So this is a long one, again. But I've cut it into part 1, Part 2... so you'll find it easier to read. Part 2 will be out ASAP.

-Gabs

"So how is school, are you excited about the summer break?"

Etienne and I were leaning against the fence surrounding the track. The sun is higher in the sky and burns brighter during these days closing in on summer.

He shrugs his shoulders, "I dunno? I guess."

He finished 5th overall in the juniors tournament, which is great for a first timer, I'm sure he'll be spending most of his summer days on track working towards a more consistent next season.

"Is everything alright at home, Is Papa still taking you here on the weekends?"

It's the first time in a long time that I myself have been able to take him to the tracks. Alicia has been too busy with school and La Fab preparations to drive us here, however this week Valentino has been free from any Moto2 obligations so he offered to take us both this afternoon, while he also enjoyed some laps on the old track he loved so much.

"Papa says that I can come live with him sometimes, If I want to."

I chuckle, "What does Mama say about that?" I am eager to hear.

Etienne shrugs his shoulder once again, "She doesn't seem to mind."

"Really?" I frown.

"Yeah..." Etienne smiles from ear to ear, "....She lets me do anything now that you're gone, last night I had Ice cream before dinner, she didn't even shout at me."

"Huh, interesting." I hide my unexpected envy. "And do you?"

"Do I what?" He asks.

"Do you want to go live with Papa?"

"Yeah, why not? He says he is gonna take me fishing sometime, that would be cool, I've never done that."

I nod undestandigly.

*******

During graduation week I found myself parked in the kitchen, looking through the window, awaiting the postman to come dropping off my high school diploma. In the back of my head I knew that it probably wouldn't arrive until later that summer.

One day Mrs Rossi enters the kitchen, shoving a dressed up Luca in front of her, "You have to eat before you go."

"Mama I'm going to be late." He whines.

"Morning Alessia, how are you?" She greets.

"Morning. I'm fine thank you."

"It's Luca's last day of school today, doesn't he look nice in the shirt I bought him?" Mrs Rossi makes Luca turn around and face me, he makes a face that only I can see and discreetly points to the, I'll admit, interesting looking shirt. It's got weird zig zag patterns on it.

"He does." I lie, not wanting to cause any trouble, "But what's up with the hair, you've got more wax in there than a surfer." I joke.

Luca anxiously starts patting the top of his head. Mrs Rossi takes turns swiping her fingers through his hair, rubbing excess wax between her fingers. "She's right, go wash some of it off, you look silly baby."

"Thanks alot." He sighs

I smile, "Anytime."

Mrs Rossi takes a seat opposite me.

I can't find the words to describe my gratitude. Despite the hazard that I've caused, being thrown out of my own home after my mother found out about the pregnancy, Mrs Rossi has been nothing but kind and welcomed me into her home with open arms.

"When is your graduation dear?" She asks.

"It's this Friday, but I'm not going." My eyes fall to the hands in my lap.

"Why not?"

I shrug my shoulders giving her a half hearted smile.

"We'll all attend, god knows I want to see someone in the family graduate this year."

Her words warm my heart. "That's very kind of you but I don't mind, I should be receiving my diploma in the mail any day now." I look out the window and down the driveway where the mailbox is standing in salute, Mrs Rossi does the same.

"You know..." By her tone I know she's about to say something pitiful, I'm getting better at telling when people are starting to feel sorry for me.

"....I've been on the phone with your mother lately."

"You have?" My heart jumps, I can't deny how hopeful I sound.

Mrs Rossi nods, "It's clear that she misses you."

My heart feels heavy again, I raise an eyebrow, "She said that?" It was too good to be true.

"Not exactly. Although she keeps asking If you're keeping busy and offers to pay for your bills."

My chuckle is filled with pain, "You mean offer to pay for the trouble I've cost you."

Mrs Rossi doesn't let her sympathetic smile fade. "She mentioned medical bills dear, it is clear that she cares about the health of you and your baby."

"I doubt that." I mumble. I refuse to let this information change my mind about moving with Valentino. Moving knowing nothing and no one is holding me back will make it easier, of course there is Etienne and Nonno, but I'm sure they'll visit me in Mugello if I were to ask them.

