Author's Note: And you guys said that month wouldn't fly-- it did! Anyways, you've already read the first chapter, well, I'm assuming that you did. So, before we start this thing, let me just say that I am obvi *NOT* Italian, therefore I do *NOT* speak Italian. Because they're going to Italy though, there, of course, is going to be some Italian in here so if you're Italian or speak the language or whatever, if an Italian phrase or word or anything like that isn't accurate, don't blame me, blame Google Translate. And if you leave a rude comment about it, I probably won't be very nice in response, that or I'll just delete it. (:

Also, I feel like I should catch you up on a few things. 

1. I have a new joint story with the wonderful writerbug44 on our joint account-- RelentlessDreamer, called The Seaside Cafe, and it'd be super cool if you'd all check it out, if you already haven't. 

2. I have a joint Twitter account with writerbug44 as well and we're @wattpad_probs, so yeah, you should follow us there, because that'd be really awesome. 

3. I have a new story which I posted exactly one week ago, called Like Crazy, so it'd be really, really nice if you'd read that and let me know what you think of it. 

4. I think I've mentioned this, but maybe not, so I'll say it again; Serendipity has been published for e-book and paperback. If you liked Serendipity-- I'm assuming you did since you're reading the sequel-- you should go check it out and buy a copy of either one, maybe? Neither is very expensive and I'll post the link in a comment and place it in the external link. Oh, and so is Losing Grip, if you read that. So, if you wanna like, be able to always have it and carry it around, Serendipity or Losing Grip, that is, you should definitely go and buy it-- that'd be really, really cool and I'd love you forever and always. 

5. And I have a new website so if you wanna know about like, my stories and my thoughts for new ones and all that good kinda stuff, you should probably check it out. It's called: millie-starlight.wix.com/millie. Also, since Wattpad no longer has the chat bar, I have Skype now so that I can still talk to all of you lovely people, so add me on there if you'd like, millie_wattpad. 

And lastly, please, please, please comment and vote and fan!

Happy reading, lovelies!

▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬

Chapter 2: I'll Always Love You, Barker

After what seems like an eternity, we finally land in Rome. Of the nine hour flight, I slept maybe like, seven collectively. The other two hours, I spent watching the in-flight movie, which was The House Bunny. It’s a pretty good movie, kinda funny, so it made me laugh. It feels kinda weird to laugh though because there’s like a permanent grimace on my face. Well, not literally, but you get what I’m saying.

Out of the corner of my eye, I see Bradley open his eyes and yawn lightly. He looks so adorable doing that. Like a little Clownfish or something. Not that he looks like a fish, it’s just that the only species of fish I know are the Clownfish and the Goldfish and I wasn’t gonna say that he looks like a Goldfish; that’s just weird.

Bradley takes his earbuds out and wraps them around his iPod, looking out of the window and then unbuckling his seatbelt. The good thing- possibly the best- about being in first class is that they let you of the plane first. Once the Pilot comes over the loudspeaker with some message, the blue uniformed flight attendants disperse, telling us that we may exit the plane now.

Thank God.

Drew stands up lazily as if he himself just woke up and steps out into the aisle, rubbing his eyes with the back of his hand. I step into the aisle behind him and I faintly hear Bradley tell Tanner and Walker to go first, then steps in behind the two of them.

He doesn’t even wanna walk by me.

This is ridiculous. Following Drew, the rest of the guys, Jaime and I make our way off of the plane, through security and to the baggage claim. Seeing as how we’re gonna be here for  just a little under three months, I had to pack accordingly. I only packed last night and Bradley was over for the night. He packed most of my stuff for me; I just tried to stuff it all in the suitcase. They wouldn’t all zip that way, though.

I find my three huge duffel bags and two suitcases- it isn’t hard because they’re all marked with my initials, SMB- in bright pink lettering and they have zebra print covering. Once the other six- the boys plus Jaime- all have their stuff together, I clear my throat awkwardly and look around.

“Um, I’m gonna go to the bathroom and call my mom,” I tell them.

With that, I walk away from them with my bags, heading towards the bathroom. The only reason I even find it is because the huge pink sign marked in huge white letters with the words, Ragazze Bagno, also have the standard picture of the stick figure in a triangle dress type thing. I push open the door and go in, letting it fall closed behind me.

