𝑺𝒆𝒂 𝑴𝒐𝒏𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒓 // 𝑨𝒍𝒃𝒆𝒓𝒕𝒐 𝑺𝒄𝒐𝒓𝒇𝒂𝒏𝒐 𝒙 𝑹𝒆𝒂𝒅𝒆𝒓

Ch.14

No. No way. We can't be moving! I understand my Papa was looking for jobs with better pay, but suddenly moving was a no go for me. But I couldn't argue with my parents decisions. I know what they do is best for me.

Giulia grows concerned at my faded expression, leaning over my shoulder so she can be nosy and read my Mama's message. "What!? You're going to be moving?" She gawks at me, her brow furrowing as her jaw hands slightly agape. The redhead had to read the message again. "Seems like it, yeah. I know our house back home is a little small, I just wish they told me. That's all." I gently grab my cup of tea, sipping the warm liquid.

"What're you going to tell Alberto? He won't be too happy about the whole.. moving situation, " Giulia sits at the table with me, watching as I begin to cut into the pancakes she cooked for me. They were delicious pancakes, that's for sure. However, I purse my lips at her question. "I'll..definitely have to break it to him easy. Wouldn't want to upset him too much. But I have to be honest." I explain, wiping away bits of honey that had stuck itself to my lips while I was eating.

Nodding in understanding, Giulia rested her head in her palm, exhaling deeply. "But, you'll have to visit Portorosso every summer when I'm not at school. Got it?" It was more of a demand than a request, so of course I couldn't refuse.

"Hehe, of course. I visit you basically every summer anyway. But..maybe living somewhere new might be fun. Even though I'll miss all of you." I reply somewhat sadly, shoving the remains of the pancakes in my mouth until my plate was completely clean. My swimming costume was still in my lap, little bits of honey having dripped into the fabric. "Oh, whoops."

"Oh, (Y/N). Now, go get changed! Don't wanna be late for the race!" Giulia stands up quickly from the table, shaking my shoulders to keep the mood light. Rolling my eyes with a chuckle, I stand up from the table and hold my swimming costume between my teeth. Plopping my plate, knife and fork in the sink I quickly wash everything up and down my tea quickly. "I'm gonna get changed before you, G!" I call upstairs, hurrying to the downstairs bathroom to get changed into my costume.

This race was going to go smoothly. At least..I hoped it would.

✮ ∴ ∵ ✰ ∵ ∴ 🐚 ∴ ∵ ✰ ∵ ∴ ✮

Giulia walks alongside me in her blue swimming costume. Her large pair of goggles was sat atop the cap containing her curly hair. We both gasp to see Luca holding a bike of his own which was covered in seaweed and slightly rusted. Definitely the one he and Alberto crashed into the sea. "Luca! What're you doing here?" The redhead questions.

"I'm splitting up the team. I can race on my own." Luca says, gripping the handles of his bike. Signora Marsigliese was sitting on the other side of a table, obviously to record information for the race. "Thank you!" Luca spoke, pulling his bike away as he scurried off somewhere. "Alone again?" She spoke, directing her sentence towards Giulia who growled at the lady. "Ignore her, G. Come on." I nudge her with my elbow, smiling softly as I pull my bike over to the beginning of the uphill, resting it on the wall of a house.

Giulia placed her bike beside mine. "Papa has packed all our clothes for after the swim. Come on, we've got to get ready." She loops her arm in mine, hurrying towards the start line of the swim. As we arrive. Massimo is holding a white, silky streamer reading 'Vai Giulia and (Y/N)'

His support was honestly enough to make me win this race. "Thank you, Massimo!" I give him a thumbs up, grateful for his support for both myself and Giulia. Standing beside Giulia, I recoil in disgust as Ciccio gives Giulia and myself a rude stare. Ercole strides over with a bottle of oil. "Ciccio, hold still. Olio d'oliva," he tips the contents of the bottle onto the smaller boy. "He will cut through the water like a knife, an oily knife."

My eyes widen to see Luca walking down the steps wearing a deep sea divers suit. Oh god, this was going to be great. Ercole bickers at him a little, but Signora Marsigliese's voice cuts through the crowd. "Swimmers, take your mark! We know there's been a few sightings lately, but if any sea monsters show up, we're ready for them!" She gestures towards lots of boats with harpoons equipped at the ready.

Inhaling deeply, I put my goggles over my eyes and stare out to the calm waters with anticipation. Licking my lips nervously, as soon as the horn was sounded to start the race, I strode into the sea, looking back at Giulia who was unsure about the race as a whole.

Shaking my head, I am soon submerged into the deepest part of the water and I kick my legs as fast as I can, maintaining the lead. A metal buoy is near the boats carrying the harpoon. I'd need to swim around that.

Taking a gasp of air, I shoved my face back into the water and swam around the metal checkpoint. As much as I wanted Giulia and Luca to win, I wanted to help Alberto get his dream- the vespa. And prove that the underdogs were more than just vagrants.

"Right, gotta change..ce la fai, (Y/N)." I hurried over to Massimo, giving him a smile as I take off my goggles, handing them to him after he offered to give me hand. Grabbing my clothes, there was also a towel in the bag which I quickly used to dry myself. Massimo stood in front of me so I could get changed. Thank to his large stature, it was impossible to see past him. Thankfully there was nobody behind us.

Slipping my shirt over my head, I gave Massimo a high five. "Thanks, Mass! I owe you one!" Hurrying up the steps, I practically throw myself at the table which was prepared with several bowls of pasta. I just spoot Luca and Giulia hurrying after me, but Luca takes a shortcut underneath the table. Ignoring them, I grip my fork and begin spooning the pasta into my mouth. "How're you eating so fast?" Luca questions, finally managing to use his fork correct after Giulia shows him. "I have the stomach of a god." I state proudly, not feeling queasy yet from the large amounts of pasta I've been eating.

Of course, Giudo had pasta being shovelled into his mouth by Ercole. "Bastardo imbroglione!" I hiss out, earning a gasp from Ercole himself and the crowd watching. I slam my hands down on the table after I finished the pasta.

My stomach gurgles softly and I cringe quietly, grabbing my bike as I begin pedalling up the hill, weaving in and out of people. Suddenly, there was a loud echo in the sky. Taking a moment to stare up at the sky, I see thick, looming clouds. That definitely must've distracted me because I didn't even realise we were coming to the top of the hill climb and Luca was taking shelter from the rain.

I had a feeling this wasn't going to go well.