Luca reentering the kitchen, puts an end to our conversation. Water from his hair is dripping on to the shoulders of his now plain white shirt.

"Who's shirt is that?" Mrs Rossi frowns, noticing the change.

Luca shrugs his shoulders, "The other one got wet when I washed out the wax." He smirks.

"You little...come on let's go, you'll be late." She sighs.

Luca waves goodbye and through the window I watch them get into the car a drive off

*****

To my surprise my high school diploma came in the mail on the same day as graduation. Valentino even hung it up on the wall in his room, right next to the ultrasound image of our little jellybean.

"Do I have to wear a shirt and tie?" He whines.

Friday night and we were headed to Alicia's farewell party.

"Yes."

I help Valentino pick a tie from Uncle Flavio's stash. "It's not a "party party", people won't be getting crazy drunk. All of Alicia's friends and family will be there to let you know..." There is a lump blocking my throat, I clear it. "...say their goodbyes."

Valentino's eyes are on me, we stand face to face, my hands disappear behind his neck to tie the tie.

"Stop it." I chuckle, his staring is making me anxious.

"You're gonna miss her aren't you?"

I shake my head, "Course I am, she is my best friend."

"Yeah, but you're really gonna miss her."

I finnish tying the tie around his neck and back away to take a seat on the bed.

"What do you mean?"

Valentino joins me on the bed, starangly he begins to comfort me by stroking my back. I chuckle before shrugging him off of me. "Would you stop it!" I'm rising to my feet again.

"What?" He says confused.

"You're acting like I'm about to fall apart any minute." I wear a smile but it takes effort.

"I wasn't, I was just...trying to be...you know, supportive."

"Well I'm fine."

"Okay, okay." He holds his hands up in guard, he takes slow steps towards me. His cautiousness makes me giggle.

"Kiss me." I demand.

He smirks before backing me up against the wall, leaning in to kiss me. Our lips make smacking noises that echo through the room. Eventually my hands go to claw down his back, our exchange begins to heat up.

"Vale we have to stop." I gasp, coming up for air. Valentino vigorously continues down my neck. It feels so good.

"Vale later, we have to go now." I moan.

His hungry eyes stop to look at me, I watch as he bites his swollen wet lips. I'm afraid that he'll hurt himself if he bites down any harder.

He leans in and whispers..."I'm gonna make you come so hard when we get home."

I cross my legs tightly, having his lips wet my ear. There is no denying what he does to me.

******

"You're here!"

Instantly I get dragged into the crowded house by Alicia, turning around Valentino is shaking his head in disbelief as he is left behind.

"Alicia slow down." She is pulling me by the arm, hundreds of guests flashing before my eyes. I am positive I spotted Miss Caruso somewhere.

Alicia doesn't stop until we arrive in the backyard where more guests await. Seems to me like Alicia's mother invited all of the staff from The Palace tonight, I recognize the doorman.

"Mama she's here!"

Across the pool amongst the crowd, Alicia's mother appears. Both of them seem offly cheerful this evening. Alicia's mother embraces me as If I were to die of cancer tomorrow, I look at both of them with confusion.

"We would like to show you something." Her mother says. Once again I'm being dragged through the house this time by two hands. Their steps are rapid as we head upstairs.

"Close your eyes." Alicia says excited.

"No, she doesn't have to do that"

"Yes Mama it will make the surprise even better."

"All she would be doing is stand in front of the door whilst we open it, she doesn't need to close her eyes for that."

Like a tennis match my attention jumps from one to the other as they argue.

"Yes Mama she..."

"Hello!" I finally interrupt. "Can we just get on with it? I don't mind closing my eyes, but can we at least get a move on."

"Fine."

They begin leading me down the hall. Alicia's house is three times the size as mine, and with the glass doors, grand balcony, pool and tennis court, she is living in the dream house. Everything in here is worth a significant number, even the plastic plants we pass on our way down the hallway.

"Okay now close your eyes." Alicia says, we are standing in front of what Is known to be the sort of arcade of the house, it's a playroom, with a mahogany pool table, cinema and a beautiful fireplace.

I close my eyes and someone opens the door. My steps are cautious as they lead me.

