The sun was setting over the castle, the sky dotted with fluffly clouds that stood high in the sky, illuminated by the bright setting sun. The sky seemed to be a thousand colours all blurring into one beautiful picture. Dark blues and light blues, yellows and golds, all crashing together in the last few minutes of daytime. The air was still, a hush coming over the ancient castle. The moon was just beginning to become visible in a far away patch of sky, its pale light shining through the windows of Nicks office, distorting the suns rays and colouring the walls a brilliant shade of orange. He wouldn't see this room for another two months at least, the thought saddened him beyond belief, his office was a sanctuary, one of the only places he truly felt at home.
"Professor, am I interrupting?"
That calm, quiet little voice he'd come to adore broke into his daydreams, splitting him from the utopia he had been dreaming about and pulling him into the harsh reality of the real world. He looked up from his small desk at her, blonde hair spilling from her messy bun and curling around her face in small tendrils, her skin a pale orange as the sun beamed onto her like a painting brought to life. She would be a masterpice, he mused, rising from his comfortable seat and looking at the archaic grandfather clock.
"I'm glad you came, I would have completely missed the leaving dinner."
She glided over to his bookshelf, her thin, creamy arms struggling under the weight of several of his larger tomes without uttering a word. He loved how awkward she was, striding over to her and taking the books out of her arms, accidentally grazing his arm against hers in the process. It was smooth, and perfect. She was like a marble sculpture, perfect in every way. Her light blue eyes were facing the hard stone wall as she filed away the books, one by one, each time getting closer and closer to touching him. There was an awkward silence between the two, some sort of mutual understanding that words were not needed. It was just Rita and Nick, the sun dimming the light in the room to a point where it was near impossible to correctly read the spines of the books. Rita reached for the last book, placing it on the shelf and without thinking, went to get another.
Her hands grabbed his, an act that turned her cheeks apple red and his a similar shade. It was an accident, of course, but it ceased to be when she didn't let go or apologise in the manner she always used to when things like this happened. Her eyes darted around, not knowing where to look as his clear blue eyes examined her, one single thought running through his head and a million running through hers. He had finally solved all his problems. She was perfect, this meek girl, they were perfect for each other in every single way. The way their hands meshed together, the way his lips fitted perfectly as he caught her lips in a kiss, it was all part of some big plan. They were meant to be together, he knew it. She just didn't know it yet.
"Come with me to Venice."
Her eyes finally met his, confusion met realisation in one swift moment. The world seemed to accelerate around them, they were moving in slow motion, or so Nick felt. He held her hands tightly, wanting her to take all the time she needed. He hoped she'd say yes, he didn't know what he'd do if she didn't. Knowing that she was perfect for him and not being able to be with her would rip him into shreds, a slice of cheese through a grater.
"Only if we can go right now. And I have to tell Mother."