As we filed off of the plane I bit my tongue to keep from yelping out in excitement. Sierra linked her thin arm through mine and bent over to whisper, “I heard the scenery here is stunning.” I gave her an eager nod and we happily took to sprinting down the jet’s steps. Once we reached the bottom we both let out gasp of shock. “It’s gorgeous,” I heard Sierra whisper as I looked at our surroundings. The sun was just setting on the horizon, giving the water around us a glistening effect. Buildings lined up to the dozens; everywhere you looked there was a canal. The boats in them were stunning too, each holding their own unique design and carving. There were people all over, in the streets, in the canals, and on the balconies of their homes. Many of them cast smiles in my direction, some even waved.

“Like it?” Zane asked from behind me and I nodded my head vigorously.

“Alright, take a picture it’ll last longer,” Stephanie called from behind us as Lance hurried out behind her, both of their many luggage bags in his arms.

“So where do we go from here?” I asked, ignoring Stephanie’s rude comment and turning to face my mother.

“Well, we’ll need to take a taxi to the hotel we’re staying at,” Linda replied and Stephanie let out an exasperated sigh.

“Hotel? Taxi? How down grade can we go?” she sulked and Lance patted her shoulder lovingly.

“It’s okay, maybe it’ll be one of those 5 star hotels, the ones that have a penthouse for each person,” he said and Stephanie’s eyes lit up at the idea.

“Well let’s go,” she replied as she turned and began walking towards the street.

“Wait Steph, where are you going?” Zane asked and she turned back around, eyes blazing with annoyance.

“What have I told you about calling me ‘Steph’? And, what the hell are you a moron or what? I’m going to catch a taxi for us, keep up Zane!” she said as she scowled at him, Zane’s smile widened and Sierra let giggles escape her lips.

“Stephanie, we’re in Italy,” I said as I bit my lip to hold back my laughter.

“Wow, no freaking way!” she said sarcastically and my smile widened.

“Yes, freaking way, and since we’re in Italy, we take water taxies, they don’t use cars here.”

Stephanie’s jaw dropped, “Excuse me? I’m not climbing into some filthy boat just to get to the hotel, and no cars? What kind of place doesn’t have cars?!” she exclaimed and Lance grabbed her hands and steered her back, towards the rest of us.

“They use cars, just not a lot, the water canals are used a lot more, waiting for a land taxi would take hours,” Lance said as he waved his hand and a large, bright yellow boat steered itself in our direction.

“I can’t get on that” Stephanie stated as her eyes clouded with fear.

“Wait! You’re a guardian and you’re afraid of water?” I asked and she flashed her angry eyes up at me.

“The term ‘guardian’ doesn’t mean I’m a God! Yes! I’m afraid of water!” she snapped at me, she tried to make her voice sound annoyed but I could hear the distinct fear in her voice.

“It’ll be fine, I won’t let go of you till you’re on land
again,” Lance promised as he pulled her into his embrace.

“How many are boarding?” the driver called and my mom turned around and pointed her finger at each of us, her lips whispering as she counted.

“That’ll be six, one way!” she called back then motioned for us to follow her as she hopped down into the boat. Sierra, Zane and I all carefully jumped down into the large yellow boat and took a seat next to my mother, waiting for Lance and Stephanie to follow.

“I’m coming,” she announced as she stretched her foot tentatively over the boats ledge then pulled it back quickly. “Lance, you get in first, that way you can help me in.” Lance gave her a quick nod then jumped in and held out his arms.

“Just step in carefully, I’ll catch you if you fall,” he said as he gave her a reassuring smile, her face paled.

“Okay, I’m going to- AH!” the heel of her Jimmy Cho’s slipped on the slick siding of the boat and she toppled head first into the murky canal water. Everyone nearby gasped, some held back laughter, others showed looks of concern as Zane and Lance rushed over and reached down the side of the boat. Stephanie’s head broke the surface and she began shrieking and flailing her arms wildly.

“EW! Help me! Oh my god, oh my god, I’m going to die! Help me!” she screamed as she continued to wave her arms around herself.

“Grab my arms, it’s going to be okay,” Lance called down to her as he stretched his arms till they were within her reach. The murky green-brown water around her made slopping sounds as small waves slapped against the boat. She reached up her thin arms and grasped both of Lance’s hands. Zane reached over farther and wrapped his arms around her waist, hoisting her up and over the ledge.

Stephanie looked like she could breathe fire. Her normally perfectly styled hair was wet and clinging to her forehead, her mascara and eye liner were running down her face and her one of kind dress was soaked. “You know-” Zane began but she held up a manicured finger.

“Don’t talk to me.” She stomped over and sat down away from the rest of us, wringing her hair out and wiping blindly at the black circles under her eyes. I let out a sigh and grabbed my purse, swinging it over my shoulder as I walked over and sat down next to her.

“These should help with that,” I said as I put a makeup removing pad in her hand.

“Thanks,” she said as she began vigorously rubbing under her
eyes.

“Want a sweatshirt, you look pretty cold?” she looked up at me with her sad, vulnerable ocean blue eyes.

“Just because I’m wet and cold doesn’t mean I’m going to start wearing your clothes, I think I’ve had enough humiliation for one day,” she said and her normal, superior smile returned.

“Feeling better?” Lance asked as he tentatively approached us.

“No, I just fell into sewage water, of course I’m not feeling better,” she snapped and Lance recoiled.

“I’m really sorry that-”

“Would you shut-up and come sit next to me?” she said and Lance smiled.

“I’d love to,” he replied and I got up to leave them with some alone time.

“How is she?” Zane asked as I plopped down next to him.

“Well, she’s…Stephanie,” I said and he laughed and gave my forehead a kiss.

“It was nice of you to go talk to her,” he whispered into my ear and I giggled nervously as my mother’s gaze zeroed in on us.

“Well, I figured if I’d fell into that water, I’d want someone to take out my anger on,” I said and Sierra giggled next to me.

“Well that, my friends, is what you call karma,” she said and the three of us burst into laughter.

“Do you like Italy?” Sierra asked after we’d gotten a hold on our laughter.

“Yes, it’s so beautiful here!” I exclaimed as I looked around at the scenery once more.

“I can think of prettier things,” Zane said and Sierra let out a snort.

“Nice one,” she said to Zane as she bent down and whispered in my ear, “He’s a keeper.”

“I know,” I whispered back, then leaned my head onto Zane’s shoulder, looking up into the bright blue eyes that I love so much.

“I never got to thank-you,” I said and he gave me a confused smile.

“Thank me for what?”

“For rescuing me, silly,” I said as I reached up and gave
his lips a short peck.

“Any time you need it, I’ll be there,” he said as he stroked my hair lovingly.

“I just might take you up on that offer,” I said and the driver blew the horn loudly.

“We’ve reached Destination 1; Passengers staying at the Flora Rome Marriott may step off carefully now.”