"...since you missed out on our graduation..." Alicia begins.

"...And won't be going to Paris with Alicia." Mrs Rodriguez continues.

"Yeah?" I say, my eyes are still shut.

"We thought we would celebrate the fact that you are expecting a child..."

"...And that you are moving away to live happily ever after with your lover monkey."

"Alicia!" I feel Mrs Rodriguez shove Alicia to the side.

"Sorry I meant your love, Valentino."

I'm chuckling, they've got me excited.

"We got everyone that wished to, leave you a little something as a farewell/good luck..."

I open my eyes only to be met by the most heartwarming scene.

"...gifts"

"W...what is this?" I stutter. I am already holding back the tears.

"It's for you." Alicia says.

The room has been turned into a sanctuary of wrapped gifts. Some of them I can already tell what it is by the shape, like a stroller for example.

"It's like a babyshower." Alicia smiles.

"W...who brought these?" Holding back the tears is becoming more and more painful.

"Everyone!" Mrs Rodriguez says cheerfully.

"Not everyone." Alicia corrects. "Everyone that cares about you."

I turn to Alicia, she too is holding back tears. "Why?" I whisper.

"Because we love you, I love you."

A single tear runs down my cheek.

"As much as I want to enjoy my farewell party I won't be able to do it knowing you aren't celebrating as well." She reaches out for my hand and gives it a squeeze.

Mrs Rodriguez puts an arm around both of us. "We want you to know that no matter what, we are here for you."

"Always." Alicia inclines, she is crying and so am I.

Dario

There is a party going on below me, loud music is pounding the floor that I am seated on. Alicia and her mother had to descend, courtesy of being hosts, leaving me up here, with the many many gifts.

I've unwrapped dussins, still, there is more to go. I wasn't even sure I knew this many people, at least not this many people that cared about me.

A knock on the door interrupts me. It's open so looking up, I am met by a pair of eyes that still awakens something within me.

"Dario!" I smile.

I try rising from the floor but he waves for me to stay, instead he walks over and crotch down beside me.

"I see you've already gotten to it." He smiles, rattling some gift wrappers.

He is looking handsome tonight, wearing a deep blue suit.

"Did you know about this?"

He nods, "Mine is the stroller and the teddy bear, though you may need it."

I am speechless, to think that only earlier this year I was afraid of going to school and meeting his eyes, now, he is this gentleman, a brand new Dario that I've gotten to know, now as a friend.

"Dario..." I begin, my voice is small. "...Thank you."

"For what?"

The way he wrinkled his nose when he says this makes me shy. "Thank you for coming around, helping me with homework, wouldn't have graduated if it wasn't for you."

He gives me one of his melting smiles. "My pleasure, I'm happy for you, you and Valentino."

"You are?"

"He makes you happy and I guess that's all that matters in the end."

I nod, "I guess."

Dario rises to his feet making his way to the door.

"I heard you and Gaia are back together, does she make you happy?"

I've stopped him in his tracks, he turns around. "She does."

"Cool." I mutter, It's awkward I know, but what can I do?

"Is your mother here?" I say, my attempt to lighten the mood.

"No why?" He chuckles, clearly startled by the question.

"I know she can't wait to take a bite out of me for getting pregnant, was hoping that today woudn't be the day, with the party going on and all."

He knows I'm only joking, partly telling the truth. "Goodbye Alessia." He chuckles.

"Bye Dario."

Miss Caruso

I think I am half way through now, I must be half way through.

Looking around me, I am surrounded by a sea of paper wrap, there are gifts still buried beneath.

I get up to stretch my feet, my neck is sore, suddenly mumbling noise makes me curious enough to poke my head out in the hall.

"Interesting, oil and charcoal in one image..."

Instantly I'm in a great mood seeing Miss Caruso admiring a painting hanging up on the wall.

"Miss!" I call. I wave as I get her attention.

"Alessia what are you doing up here, all alone?"

She comes around the corner and spots the unwrapped gifts on the floor. "I see, you are teaching the place." She says fascinated.

"Is it because I gave your friend a higher grade than you?" As usual Miss Caruso starts rambling, I am watching as her eyes move around like fish in a bowl, behind those big glasses of hers. "...I would have given you a higher grade If you had turned up to any of my classes, but neither you or sunflower for the matter, did. I just hope..."

