I set aside the book that I hadn't even, to be honest, read, using it only as a cover, and changed into high-waisted blue jeans and a white puff-sleeve blouse — my outfit for every party to avoid attracting too much attention to myself.
— Oh no! Not this! Again?! — another small detail — Ella hated that outfit. She literally cursed it and the day we bought it together in one of the stores.
I just shrugged and began putting on my black leather ballet flats with a bit of a platform and pointed toes. My friend grabbed me again.
— What are you doing? — I protested.
— There will be people who shouldn’t see you in that! Don’t embarrass me and pick something nice. Are you a fashion designer or something? — Ella was outraged and sprinted into my wardrobe before I could even comprehend anything, and when she returned, she handed me a long satin dress of bright crimson color that shimmered under the lights. — Maybe this one? — I shook my head in disagreement with her choice and made a sad face. As if that would change anything.
After twenty minutes of arguments and threats (Ella did force me to wear that dress and heels), we stood by the entrance of the building where I lived, waiting for a taxi. My previously loose, wavey hair, following Elizabeth's advice, fluttered in the gusts of wind, and I was again futilely trying to do something about it.
It seemed like an eternity passed before we finally got into the car, shouting the address and apologizing to the surprised, even confused taxi driver.
The apartment where the party was held was simply extraordinary, but I had seen it far from for the first time, so I can’t convey all those feelings that boiled within me the first time I was here. The high ceiling, which was not quite typical for Milan, and the white marble columns in Baroque style that supported it, demonstrated the exquisite taste of the person who designed the space. There weren't many people in the hallway, and I sighed a little, but all my hopes were abruptly dashed into nothingness as inside there turned out to be even more guests. Oh, how I hated all these parties, if it wasn’t for Ella, I wouldn’t be here. But my friend was already running off to some guy, leaving me alone. I think his name is Matt, but of course, I’m not sure about that. I couldn’t keep track of the names of all the beauties’ admirers. And just like that, in a second, I was standing alone amidst this nightmare. Someone was dancing on the table to Britney Spears, someone was playing ping-pong with big round candies, someone was laughing at the top of their lungs, and someone, almost like me, was just standing there and not understanding what was happening at all. Help someone…
Eventually, I got tired of just standing and watching this organized chaos, so I approached the drinks table and took a glass of rosé wine to relax a bit. With my eyes, I searched for at least one familiar face. I nearly looked at everyone when suddenly, one girl caught my eye — she was slightly dancing to the beat while holding a glass of unfinished “Aperol”. Her chocolate curls were strangely pinned with hairpins. But the problem was I didn’t even remember where I knew her from. Maybe she was a colleague from work, or a girl from university... What a cute face she has, such a cute, straight nose… And such lovely shoulders... And a posture like… Wait, that can’t be! I wouldn’t even think of that!
— Raise your leg for an arabesque, is that you?
The girl turned around and started looking with her big walnut eyes for who could say such a thing, and then saw me as I was trying to maneuver through the crowd that had formed around her.
— Really… Sol?
— A… Adelina? — Mia seemed to struggle to say it.
— I couldn’t have imagined I’d see you here, how did you end up in Milan? — I honestly sometimes thought she had disappeared in the world of ballet. The last thing I heard about Mia was that she kept dancing. Although at one time we were very close friends and even similar in worldview.
— I’ve been studying here for almost four years now and working at “La Scala.”
— Oh my God, at “La Scala”?! You must be joking?! That place is amazing, I go there quite often! — an incredible excitement enveloped me, which I admit, I hadn’t felt in a long time, and for almost the first time, I didn’t regret listening to Ella and coming here today. I found someone I shared interests with — that was a win!
— So what brought you to Milan? — asked Sol in turn.
— I’m also studying, but as a fashion designer. How is it that we’ve never seen each other? This is Milan! Everyone here knows one another! — now I was lying, having lived and studied here for more than five years, I had made enough acquaintances to easily count them on one hand. But I think it was just me.
— Really strange, but if you often visit “La Scala,” I think you must have seen me on stage more than once, — the girl noted slightly surprised.
— Yes, that's possible. You know, I’m still fascinated by ballet, but you see, I somehow ended up more in fashion, — I truly was incredibly happy when I was developing a new design, choosing the shape and color, going to shops in search of the perfect fabric... But back in childhood, when I wasn’t even fully familiar with a needle — I danced classical ballet, and it was my truest and only love.
A radio awakened inside me, and I began telling Mia all about my life here in detail; it’s always wonderful to meet someone familiar in such a crowd, but when the person feels almost like family, it's simply uplifting. When we shared everything we could remember about our lives over the past eight years and exchanged phone numbers, I began yet again the search for a specific conversation partner. Ella had probably fallen off the face of the earth because the only thing I could see was someone who resembled her, along with a girl named Cecile, who studied with us, moving toward the sofas.
So I slipped out onto the balcony. It was easier to breathe here, not only because of the fresh air — there were significantly fewer people. Ultimately, you only notice the need for personal space when someone violates it.
I leaned against the railing, enjoying my favorite view. The evening was a bit cool, as if awaiting rain, but was not yet ready to bid farewell to the sun. If only I could sit at home now with this glass of wine, reading a book or watching a movie.
