Mike and Joanna made a lot of 'get better soon' cards. I loved them all, but one sticks out the most. 

It's a glitter card full of hearts and flowers. I smile as I look at it. They're always so thoughtful. I fold the card again and put it between the pages of my notebook. 

Gradually, I'm packing my suitcase for the one full week trip to Italy. I close my eyes and inhale. I can practically taste the lovely pizzas and pasta. 

Pearl gave me a call last night, explaining why she hadn't visited me. I said that it was alright. Just as long as she goes with me to Italy, she has nothing to worry about. 

I close the suitcase and drop it beside my bed. Satisfied, I close my door and walk downstairs. 

"Mum? I'm ready when you are!" I hear her yell a faintly 'I'm coming' from the bathroom. I pull my black leather jacket over my shoulder and put only my left arm in. 

I have been walking every day. And each day the walk would get longer. I'm improving and I'm happy about that. The cuts and bruises have healed up too, only just revealing a little bit. 

Mum walks past me and grabs her coat. She puts it on with haste as she gets her car keys out of the key box. 

She rushes me towards her orange-red Volkswagen Tiguan. Afraid we'll get late. After assuring mum we're not going to be late in any way, she slows down with the speed.

"Sorry," mum gives me a quick side look. I roll my eyes. "You have been apologizing rather a lot the past week. What's new?" She stops at a red light and looks at me for a longer period. 

"Nothing..." mum starts but I cut her off by saying 'bull'. I receive a glare, but I just shrug. 

"It's just that I'm sorry for not coming to visit you when you were in the hospital," she gives me one last look. The traffic light turns green and she drives again. 

"Mum, I already told you that I didn't mind. I'm 22 after all. I can take care of myself," I say. She laughs. "Yeah, I know. 22 and still living with mommy dearest and pops," I narrow my eyes as she teases me. 

"Just a few more months, and then I'll be out yer hair." I mimick a Scottish accent but fail miserably. Mum laughs at my failed attempt and I pout. 

I look outside, recognizing the surroundings. Just a few more minutes and we'll arrive at Williams College. I tug at the end of my black jacket, thinking about asking the question that has been bugging me ever since I came home. 

"Just ask," I look surprised at my mum. "Just because you're an adult now, doesn't mean I don't know my daughter anymore," she chuckles. She does have a point there. 

"Fine..." I stop tugging at my jacket. "Are you mad? At me, I mean," I see her hands tighten a bit around the steering wheel. "What makes you think that?" Her voice cuts through the music that is softly playing on the radio. 

I begin to stutter, "I don't know. I just thought-" 

"Yeah? Well, stop thinking that way, because I don't like it. I know that the accident was horrible, but for the last time, and God help me so, it was not your fault." She snaps and her voice saying that if I dare to say another word about her being mad, I would be done for. 

I raise my arms as I'm surrendering. Mum nods, "good. Now go to school and learn more about that trip." I smile and give her a quick kiss on her cheek. 

"I love ya!" I open the car door and step out. I give her a short wave as she drives out the parking lot. 

Not even taken a step, arms wrap around my shoulder. "Hey, sweetpea. I've missed you so, so much these two weeks. But my parents wouldn't let me go to you." Pearl pouts and hugs me. I give her a small smile.

She rambles on how much she is excited about this trip. I raise my eyebrows. We start walking down the campus to the Higher Building. "Apparently, we're going to Genua. I've looked it up on the internet, and holy smokes. That place is gorgeous." 

I nod my head but eventually tune her out. I'm happy I am back, but Pearl doesn't stop talking. Opening the doors for me she lets me go first. 

We walk the stairways in silence, but it doesn't bother me. I open the door of our classroom and look around. Some faces are surprised to see me, others don't care. 

The place Pearl and I usually sit is still open, but I wanted a change for a while. 

"Would it bother you, if we can sit somewhere else than in the back?" I turn to Pearl. She answers with a 'yeah, sure' and walks to the second row. 

I sit down and put my backpack on the ground beside me. "Tell me what's going on?" Pearl gives me an innocent look. Trying not to crack. 

Giving her a glare, she sighs and folds her hands together. "So...you remember when I said that my parents wouldn't let me see you?" I say a quick 'yeah' and Pearl tries to sit comfortably. "Well, they plucked me from the hospital and took away my phone that Tuesday, two weeks ago," regret fills her eyes. "That's when I cut the knot. I moved out. I mean, I'm almost 24 and my parents still make the decisions for me like I'm a kid," she explains and I puzzle the pieces together. 

"Is that why you were so happy and excited earlier?" Pearl nods her head. "I truly am though. I don't know, but ever since I moved I feel..." she pauses thinking for the right word. "I feel lighter. I still need to find a home, but currently, I'm good where I am." I urge her to tell me where that is. Pearl rolls her eyes. "I'm staying with my aunt. The sister of my mother. She understood why I left, so she took me in," she says. "I do have to pay 50 bucks a month. But with the job I have, I can do that easily," I laugh, already liking her aunt. 