Luckily it’s one of those bathrooms that has more than one stall. Don’t you hate those? Like you walk into the bathroom and there’s just one toilet or something? That really irritates me. This bathroom is strikingly clean and large though, compared to the Michigan airport.

Then again, this is Rome.

I make my way into one of the numerous spacious stalls and use it quickly before flushing and coming out. Turning on the water faucets of a sink, I pump a few squirts of soap in my hands, slowly rubbing them together. After about half a minute of rubbing them together slowly, I put them under the water, lathering the soap up. I’m just trying to extend the minutes leading up until I have to go back out there and face Bradley.

After a full three minutes of a mindless hand washing, I shut the water off and grab a few paper towels, drying my hands. I go to throw the towels into the large elegant type trash can and catch my reflection in the mirror as I do so. I stare at myself in the big mirror for a few minutes, taking a shaky deep breath.

Why am I such an idiot?

Bradley did absolutely nothing to deserve what I did to him and I really, really wish he didn’t see it. I’m so mad at myself for screwing it all up. Everything was just wonderful and perfect and lovely and just amazing and I had to go and mess it all up. I shouldn’t be surprised though; I’m Sydney Barker; screwing shit up is what I do, apparently. If I didn’t know it’d hurt like Hell, I’d slap myself for being so stupid. It will hurt though, so I repress the urge and instead step away from the mirror as I feel tears well up again.

I sniffle and blink a few times to stop the tears then walk back over to the counter, taking my cell phone out and dialing my mother’s cell phone number. She felt it necessary to get me the international plan before we left, for obvious reasons. The monotonous ring shrills through my ear and on the fourth ring, I’m about to hang up, but then I hear my mother’s chirpy voice.

“Sydney!” She exclaims. “Oh, sweetie, I miss you already. Are you guys just getting there?”

“Erm, yeah.” I confirm with a nod, which is stupid since she can’t see me. “We just got off the plane about fifteen minutes ago.”

“How was it? Was first class nice?”

“Nicer than it was last time,”  I reply, remembering the last time I flew first class. It was just last summer to Mexico and it was absolutely awful. Literally the most dreadful thing ever. “I just wanted to call and tell you that we made it.”

“Well, you don’t sound very enthusiastic about it.” My mother notes and I can almost picture the frown on her face.

“That’s because I’m not! I don’t wanna be here! I wanna come back home,” I cry into the speaker on my iPhone.

“You are coming home; it’s not like you’ve been banished to Italy.”

“I mean, yeah, I know, but that’s not until August,” I mutter, referring to when we’re going back to the States.

“This is your birthday present, Sydney. You said you wanted to go to Europe, and now you’re there, so be happy.”

“B-but Mommy,” I whine, hoping that the ‘mommy’ card will have an effect on her. “I’m rea--“

“Don’t say it,” My mom scolds. “These tickets weren’t cheap and just because you and Bradley are in a squabb--“

“A squabble?” I interrupt, disbelief in my voice. “Mother, this isn’t a squabble; he broke up with me!”

“He’s just a boy, Sydney.” She scoffs. “There are more fish in the sea. You two were likely to break up this fall when you two go off to college anyway, so I don’t know why you’re acting so depressed. You’re in Italy and this is your last summer before you’re a college girl. You are going to stay in Italy and you are going to like it, okay? Do not ask me to come home again to come home because I’m going to say no. Do I make myself clear, Sydney Madison Barker?”

“Yes ma’am,” I mumble, rolling my eyes.

“Good girl,” She states. “Now, was there anything else you needed?”

“Yeah, actually. What’s the name of the hotel that we’re staying at so that we can head over there?”

“The name of what?”

“The hotel. You know, the hotel that we’re staying at.”

“Oh,” My mom chuckles. “You guys aren’t staying at a hotel.”

“We aren’t?” I ask, wrinkling my forehead in confusion.

“Of course not; I’m not paying for a hotel for seven people for three months.”

“I guess I didn’t think about that,” I admit. “Well, where are we staying then?”

“Your aunt has offered her home just for you all this summer,” My mother informs me.