"Miss?" I interrupt. "They're just gift from my friends."

"Gifts?" Like a parrot she repeats, by the way she always holds her hands, tied behind her back, she even looks like one.

"Why, is it your birthday?"

I chuckle, "No, I'm moving soon, Valentino and I are moving soon." I'm careful with this information not knowing what it will do to her.

"Sunflower and you, moving. Why?"

I frown looking down on my belly that is clearly showing. "Well he is gonna start competing in Moto2, so he needs to be closer to his team and I want to be close to him because... well.." I rub my hands over my stomach hoping I don't have to spell it out for her.

"Oh, so it's true?" Her voice has a new depth to it.

"What is?" I say, I am frigtened by it.

"Sunflower put the seed in you."

"Err...I guess." I am so weirded out right now.

Miss Caruso looks to pause, literally, not an inch of her muscles were moving, suddenly she looks to me and smiles.

I take a step back as she tries to approach me, I'm too slow for her rapid movement, before I knew it she held my hand in hers. "Don't forget to water the seed, with as much water as you possible can, wouldn't want it to enter this world dry like the desert."

"Err..okay?" I frown.

"Now, I was looking for the bathroom..."She is quick to turn around and disappear around the corner. As always with Miss Caruso, I am left to my confusion.

"Bye." I whisper to myself.

Hilda-Maria

My stomach was screaming for some kind of nutrition, I headed down stairs, hoping to score some horderves or something.

The party is still going, no one pays me any attention whilst I help myself to some finger food, everyone is too busy networking or planning their futures. Alicia did me a solid favour letting me have my own space upstairs, hearing all of these shallow conversations about what may or may not happen in people's futures would have killed me.

Before returning upstairs I scope the crowd in the search of Valentino, I hope he isn't too angry with me for leaving him behind like I did, then again I was shuffled away as soon as we step in.

I spot him outside in the yard, he looks to be chatting with Angelo, I can't help but to look around and see if I can spot Hilda-Maria close by. For now she doesn't look to be around, Alicia might not even have invited her, she might not be here.

Returning upstairs with my plate, a shadow is spotted on the wall opposite to the playroom, someone is there. Coming around the corner I find Hilda-Maria shuffling through the piles of paper wrap, slightly giving them a kick with her feet.

"Are all of these for you, how sweet."

Only when she turns around to face me does it show how drunk she is, struggling to find the balance between her two feet. She moves to the coffee table where a glass of champagne awaits.

I sigh, "What are you doing here?"

With one swift movement she chugs down all of the champagne. "Celebrating, apparently!" She chants, her smile is crooked.

I don't move a muscle as she begins to walk towards me, stopping only inches away from my face, forcing me to have a whiff of her drunken breath.

"Oh by the way, thanks alot for ruining my summer."

I jump slightly as she suddenly presses the empty champagne glass against my chest, catching it just in time before she lets it slide down.

"What are you talking about?"

She turns around in the doorway, "Don't act like you don't know what I'm talking about, I knew this was your plan all along."

"Please Hilda, enlighten me!" I'm sure someone must have heard me shouting, however I don't care, Hilda won't be ruining another night, I won't allow it.

Hilda-Maria raises an eyebrow unsure. "You know what I mean."

"No I really don't?" I chuckle.

Her eyes examine me up and down, trying to read my body language. Usually she is really good at telling If someone is lying to her face, one of her terrfiýing skills, however she is too drunk and I am not lying.

"You had Angelo replace you in that stupid race." Her finger is pointing inches away from my nose, I allow it knowing if it ever so slightly caresses my skin I will jump her.

"So?" I hiss.

Hilda-Maria laughs sarcastically. "So...apparently he and Timo are best mates now, they even got an internship over the summer working for that weird old man."

I can't stop myself from chuckling at her somehow accurate description of Whitety.

"What is so funny?" She frowns.

"How is it my fault that he did so well, the question is, why aren't you happy for him, you of all people know how much he struggled to get back on the bike after his accident."

Something seems to happen inside Hilda-Maria's mind, I could tell. Her body is no longer in defensive mode, neither is mine. 