The door opens and James walks in with a folder in his hands.

"Hello, class," he pauses when he sees me. "Glad to see you here, Diana," James gives me a nod. "Likewise Ja- Mr Schmit," I bite my tongue. Keep it formal, no one needs to know we are friends now. 

Pearl gives me a surprised look but I ignore it. 

"So, everyone knows we're going to Genua, right?" James doesn't wait for everyone to answer him. "We will be leaving Wednesday. Which is in two days." Making sure everybody understands what he's saying, he looks at everyone. One by one and then ends at me. 

"The flight is around 10 a.m., so make sure you'll be at the Albany International Airport at around 8a.m.." I bite my lip. That airport is around 1 hour away. 

"I'll ask my mom if she can bring us two," I mention to Pearl and she chimes in. Finding it a very good idea. 

"I don't want to pay for parking my car there, anyways." I snicker at her response. 

James continues to speak, "I will check who will be there and who will not. Those not will just carry on with going to school. You will also receive the plane ticket when you arrive at the airport from me. Mrs Montoya and Mr Decker are going to join us too along with their classes. So be nice!" 

The bell rings and we're dismissed for the rest of the day and for tomorrow too. 

Pearl and I walk towards the staircase. I stop and remember James told me last week Monday to meet him in his office. Pearl tells me to meet her in the cafe after I told her that I need to talk to James. 

I knock on the door of his office. "It's open!" I hear him yell. Twisting the doorknob, I peek my head in. James has his feet on his desk and a book in his hands. When he sees me, he quickly puts his feet back on the ground and throws the book back in the bookcase behind him.

I close the door behind me and sit down on the chair. "So, did you pick Genua? I mean, not that I'm complaining or anything." James grins. 

"Yeah, I did. It is something else than Rome of course, but still as beautiful. So why not?" He shrugs. "Did you understand everything that I said about the trip?" I nod, "yes. It's going to be early though, but that's fine." I wave that complain off. 

"Good..." James stands up. "Now, I don't want to hold you up from packing," he opens his office door for me. "Call me if you need to know anything. Just anything at all. And I would be happy to help." 

"Oh! But I don't have your number, though," I say, but James just smiles. "Your mother does. Anyways, enjoy the rest of your morning," he gives me a wink before closing his office door. 

He seems rushed I notice when I walk to the cafe across the street from the Higher Building.

The bell above the door signals that I am inside. It is not overcrowded with students. About 10 people. Pearl and I included.

I walk to the little corner table where Pearl sits. 

"Hey. I'm back." Pearl looks up from her phone and smiles. "Good. I've been waiting for you to get here," she states. I raise my eyebrows in confusion. Her smile grows wider and points towards a chocolate cake that is on display behind the glass. 

I roll my eyes and tell her I'll be back. There's no line, thank God, and I walk towards the counter. 

"Hello. What can I help you with?" A brown-haired girl with a nose piercing and a small black heart on her face stands behind the counter. Her T-shirt is a black one with AC/DC in big red letters. She gives me a smirk when she notices me checking her out. 

"Uh, yes. I would like to have two cappuccinos and one slice of that chocolate cake." The girl nods her head, "to go or for here?" She asks me and I take a quick glance at Pearl. "To go, please." 

She taps some things on to the cash register. "That'll be 11,23 dollars then." I give her a 20 dollar bill. 

Not even a few minutes later I have the exchange money, two cappuccinos and one chocolate cake for Pearl. "Thank you!" 

I walk towards Pearl. "Come on, let's go home. You can eat your cake in your car," I mention and she nods. Pearl slides the chair neatly against the table and walks after me.

I open the door with my elbow and keep it open so Pearl can leave the cafe first. Her car is parked right beside the cafe. "Did you have coffee this morning?" I ask her but all she does is flash me an innocent smile. 

"Hey, Pearl?" I start and put the cappuccinos and the cake on the roof of her car as I look at her. "Yeah?" She raises her eyebrows and tells me to continue talking. "Would you mind if I drive?" 

Pearl looks at me unsure. "I mean... are you sure?" I nod. "I will yell immediately if something happens in here," I tap the side of my head and show I mean my mind by that. 

For 1 full minute, it's quiet and I can see Pearl's thinking about it. "Fine. But do you promise?" She asks. I nod. "Of course I do," I crack a smile and Pearl grins. She throws me her car keys. 

"Not a scratch, alright? And keep focused on the road," she bickers on. I roll my eyes. "Yes, mom." I jokily say and Pearl rolls her eyes. 

We switch sides and Pearl gives me a funny look. And then starts laughing. 

"What's so funny?" I look at her confused. She wipes the tears away from the heavy laughing and tries to regroup her posture. Pearl turns one of the cups around and I see the telephone number and the tiny black heart. "That is the chick that stands behind the counter, correct?" I nod my head. "Yup," I mutter. 

"Oh man, this is golden!" Pearl bursts out laughing again. I roll my eyes. 

I press the button on the car keys that makes the car off the lock and step in.