My red convertible slid into a far away parking space in the vast airport lot. I tried to park far out in hopes of my car not being found.

     I was a little sad to have to leave my car. After all the fond memories I'd had with it, I guess I had gotten attached. Patting the seat of my car in one last farewell, I lugged my stuffed blue suitcase out of the trunk.

     Hoisting my backpack-purse higher on my shoulders, I took a deep breath and headed for the terminal, my suitcase bumping along behind my back.

*****************************

     The airport terminal was bustling, as usual. I'd never been in this particular airport before, but I remembered the airport from my last trip to Puerto Rico with my family. That had been seven years ago.

     Suddenly, I was checked in the shoulder, breaking me from my thoughts. The man who hit me rushed away, not even asking if I was okay. I hated airports with a passion. That was an example.

     Finally, I found the line for tickets. People rushed around, trying to make it to their flights without spilling their coffee.

     I scanned the flights until I found one. It was one-way to Palermo, Italy. Palermo was the capital of Sicily, which had beautiful beaches and charming cities. It was perfect. Absolutely perfect.

     At the front of the desk, I bought an adult ticket, one-way to Palermo. I held my breath as the attendant swiped my card.

     "Have a good flight Sweetie." She spoke with a sweet tone. She most likely didn't mean it.

     The lady smiled, handing me my card. I let out a whoosh of air I didn't know I was holding. "Thanks! Have a great day!"

     I smiled back at her, grabbing the card and stuffing it in my purse. Now that I had bought something, I'd have to get rid of it. My parents could track me by looking at the purchases. Stuffing my boarding pass beside the card, I grabbed my suitcase and hoisted it onto the conveyor belt. Clutching my backpack, I headed toward gate C-13, one way to Palermo, Sicily.

****************************

     The tall, glass ceiling of the airport was high above me as I walked to my gate, C-13. I needed a way to get rid of the credit card before my parents tracked me here. Panning the terminal, I didn't find anything. Finally, I noticed a conveyor belt, leading behind a black curtain. I threw the credit card with all my strength, sending it sailing through the air until it landed with a smack on the belt. I watched it disappear behind the curtain. Mission accomplished. Now I had to get on the plane before my parents found me!

     "Gate C-13 is now boarding. I repeat, Gate C-13 is now boarding. All patrons flying on flight C-13, head to your gate immediately."

     The mechanic voice echoed through the loudspeakers. I gulped, taking a deep breath, as I rushed to get in line.

***************************

     Settling into my uncomfortable Economy seat, I scanned the large plane. The flight was going to be long, about nine hours and forty minutes to be exact. Checking my phone, I saw it was around eleven at night. Sighing, I stripped off my jacket, balling it into a makeshift pillow, and curled into a ball, falling into a fitful, dream- plagued sleep.

****************************

     The plane jostled, waking me from my not-so-restless slumber. I groaned at the light shining on me from above. Sitting up, I stretched my cramping neck, wincing. Looking out the small, airplane window, I saw the large expanse of royal blue ocean, skimming to white sand beaches. The white and red city of Palermo gleamed in the early morning sun, sparkling off the paneled rooftops.

     The plane jerked again, traveling through a swirl of low hanging clouds.

     The chipper flight attendants voice sounded through the speakers:

     "Good morning, Ladies and Gentlemen! We'll be landing in Falcone Borsellino International Airport shortly."

     I smiled as the other passengers clapped politely. Turning my head and brushing my fallen hair over my shoulder, I went back to staring out the window.

     A few minutes later, the plane was slowly pulling up to the terminal. This new airport, Falcone Borsellino, was a tall, concrete airport, smaller than the airport I departed from, but large none the less.

     I stumbled out of the plane, still groggy and stiff from the long flight, clutching my jacket and backpack- purse. Most of the signs were translated into English. Walking toward the sign labeled 'Baggage Claim', I pulled out my phone from where I had stuffed it in my purse. The time read eight fifty-three. I needed to book a hotel. Maybe I should've done that earlier.

     Dragging my suitcase behind me, I plopped onto a bench, taking my phone out of my pocket. Clicking on the 'Google' icon, I started scrolling through cheap hotels. One called Casa Cattedrale caught my eye. It was cute, directly in the center of town and only ninety-four dollars for three whole nights! Steadying my shaking hands, I typed in my check-in date, today's date, May 17. Finishing filling out the online card, I clicked the button that said 'Check In'. A notification popped up:

     "See you soon, And enjoy your stay!"

     I had done it! It was exciting, and terrifying at the same time. I had never been so far away from home before. At least not without my family. Shaking my head, I firmly decided to banish those thoughts from my head. Taking a deep breath, I stood up, housing my backpack up on my shoulders and grasping my blue suitcase in my hand, and headed for the door, out into the streets of an unknown city.

************************

     White buildings built almost too close together rose up around me, their red paneled roofs sending beams of sunlight onto my blonde head. For May, it was hot, maybe upper seventy-some degrees, and I was sweltering.

     Following the twisting, cobblestone streets, I walked past Markets, fountains, Churches, flower stands, and old ruins. The people there were kind, most knowing English, and giving me directions, tips, or just talking to me.

     I walked around for quite some time, just enjoying the ambiance of the town. I explored some of the shops; a cute book-store, a small bakery, an elegant wine shop, and a quaint cafè, where I finally picked up a bite to eat.

     There was a large clock tower in the city center, declaring it to be noon. I sighed, taking one last bite of my sandwich before asking a nice man about my hotel. After getting pointed in the right direction, I headed towards my waiting hotel.

     It only took me about three minutes to get there. Casa Cattedrale was a tall, white apartment-looking building, with many balconies, each with flowers trailing down the wall.

     Walking through the dark, open doors, a kind looking elderly woman welcomed me.

     "Hi, yes, I'm Olivia Monelle, I checked in earlier today." I stuttered, stumbling over my words.

     "Ah, here you are Ms. Monelle." The old women smiled, handing me my room key. "Room twelve, on the top floor all the way to the left."

     I smiled back, taking the room key in my hand, following her pointing hand up the spiral staircase.

     By the time I reached the fifth floor, I was gasping for breath. Tripping down the long hallway, I fitted the key into the lock and turned it.

     My room was big, more like an apartment room than a hotel room. It had a small but full kitchen, a decent sized bedroom with a Queen bed, and a teeny living room.

     Walking around, I noticed a set of glass, double doors. I moved toward them and threw them open. Stepping onto the small balcony, I stared down at the town square.

     Vendors buzzed, advertising whatever they were selling. A red haired woman in white bought a small bouquet of roses. Children ran around a spitting fountain.

     Heights weren't really my thing but the view was beautiful. It almost made me forget the past few days.

     Almost.