Elio (2006): Age 16

We’re sprawled out on my bedroom floor, textbooks and notes scattered around us.The sounds from the street drift up from the street and muffled by the window. I adjust my glasses and glance over at Max, who’s lying on his stomach, scribbling something in his notebook. His blond hair falling into his eyes, and he is biting his lip in concentration. 

“Elio,what’s the formula for calculating molarity again?” Max asks,not looking up from his notes.

“It’s the number of moles of solute divided by solution in liters,” I reply, flipping through my notes to double check. 

“Right,right. Thanks,” he mutters, jotting it down.

I go back to my notes, but I can feel Max’s gaze on me. I glance up and catch him staring, his clear blue eyes focused on me with such intensity that it makes my heart skip a beat.

“Earth to Max. Why are you looking at me like that?” I ask.

Max blinks, his cheeks blush. “Uh,just thinking about stuff.”

I raise an eyebrow. “Stuff? Is that stuff the chemistry test, or are you trying to read my mind?”

“I wish I could read your mind. Would make studying a lot easier and tests.” 

I snort. “Sure, like you’d find anything useful in here, it’s mostly song lyrics and the occasional equation.”

He reaches over and playfully pokes my temple. “I doubt that.You’ve got all the answers locked away in there and at least three different ways to solve a problem.”

I swat his hand away, laughing. “So, what’s really on your mind,Max?”

He sighs dramatically and rolls onto his back, staring up at the ceiling. “Just…everything I guess. School,the future,us.”

Warmth spreads through me at the mention of “us”. Max and I have been friends since we were kids, but lately, things have felt different.

“Yeah, it’s a lot to think about,” I say, laying down beside him. “But we’ll figure it out.Together.” 

He turns his head to look at me, a small smile playing on his lips. “Together, huh?”

“Always,” I say, and I mean it. 

We lay there in comfortable silence, staring at the glow-in-the-stars I stuck on the ceiling in fifth grade. Until Max sits up, a determined look on his face. “Okay, enough of the deep stuff. Back to chemistry and actually trying to get through junior year. What was that about molarity again?”

I laugh and pick up my notes. “Alright, let’s do this. Number of moles of solute divided by volume of solution in liters. Simple as that.”

The dining room is filled with the aroma of homemade lasagna, garlic bread, and salad. The table is set with our mismatched plates and the usual chatter of our family meal. Max sits beside me, his plate already piled high with food. 

Mom bustling around, finally takes her seat and looks at Max with a warm smile. “Max, are you staying the night?” 

Max glances at me before answering, and I can see the indecision in his eyes. “I’m not sure yet, Mrs. Rizzo. I didn’t bring my overnight stuff.”

Mom waves her hand dismissively. “You’re practically family, Max. We have everything you need here.”

Dad nods in agreement, slicing into his lasagna. “We’d love to have you. It’s been a while since you stayed over.”

Mom leans forward slightly, her expression softening. “You know,Max, you’re always welcome here. We just want you to be comfortable.” 

He nods. “Thanks, Mrs. Rizzo.”

“Yeah, stay over!” Gia exclaims. “We can all watch a movie after dinner.”

“What movie do you want to watch?”

Gia thinks for a moment, her brow furrowing. “How about ‘The Princess Bride’? It’s the best!”

Max chuckles. “Good choice, Gia. I love that movie.”

“So, how’s studying going?” Mom asks, looking between Max and me.

“It’s going.” I say with a sigh. “We’re trying to cram as much as we can.”

“Chemistry is tough,” Max adds. “But we’ll get through it.”

“Good to hear.” Dad says. “Just remember, you’re both smart kids.”

Dinner continues with light-hearted banter and stories from everyone’s day. Gia talks about a new friend she made, and Mom and Dad share funny anecdotes from work. As dinner wraps up, I help clear the table, and Max heads to the living room to set up for our movie night. Gia trails behind him, peppering him with questions. I hear him answering patiently, his voice warm and friendly.

