Phoebe's POV

 “I never thought a massage could feel this good.” The Aria Hotel in Prague has the best spa facility I have ever been to. Navy and Ava are face down on the table and with two women digging into their taught muscles. I am relaxed back in a very big, comfy, white recliner with my feet in hot water and seaweed is wrapped around my calf.

“Why are you reading at such a relaxing time? You should be enjoying this.” Ava spoke up. I rolled my eyes and looked at her.

“I kind of want to learn the language. And I am enjoying this for your information.” I look back down at my book again and read over the terms for family and friends.

“Do you mind taking that book away, and tossing it off the balcony?” I look up and Navy is pointing in my direction. The lady walks over smiling lightly at me. She takes my book and sets it over by the shelf holding my belongings. “Now kick back, close your eyes, and enjoy this.”

I rolled my eyes, but decided to do as instructed and relax back in the recliner. I find my self edging closer and closer to sleep when a voice disturbs me.

“So hows that guy of yours, Pheebs?” I open one eye, roll it, and close it again. Navy knows I don't have a boyfriend, well not since the third grade. I'm pretty positive that is why my dad fought so hard to pull me out of public school. Mom says it's because Ted was going to be pulled out, so I should be too. I think my theory is better.

“You need a foreign boo.” My cousin speaks up. I choked one air.

“I don't need a guy.” I argue. It's true, I don't need a guy. But, I constantly catch myself day dreaming about what it would be like meeting his family and him meeting mine, cuddling on the couch watching a rom-com and feeding each other popcorn. I wonder what it feels like walking down the side walk with our fingers laced together, having late night conversations about stupid things, and sharing our darkest secrets. Would he be the kind to spontaneously show up on my door step with flowers, and make a run for necessities when he knows it's that time of the month? Would he take me on a random date even if I was in sweats and a tank?

Like I said...I don't need a guy right now.

“We should go out tonight and reel one in, all three of us could get lucky.”

“Ava, you have a boy friend. In fact I'm surprised you two aren't married, and Navy, you have sworn off all guys because you claim there are no gentleman left in the world any more. So, you have one, and you don't want one Tell me again why I need one?” Ava and Navy just give me blank stares.

“Number one, I'm not married because the Lord only knows what my mom, dad, and your parent's would do to me.” Ava said propping up on her elbows while the woman digs her knuckles in to the calf muscles.

“And number two, I swore off all guys in the North America. We are in Europe for cry out loud! You need to lose it soon anyway,” Navy says. Once again, I choke on air.

“I don't need to lose anything!” I cross my arms over my chest, kind of embarrassed that they are talking about my virginity in front of these random women. “Especially not to a guy who doesn't speak English.” I slouch lower in the chair, praying this relaxing nightmare will be over soon.

“Look at that guy at the bar? He's been checking you out the whole time.” I take a sip of my drink and casually glance over to where the guy is seated. Sure enough there is a boy sitting there looking right at me. Immediately my cheeks flush with color at the heated stare of his piercing green eyes. His right eye drops in a wink and I look down at my food.

“He's okay.” I blush and the girls sputter, trying not to catch a lot of people's attention.

“He's okay? Okay?!” Navy leaned over the table with wide eyes. “You wanna know know what I think about him? I think he's-”

“Co si pro vás holky?” We all look at each other in confusion. I've been studying the language for the past week but I'm not even close to being that good.

“We don't understand.” Ava answered, pronouncing every syllable.

“I know English, very little.” The waiter nods. I smile and we all place our order. “I be back.” And he walks off.

“I still think you should go up to Mr. Green-Eyes.” Ava shrugs and sips her drink innocently. I shake my head and take a quick glance, but his back is facing me. Luckily. The food is ready faster than I thought. It is also better than I thought. Whatever I ordered, I went by the pictures in the menu, it was some sort of steak cooked to perfection. However, the entrees are quite tiny so we finish them with in five minutes after they come out.

“Dessert.” The waiter places a silver tray of Strawberry Kolache Cookies in the middle of the three of us.

“We didn't order this.” I said.

“Man there did.” He points to someone behind him then walks away. We all turn to look in the direction that he pointed and sure enough, a guy who looks about twenty years of age is waltzing over to us.

“Hello, ladies.” He greets with an American accent. He holds out his hand to me to shake.

“Did you order these?” I ask in a polite tone. The man looks confused and shakes his head.

“No, perhaps someone else did.” I nod my head and casually look behind him. When I do Mr. Green-Eyes has his head toward the side as if listening in to our conversation, and suddenly he is on his feet, ripping his coat off the back of his chair and walking out the front entrance. I don't miss his hand slapping some money in our waiters hand before he storms out of the building. I turn back to the others at the table and pretend I saw nothing.

“I'm Louis, by the way.” He glances at all of us, but when his eyes land on Navy something flashes in his eyes.

“I'm Phoebe and this is Ava, my cousin, and Navy, my best friend.”He shakes their hands, and if I'm not mistaken Navy actually blushes when their hands make contact.

“I'm here on a trip with my friend and cousin too. Ironic, huh?” I force a laugh and nod. Louis seems sweet and all, and I've never seen Navy react this way to being around a guy, but I can't help but wonder what was up with Mr. Green-Eyes.

When we arrive back at the hotel the girls are quick to fall asleep, but I can't even think about sleep at the moment. I'm haunted by a pair of green eyes and the longing for my family. It's only a few weeks into summer and I'm already homesick. I walk out into the cool night air and take a deep breath.

Our balcony over looks the rest of the hotel buildings and land. It's a beautiful sight especially when it's all lit up at night.

Being alone with my thoughts is truly a dangerous thing. I think about what the girls said earlier and only now do I realize how lonely I really am. Do I need a guy? I feel like I do, now that I'm not surrounded by the usual Seattle preppy boys. Mr. Green-Eyes could have been it, and I was a coward. Oh, the struggles of being a teenage girl.

I don't even notice I am calling home until an annoying buzzing is ringing in my ear.

“Phoebe?” At the sound of my dad's voice, the tears spring to my eyes, and I want to cry. I miss his hugs and teasing. I hold my breath so he won’t hear my broken voice and I rub my arm to comfort myself.

“Daddy?”

“Sweetie, what's wrong?” His voice sounds worried, and I hate that I'm worrying him.

“I'm not sure. I guess I just miss you and mom. Everything is great here and I don't want to leave, but I really want to be home.” I sniff. I can picture, almost feel, my father wrapping his arms around me, anchoring me to his chest. His hand would be smoothing my hair down, kissing my forehead, and allowing my tears to soak his shirt.

“You'll wake up tomorrow and not know why you cried about this. You'll feel better about the whole situation later. I promise you, baby, if you are dying to come home you have a one way ticket here and a one way ticket back. Now if my phone is correct, it's two in the morning there. You need to sleep.”

Maybe he didn't say what I wanted him to say, but it calmed me down and that's all I needed. “You're right, I love you.”

“I love you too. Goodnight.” I hang up the phone and crawl into the empty third bed and pull the covers up to my chin.

This will get easier, I know it will.