When In Rome...(SLOW UPDATES)

Chapter 2

When In Rome...

Chapter 2

To say that I was disappointed when I didn't see the weekly magazine on the doorstep of my apartment like usual, would be a very big understatement. I looked around confused as to why I didn't get the magazine today! The day the results of the photography competition were to be published! The day I was waiting for from the past week!

"Good morning Ashley!" My other neighbor, Mr. Turner greeted me.

"Oh, good morning Mr. Turner." I mumbled back, not able to keep up with his level of enthusiasm.

"You don't sound good at all! Something wrong?" He asked, a concerned look on his face.

"Um, well, I can't find the weekly magazine. I wanted to see something in it." I tell him, a sheepish look on my face.

"Oh! The paper boy must've forgotten. Don't worry, you can borrow my copy. I take Pages too." He says before calling his wife out. "Aura, can you get the Pages magazine, please? Ashley didn't get her copy today and wants to check it for something." He tells his wife who rushes inside to get the magazine, making me smile at their kindness. Mr. and Mrs. Turner were like the grandparents I never had.

"Here, honey!" Mrs. Turner says, giving me her copy of the magazine.

"Thank you so much! Can I return it a little later?" I asked her with pleading eyes.

"Of course dear. Go on inside now. You must be tired from work!" She said, pushing me inside my house.

"Bye Mrs. Turner, Mr. Turner. I'll see you later!" I waved before closing my door with a giddy smile on my face. I might be able to go to Rome! One of the many places I wanted to visit!

Carefully I opened pg 16 of the magazine. I scanned the page before letting out an excited squeal.

'The winner of the photography competition is nineteen year old Ms. Ashley Perkins. A heartfelt congrats from all the staff members here at Pages! Please come to the 'Pages' office before 5:30 p.m. today with your entry and a copy of your passport. We will get in touch with you soon with your registered mobile number. Thank you and Congrats once again!' a small blue bubble at the bottom of the page read.

"Yes, yes, yes!" I squealed, jumping. I immediately called Stella who picked up on the third ring.

"Please tell me you won." She spoke into the phone. She had not subscribed to the magazine and so, didn't know if I won or not.

"Yes, I did win!" I squealed into the phone.

"Oh my God! Yes, I knew it! Wow, I am so happy for you, Ash!"

"Thanks! Well, I need to go to their office with my entry and passport copy. You come along too. Eric and Emma have school right?"

"Yup. I'll be at your place in five minutes. See ya!" She said before hanging up.

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Within the next forty minutes we were at the blue glass building of Pages.

"C'mon! Let's go." Stella tugged me forward.

On reaching the office of the senior editor, I knocked and Stella and I walked in when we heard a 'come in'.

"Which one of you is Ashley Perkins?" The senior editor, Ms. Belle asked.

"That would be me." I said, raising my hand slightly.

"Well, congratulations on your victory. You will get your airplane ticket within a week, by the 11th of this month. You have two days to choose the dates." She says, a very small smile on her face which I wouldn't have noticed, had I not been observant.