Chapter Three
Cher smiled to herself as she put her pen down from where she had been writing in the notebook. She readjusted herself in the airplane seat and looked down at the clouds that were passing her window. She couldn't believe how close she was to Italy. She would have to make sure to create a plan about when she could eat different foods. Getting fat wasn't an option if she wanted to go shopping for new clothes and Italian fashion was calling her.
She smiled as she thought about how amazing it would be. There would be great food, great landmarks, great fashion. She had promised her father that she would of course concentrate on the internship since that was the reason she would be there in the first place but she could have a little bit of fun as well.
She pressed the button for the air hostess and settled on a glass of sparkling water. It was such a shame that Dione wouldn't be joining her. She would have wanted to share these moments with her best friend. Well, at least Josh had come to the airport and she was wearing the necklace he had given to her. It comforted her, she always had a piece of him with her.
Looking out of the window again, she decided that right now might be the best time to check out the fashion magazines she had in her bag. She always got inspiration from them. They would help guide her in her internship. She would also be watching the people on the street to get further inspiration. She hummed to herself happily not caring if people were watching her, not caring if they were looking at her outfit, her carry on baggage, her mannerisms. She would be working with others and so her wealth didn't matter, only her talents did.
Cher smiled again. She pulled out her picture of her and Josh from her bag and rested her hand on it. "I'll make you proud, Josh" she smiled excitedly. "You'll be so proud of me," she said again before looking at the directions for when she arrived at the airport. It said that she would have a roommate. Hopefully they would get along well. Cher didn't think that that would be a problem on her side, she was always welcoming, inviting, and she could prompt people about how they can become a better version of themselves. That was considered kindness.
CLCLCLCL
After reaching the airport and grabbing her suitcases, Cher proudly hailed a car that would take her to the address given to her. She knew that because the internship drew people from all around the world that people would be in different planes and arrive at different times. She felt proud of herself for navigating the airport and going in the right direction. She wasn't just some dumb blonde as people tended to think.
"You know," she said as she leaned forward to speak to the driver, "I'm really excited. This is my first time living in a different country. Of course, I have been to other countries," she tried to tell him and then saw the driver look at her a little annoyed but he sighed.
"Sorry, my English is…not so fluent," he apologized and Cher smiled weakly.
"Scusa, il mio italiano e molto poco," Cher apologized. (sorry, my Italian is very little). "grazie per avermi guidare" (thanks for drive me)
The driver smiled a little. He seemed to think more of Cher for her trying to speak a little Italian. Cher saw this and looked out of the window. She was very glad that she had been learning the languages of the fashion capitals. She knew that she needed to experience more language in order to truly enjoy this trip but she would get there soon. Living in Italy would allow her to experience the culture and be around those who spoke the language. That was one way in which she could better herself.
As the driver pulled up to a hotel with long- term housing, he stopped the car and went to get the bags out of the back. Cher made sure to give him a good tip before she walked forwards and to the hotel. She patted her pockets to make sure that she had everything she needed. She thanked the driver again and went into the hotel with the instructions on the paper she was given.
There were a few people on the lower level. One was a family who were surrounded by bags and the other was a girl with long red curly hair who was wearing a cowboy hat and boots. As Cher observed her, she had to admit that this girl was on point. Her makeup was fabulous and she seemed to proudly show a more Southern Belle look. Cher nodded to her as she saw that she wore a denim shirt with a very nice cut and a brown skirt with a belt that had a tassel on it.
She walked towards the counter where she could check into the hotel and showed them the paper. As she was doing this, the other girl stood and walked over to her. Cher felt her heartbeat as she heard the tap of those boots on the floor. They were gorgeous and this person was so interesting to her.
"You Cher?" the girl asked as she reached a hand out and Cher nodded. "My name's Raquel, I called the program and they said you'd be arriving 'bout this time. There's only a few of us here so far but I thought I'd be polite and meet you before I show you to our room." Cher stopped and smiled to her. The program? Our room? So this was her new roommate. Cher smiled happily, at least she wasn't with some girl who was covered in tattoos with multiple piercings. At least she and Raquel might have some things in common. "You're a Cali girl, aren't ya?" Raquel asked in her thick Southern accent.
