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Domenico intervened in the examination:
«This lady,» he pointed at my Mum, «knows that senor Luciano has stolen them.»
«How does she know?» the first officer asked and then turned to Mum. «Could you, please, explain to us how you came at it?» he asked her in English.
«It’s not a fact,» Mum started, «but only a suggestion. Look – how can a porter, a sixteen-year-old boy, buy these earrings, precious-gemmed ones, with his salary?»
«Indeed,» Domenico agreed, «I wonder how a boy can obtain such a thing.»
«It’s simple,» Mum added. «And when he gives them to a thirteen-year-old girl…»
«It’s strange,» the second police officer caught up. «If he’s her boyfriend, he must buy only affordable gifts.»
Suddenly, a middle-aged man flew in the hall.
«Here he is!» he exclaimed in Italian. «This thief!»
«What thief?» the first police officer became curious. «Isn’t it him?» he pointed at Luciano.
The man stared at the boy.
«Exactly!» he exclaimed. «How have you found him? I’ve been searching for him around the whole quarter!»
«I’m sorry,» Mum said in English, «do you speak English? Who are you?»
«Of course, I can! I’m an owner of a jewelry shop!»
Mum and me looked at each other.
«A jewelry shop?» the second policeman asked. «Interesting, interesting.» He started writing all the details down in his notebook.
«And when did you see this boy?» the first one asked the owner.
«Three days ago!» he exclaimed. «He’s stolen a pair of earrings from me!»
«Bah!» Domenico said. «Aren’t they the ones?» he showed the earrings he had in his hands to the man.
«Absolutely!»
«Luciano,» Domenico asked, «how could you?»
«I’m sorry,» Luciano started speaking. «I’m really sorry. I just wanted to make a present for Roxy. She deserves the best of the best,» he looked at me. «But I didn’t have money. I’m sorry, Roxy…»
The boy looked down.
«Indeed!» the shop owner started shouting in English. «That’s what you study at school, ah? For a girl, you must buy things that are not too expensive for your pocketbook!»
I wonder who called the police…
«My boy,» the man went on speaking, «no matter what the motive is, you must absolutely be in charge for your actions according to the law anyway!»
«Please,» I begged in Italian, «let Luciano go!»
«Roxy!» Mum took me up short. «Don’t poke around in other people’s business!»
«No, no,» Luciano said, «it’s only my fault! I admit it!»
«I’m sorry,» Mum said, «but may I ask who called the police?»
«It’s me,» Domenico said. «I’m afraid I didn’t understand anything in this situation, so I decided it’d be better for me to clear everything up.»
«You may go now,» the first police officer said to Mum and me in English. «Thank you very much, and have a nice day! Ciao!»
We went out as fast as we could.
«It would be just our luck to get in trouble,» Mum said when we were in the street. «I told you that you must stay away from him!»
I didn’t say anything.
«You’re so naïve, Roxy! You’re a child!» Mum went on. «Although you’re a wunderkind, you’re still a kid, and you’re so naïve!»
Mum always wears glasses. She’s got short fair hair and green eyes.
«And I’m saying it not because I want to blame you for something. I want to save you from a very big mistake.»
«I know, Mummy.»
When we got back to the hotel, Domenico said Luciano was placed under two week’s house arrest, because he himself had admitted his guilt, but the jewelry shop owner had been insisting on Luciano’s being arrested.
«I wanted to marry him, Mummy!» I cried when we entered our room.
Unexpectedly for me, Mum began to laugh.
«Roxy, I repeat once again – you’re still a child! I understand all your feelings perfectly – but he’s not for you.»
14 August 2012
The day of our departure. It was a pity for me to leave Sicily. But what else did I have to do? In two weeks, I’ll become a part of a big University community. It’s more than just great, taking into account the fact that you’re only turning fourteen!
I need to prepare a speech, because the Head of the University has personally asked me to make it.
To be honest, I’ve got only fond memories of Italy, despite everything that has happened to us so far.
Therefore, when our plane took off, I whispered to the land remaining below us: «Grazie, Italia! Ti amo![3 - Thank you, Italy! I love you! (It.)]»
