Verona [H.S]

Chapter 2

We've finally arrived at the hotel we were supposed to be staying at, after a 7 hour drive. My stomach was twisting and my breath was unsteady because of the nausea. I hadn't eaten all day, I spent the entire car ride listening to music silently.

It was nice to have some quiet time, my life has been extremely eventful and busy recently. I needed a rest, and the car views of Northern Italy contributed to my satisfaction of the ride. I enjoyed it, but it's over now.

I walk out of the car in relief, taking a water bottle from my purse and taking a sip. My head was spinning, I was focusing on every step I was making in order not to fall over. I fold my hands over my stomach and walk through the glass hotel doors. The air conditioning took me by surprise, and I watched Nick walk ahead of me sitting on one of the couches.

I sit down next to him, my body finally relaxing from the torture I've put it through simply walking.

I'm not someone with many food cravings, but I've barely had time to eat and it's just overall nauseating. I feel like I'm gonna throw up but I have an empty stomach.

"God." I mutter under my breath, sinking my head into the cushion.

"You okay?" Nick turns his head to look at me and furrows his eyebrows.

"Yeah I'm good, how was the flight?" I sigh, putting on a fake smile.

He avoided me the entire car ride, I think he was also listening to music. I don't pay much attention to what he's doing because I was too preoccupied with my own thoughts.

"Fine, long but fine."

"Mmm, how's Sophie?"

"Good." He shrugs.

This is the most we talk, he is very dry in conversation and always seems like he wants nothing to do with me.

I smile and reach for my phone that was in my pocket, unlocking it and going to check my texts.

Right as I was replying to a message, my mom came up to us.

"Alright, we are gonna have dinner at the restaurant across the street and then we're gonna settle into the rooms. Oh, you guys will love it here. Right Jerry?" She looks over to my dad.

"Mm, c'mon let's go." My dad hums, and turns around walking towards the doors again.

A pit in my stomach had disappeared, and I sigh out in relief. I push myself off the couch and happily follow my dad.

-

I ate pasta with red sauce, finally. It was a huge relief to eat something. We had headed back to the hotel after eating at the restaurant. My parents asked about fashion week, I told them little things about designers and some things I enjoyed wearing.

We arrive back to the hotel, and I watch my parents walk into the room in front of us. I unlock the door and Nick walks in before me. I stride in while rolling my suitcase, and open it taking my pouch out.

I look over to see Nick step into the bathroom with pyjamas in hand, so I make my way to a mirror and search for my makeup wipes. As I toyed with random products on my hunt for the wipes, I found an unopened pack of cigarettes.

I look around the room to make sure no one is around, my eyes are met with Nick tucking himself into bed.

It has been a really long day for him, but I'm not really that tired. The responsible decision would be to shower and sleep, but I'm not the most responsible person.

I walk out to the balcony, and light up my cigarette with a pink lighter I had. I softly inhale the smoke, feeling the fumes dominate my mouth. I exhaled it out and watched the smog slowly fade into the wind.

Then, an idea comes to mind.

What if I sneak out? I mean no one will know and I'm great for passing as older than my age. Maybe if I wore something mature I could order a drink or something, I need that.

I go back into the room and toss the cigarette into the bin. I silently saunter to the suitcase, cautiously trying not to wake Nick up. I snatch a white cropped t-shirt from my suitcase, and a pair of baggy jeans. I quickly take my previous clothes off, and switch into the clean clothing. I text Nick that I've snuck out and that he should call me if anything's wrong.

I take my purse and head out the door with the cigarette pack in hand.