bullets and bouquets

1

"Isla, come on, you're going to be late!" a woman shouts. Isla, a brown-haired girl walks towards the woman, with a giant suitcase and two backpacks.

"I'm coming, I'm coming," she huffs. The two leave the house and get into a car.

"Do you have everything? Your passport? Your ID?" the woman asks, driving the car.

"Yes, Mom, it's all in my purse which is in my backpack," the girl huffs

"Okay! Okay! I'm just making sure! They won't let you on the plane without it. Or past customs," her mother explains

"I know," she sighs annoyed. Isla's been looking forward to this semester for years. She has always wanted to spend a semester in Italy and now the time has come. Although her mother has been bugging her since the study-abroad process started.

She wasn't too sure of Isla traveling alone and being in Sicily alone. Sicily is known for its gang presence and her mother suggested France or England instead. But Isla picked Italy and Sicily just happened to be where she was placed.

The drive to the airport is short and Isla can not wait to get away from her mother.

"Okay, be safe there okay? And no partying!" she scolds

"Yes, Mom, I know. I got to go now," Isla pulls away from her mother

"Wait... wait! Give me a hug before you go!" her mother calls. She begins to get teary-eyed as her daughter hugs her.

"Mom, stop crying, I'll only be gone a semester. It's not like I'm dying," she groans

"Okay... okay, I'm sorry," she sniffles, "Have fun, baby."

"Yep, will do! See you in May!" her daughter turns and begins to walk towards the security check-in.

She goes through just fine and goes to her gate. She texts her friend, Gianna, who she will be staying with.

I'm about to board, so excited to meet you! she sends it off and waits for a reply.

Me too! Text me when you land! Gianna replies a couple of minutes later. Isla sends another text before her plane starts boarding passengers.

A couple of hours later and with a good nap taken, Isla lands in Sicily. She rubs her eyes as the lights turn on and people begin to get ready to leave the plane.

The plane landed, will have to go through customs first, she texts to Gianna.

Okay! I'll meet you at baggage claim, the girl replies.

Isla leaves the plane with the rest of the passengers and goes to customs. It's a pretty long line since everyone who was on the plan has to go through it. While waiting Isla sends her mom a text, even though she doesn't want to talk to her.

Plane landed, going through customs now. Gianna is waiting for me at baggage claim, she sends.

Her mother sends a thumbs-up back. Isla finally gets through customs ten minutes later and walks to the baggage claim area.

"Gianna!" she smiles. The girl has her luggage already.

"Isla! So good to finally meet you!" the blonde girl hugs her.

"Yes! I'm so excited!" Isla replies.

"It's very late though, so we should get going," Gianna says

"Sounds good," the two girls begin to walk towards the exit. They get into a taxi and begin to ride toward Gianna's apartment. Isla looks out the window at the scenery.

"Is this your first time in Sicily?" the driver asks

"Yeah, I'm study-abroad for this semester," Isla replies.

"Ah, very good, what are you studying?" he asks

"Architecture," she answers

"Mmm yes, very good to come to Italy for," he smiles. They arrive at Gianna's apartment.

"Thank you," she thanks the driver. He drives off to pick up his next fare.

"Wow," Isla comments

"This isn't even anything, I live in the ghetto," she says as they walk into the building

"If you say so," Isla smiles. Once in the apartment, the two sit down on the couch.

"Just a couple of things to know..." Gianna starts, "there are gangs around here. When we go out, if you see something happen, look away."

"Like what?" Isla questions

"Anyone getting beat up or if you see any group of individuals huddled together, don't look at them. It's most likely a gang," the girl explains

"Jesus," Isla comments

"It's not so bad, but that's one mistake tourists make often. And they don't care if you're just a tourist," Gianna continues, "And never go out alone after sundown. Stay with someone if we aren't together."

"Got it," Isla nods, not making any jokes about the rules. In the US, her schoolmates might joke about things like this, but now that she's here, she knows it is real.

"So let me show you your room," she says getting up. She brings Isla to her bedroom, pretty plain and simple. A bed, a dresser, and a desk. Although, plenty of room to add some decorations, "I can take you shopping tomorrow if you like."

"Yeah, that would be awesome!" Isla smiles

"Cool, better get to bed though. Jet lag will hit you hard tomorrow," she laughs

"Oh yeah, I napped on the plane too. Probably a bad idea," the brown-haired girl replies.

"All right, see you in the morning," Gianna says. The girl leaves Isla to unpack. She walks over to the window, just looking out at the nightlife. What she doesn't know is that a certain redhead can see her in the window. An infamous redhead known by all the locals in Sicily.