Chapter 1
"Pompeii was once a great city, rich with art, culture, and people. Then the volcano they thought was only a mountain exploded and covered the great city with ash. It took centuries for people to find it again, you see the volcano helped and hindered. It preserved the rich art and culture for people centuries to come, yet it killed many people too." My mom speaks to me in a delicate yet strong voice. It's as if, she's telling me everything's going to be alright in the end but, I can't believe that just yet.
"Mama? Why did the volcano explode? Was it mad at the people? Did they hurt it?" I ask her hopefully and she smiles down at me with a light chuckle. Mama sinks into deep thought when Papa comes in.
"PAPA!" I call out and climb out of bed eagerly, running up to hug him. He laughs lightly as he picks me up and spins me around in a small circle.
"Isn't it past your bedtime?" He asks me as he drops me back on the bed.
"Yes, but this little one is just as curious as her father," Mama replies to him. "Alright, I think I know how to explain this to you now,"
"Explain what to her?" Papa asks Mama and I cut in excitedly.
"About Pompeii! And Volcanos! And Science!" I exclaim and he looks at Mama before speaking.
"Oh really? All of that?" He says as I cut in.
"Uh-huh!" I say and Mama laughs quietly.
"Ok, come here, you little rascal!" She tells me as she lays down on top of my covers. "You too Papa," She tells him and he lays down on her other side. "Ok, so there was once this girl named Ursula," Mama begins and before I know it, I'm not listening to a story, it's like I'm watching a movie.
Ursula's long black hair is smoother than velvet, more elegant than anything else. She's beautiful, more than anyone else, even Mama, but I wouldn't tell her that. "Luca!" She calls out in a warm, kind voice to a tall pale man.
"Oh, hi Ursula, what's up?" He asks looking down at her as they walk into a school building with their backpacks on.
"Nothing much you?" Ursula replies and Luca looks at him doubtfully.
"Tell me what's wrong," He orders her gruffly and she complies sadly, well mostly.
"Fine, I'm just upset about camping," She tells him and suddenly I hear her thoughts. I'm in love with you Luca but you keep talking about your crush. I still think it's Carol, she's the only one who's been around as long as he's been talking about this girl.
"Uh-huh, I know that's not what's bothering you but, I also know that's the most I'm gonna get out of you right?" Luca asks and Ursula smiles up at him.
"Yep! You know it!" She tells him as the demons keep eating her up alive.
"Why are you so stubborn?" He asks with a light sigh as they reach their next-door lockers.
"I guess I was just born that way! Now, tell me more about this mystery girl you like so much!" I tell him and he catches an unintended hint.
"So that's it," He mutters just loud enough for me to hear.
"What's it?" Ursula asks him innocently, she obviously is oblivious to what she just revealed to him.
"That's what's bothering you isn't it? The girl I like, I guess you finally figured it out after all these years," Luca replies but his smile looks slightly forced. I hope she doesn't reject me. I hear Luca think and my eyes widen.
"Well, yeah, I've known you liked her for years! I just never thought it would work out," Ursula replies and when she sees Luca's face she quickly finishes. "Sorry, I know you like Carol and all, but that doesn't mean I have to like her right?" She finishes and I almost facepalm at her ignorance.
Luca lets out a loud roaring laugh that makes the entire hallway stop in its tracks. People started to stare at them like a unicorn just walked in. Luca was laughing so hard that tears started to spring from his eyes as I watched Ursula's face.
