Prologue

As my flight landed on the runway in Rome I could feel the heat. Of course it was hot, summer was just ending but my life was changing and quickly. On the day that my mom told me that I would be moving to Rome to live with my Aunt, my boyfriend had also just told me that he loved me. Now over 4000 miles I have to keep a long distance relationship. I can trust him though. Can't I? Of course I can. But then again can I even trust myself

I looked out side to see all the old buildings. Then the captain said we could board off. I didn't want to move. I couldn't. I wish I could have taken the next flight back to Washington. I'm 17. I can live on my own. I could quit high school, find a job, and then live on my own. I would be just fine.

I took my first step off the airplane and my foot landed in the hallway off the Rome airport. That one step already changed my life. I didn't know how to speak there language here. I was from a different country. How could my mom move to Australia and leave me to move to Rome. How could my dad leave my mom and then disappear? Why was it like no one wanted to be with me? And my mom, she made me leave my boyfriend. The guy I love and will always love. The guy I will want to spend the rest of my life with.

I stepped into the airport. My Aunt said she would meet me at luggage. But where was that. All the signs where in a different language. Where was I to go? I guess I could follow everybody. So that is exactly what I did. After a long walk, with endless streams of people always passing me, I finally entered the luggage room. I looked franticly around trying to find my Aunt. How was I to remember what she looked like. I was only five the last time I saw her. That was 12 years ago. Would she even recognize me. I thought about yelling out her name. O Aunt Ira where are you. I am here. I was just about to yell that out when all the sudden I herd someone yell " Brenda" from behind me. I turned slowly around to see a stylish young lady. Aunt Ira was only in her late 20's. But see my mom and her are like 15 years apart.

"O Aunt Ira. I was afraid I wouldn't be able to find you. All the signs are in a different language." I said. She headed towards me and grabbed me. Then she hugged me so tight. I thought she would never let go. Then finally she let go. And I could breath.

"I would have recognized that face anywhere. I can't believe you remember me. The last time you saw me you where, what was it, about five?"

"Yeah! 12 years ago. I thought you wouldn't have recognized me."

"Not recognize my own sister's daughter. That would be just horrible." She sighed, "Look at you. You have grown up so much. How old are you now?"

"Seventeen" I replied, looking around for a store. I needed to chew some gum. I went 10 hours with gum. Gum is like my major obsession.

"Oh you are going to be a senior. The best year. Is your mom going to come up to your graduation?"

"Aunt Ira that is like 9 months away. I am sure she will come though" That was the first time I have lied to my Aunt. I knew that she wouldn't come. She would come up with some awful excuse. Already I had lied to my Aunt and I haven't even been here for 5 minutes. This was going to be a great year.

"Well that's good. Well we should get your bags and then head out. I have to get to a big meeting. I was thinking maybe there was somewhere I could drop you off for the afternoon. Then I could come pick you up?"

"Well I have been waiting for a pretty long time to see the Trevi Fountain!"

"Good. I will take you there. It is right on the way to my meeting too. They have many restraints over there. You could grab something to eat. They also have the best clothing stores." Then all the sudden out of the corner of my eye, I saw my bags pass by. I raced after them and this guy about my age picked them up for me.

"These yours?" his soft voice said.

"Yes thank you."

"Have a good day."

"You too." Wow I guess that was a pretty good first conversation.

The taxi pulled up to the side walk and pointed me in the direction of the Trevi Fountain. Then right before I walked away my Aunt told me that she would meet me right here at 5:00. I looked at my watch, which I had turned to this time zone, and it said 12:00. What was I going to do for 5 hours. I mean I am in Rome but there isn't that much to do without walking a million miles.

I took the directions the cab driver told me and ended up at the Trevi fountain. But the my stomach growled. I had to get something to eat. So I continued walking in the same direction to all the café's and restraints. I found a little nice bistro that had sandwiches and a lot more. So I decided to eat there. I ordered a BLT. And ate it quickly, I wanted to get out of there as fast as I could. I needed to find a little store I needed some gum.

I walked out of the bistro and started walking. I knew it was going to be a while. I had my eyes on the ground when just then I bumped into someone. I looked up and saw that it was the guy from the airport with the soft voice. "Sorry."

"That's okay." His soft voice said. I was dazzled. His voice was masculine but then also soft.

"You speak English, wait I should have realized that before." What was I doing. Just rambling on in front of this guy. The last time I did that was when I met Joey, my boyfriend.

"Yeah."

"Then do you think you could help me? I am looking for a little store."

"New here aren't you. Follow me." He started to walk in the same direction I was going. I just stood there. "Aren't you coming?" I quickly ran up to him. I followed him. "I'm Emmit."

" I'm Brenda. Brenda Luu." I said. Well how stupid was that. I just told him my last name. I barley know him. He could be a serial killer for all I know. "I'm seventeen." Whoa why would I say that?

Emmit chuckled. "Me too." I could start to feel all the blood rush to my head. Why did I just say that? We continued to walk. "So are you just visiting here?"

"Actually I now live here. I moved in with my Aunt, because my mom wanted to live on Australia. She really didn't want me coming with her so she made me move in with my Aunt."

"Where's your dad then?"

"Well my dad left my mom when I was 5. Then he disappeared. We haven't seen or heard form him since. My mom wanted to track him down so I could go live with him, but I wouldn't let her. I thought well maybe if she thought that I didn't want to live with my mom I thought she would let me stay in Washington and live by myself so I could stay with everyone there. What about you? You speak perfect English."

"Well when I was 13 my parents decided to move here because of some job offer for the both of them. Every summer I go back to New York and visit all my friends and family. That's why I still know the language well." His voice softened even more. I could tell he was sad just like me that he had to leave America. "But this place is fine. I am sure you will love it. So your going to be a senior then.?"

"Yeah. Are you?"

"Yeah. Well here we are."

I turned to see a little store. "So when can I see you next?" Then I turned around and he was gone. Well how weird. I have already met a weirdo. I walked in and got my gum.

It was 5 and I was right where I was supposed to be. Then my Aunt came in a cab. I hopped in. Then about 15 minutes later we where at her house. It was pretty big. I could tell that Aunt Ira must have had some money. She opened the door and then right there was a big grand hall with a grand staircase. It was beautiful. She walked in and gave me a tour of the house. Then she walked up the stairs, with me following, and she walked down the hall a little and stopped in front of a dark wood door. "This is your room." I opened the door and there was this beautiful room decorated to fit a princess. Maybe this wasn't going to be so bad.

I walked in and laid my luggage on the ground and walked to the window. I looked out and it had the most beautiful view of the wine garden. I went back and hugged my Aunt Ira. "Thank you" I said.

"Well get settled and don't stay up to late. You start school tomorrow."