Tom's story continued late into the evening, as he mimed every step of what had happened, from the phone call to Naomi's punch.
The girls grimaced because, although happy that the whole affair was over, there remained a bitter feeling that perhaps so many complications could have been avoided.
Belinda had called her mother to tell her what had happened, enduring a furious scolding from Tracy when she learned she had willingly put herself in danger, but she hadn't defended herself: after all, she was right.
Promising not to do anything stupid again, she had said goodbye, asking her not to treat her like a child again, telling her lies and leaving her in the care of other people.
They parted with the promise that Tracy would arrive before Ferragosto, the date on which she and Tom would perform their new song in public, after the Scream concert.
Belinda had agreed with Tom to go on the radio one more time to allow listeners to talk to them, given the abrupt interruption that day.
It was very late when Bill asked her to join him in the garden so they could talk undisturbed. They settled into their favorite spot, and Belinda snuggled into his arms. Bill's expression was impenetrable, and he seemed in no hurry to speak. When he did, a few moments later, he began in a calm voice.
"I still think you did something stupid today."
"You haven't told me that in the last... ten minutes?" she laughed.
"I may be repetitive, but I keep thinking about it." Bill turned to look at her. "We might not have gotten there in time, you know?"
"But you did," she reassured him. "So what's the problem?"
He snorted softly, pulling her closer. "I was scared, Bel. Today, for the first time in a long time, I was afraid I'd never see you again..."
Belinda hugged him, moved and sorry. "Sorry."
"I don't like Alex."
"I knew that too."
The girl smiled, and Bill glared at her.
"I didn't like him when I didn't know him, and now I like him even less... And it bothered me that he kissed your hand!"
Belinda turned, surprised, to stare at him, but he kept his gaze straight ahead.
"And how did you see him? You weren't close!"
"I had binoculars, and I watched the whole thing through them." Bill sighed. "And then all those things you said to him on the phone... Yes, I know it was a show, but it really bothered me."
"Listen, Bill." Belinda put a hand on his arm. "Alex has always been a very conceited man, and the only way to entice him was to flirt with him. I'm sorry I said those things, but I didn't want him to disappear and then spend any more time being afraid of him."
"I didn't need to meet him."
"That's true, but I wanted to see him!"
Bill looked at her suspiciously, but she continued.
"When I met him, I was young, and he manipulated me with his charisma and good looks, convincing me I was in love with him. The first few times were really beautiful for me; I couldn't see beyond the bubble he'd trapped me in, until it burst in my face with all its tragic reality. Afterward, everything about him instilled only fear and confusion in me. I didn't really understand what had happened, but I wanted to know the truth, at least about my feelings."
Bill seemed torn. He stood up abruptly, freeing himself from her arms and taking a few steps back and forth.
"And did you get your answer?" he asked, turning his back to her.
Belinda smiled sadly. "Yes. I have no feelings for him, maybe I never have. While he was speaking, I wasn't seeing his face, but yours, with that frowning expression I love so much."
"Really?" His voice came softly, and Belinda reached him, wrapping her arms around his waist and resting her face against his back.
"Really," she reassured him. "It's not pleasant to compare yourself to previous relationships, but you can't be jealous of someone I knew before you!"
Bill turned slowly and scrutinized her face.
"You've never compared me to him?" he asked, pulling her closer.
"You're completely different from him!" she exclaimed, perplexed. "How was I supposed to compare you two?"
"I don't know... maybe when I hug you or kiss you or..."
"Oh, no! I won't get drawn into this game of who's better in bed! Sorry!" she said dryly, standing up. "These are stupid challenges between men."
"I'm not interested in this comparison, but it makes me uncomfortable to imagine you in bed with him, and..."
"And what am I supposed to say, me and your hundreds of hysterical fans? Should I torture myself because they're all prettier, taller, blonder than me? No, I don't care!"
"Not even a little jealous or curious?" he teased.
"No, because right now I'm the one in your arms, and you'll have to focus only on that!" she murmured, running a hand behind his neck and kissing him passionately.
Bill chuckled amusedly against her lips, but the girl didn't give him time to argue and began running a hand through his hair, ruffling and smoothing it.
"You know how many times I've been tempted to throw a bucket of water on you to see if it would droop."
"Maybe while I was on stage singing?" Bill laughed and lifted her up.
"That would have been great!" sighed Belinda, as she leaned against an open window and wrapped her legs around his waist, pulling him close.
Bill caressed her face. "I'm terrified of your jokes!"
"I'm unforgiving, aren't I?" the girl quipped, kissing his fingertips.
"You know, Bel, I'll never compare you to anyone, because you're totally and completely different from anyone I've ever met... And I've met some weirdos!" he told her softly.
"I might compare you to all the weirdos I've ever met, but I'm convinced you're the best!" she admitted, caressing him.
"Will you still think that after this summer?"
"I'll think about it seriously." The girl smiled.
"So you're not staying?"
"Bill! But…"
"I know, okay, I said something stupid," she replied, shaking her head.
"No, you said something beautiful," she rebuked him, looking at him tenderly. "But I still have to decide what I want to do, not just with my life, but with the immediate future."
"Music?" he tried. "Study? Me?"
Belinda smiled with delight as she looked into his eyes, trying to understand what he really wanted.
"I wouldn't have any hesitation about that," she replied. "I'd choose you, but… and there's a but. What should I do with everything else?" My family, my life in Italy, my studies, my friends, I can't just give it all up like that."
"If it's worth it..." he muttered, playing with a lock of her hair.
"What are you proposing to me, Bill? Come on, no more riddles, I want a serious proposal!" Belinda pushed him a little further away so she could look at him carefully.
"Well, you wouldn't have any big problems if you moved here," Bill explained in a feigned absent-minded tone. "You have friends, you have a job, you can make music, you can study... if you want, you have me too."
"Yes, actually, it's not a bad idea, on the contrary!" Belinda commented. "But I need my family, even though I know Naomi won't forgive me for keeping her away from Tom. But she still has school obligations and can't give up."
"But don't you think about us?" he asked sadly. "I don't think I can lose you now."
Belinda felt her heart pound; never in all that time had she hoped to hear those words. No one had ever said them to her in such a natural, yet heartfelt way. Tears came to her eyes and she wanted to tell him she wouldn't leave, but she knew it would be a lie. Now they were only living a fragile illusion, not real life.
She put a hand on the back of his neck and pulled him close, hugging him tightly.
"I won't tell you this isn't what I've dreamed of hearing from you ever since I met you, but this isn't reality, Bill! We're living a dream, a beautiful, wonderful dream, but a dream nonetheless," she whispered softly. "This summer will end, and we'll find ourselves wondering what we're doing, where we're going, and what we're looking for. I have to put Alex to rest, and that means going home, facing a trial, and coming to terms with myself. Staying here would be like running away again, do you understand?"
"I just know it would have been wonderful, but, as you say, unfortunately it's just a dream," Bill whispered.
"You make me feel guilty," she murmured regretfully.
"You don't have to." She sighed into his hair. "It's me who doesn't want to accept that you might be right."
"I'm sorry, Bill. It really hurts me to tell you this."
"It hurts me more. But, as Tom says, I can't always have everything."
He kissed her forehead gently while slowly caressing her back.
"Do you think my mother was right? That we're not meant to be together?" he asked softly.
"I would have loved to change her mind," Belinda admitted sadly.
"And I think she would have been happy!"
Bill smiled as he lowered his face to kiss her and convey all the love he felt.