Super Crush (BxB)

Party in the ITA (S2)

I'm not really sure who to trust anymore. I have more or less locked myself in my room, only going to meals or checking out stupid gift shops with Mom enough to make it seem like I'm not avoiding her.

But I am.

I'm avoiding everyone I know in Italy right now. I haven't been back to headquarters for two days. I've ignored the comms on my tech band and even deleted the one unknown number that texted me with an "I'm so sorry."

Being an extrovert, this much time by myself isn't the best for me. I can feel depression's breath on the back of my neck, but what am I supposed to do?

"I am not sure what's up with you, but I know something is." I look up to find Mom in my doorway.

I open my mouth to unleash the whole story. Tell her why we're here. That Dad's fine. And that Clay and Abe kissed. Tell her that my life is in shambles.

"I'm good, Mom," I reply instead, returning my attention to my phone.

Letting her in would help but I'm still suspicious about who The Boss is.

"I think you need some company. I mean someone your age. You have been stuck with me all week."

"Mom, I don't need..." strangely my mind turns halfway through what I am saying. "Actually, maybe finding someone to hang out with might be a good idea."

"I agree. It's Friday night. Go have some fun!"

Almost on cue, there is a knock at the door. When I open it, the girl who works the front desk is standing on the other side.

"Ciao," she says with a smile.

Such an interesting word. Hello and goodbye. Judging by her just arrival, it's obviously a greeting this time.

"Hey, you are the girl from the lobby. I think we are all good here tonight. We have all of the toiletries we need."

"Umm, I am not working tonight," she says with an uber-cute Italian accent.

"Oh." Confusion starts to fog in.

"My name is Gianna. I wanted to know if you wanted to come to a friend's party with me tonight."

Gianna's smile doesn't falter even as I am unable to hide the realization on my face. I turn and narrow my eyes at my mother over my shoulder. I had given her such honored props for keeping her nose out of my social business, and she had to go and mess it all up. Mom shrugs, pretending to have no hand in asking this girl to get me outta her hair for the night.

I turn back to my visitor, "Um." I am about to thank her for the offer and decline when I think of Clay and Abe. I didn't plan to see them tonight or ever again, so I guess I am free...

"There will be cute boys there," Gianna adds.

My eyes cut back to the woman who birthed me, "Mom!"

Gianna laughs. "She didn't tell me that. I saw your rainbow flag patch on your backpack when you checked in the other day."

I smile, "You are observant, Gianna."

"Comes with the job. Gotta keep my eye on you pesky Americans."

This makes me chuckle.

"Cute boys, eh?" I ask, both of us knowing she's already won me over.

"Yes, and a bonfire and music."

"And limoncello?" I whisper.

"I heard that," Mom bellows from somewhere back in her room.

"No! No alcohol," Gianna says loudly enough for my mom to hear, but she holds up her fingers in a pinch gesture to let me know there may be a little bit of booze at the party.