"All right boys. Pretty good today but let's talk technique." Giulia says as the group gets back.
"Hey! I need some help with the nets. Alberto, Giulia come give me a hand." Massimo asks as Giulia and Alberto go to him.
"Hey wanna see something cool Luca?" Alexis asks as Luca looks at her.
"Uh sure. But shouldn't we have Giulia and Alberto come?" Luca asks nervously.
"Nah. Giulia knows and I'm pretty sure Alberto is occupied at the moment anyway. Come on." Alexis says as she gestures for Luca to follow.
*Timeskip*
"Why are we out here in the woods?" Luca asks as he is following Alexis.
"You'll see." Alexis says.
"You are a very strange person." Luca says as Alexis smiles.
"As are you." Alexis says kindly.
"Touche." Luca says as Alexis stops near a large rock formation.
"Just pass this moss. Close your eyes. I wanna surprise you with it." Alexis says excitedly.
"Okay?" Luca asks unsurely as he closes his eyes before letting Alexis lead him last the moss which leads into a cave behind it.
"Okay. You can open your eyes now." Alexis says as she stops before Luca opens his eyes and looks around in awe seeing a cove area filled with beautiful crystals and a nearby water area.
"Wow. What are these?" Luca asks as he looks at the crystals.
"They're called crystals. They are gemstones. They can grow in the right conditions. Cool huh?" Alexis asks.
"It's beautiful." Luca says as he looks around.
"Yeah. It's my favorite place out here. I honestly love to explore and I found this place." Alexis says as Luca looks at her curiously.
"You like to explore?" Luca asks in surprise.
"Of course. I take it that's why you want the vespa. To explore. Not really any other reason for one." Alexis says as Luca chuckles.
"Yeah... Do you like to swim? There's a water-" Luca then gets cut off by Alexis.
"Oh no! No, no. I can't." Alexis says as she backs up in fear.
"You can't what? You okay?" Lucs asks seeing Alexis fearfully looking at the water.
"Yeah... It's just... I'm afraid of deep water. If I have to swim I get terrified immediately. I fell into some deep water when I was very little and if it weren't for my birth mom I would of drowned. Giulia's dad has tried to teach me but... I'm just too afraid. I can't swim. I just can't." Alexis says ashamedly.
"You can't swim? So that's why you acted that way on the boat." Luca says as Alexis nods.
"Yeah..." Alexis says as she looks down.
"So you're adopted? Is that what Ercole meant by what he said?" Luca asks.
"Yep. Let's just say I'm more of an outcast than Giulia. Regardless her family has accepted me. Though I tend to stay here more during the summer than her." Alexis says sadly.
"I'm sorry... I know how you feel in a way. I lost someone in my family too long ago." Luca says causing Alexis to look at him.
"I'm sorry Luca... but if you want I can tell you something that may help with those thoughts whenever they come around." Alexis says kindly.
"I doubt it." Luca says.
"Well try. One way is I do something that makes me feel close to my parents. Specifically my mother. One of our favorite activities was star gazing together. She would always tell me these stories about how the stars are just our loved ones looking down on us. Watching over us. You don't have to believe it but when you feel lonely looking at things that way can honestly make a difference. But when you feel like an outcast all the time or have to hide away things that make you who you are it can be difficult." Alexis says.
"What do you mean hide who you are? Aren't you already you?" Luca asks curiously.
"Well maybe I could show you sometime. Oh by the way I have something for you." Alexis says as she pulls something from her satchel.
"You do?" Lucs asks curiously.
"Yeah. It's my book of the stars. I saw you and Alberto looking at them the other night. I thought you may like it." Alexis says as she hands Luca a book.
"So they're stars and not fish?" Luca asks curiously.
"Uh what?" Alexis asks as she gives Luca a curious look.
"Uh nothing. Thank you Alexis." Luca says as he smiles and blushes.
"No problem. Anyway we should be heading back." Alexis says as she blushes.
*Timeskip*
"Hey Alberto. I've been looking for you." Luca says as he and Alexis arrive where Alberto and Giulia are.
"Oh sorry." Alberto says apologetically before he walks off with Luca before Alexis and Giulia walk off.