Different

Chapter 4: Alex

Alex:

We head off to the Grand Canal, which seems like it's an overrated name. But it isn't. And it looks like someone has done their research.

"The Canale Grande," Janessa pronounces, throwing her arms out. "It divides the city into two parts, following a natural channel. At the beginning point is where we went yesterday, San Marco Basilica. At the end is Santa Chiara Church. Right now we are on one of the four bridged points of this channel, the Rialto Bridge. It's the oldest, and over the halfway point."

"Designed by Antonio da Ponte in the late sixteenth century," Sage cuts in. Janessa pouts, as it looks like that was her next piece of information.

We all laugh. "Fancy meeting you here," Macy quips.

Sienna sets out to draw the channel and the people on it, while the rest of us talk and point out places we want to go. Some time later, Jamee drags the two in the other direction for food, while the rest of us walk the city, finding a hidden away market.

"Ooh, shopping," Lucy squeals. I cringe. She's way too excited for her own good about this.

We walk along, the girls squealing or running over to a stand every time they see something they like. Nothing catches my eye, until I see some pretty figurines. I head over there, the girls following.

I end up buying one of a wolf howling at a moon. It's really pretty. The cashier, a guy looking about our age, with tan skin and dark hair and eyes, smiles as he hands it to me. "My name is Tyrence. My nonna makes them."

I smile back. "Nice to meet you, Tyrece. I'm Alex. They're very pretty." After paying for it, I tell him I have to leave.

He waves as I leave. "See you around, Tyrece."

"Arrivederci, Alex."

Wow, is everyone around here so nice? The girls have just finished up buying some sweet treats from an elderly lady that has crinkles around her eyes as she laughs at something Macy says. Probably another cheesy joke.

I see someone hidden in the shadows, and have the strangest urge to peek around the corner and see what they're doing. So, naturally, I do.

There are two people talking. I recognize them both as street dancers. But they were dancing in different groups. One of them had dark hair and blue eyes, while the other has hazel eyes and dirty blonde hair. The one with blonde hair gives a threatening look to the one with dark hair.

"Stay away from those girls, Xavier. They don't need to be caught up in this."

The guy with dark hair, Xavier, smirks. "Threatened, Mason? Just cause you saved that girl the other night doesn't mean anything. She was eyeing you, but it doesn't mean she'll ever go for someone like you. Mason, come on. No one will love you."

"Whatever," Mason snarls. "That isn't what I meant. I saw Tyrece getting friendly with another one a few minutes ago."

"May I remind you that this is our turf?"

"Whatever." Mason turns to leave, in my direction. I dart around and out of there before they can see me and get back to the girls, my mind reeling the whole time.

The guy, Mason, was the one who saved Janessa the other night. Xavier and him were fighting and dancing with separate group, so they must be rival dance gangs. But there has to be something more. They were talking about us! Why? And why is Tyrece talking to me such a big deal? He's nice enough.

I'll ponder it later. Right now, we have an art gala to get ready for.

Janessa:

I put one silver stiletto in front of the other, moving to stand beside Alexa and Lucy as we take a selfie. Chase is right behind Alexa. Then, he, Oliver, Alex, and Macy join in on our group selfies. Once we're satisfied, we walk together into the art gala. They're showing a really beautiful piece as the main one tonight, but there is already a crowd surrounding it, so we skirt around it to other pieces.

We all look pretty killer, and it took a while getting ready, even if there were two bathrooms in our suite. We all teamed up on hair and makeup, though, so we had each other's backs. Even so, this is not nearly as important as the ballroom gala we have to attend next week. Good thing I know how to dance, huh?

We split up to go to different art pieces, and Chase branches off with Oliver, probably to go find drinks, so Alexa and I converse.

"How are you liking Venice?"

"A dream come true," she comments. "Oh, and the street dancing. Phew, if I wasn't dating Chase..."

I laugh. "I know what you mean. Last night one of them saved my life. Well, I'm being dramatic, but I would have had some serious damage to this beautiful face if he didn't swoop in. And boy, was he cute. He had ashy blonde hair, and these green-hazel eyes that pull you in."

"So you think I'm cute, huh?" A voice comes from behind me.

Alexa turns around. "I'm going to find my boyfriend now. Good luck with, well, whatever this is." And then she turns tail and leave. Traitor!

I turn to look into those eyes. "Hi," I say sheepishly, trying to hide the blush. I glance at the painting we're in front of.

He winks. "It's beautiful, isn't it?"

I nod. "It is."

He smirks. "Sweetie, I wasn't talking about the painting." Another wink.

I scoff. "Do girls really fall for those lines?"

He nods. "Usually, yeah. You're different. By now, every other girl would be falling at my feet saying, 'kiss me!" Most of them don't even know my name."

I wink. "Maybe I'm not doing that because I don't know your name. I am different. But good different or bad different?"

He smiles. "Good different, definitely. And It's Mason, by the way. Does that change anything? I'm waiting for the kiss."

I put my finger on my chin, playfully thinking. "Hmm, no. Nothing has changed at all. And I'm Janessa."

"Well, you do think I'm cute," he muses. "By the way, a pretty name for a pretty woman."

"And you think I'm beautiful," I reply.

"Touché."

After a few more moments, I decide to move on to the next painting. He follows me, but places a gentle hand on my forearm and leads me away.

"Where are we going?"

"I want to show you something," he replies.

I hesitate. "I barely know you."

He nods. "True. But you must ask yourself if you want to know me more."

I think about it, finally deciding to blindly trust someone that might as well be an axe murderer. At least he's cute. "Yes. I want to know you more. I'll come with you, but it can't be too far. I have to be back soon."

He smiles. "Good. Don't worry sweetie, we won't even be leaving the building."

I nod and let him lead me away, but look back just in time to see Lucy following some guy with dark hair somewhere. I wonder what they're up to.