Later, as Max and I settle on the couch with a bowl of popcorn, Gia sits besides me and leans her head on my shoulder, and I put my arm around her, pulling her close. We laugh and joke as the movie begins, the worries of school and life momentarily forgotten. 

Max-

The living room is dimly lit, the only light coming from the flickering TV screen. The sounds of The Princess Bride is playing softly in the background. Gia is perched on the edge of her seat, her eyes glued to the screen, and Mrs. Rizzo in the kitchen cleaning up. Elio, who had been alert and chatty just a few minutes ago, has drifted off to sleep.

At first, I didn't think much of it. Elio had been tired from studying, and I figured he’d fall asleep sooner or later. But as the movie progresses, I feel a gentle pressure against my side. I glance down to find Elio’s head resting on my shoulder, his hair tickling my neck. He’s completely out, his breathing steady and rhythmic.

I try to shift slightly to make him more comfortable, but his arm wraps around my torso instinctively, pulling me closer. I can’t help but smile at how utterly relaxed he looks, even if his sleeping position is a little awkward. It’s not unusual for Elio to be a cuddler in his sleep, but tonight, he’s especially clingy.

As the movie nears its climax, Elio begins to murmur. I can’t quite make out what he is saying. It’s a mix of English and Italian, his words slurring together in a jumble that’s both endearing and confusing. 

“Non voglio andare…to the…game…”

I chuckle quietly. “What’s that, Elio?” I ask, though I know he can’t hear me. It’s kind of funny, hearing bits and pieces of dream that don’t seem to connect. 

Gia glances over. “Is Elio talking in his sleep again?”

“Yeah, a bit.” I reply, trying not to disturb him.

Gia giggles. “He’s so weird. But I guess that’s what makes him fun.”

Another soft murmur escapes Elio’s lips. “The princess…isn’t…giant…”

I stifle a laugh. I guess he is dreaming about the movie, but his thoughts are a bit jumbled.

Mrs. Rizzo emerges from the kitchen, her hands wiped clean. She sees us on the couch, Elio snuggled up against me, and smiles warmly. “Looks like someone’s had enough of the movie.”

I nod, glancing down at Elio. “Yeah, he’s out cold. I guess he’ll be out for the rest of the night.”

Mrs. Rizzo takes a seat beside Gia, who’s still intently watching the movie. “Well, as long as he’s comfortable. I’ll grab a blanket to cover him up.”

Mrs. Rizzo retrieves a blanket from the closet and drapes it gently over Elio and me. The warmth of the blanket and the soft hum of the movie create a cozy cocoon. I settle back into the couch, Elio still snug against me, completely at ease.

I find myself oddly content. There’s something comforting about having Elio close by, even if he is asleep and babbling incoherently As the movie reaches its end, I let out a contented sigh. Gia is getting up and heading upstairs. Mrs. Rizzo is watching with a smile. I glance down at Elio, who mumbles one last sleepy Italian phase before his breathing evens out again. I give him a gentle pat on the back.

“Looks like Elio’s out for the night,” Mr. Rizzo whispers. “He can stay on the couch. It looks like he found a cozy spot.”

Mrs. Rizzo nods in agreement. “If you’d like, Max, you can use the quest room. Or, if you prefer, you can sleep in Elio’s room. It’s up to you.”

“Thanks, Mrs. Rizzo. I’ll take guest room.”

I carefully extricate myself from the couch, trying not to wake Elio. His arm clings to me momentarily before he settles back down into his blanket. 

Mr. Rizzo guides me towards the guest room, which is just up the stairs to the right past Elio’s room. “It’s all ready for you,” he says. “Let us  know if you need anything.”

I thank him and step into the guest room, which has a neatly made bed and a stack of fresh towels. 

As I get ready for bed, I hear Mrs. Rizzo’s soft footsteps outside the door. She peeks in with a smile. “We’ve got some extra blankets in the closet if you need them.”

“I’m all set for now, but I appreciate it.”

As I settle into the bed. I drift off to sleep listening to the white noise of the ceiling fan and the noises of traffic.