“Aunt?” I echo. “What aunt?”

“Your aunt Francesca,” She says, like I know who that is.

“I have an aunt Francesca?”

“You don’t remember her?”

“Obviously not,” I answer with a tired yawn.

“I guess you were too young to remember seeing her when she last came to America- about sixteen years ago, it was.”

“Oh, well, yeah, I guess I was too young.” I agree. “So, you just want us to go and stay with some stranger?”

“Not some stranger; your aunt Francesca,” My mother corrects. “You’ll love them, Sydney, I already know it.”

“Them? Who’s them?” I wonder, cocking my head to the side, taking in all the newfound information.

“Oh, Francesca and her daughter, Elena. She’s around your age, maybe you remember when she visited?”

“No,” I deadpan. “I don’t, but okay. So, uh, what’s the address?”

“I have it here, just a second.” She says, papers crinkling in the background. “4393 Calabrone Drive, that’s it.”

“Calabrone?” I repeat. “What kinda name for a street is that?”

My mom chuckles, “I don’t know, Sydney. Ask your aunt when you get to her house.”

“Okay, fine,” I retort. “I’ll talk to you later then, I guess.”

“Alright. Get some rest, have some fun and call me tomorrow, okay? Don’t let Bradley bring you down.”

“He’s not bringing me down,” I defend. “He’s not talking to me, which depresses me.”

“You’re being overdramatic. I have to go; Josh has a soccer game in half an hour and I have to take him there, so I’ll talk to you later, honey.”

“Okay, mom. Tell Josh I said good luck, and I’ll call you tomorrow, I guess.”

“I love you, sweetheart.”

“I love you too, mom.” I reply with a sigh, ending the call.

I put my phone down into my pocket and look up at myself in the mirror again, trying to make sure I don’t look like absolute crap. I yank the hair tie holding my messy bun out and let my long brown hair fall down past my shoulders, ruffling it with my fingers. I collect my bags and leave the restroom, slowly walking back through the airplane lobby. I find the guys and Jaime all sitting together at a plastic table, talking amongst themselves. Except for Bradley, that is. He’s got his head down on the table, his back hunched over, his back muscles flexing underneath his grey t-shirt as he slightly alters his position.

“Did you talk to your mother?” Walker wonders as I approach the table.  

“Yeah, I did.” I confirm, nodding. “We’re not staying at a hotel though, so yeah.”

“What do you mean? Where’re we supposed to be staying at then?” Tanner asks, stuffing his face with beef jerky.

I guess he found a vending machine. Not surprising considering all he ever thinks about is food and sex.

“My aunt Francesca's,” I declare. “My mom said that she wants us to stay with her, so we are.” I announce.

“Well, I don’t care where we stay; I’m just ready to go to sleep,” Mikey yawns, resting his head on Jaime’s shoulder.

“Me too,” Bradley interjects, standing up and running his fingers through his hair.

“Uh, I think we’ll have to catch a cab there; none of us are old enough to rent a car.” I awkwardly say.

“Well, there’s seven of us, so probably we’re gonna need two cabs,” Walker inquires.

“Then why’re we still in here? Let’s go.” Drew chirps, standing up and walking towards the exit doors.

I mutter a few choice words for my so called ‘best friend’ under my breath, rolling my eyes at his blue t-shirted back as he walks away from us. I hate how he’s as chirpy as a baby bird on a Saturday morning. He’s all happy and stuff, Bradley’s pissed and me and I’m pissed at Drew and myself and depressed over Bradley. I’m still hoping that I’ll be able to talk to him in a few hours after he’s had time to think and hopefully by then he’ll realize that being broken up isn’t what he wants.

The rest of us set out, following behind him. We walk out of the airport and into the warm Italy air, which immediately makes me squirm. It’s not exactly hot, but I wouldn’t call it pleasant. The air is saturated, as if it’s just rained or stormed. I’m no meteorologist or anything, but I know that it’s at least eighty degrees out here, maybe a little lower. I don’t have a problem with heat or anything; I love it actually, because obviously I can only tan in the heat. Unless I go tanning at a tanning salon or something and that’s never really been my thing.