2 September 2012
Fourteen years old today! I feel like an adult. Although I have four years left before I turn eighteen…
17 September 2012
Today, it’s my convocation ceremony. I’ve made a speech. It wasn’t that long, for the people not to become tired. However, it’s not short either. One hundred words approximately. One hundred and thirty-three words sharply. To tell the truth, I tried to make my speech as friendly (and comprehensible!) as possible.
Now, I’m ready to walk through these doors.
The Head personally met me and asked to proceed to the stage, from where I was to deliver my speech.
I began speaking:
«Hello, everyone! I am happy to see all of you here, within the walls of London University! I’m here with you, although – imagine! – I turned fourteen just yesterday! But I feel like an adult despite my age! I am really happy to study here with you, hoping to make a lot of friends in London University! For each of you, dear students, dear freshmen, this is a moment that you will remember for a long time. Therefore, let me be one of the first, along with the President, to greet and congratulate you as you embark on this amazing adventure. You all have worked hard to get here; but it’s also your parents, grandparents, your other family members, and teachers, who have supported you on your road here. So, I wish you good luck! Thank you!»
Everyone present applauded me.
I am very happy to have entered this exact university because it was located in London.
The President thanked me and said that I should start getting along with the students right away, especially if I’m a Londoner, despite my quite young age. I told him that I wouldn’t let him and the University down.
A new group, a new atmosphere… It was all lovely!
2 September 2014
Dear Diary,
I’m sorry I haven’t written anything here for quite a long time. And what time! Two years!
No, my sixteenth birthday is not the reason why I’m writing something today. Just… I’ve had nothing to say!
Everything has been more or less the same. Studies, studies, studies… Sometimes, you begin to think that at sixteen, you’ve got to attend lectures and seminars and try to express your opinion in a most concise way. Right – if I start speaking, it’s going to last forever. But a class’s duration is only an hour and a half…
Being a junior student means that you are familiar not only with the language itself, but also with its system, concepts, and elements. You need to grasp its every sparkle, every special feature that a person who doesn’t study Spanish has no notion of.
I almost forgot (and completely forgave) Luciano. What about Maximilian? To be honest, I want him to appear in my dreams again!
15 September 2014
Today, an Italian exchange student is to come to our university for a year. I think it’s a perfect opportunity for me to practice Italian. Why not…? I mustn’t forget any language I speak just because I study full-time and don’t actually have much of a chance of practicing all of them!
As a person who speaks Italian, I am sent to meet the student in a delegation. As it turns out, the boy’s name is Fabio. He’s a Biology student.
When meeting Fabio, we asked him all about life in Italy. But first, we greeted him cordially, of course.
I said in Italian:
«Buongiorno![4 - Hello! (It.)] We are happy to see you here, in our University. My name is Roxy, you can call me anytime. This is Clare,» I introduced my groupmate who knew Italian, «and this is Max, who will help you when needed.» Max was the Head of our Student Government.
«Buongiorno!» Fabio smiled. «I hope you’re all doing well too! It’s very nice for me to come here to study in London. Thank you very much, all of you! Grazie!»
Then, he looked at me for a long time…
«Now,» Fabio looked away, «could you show me where my room is, please?»
«Sure thing!» Clare said.
We took the boy to his room.
«Amazing accommodation!» Fabio exclaimed. «This is where I will feel at home!»
We clapped our hands happily.
«Now, I think you can be free. I will have some rest after my journey,» Fabio said to us. «Thanks again!»
When we left the room and began to drift out, I heard Fabio’s voice calling me:
«Roxy!»
I turned back.
«Roxy, could you help me with something, please?»
«Of course! How can I help you, Fabio?» I asked.
«Is there a singing club or something like that in the university?»
«Well,» I said, «actually, there is…»
The boy smiled, came up to me and looked right into my eyes.
«It’s amazing! Let’s sing together!»
«Sing together?» I raised my eyebrow.
«Yes. A girl like you must adore singing!»
«Right,» I muttered, «but I’m afraid I study full-time…»
«So what? It’s not an excuse!» Fabio chuckled.
«Fabio,» I said, «studying Spanish requires a lot of efforts. And if you’re planning to be an A-student…»
«Are you?» the boy snorted. «Don’t be a nerd! Even if you are, you must appear before the footlights at least once!»
Perhaps, Fabio was right…
«Okay,» I agreed. «Let’s try.»
«Of course!» he graced me with a smile. «And remember – you only live once!»
«I know,» I smiled back.
