Thank you for the reviews! ^-^ ChloeCutieGal: I really like it to, Rihanna is one of my favourite singers ever although I prefer her older stuff like you said you do too. Nals: I laughed at your suspense nomnom-ing ;) Pancake: Girl, I can relate to you so much. This year I lost my best friend too. Well, I didn't physically lose her, but she became such a different person that I just had to make the choice to walk away and find other people who were more worthy of my friendship. People change, and you can't blame yourself. So if you ever want to talk you can always PM me if you need help with that :) StrawberryRainbows: Yes! It is me :D I just can't log in from my DSi which is what I read from. I love your story so I will definitely take you up on that awesome deal! Especially since I happen to be updating right now! 8) Now, on with the story!


CHAPTER SEVEN- "Avventura" (Adventure)

Obviously Francesco wasn't lying when he said he didn't find any feelings with Mia… Sally thought as she stared blankly out the plane window.

Francesco had told her many things. He'd shed light on things she hadn't even known she was feeling. He'd also convinced her that the right thing to do was get away from it all.

It's only a trip; I'll be back in two weeks. I just need to clear my mind, she reminded herself. It wasn't enough to block out the constant reeling memories though.

She could still remember the stark silence out in Tailfin Pass when she'd met with Francesco. She could envision him parked in front of her, and then whispering the words, "OK, I'll go."

It couldn't mask the tumbling feeling inside of her, and every time she thought of McQueen's eyes in the airport the discomfort only intensified.

She couldn't let herself feel this way, it wasn't right. She'd made this decision; she'd have to carry through with it. Then, when she got back home, she'd apologize to McQueen for hurting him and they'd realize just how much they'd missed and loved each other.

So, what was she worrying for? It wasn't like they were over. It wasn't like she was running from the problems she'd created.

She had to think of this as an independent project. As if she was setting out on a short project away from home. She'd done it before, she could do it again.


When they touched down, Francesco showed her out of the airport and to his hometown. It was a lovely Italian villa, full of grand architecture, cobblestone roads and fine sculptures of artwork.

"What-a do you think, Miss-a Sally?" Francesco asked her as he gazed proudly at the surrounding buildings.

"Oh! It's breathtaking! Just as beautiful as you said it would be…," she mused quietly.

He smiled with satisfaction, then swerved forward in excitement. For a moment she thought he was about to kiss her. She'd have to get used to him being this close if they were to spend the next two weeks together. Now that she thought about, she'd only ever trusted three boys to be at such an intimate distance; her father, her high school boyfriend and McQueen.

McQueen, McQueen! Stop thinking about him and enjoy yourself a bit! She ordered her inner self furiously.

"Now," Francesco started, "Are you-a ready for Francesco to-a show you all of Italy's best, as-a promised?"

She nodded in agreement and followed him deeper into the villa, every second taking her farther and farther from what was really on her mind.


He did show her the best. With Francesco Bernoulli there was nothing less than "best". They visited a museum five times the size of the Radiator Springs racing museum. They went to an enclosed theatre with triple screens. They drank wine you couldn't even find in the whole United States of America.

The evening came fast, and soon it was time to dine.

"So, did you have plans for dinner? I could pay this time," Sally offered casually. It was a custom for her to share meal payments back home with McQueen.

He threw her a look of shock. "No, no!" he exclaimed brusquely, "We will not-a eat here!"

Confused by his brash rejection, she said somewhat angrily, "What? I told you I could pay if-."

He pulled extremely near to her side. His tone softened dramatically, "We shall eat-a home cooked meal by Francesco's mama. It is-a tradition."

She studied him awkwardly. Suddenly open-wheels didn't look so great. She'd have done anything to trade them for a pair of fenders, ones with fake headlights and stickers.

But she didn't have that. She had the perfect Francesco Bernoulli instead. This wasn't her idea of perfect anymore.

"Oh," she responded dully as she tried to edge Francesco out of her personal space. Was he trying to get this close to her? Had she fooled him into thinking there was some kind of courtship going on between them? Because it wasn't like that. It was more like he was her friend that also happened to have a hot body. But with McQueen out of the picture, Francesco was clearly trying to push the boundaries of friendship.

"Come," his voice broke into her thoughts, "let yourself be introduced-a to… the Bernoulli family!"


Sally sat alone at the back of the Bernoulli house, or palace as it should have been referred to more properly. Dinner had finally wound down and given her a chance to escape from the family.

She rested her eyes on the cool, black night sky and heaved a sigh of unhappiness. She was taken by a feeling she hadn't felt in quite some time. It was the type of emotion she used to get when she was on her own in Los Angelos. The darkness would bring out the pain of hopelessness and inflict wounds upon the empty parts of her heart. It would claw at her soul until she settled it, or let it bleed from her eyes in the form of tears.

And in that moment she felt more alone than she ever had. She let herself cry into the still night time soundlessly. She tried to figure out all the reasons she was here, when she should have been with McQueen.

Because no adventure was any fun without him.


D: Angst! I hope you guys hate Sally a little less now, but hey, it is all in how YOU feel about it. Thanks so much for reading, and like I said, if you are a reader of this story then reviews are an awesome way to show that you are enjoying it and want to see more. Thanks again!

P.S. Does anyone else find the bold button extremely annoying?