The next morning, I was berated with questions at the breakfast table. "Was it romantic?" Vienna asks and my mother sends her a glare. "I mean like... was it cute?" she tries but my mother doesn't let up. "I'm just going to stop talking."

It was probably best.

"Nico showed me Doria Castle and we had dinner... there was nothing else to it," I added afterwards, when even my father was looking at me expectantly. "The festival is happening today. Is anyone planning on going?" I attempt on changing the direction of the conversation and much to my surprise, it works.

Everyone jumps into conversation about the festival. You could already hear the muffled, overly loud music blasting in the heart of Vernazza and my excitement only doubled. I was more than ready to let loose and experience Italian culture entirely.

It's when a knock sounds at the door that I get up and race towards it. A bright smile on my face, I open the door... only for my smile to drop completely and my heart to stop in my chest.

Ambrose.

I stare at him in complete and utter confusion. "What - what are you doing here?" My words are barely audible, everything I planned to say the next time I saw him dissipates on my tongue. I can't help the bitter taste that fills my mouth and the fury I feel at the sight of him.

Ambrose stands staring back at me, a smile rising on his lips. "Your mum... she said you missed me and - and I got on the first flight here," he explains, rushed and breathless.

So many questions swirl in my head. What right does he have? What right does my mother have? Why were they even talking in the first place? Why would she do this behind my back?

"Well, she lied," I shrug and close the door in his face.

Turning on my heel, I make a b-line for the stairs. My mother will not hear the end of this. My feet stamp against the steps with loud bangs, signifying my utter dismay.

Pushing open her door, I find her lying in bed as if she hasn't a care in the world. Like she hasn't just ruined my life!

"Why is Ambrose standing at the front door?" I ask, my voice the epitome of calm.

A bright smile finds its way onto her lips. "Well, I thought I could surprise you with someone who you can actually have a future with. This nonsense you've been doing with this boy won't last. You need to think of your future, Heidi."

"You had no right," I say but my voice breaks. Of course, my body decides it wants to cry instead of being angry. It's always the way. To shield myself from the pure embarrassment of crying in front of my mother, I go back to my room and rifle out some clothing.

I'm going to enjoy my day and act as though this never happened. The guy at the front door? Who is he? I haven't a clue. Most likely some random. And the woman I call my mother? Who's that? Mothers don't get involved with their kids' lives like this.

Grabbing a small white dress and some underwear, I quickly get changed. The sooner I leave this house, the better.

As soon as I fix my hair and make sure I look somewhat presentable, I storm back down the stairs and straight to the front door. Not even announcing my exit, I leave the house and ignore the random sitting down on the porch chair.

"Heidi, c'mon, just wait," the person says as they follow me, hot on my heels. I believe I remember the way to Nico's house but I'm not entirely sure.

Why does the universe hate me so much?

"Please, leave me alone. I don't want you here, my mother lied to you and for what reason? I haven't any bloody idea," I breathe, my anger getting the better of me again.

All I can remember is walking into the room, seeing him inside that blonde, stuck up bitch he always told me not to worry about. You're delusional. You're making it up. Stop overthinking it. My chest burns.

"Just let me explain. You haven't even given me a chance to speak. I know what it looked like that night, I know it does but... it just wasn't like that," Ambrose tries to justify himself and I abruptly stop, turning to face him.

Letting out a laugh at his antics, I have to hold back the tears. "You were fucking the girl who you told me not to worry about! There's nothing more to it. No underlying reasons, nothing that will change my opinion on us. We're done and we have been ever since..." I can't even finish my sentence.

I attempt to turn away, to leave this sad excuse of a man but he grabs my wrist. His grip tight as he spins me around. "But I still love you! I love you so much, Heidi. Why are you letting one slip up define our entire relationship? I know you love me too and I'm not leaving until you admit it," Ambrose says, his own anger flashing in his eyes.

Those green eyes that I once found a home in crash and burn.

"Let go of me," I say, prepared to scream my heart out. "I don't love you and it's time you move on. The sooner you accept that, the better."

Ambrose's grip tightens. "We're done, when I say we're done." A panic sets fire deep within me.

"You're hurting me." Ambrose doesn't even seem to register the words as he pulls me closer to him. His breathing growing ragged with rage.

"I think she told you to let her go," another voice is added to the conversation and when I catch those blue eyes, relief washes over me.

"And who are you to tell me what to do?" Ambrose turns to Nico, and something flashes in those ocean eyes.

"If you don't let go of her, I'll break not only your hand," Nico is as calm as ever and Ambrose scoffs before releasing his hold on me. I notice Nico ball his hand into a fist before he buries it deep into his pocket, obviously trying to contain himself from doing something stupid.

"So, this is your new man? This is why you're so adamant on leaving me. Heidi, this man is only with you for a quick fuck before you leave. And when you do leave, he'll just move on to the next girl that's visiting the island and play tourist guide with her."

A lump forms in my throat at his comment. His comment that practically insinuates I'm truly worthless. As if he is any better.