"Yes," Cher nodded. "I'm sorry, I didn't look you up at all. I feel badly about that. Can I treat you to a coffee, they do have coffee around here, don't they?" she said before the people at the front counter handed her a key to the suite where she and Raquel would be living for the next few months.
"Don't worry about it, sweetie," Raquel smiled with the type of confidence that Cher admired greatly. "We'll have a long time to get to know one another. As for the coffee, this is Italy. I can assure you that the espressos are plenty."
Cher laughed and nodded along to that. Yes, Italy did have a long coffee history which she hadn't thought about when she had come here. Raquel seemed friendly but sometimes friendly people were two-faced and….Cher shook her head. No, looking at things from a positive viewpoint would only allow there to be positive things happening in her life.
Raquel gestured for Cher to follow her and they went to a larger suite that had two bedrooms, a living room, kitchen, bathroom, and balcony. It was smaller and more cramped than Cher was used to but this would be fitting for right now. Cher looked at the two bedrooms and Raquel pointed to one of them, "I took that room, hope you don't mind. The rooms are the same size. The furnishings are the same size. I didn't think it mattered too much which one I took," she said and Cher nodded. Raquel's room was closer to the bathroom but Cher was just happy to be there.
"How is the closet space?" she asked as she put her suitcases against the side of the wall.
"Too small," Raquel replied. "I mean, I could barely get my clothes to fit but then if it's not a walk in, it's too small for me. I grew up in Texas and…well, when you are part of the circuit in Texas you need a large place to hold all those dresses."
Cher smiled. She wondered if Raquel thought that she was the stereotypical Valley Girl as much as Cher had cast an opinionated view on Raquel representing the stereotypical Texan. She looked around wanting to say something and her eyes focused on a picture of Raquel with her arms around what looked like a man ten years older than her. Cher paused. Josh was older than her. She couldn't judge. No. This man might be a family member or even a young looking father, she couldn't judge.
"Are you checking out me and Dale," Raquel smiled as she tapped the frame. "My parents thought that was a scandal. Dale was a student teacher at my school but we've been dating since I graduated high school…or maybe a little bit before that. Some people don't realize that age is just a number."
Cher nodded. "Is it okay if I put my picture here too?" she asked and Raquel grinned, laughing softly.
"You've got a boy too?" she asked and Cher nodded. She pulled the photograph of her and Josh out of her bag. This was one of her favorite pictures of the two of them and she was happy that she could show it off. It would make a good impression on Josh when he came to visit her and it would tell any male who might come to the suite that she was taken. She was definitely taken. She knew that, although it might be hard to swear off boys, she would survive with those phone conversations and the knowledge that when the internship was over, she would be with him again. "Super cutie. What's his name?"
"Josh," Cher nodded. "He gave me this necklace at the airport," she showed Raquel.
"Beautiful," Raquel complimented her. "So, I'm sure that you want to take a shower after that plane ride, right? Besides, there's a mixer tomorrow night. I'm excited for it. Everyone coming together before we all start doing that work. I want to see how the boys are. I wouldn't be unfaithful to Dale though."
"I would never be unfaithful to Josh either," Cher said as she placed her fingers onto the photo of him. She missed him already and it had been less than a day since she had been in his arms. Was he sleeping right now? Was he dreaming of her? What was the time difference anyway? "However, I can't pass up a good party."
Raquel nodded, "I thought you were one of those party girls. I've heard that you Californians are party animals especially those who live in the Valley."
"I'm more than that," Cher argued. "I may enjoy to party but I think I prefer more elegant parties. I've seen some truly heinous things with juveniles," she said and Raquel laughed. Cher saw a fire in her eyes as she stood there with one hand on her hip, her shoe tapping against the hardwood floor.
"I hope to see who you really are, Cher Horowitz, I can't wait to see you prove it to me," Raquel commented and Cher smiled. She really did like this girl's attitude and she could see them becoming friends. Maybe she wouldn't be as lonely as she had feared.
End of Chapter Three
Thank you for reading
Thank you to the reviewers of Chapter Two
FutureFamousAuthor108, Guest, wow,