Skin cancer just doesn’t really appeal to me.

“You’re so freaking weird,” Bradley murmurs in his adorable sleepy voice as his eyes flutter open.

“I’m not weird; I’m just taking a picture. Now smile,” I command, as I shift on top of his stomach, poising my camera. 

I snap a few pictures of my gorgeous boyfriend and then pull the camera over my head, setting it on his bedside table.

“Why do you always take photos of me? Take one of you sometimes.” Bradley teases, lightly gripping my thighs.

“I like looking at you more than I do myself, that’s why,” I reply, taking the camera and snapping another picture.

“Oh, that’s it,” He announces, suddenly rolling us over in the bed, trying to wrestle the camera away from me.

“Quit it you freak!” I exclaim, laughing as he gets the camera away from me and starts tickling my torso.

“Nope, I don’t think I will. Consider it payback for all those pictures.” Bradley states, moving his fingers faster.

“Okay, okay!” I cry as tears of amusement stream down my face. “I’m sorry, please, please stop!”

“Are you gonna keep taking a million pictures of me?” He taunts smiling down at me.

“Nooooo!” I whine, just to get him to stop.

“Promise?”

“Promise,” I nod, trying to catch my breath.

Bradley chuckles, shaking his head at something and then leans down, hovering over me still, pushing his lips to mine lightly. I sneakily reach across the bed to the bedside table and grab my camera as our lips move in synchronization and pull back from Bradley, taking a surprise, up-close picture of him. I giggle underneath him and he gives me a playful frown.

“I love you,” He suddenly says with a bright smile.

“I love you,” I reply truthfully, dropping the camera on the bed, leaning up to him for a real kiss.

“Dude, you coming, or what?” Tanner asks, interrupting my memory from just a few weeks ago.

“What?” I ask, snapping back to the present.

“Our taxi’s here, come on.” He says, giving me a weird look. “You okay?”

“I’m fine,” I assure him, shaking my head. “Erm, where’s Bradley? Is he already in the taxi?”

“He took the other one with Walker, Mikey and Jaime. You, me and Drew are riding in this one.”

“Oh,” I say, sadly. Of course he took the other taxi; why would he even wanna ride with me?

“For what it’s worth, I don’t think you and Bradley are completely dunzo,” Tanner quietly says.

“I dunno,” I sigh heavily. “Wait, how’d you know we broke up?”

“I wasn’t on the plane yet when you two had that shout-out match. Mikey, Walker and Jaime don’t know though."

“Do you think he hates me?”

Tanner scoffs, taking my bags from me and packing them into the cab truck. “He hates you as much as I hate food.”

“But you don’t hate food.” I retort, not comprehending the analogy.

“Exactly,” Tanner winks, closing the trunk and opening the back door of the cab, gesturing for me to get in.

I kneel down, climbing into the back seat of the cab hesitantly, not wanting to sit by Drew. Tanner gets in beside me and closes the door, looking down at me.

“You good?”

“I guess,” I shrug.

“Hey, I’ll always love you, Barker.” Tanner assures me, patting me on the knee.

“I’ll always love you too, Foster,” I reply, smiling to myself.

“Qual è l'indirizzo?” The cab driver says, looking up at the three of us in his rearview mirror.

“Huh?” I ask, raising an eyebrow.

“He said, ‘what’s the address’.” Drew announces.

“How’d you know that?” Tanner asks Drew.

“Oh, it’s in this book of translations that I got from the souvenir shop.” He explains.

“Ooh, how cool.” I sarcastically remark.

“Sydney,” Tanner says in a reprimanding tone.

“It’s 4393 Calabrone Drive.” I tell the taxi cab driver, hoping he can understand me, ignoring Tanner’s tone.

“Suona bene,” He chirps, pressing down on the gas, driving away from the airport.

“I have no idea what you just said, but okay.” I reply, leaning back into the back seat as we ride down the street. 

▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬

Author's Note: Happy Monday! Did you like this chapter? Let me know in a comment! Don't forget to vote, please! Do you guys hate Drew as much as Sydney does right now or do y'all think she's just overreacting? What about Bradley? Is he overreacting? Updates will be Mondays and Thursdays. ♥