The Decuplets

Ciao, Roma!

Ella

The first week of summer was hardly summer at all because Scarlett and I were going on a school trip. Though that may sound terrible, we were super excited because our Latin class was going to Rome.

Besides, we needed a break from her brothers. I don't know the last time we spent more than 24 hours without any of them. And honestly, I'm tired of the awkward tension between me and Zach and the endless arguing between me and Reece.

"We'll miss you guys," Max said, pretending to wipe a tear from his face.

"Be very careful," Brandon warned. "I just know you two will do something stupid, but remember you are in a foreign country and we're not there to save you."

We rolled our eyes.

"And no clubs," Liam said.

"Good luck enforcing that," I laughed.

"We're just looking out for you two," Brandon said. "But fine, don't listen to us!"

"We'll be careful enough," Scarlett grinned as she loaded her suitcase in the trunk. "Trust us!"

"Do we have a choice?" Clay scoffed.

"Nope!" we said in unison as we gave everyone hugs goodbye.

-

In the airport we were already searching for "best clubs in Rome," you know, to make the most of our experience. Zander, Kevin, and Leo watched over our shoulders, pointing out ones that looked cool. They would come with, of course.

When we landed, our day of tourist activities began. We went to the Roman Forum and Colosseum, after which we had millions of steps and zero energy. At 9, our teacher allowed us to pass out in our rooms. Except Scarlett and I were not about to sleep.

We wore white wrap tops to 'look like togas' with gold jewelry so we looked true to our inner Roman goddesses. Once we were ready, we checked the halls and gave the three boys the go-ahead signal.

We piled into an Uber and set off to this club that was supposed to be like a disco. We drank from flasks in the backseat, provided by the seniors, who were 18 already. Scarlett and I both have summer birthdays, hence why we are still 16.

We pre-gamed at a bar down the road, trying to remain at a stable level of tipsy so the night wasn't so dangerous—Brandon would be sorta proud.

It didn't work. We were drunk. We were jumping up and down and running away from our friends and striking up random conversations with anyone who looked younger than 20. Again, I hoped we were making Brandon at least a little proud. We're probably better than they expected!

As we danced, they caught up with us, but before I knew it, I turned around and Scarlett was gone. I did multiple 360 degree turns looking for her, but she had left without warning with Zander. Leo, too, was gone.

"And then there were two," Kevin said, laughing.

"Guess so," I said, dancing with my cup raised high, the drink inside sloshing around.

He nodded. This is awkward...

"I didn't really expect them to get together at the club," I noted, trying to fill the silence between us. "I was thinking the house."

He nodded again. There was nothing to talk about.

"It was so funny today at the Colosseum when Magistra—"

"You know, there are two bathrooms in the back."

"Oh," I said, hiding my shock. He was asking to hook up! Do I want to hook up?

I didn't, but I followed him to the bathroom anyway. Both were occupied, so we waited in awkward silence.

"I don't know if—" I started before the door swung open. Too late now!

We walked in and he kissed me.

It wasn't a bad kiss, it wasn't a bad hook up. I just wasn't into him.

I haven't hooked up with someone just to hook up in so long, and I forgot how different it is when you don't have butterflies.

I wanted him to be Zach. Hell, I would've taken Reece.

When it was over, I felt empty. We walked out without saying a word and found, thank God, Scarlett and Zander were already back out. They were laughing and clearly flirting. I just did not even begin to feel that.

"Hey guys," I began, "I'm getting pretty tired. Jet lag, probably."

Everyone nodded. "Yeah, for sure, let me call an Uber," Zander offered.

I stood next to Scarlett, resting my head on her shoulder and shutting my eyes.

When we got back to the house, we snuck through the door and crept up to our rooms. When we had quietly shut the door behind us, I began to absolutely cry my eyes out.

"Oh my God, Ella, what's wrong?" Scarlett exclaimed, rushing to my side. "It was that bad?"

I flopped onto the bed, resting my face in my hands.

"Why doesn't Zach love me?" I wailed, kicking my shoes off of my feet.

She sat next to me on the bed, putting her arm around me and rubbing my shoulder. "He does, he does, he's just still conflicted about Reece! But he'll get over it," she consoled.

"Why do I mean nothing to him?"

She was bewildered at this random outbreak. "You don't! Remember all those things he said to you when you hooked up?"

My crying was reduced to sniffling. "Drunk words are sober thoughts," I giggled through my tears.

"Exactly!" she replied.

I went to sleep still slightly crying. I'm not much of a sad drunk, but I have my moments.

I've decided I need a minute before entering my hoe era. But, don't worry, she'll be back before you know it.