Between Fighting or Staying

Chapter 2: Rome

If you have never been to Rome, you have to go. In one word, Rome was… fascinating. Even before I was out of the plane, I knew it was going to be the best place I have ever visited. I looked up at the airport, Aeropuerto Intercontinental Leonardo da Vinci. The words made me shiver. I did it. I left. The realization hit me in a wave of determination, guiltiness, sadness, and pride. I straightened my back.

As soon as I stepped off, the Southern Accent guy said, "Have a safe trip, miss."

I smiled at him and carefully said, "You, too, Mr.…?"

The man chuckled. "Mr. Stone,"

I nodded. "You, too, Mr. Stone,"

He flashed me a smile and we walked towards the luggage area. I looked for my- Macy's- Gucci bag and fished it out just in time. The airport was filled with people coming and going. The announcer kept saying stuff like, "Flight 2A will be departing in ten minutes," in several different languages.

I took a deep breath and getting a grip hold on my bag, I walked out. The sunlight startled me for a moment. I blinked and took out my sunglasses. The streets were crowded with cars trying to pass, pedestrians walking around, and crossing guards desperate to keep the chaos in control. There were some buildings around the airport. If I was crazy for architecture, I would have fainted. It was a mixture of modern and ancient design. Shrubs were outlined across the street, where a billboard said something about horse races.

I looked around and found a cab a few feet away. The license plate number immediately registered itself in my head. You can never be too careful. I knocked on the window, noticing that the driver was fast asleep. He was an overweight man with greasy black hair. Thanks to my spy observant skills, I saw a bottle hidden under his seat (not the best place, but pretty okay).

He woke up looking annoyed. "Americans!" He yelled and gave me the rude gesture.

I glared at him and he flinched. I also gave him the signal back and heard someone chuckle behind me.

I turned around, ready to judo-flip whoever chuckled. I was surprised to see Preston Winters standing there as handsome as ever in a tailored suite, with, yes, his spider-man watch. Zach, a voice said in me. I immediately felt guilty. I put on my poker face and asked, "Yes, sir?" With a slight British accent, this worked to confuse him.

Preston said, "Sorry, you just reminded me of someone else. Sorry, again."

I nodded and walked past him.

"Wait," He called after me. I froze. He caught up and asked, "Just out of curiosity, what's your name?"

"Alicia Struz," I immediately said. I practiced my fake identity over and over in my head during the airplane ride.

Preston grinned, making him look like a child. "I'm Preston Winters."

I smiled. "Nice to meet you."

"See you around Rome?"

I hesitated. Rome… why did I even come here? He seemed to read my mind. "You are here to see Rome, right?"

I nodded. "Yeah,"

Preston smiled. His brown eyes reminded me of Zach. I didn't notice this before on him, but dorky Preston has definitely become hot. "Don't you need a tour guide?"

I silently cursed. Out of all people on Earth, Preston Winters had to be here in Rome, with me, hitting on me. "Thanks, but no thanks."

Preston looked hurt but nodded. "All right, see ya,"

I smiled and walked away as quick as possible. I stopped for a minute, far away from the crowd of people coming out of the airport, and Preston. I took out the piece of paper from my purse and smiled.

Dad, here I come.

No one could stop me now. I've reached Rome, halfway around the world, a place that could've gotten me killed. But for now, I needed to send something back home.

Thanks for the reviews! I know the chapter may be short, but i'm trying to slowly extend them as the story goes on. After this, my goal is more than 100 words. For each chapter, it will be 100 more words. Again, thanks for the reviews and followers.

Thanks to:

Roza Chameleon Redbird

AinsleyWright

4everandalwaysme

Sincerly,

~WeridButCool