"Not when she tastes so sweet," Nico goads him on, a haunting smile on his lips. I wish for the ground to open up and swallow me whole, to rid me of this conversation.

"We're leaving," I announce and Ambrose laughs.

"Well, I'll still be waiting for you when you come back," Ambrose shrugs and I want to be physically sick.

"We'll see about that," Nico says, his hand touching the small of my back and leading me away from Ambrose. "Who is he?" Nico asks once we're further away.

"My loving ex," I huff, and Nico rubs small circles on my back. "My mother lied and told him that I missed him, and he got the first flight here," I run a hand over my face.

"Pezzo di merda," Nico mutters.

I will not let that pezzo di merda ruin my day. Excitement brews in me when I notice the vast amount of colourful bunting and cheery voices that fills the cramped streets. This will more than take my mind off of everything.

"I will not let him ruin the festival," I breathe, and Nico squeezes my hip, reassuringly.

The town is bursting with life and colour. Before I can even take in the surroundings, an older man, with grey speckled hair, grabs my hand and spins me around to the beat of the music.

I can't help the laugh that flows out of me as I leave all the worries of today behind and let myself drown in the music. The man spins me again before letting go and I fall into someone, although they catch me.

"Sorry," I breathe but when I notice the tattoos and blue eyes, my heart almost stands still in my chest.

"Mind if I cut in," Nico murmurs, his hand meeting my hip, the other clasping around my hand.

"Not at all," I smile, and Nico spins me around and around. We weave through the crowd, letting loose as everyone dances around us. My eyes focus on his as the colours blur into one and the voices fade out.

We continue to dance to the music until our legs feel like jelly. Our dancing was tragic, to say the least, a mess of movements and laughter.

My legs feel as though they're going to give in as we walk further down the street. "Here, there's something I want you to try."

Nico leads me towards a food stall and the smell almost makes me collapse altogether. The men are deep frying these large balls of food. Some shaped differently than others.

"What is it?" I ask, still watching the men as they roll the food in a bowl of breadcrumbs.

"There's a divide between people who call it arancino and arancina. But it's a ball of rice that's then covered in breadcrumbs and is deep fried - with a filling of ragù, peas and caciocavallo," Nico explains and it sounds delicious.

"Caciocavallo?" I ask and Nico smiles.

"Cheese," he says, and I attempt to store the word away in case of later use. Caciocavallo. I've always been a fan of cheese, but my sister Nancy has adored it ever since she was able to eat solid foods. From taking a bite out of a block, to eating one of those rubbery cheese strings, she loves it all.

Nico orders for us but I pay for it before he can. I've always hated people paying for me, the guilt is uncanny.

"You're welcome," I give him a victory grin and he rolls his eyes, his agitation shining through.

"It originated from Sicily but it's popular all over Italy. It's very traditional street food," Nico continues and I find myself beyond intrigued.

The ball of food is particularly large in size, measurable to the size of a baseball. We sit down on a small metal table and chair set, the table wobbling on the uneven street. People dance around in front of us, their faces plastered with bright smiles. Just the sight warms my heart. Some have the Italian flag painted on the roses of their cheeks, others are wearing the colours of the flag.

"This looks immense," I laugh and Nico smiles. Taking a bite, I revel in the glorious taste of the rice and the filling of cheese and ragù. "So good."

We both eat the arancina - I've decided to call it - and take in our surroundings. It's when Ambrose makes his appearance in my mind again that my mood deflates completely.

"Stop thinking about him," Nico says, his voice low but still slicing through the music.

"I'm not," I shrug, and he raises a brow. "I'm thinking about how good this tastes," I smile and take another bite. Nico shakes his head.

"If you want to talk about it, we can," Nico suggests but I immediately shake my head.

"Trust me, that is the last thing you want to talk about," I say, and the mood gets increasingly depressing. When a voice cuts through our conversation, I thank God from saving me from talking about Ambrose.

"Nico!" a female voice shouts and I refrain from rolling my eyes. Another hook-up?

"Maria!" Nico says before standing up and hugging her. Her skin is dark, her eyes another wonderful shade of blue and her hair is braided all the way down her back. She is undeniably beautiful.

"And who is this lady you seem to have put under your spell?" Maria asks, looking my way and I stand up to introduce myself.

"I'm Heidi, it's lovely to meet you," I give her a smile and she returns an even brighter one.

"This is Maria, we've been friends since we were little," Nico introduces us and I ignore the relief of her not being one of his hook-ups. She gives me a welcoming smile before encasing me in a warm hug. I've never been the hugger type, but I'll accept it just this once.

"Great to meet you too. Are you enjoying the festival?" she asks the both of us and I nod.

"I got her to try the arancino or as she likes to call it arancina. You finally have someone on your team, Maria," Nico laughs and she joins him.

"I'll go get us some drinks," Maria offers before walking off and I already decide that I like her.

"You two seem close," I add and Nico nods.

"We've been friends for as long as I can remember. She's the only one that's ever stuck around. I mean don't get me wrong, I've had good friends in the past but, none of them have ever stuck like her."

I smile, being reminded of Calli.