were so close, I was certain she’d hear me.
But she only stared straight ahead, hurrying along, even briefly brushing my shoulder before beginning to run.
“Hey, wait!” I yelled and chased after her. She was quick, though. “Hey, Mia, please wait!”
She only ran faster, finally turning to disappear down a narrow side street. I tried hard to follow, but when I rounded the same corner, she was nowhere to be seen.
Damn. I punched a lamppost. I wouldn’t get another chance like that again.
I needed to stop obsessing about her. I didn’t even know her.
Chapter 17
Mia—A True Friend
Budapest, June 2012
I spent all night at Kriszta’s place, and we talked until late into the night. We reminisced about the day we met and all the fun things we’d experienced together. We drank a lot of red wine and giggled like teenagers. It felt good to laugh and talk with someone who didn’t eye me awkwardly or pity me. I realized how much I had missed this. The muscles in my cheeks hurt because I had hardly used them the past year. After we’d downed a few glasses, I felt comfortable enough to take off my hat. She smiled, drew her chair closer, and reached for my hand across the table. Her maritime-blue eyes sparkled and I nodded peacefully. She squeezed my fingers.
“I’m so proud of you,” she said quietly.
“Thank you,” I whispered and looked down. I suddenly felt timid.
“But I have to tell you that your hair is a mess, Mia.” Eyes widening, I looked at her. She pressed her lips together, then burst into laughter.
Frowning, I snatched away my hand and crossed my arms over my chest. She wouldn’t stop laughing. Well, great for her that I was so entertaining.
“Come on. It was a joke,” she said and chuckled. “Short hair looks good on you.” I relaxed, and she dried the tears from her cheeks. Then she smiled her broad smile and said, “Seriously, Mia, really good. It’s grown
“You are healed, aren’t you?” she asked.
I forced a smile, and she squeezed my hand.
Chapter 16
Samuel—Find Mia
Budapest, June 2012
Eventually I fell asleep, but it was a restless sleep.
In the morning, I stretched and yawned on my way to the bathroom. After a cold shower, I felt better. I wrapped a towel around my hips and searched my backpack for my iPad. I could think about only one thing. Where was she?
I scanned all social-media platforms without any luck. Either she thought they were a waste of time, she wasn’t active online, or she had given me a false name.
I would never know.
Damn it . . .
I threw myself on the bed and ran my fingers through my wet hair. This was not how I’d imagined my trip. I wanted to unwind and forget about those beautiful green eyes. But I couldn’t, the image of her face refused to leave my thoughts. I had to learn more about Mia. I felt a burning urge to protect her. She seemed so fragile, so vulnerable. Her behavior had aroused my curiosity, leaving me totally confused.
I lay on the bed for a while and eventually got up and dressed. There was not much clothing to choose from. I hadn’t been very thoughtful when I’d packed. I opted for my old jeans and a gray shirt.
After a hearty breakfast, I grabbed a coffee to go and explored the city. I visited the Fisherman’s Bastion and the Buda Castle, but only the outside. I didn’t want to be inside thick, cold walls on such a beautiful day. Buildings fascinated me more from the outside anyway. Then I walked over the Chain Bridge to the other side of town. I was curious to see Váci Street, the famous pedestrian zone. I also needed to buy some more clothes.
I wandered aimlessly, window-shopping, then abruptly stopped. She was there! Just a few yards away, getting up from a bench. It must be her. I recognized her hat from the train.
“Mia!” I shouted, but she didn’t respond. She threw her backpack over her shoulder, then rushed toward me. This was my chance.
“Mia Lang,” I said in a lowered voice. We were so close, I was certain she’d hear me.
But she only stared straight ahead, hurrying along, even briefly brushing my shoulder before beginning to run.
“Hey, wait!” I yelled and chased after her. She was quick, though. “Hey, Mia, please wait!”
She only ran faster, finally turning to disappear down a narrow side street. I tried hard to follow, but when I rounded the same corner, she was nowhere to be seen.
Damn. I punched a lamppost. I wouldn’t get another chance like that again.
I needed to stop obsessing about her. I didn’t even know her.
Chapter 17
Mia—A True Friend
Budapest, June 2012
I spent all night at Kriszta’s place, and we talked until late into the night. We reminisced about the day we met and all the fun things we’d experienced together. We drank a lot of red wine and giggled like teenagers. It felt good to laugh and talk with someone who didn’t eye me awkwardly or pity me. I realized how much I had missed this. The muscles in my cheeks hurt because I had hardly used them the past year. After we’d downed a few glasses, I felt comfortable enough to take off my hat. She smiled, drew her chair closer, and reached for my hand across the table. Her maritime-blue eyes sparkled and I nodded peacefully. She squeezed my fingers.
“I’m so proud of you,” she said quietly.
“Thank you,” I whispered and looked down. I suddenly felt timid.
“But I have to tell you that your hair is a mess, Mia.” Eyes widening, I looked at her. She pressed her lips together, then burst into laughter.
Frowning, I snatched away my hand and crossed my arms over my chest. She wouldn’t stop laughing. Well, great for her that I was so entertaining.
“Come on. It was a joke,” she said and chuckled. “Short hair looks good on you.” I relaxed, and she dried the tears from her cheeks. Then she smiled her broad smile and said, “Seriously, Mia, really good. It’s grown
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