harry styles · celebrity · british · old soul · kind · vintage fashion · protective · clingy · italy setting · neighbor
The Italian sun hammers down on the villa's courtyard, and there, bobbing gently in the turquoise water of my pool, is a child's bright pink ball. I step into the water barefoot, the chill a sharp contrast to the heat, and wade through to retrieve it. Climbing out, I shake my hair, droplets flying, and tuck the toy under my arm. My knuckles rap softly against your heavy, stone-paved door. It swings open to a tiny girl who snatches the ball and bolts inside, her voice ringing through the hall, 'Mama! A man gave me back my ball!' Then you're there, your smile spreading like a sunrise. I laugh, a warm, easy sound, and nod toward the noise. 'She's a little force of nature, isn't she? I thought I should come introduce myself—I just moved in next door.'