I place the empty flute on the coffee table, returning to unwrapping some gifts. I take my time settling down on the floor. Quietly Hilda-Maria watches me struggle with the belly.

I get to unwrapping a small box, inside it a velvet pillow bearing a beach pearl bracelet.

"What is it?"

Hilda-Maria continued watching me from afar.

I shuffle my plate of horderves to the side, leaving an empty spot on the floor clear from any paper wrap. Curious, she accepted my invitation. Her knees hit the floor with a pound. I handover the box with the bracelet and grab myself some horderve, I watch her inspecting the bracelet.

"Cheep." She chuckles.

"It's the thought that counts." I mumble, horderves in my mouth.

She turns the box over to read its label. "Someone bought this from The Palace gift shop."

I laugh, "Probably someone from Mrs Rodriguez staff."

I thought I spotted her lip twitch, she was holding back her amusement.

"Here, help me open this one." I push a box towards her feet.

She seems surprised by my action, still, her curiosity got the best of her.

"Huh, a Chanel onesie, wonder who this could be from?" She says, holding up the baby's clothing.

I smile, imagining a drooling baby wearing the Chanel onesie. "The Romano's do love their Chanel."

I pass Hilda another box and we continue unboxing the gifts, mocking the silly ones and rating the good ones.

At some point she seems to sober up a bit, realising what she is doing and who she is doing it with.

She coughs. "I better get back..." She rises to her feet, without wobbling this time. "... Angelo might be looking for me."

Part of me wants her to stay. "Do you think Timo is gonna bother you this summer?"

My question forces her to linger.

"Maybe? I'll kill him If he does."

I have always admired her confidence, she had always been the toughest one among us.

"Hilda?" I shout, again I take my time rising to my feet.

She turns around, raised eyebrow, "What?"

"Why do you hate me so much, I mean we used to be friends, right?" I am surprised by the desperation in my voice, still I continue. "...Is it Valentino, because to me it seemed like he had been chasing you forever, only to settle for me." My heart pounds revealing my self consciousness.

Hilda-Maria shakes her head in disbelief. "You still don't get it do you, after all of these years you still don't get it.

"Get what?"

"We were best friends Alessia, all three of us, back when we lived in flaxwere."

I am confused.

"You, me and Valentino, best friends. Still you guys manage to make me feel like the odd man out, just because I couldn't ride those stupid motorcycles, god knows I asked my dad if he could buy me one." She curls her lip, "He said it was too expensive."

I'm out of words.

"But you guys...." I'm struggling to get the words out "When you were fourteen...you guys had..."

Hilda-Maria rolls her eyes, "I wanted you to know how it felt. After all of those years I still envied the fact that I was the third wheel, on top of that I moved away, so when Valentino started showing interest in me in high school, I saw it as my chance to make you know how it feels to be tossed aside."

I shake my head, "Hilda we never meant to toss you aside, even when you moved I still came to visit."

"Yeah but then you met Alicia, who was my friend first, then Gaia...." Hilda-Maria starts to laugh, It's a vicious laugh that sends shivers through your body. "You just had to get pregnant with his baby didn't you."

I inhale and hold my breath before slowly exhaling. "Hilda as bad as it may look, I swear all of this is only coincidental."

To my surprise she nods understandingly, "I know that now."

"You do?"

"Angelo really likes me and I know you hate Timo for what he did to Alicia, it all adds up. Anglo is an idiot for liking Timo however, it is merely coincidental that he does. Your not trying to ruin my summer"

A heavy weight is being lifted off of both of our shoulders as smothering silence unfolds in the room.

I want to say something but Hilda is quicker.

"Is it a boy or a girl?"

"What?"

"The baby is it a boy or a girl?"

I shrug my shoulders, "We don't know yet."

Hilda-Maria nods and turns to walk out, she stops to look at me in the doorway, "Your mother and I reckon it's a girl, girls always give you trouble in life."

With that she leaves me standing.

Voices out in the hallway:

"Alessia? Yeah, she's in there..."  

Okay so it seems like everyone is taking their turns saying goodbye, does this me that the story is coming to an end? Or is it just the begining?

Who knows, not me ;)