Summertime Madness

Chapter || 1

We finally reached the island at around seven o'clock. The sun was still shining bright and the streets were busy with tourists ambling around looking for some adventure to chase. The roads were very quaint. Most of them were made out of dirt or rocks giving the island a very colonial feeling. The views were breathtaking, mesmerizing even. It reminded me of an old Hollywood film.

Graham was eyeing a pizza parlor that was just down the street. I was suddenly regretting my decision on telling my mom that I wasn't going to eat until she agreed to let me go back to New York.

"Mom, I'm super duper hungry." Graham almost sighed.

"I guess I could eat." My dad said while looking at my mom and giving her a nod. All three of them turned to look at me. Graham with a pleading look in his eyes, my dad with a solemn face that was trying to hide a smile, and my mom with an annoyed expression. I simply shrugged and let them continue on with their conversation.

The pizza's scent hit me a few steps from the restaurant. It was like heaven had somehow found its way down to Earth. My resolve was slowly dissolving and my mouth was watering. All of the surrounding aromas were going to drive me nuts. I had not had anything to eat since yesterday night and my stomach practically roared when a waiter passed by with what looked like a meat lover's pizza.

"Natalia, are you going to eat anything or are you going to continue this petty behavior?" My mother said with one eyebrow raised.

"No, I'm going to eat. I figured my animosity is more then enough civil disobedience to convince you." I huffed out while looking at her straight in the eyes.

My Mom was a scary person when she wanted to be. Luckily, or maybe unluckily, that was a trait I had inherited from her. This particular trait lead our "discussions" to be quite entertaining for any onlookers. Dad and Graham will sometimes pretend to be watching a TV show and "eat popcorn" while commenting on who is "winning." They've always said we should have camera crews following us just in case a fight brakes out. Our small tousles would become hits according to them.

"Don't take that tone with me young lady or you'll be without a phone faster than I can say "hand it over," understood?" My mom added while scanning over the menu.

I slowly slid my phone across the table while having direct eye contact with my mom. She raised her eyebrows again in mock surprise. The move had been risky but my mom understood my personality and I was all in. I wanted... No, I needed this internship to achieve my dreams. I know I sounded self centered and maybe a little whiney, but if anyone saw their dream was right in the palm of their hands and then it was yanked away in a heartbeat they would be devastated too.

"Mom, I don't think you understand how much this meant to me and you just took it away because you wanted to go to the beach? I could have stayed behind. It wouldn't have been a big deal. I'm seventeen years old! I think I can handle myself for a few days at home." I said all of this in one breath making the last few words a little pitchy and strained.

I saw Graham physically wince at my words. "Mom, go easy on her. I think it's her time of the month." I nearly choked when I heard what he said. Not because I was embarrassed but because Graham has always tried to fuel the fire, not put it out.

"Stay out of this Graham!" My mom and I both said at the same time.

"Talia... Honey, c'mon don't make a scene. We just got here. It's a small town. We don't need to have a bad reputation following us around. Let's calm down, have some good pizza and go."

Though anger still boiled within me I decided to let it go. For now. I was hungry and the pizza that just passed by made my mouth water even more than it already had. I checked the menu and decided on the meat lover.