Black Balloon

Chapter 1 "Coffee"

I clutch my coffee as I watch the planes fly to whatever their destination is, I wanted my coffee bitter and for the first time I didn't add sugar. These past few days wont just sink in to me, my empty heart wont accept the fact that I'll be away for awhile. We'll have our business trip going to some places I've never been before and at least my boss had pity on us for the very first time.

My best-est friend Andrea was running towards me holding her suit case and screamed 'Tomato' (long story) she sits on the chair in front of me.

"Huhh" she sighs. "Aren't you excited? We're going to Italy Tomato! We're going to Italy!" she gasps for air, she was going to say something but she saw my sad face and I guess it changed her mood quickly. She got something in her bag, it was an album, it was Lana Del Rey's 'Paradise'.

"Cheer up, big girl" she told me and gave me the album which I was craving to hear for awhile now.

"Thank you" I murmur with a half smile.

I couldn't talk to her, and I really cant think of what to say to her. I'd rather sleep right now or drink a gallon of coffee and think about suicide just to please myself.

The sky is blue and clear, and I can feel the warmth of the sun's heat against my skin. I opened up the album Andrea gave me and I got the booklet, I read some lyrics that soon gave me goosebumps. I felt my blood rushing through my body as I read those relatable lyrics coming to me which pinned my heart. I closed my eyes because I knew I didn't sleep well these days, as I closed my eyes Andrea's hand patted my shoulder. Her mouth was saying "We're going", I couldn't really hear a thing, I looked at my watch and It was 1:25.

I got up, got my things and we ran going to the plane, our departure time was 1:35. Me and Andrea we're on seats 42 and 43 and when we went inside the plane I saw my workmates waving at me. I sat down on my seat and closed my eyes just to rest my eyes. I opened up my eyes and saw Andrea putting my things on the baggage counter on top of me. She sat down next to me, she smiled as she put her earphones on.

I woke up and looked on my watch that it was 10:27, Andrea was reading a book, she looked at me.

"We'll land in about 5 minutes" she winked at me.

"I'm exhausted, Andrea. I haven't slept for days, my life's a mess" I told her.

"C'mon Jennifer, I think it's time for you to cheer up. Your boss isn't becoming a bitch right now, we're going to Italy, we'll find you a boyfriend and I guess that'll make you smile. Whats up with you lately? You seem to hit pit bottom, is it about Jake again?" She laughed.

Jake was my boyfriend for about 3 years and he just left me two months ago like I was a stranger. I loved him with every breath I grasp, with every blink I blinked, with every tear I shed and every beat of my heart. He was my forever, he was my love, he was my eternity and it was really painful when he left me after every drink, laughter, lies, fights, and love we had.

After the incident with Jake, I decided to stop interacting with people because, I don't want to 'fall in love' again because I'll suffer with sleepless nights and too much bars if ever things will be on repeat.

We landed in Rome, and soon I smelled the air of Italy, it was stunning. Me and Andrea got our things and left the plane with my workmates.

I love coffee, really. So I bought Americano, and paid 2 bucks for it. You know the feeling when you're so sad and just want coffee and sleep? I do. I was walking down the aisle and dropped my coffee on my luggage. Shit, I'm so clumsy.

"Seriously," I got a tissue and cleaned my luggage.

"It's okay Jennifer, I'll take care of it." Andrea told me. I can feel her patience, well, at least, someone being patient towards me. I remembered my dad, who was very patient towards me, who told me things in life like I am "beautiful" or "pretty", but as I grew up I just realized that life isn't a telenovela where I meet a prince or a rich man or a celebrity, life's a tornado, its a mess.

"I don't know but, I am thankful to have you on my back Andrea. You're such a, ugh" I ran out of words.

"Shut up, get your things and we should go" she told me sarcastically.

After what happened in the airport we got a cab going to our hotel called "Vite verde", I was starving. We went to our room with Andrea, the room was descent and very clean, its worth the money I paid for.

"Here, I know you're hungry" Andrea threw me a sandwich. I gave her a smile.

"I bought that in a cafe a while ago, in the airport you know. And I saw this couple, they were like about to f-" she stopped.

"What the hell Andrea, you tell me loads of stories about these things, but I think, its not the right time. I need to rest."

"Fine" she rolled her eyes. Okay, Andrea has an "attitude" thats why I love her, her personality is really strong, fun and she's hella kind. She's beautiful too, I remember when we we're in high school, every guy asked for her number and you know they called her and texted her. Which made me very insecure, I'm the ugly best friend, I wish I had the looks too.

I slept for about 8 hours, my alarm rang and it was 8:40. I look around the room, Andrea was no where to be found. Did I say something bad to her again? or I'm just overreacting about these things? I went down for our breakfast and thankfully Andrea was with my workmates, chatting.

There was loads of food on the table, there was Pizza, pasta, sandwiches and usual Italian cuisines. I got pasta, my favorite.

" How was your sleep, sleeping beauty?" Christian, one of my workmates told me.

" First of all, I don't like you to call me 'sleeping beauty' cause I don't find anything beautiful about me, second, It was good."

" You're so moody Jennifer, I was complementing you. By the way, we'll be visiting the Colosseum, Tiber Island, and here, I'll just give you the map." he chuckled.

" It's gonna be a long day"

" Oh yeah, a long day with food too." Andrea joked

" You should get ready in about an hour. Eat your breakfast first." Christian then looked at Francisco.

" Do you mind if I borrow some of your clothes Andrea?" I smiled.

" Wear your coffee clothes," she paused.

" Yeah sure, whatever." she continued