Exiting the school gates, Delphine and Dorian made their way across the street where the motorcycles were parked.
He signaled for her to follow and she readily complied, ready to head home.
As Dorian donned his helmet, Delphine reminded him of what they were supposed to do before going home.
"Don't forget, we need to stop by the bakery first" she told him.
"Of course", he replied, a playful grin forming on his face.
"And then I'll make sure to safely escort you home. Looks like the serial killer who was following you will have to search for another victim today."
Amused by Dorian's light-hearted joke, Delphine chuckled.
Dorian handed her a helmet, and she secured it in place before hopping onto the backseat of the motorcycle.
With a loud rumble that reverberated through the streets, Dorian ignited the engine and the bike took off, skillfully navigating the busy city center where their school was located.
The bustling streets of the town square quickly enveloped them.
Under the sun's radiant rays, the cobblestones shimmered, casting a warm and welcoming glow over the surroundings.
Group of children ran joyfully together, their backpacks bouncing against their backs as they returned home from school.
Laughter filled the air, harmonizing with the vibrant hum of the city that surrounded them.
In the distance, Delphine spotted an elderly lady walking leisurely, her hands burdened by envelopes from the market.
Dorian maneuvered the bike through the bustling crowd, while Delphine held on tightly.
As the town square flashed by, Delphine admired the charming buildings and vivid shops that adorned the street corners.
Their vibrant facades painted a lively scene.
Upon reaching their destination, the bakery, Dorian skillfully brought the motorcycle to a halt in front of the entrance.
He turned to Delphine, seated behind him, and asked directly "Do you want me to come in with you?"
"No, it'll only take me a few minutes, and there won't be many people here around this time" she replied.
Then she removed her helmet and stepped off the motorcycle.
Dorian nodded and settled back onto it.
As Delphine entered the bakery, the delightful scent of freshly baked bread and pastries enveloped her senses.
To her surprise, she found only one person in line at the counter.
The walls and shelves of the bakery displayed a magnificent array of carefully crafted bread, biscuits, and pastries, their vibrant colors and inviting aromas overwhelming the senses.
Soft loaves of bread stood tall in one corner, while the shelves showcased a tempting selection of sweet treats, including croissants, tarts, and cakes.
Trays and platters of savory delights like pizza bianca and stuffed bread awaited the eager customers.
The friendly voice of the baker snapped Delphine out of her thoughts.
She turned to face him and recognized his familiar reassuring smile.
"Miss, what would you like to buy today?" he kindly asked.
Having been a longtime customer, Delphine and the baker had known each other for years.
With a radiant smile, she replied "I'd like 1 kg of bread, please, and two smaller loaves. Oh, and a couple of those pastries as well. They look amazing."
While the baker carefully packed and wrapped her order, Delphine noticed movement from the corner of her eye.
Glancing discreetly, she saw an unfamiliar person approaching the counter.
"That's odd" she thought to herself. "He didn't even say good afternoon."
Curiosity piqued, Delphine attempted to steal a glance at the stranger, but she didn't want him to notice.
After handing over the payment and receiving the envelope containing her items, she thanks and withes a good day to the friendly baker and made her way toward the exit.
However, as she turned around, she caught a glimpse of a tall, thin boy with porcelain-like skin and glistening dark hair.
Their eyes briefly met before he averted his gaze.
His eyes looked like ice.
Since she had never seen him before, she assumed he might be a tourist.
His tall and skinny figure and the piercing frosty blue and grey of his eyes made him stand out.
Contemplating the various possibilities of who he could be and where he might be from, Delphine eventually cleared her mind.
Delphine greeted Dorian with a sparkling smile before hopping onto the motorcycle again.
"We can go" she said, gripping Dorian's waist, feeling the warmth of the sun on her skin as he kickstarted the motorcycle.
She kept the information about the mysterious boy to herself, choosing not to tell Dorian.
Why would she share it anyway?
Her thoughts gradually shifted to other things as she got lost in the charm of the town they were traversing.
The sun was shining, the sky was a vibrant blue, and the entire place seemed vibrant with the liveliness of everyday life.
As they approached the outskirts of the picturesque country house that Delphine called home, Dorian reduced the speed of the motorcycle.
Delphine leaned her head against his back, savoring the tranquility and serenity of the warm countryside.
Just as they were about to turn a corner, Delphine decided to speak up.
"I started hearing those strange footsteps over there" she mentioned, shifting slightly.
Dorian chuckled and replied "Nothing unusual, Delphine. There are plenty of animals around, and it's easy to get a little jumpy. That's all."
Trying to reassure her, Dorian scanned the surroundings but saw nothing out of the ordinary, just the typical sounds of animals and birds.
Upon reaching her house, Dorian turned off the motor and helped Delphine dismount from the motorcycle.
"Do you want me to pick you up for school tomorrow?" Dorian asked, glancing at her.
"We don't have school tomorrow, dummy!" Delphine retorted with a smile, playfully pinching his arm.
"Oh, right. This heat is melting my brain too" he replied, chuckling.
Delphine's mother appeared at the window, interrupting their conversation.
"I heard the sound of the motorbike, and I knew it was you! So... are you joining us for lunch?"
"No, no... I just..." Dorian tried to reply.
"Come inside. I won't let you go back home in this scorching sun" Delphine's mother insisted before he could even finish his sentence.