1. ITALY....YAYY
Hailey
The zipper of my suitcase groaned in protest as I tried to force it closed, one knee braced against the side, my palms pushing down on everything I’d crammed inside. Clothes. Shoes. Two laptops. Chargers. My favorite hoodie that I refused to leave behind.
Three months in Italy. Three months of new beginnings. Hopefully.
I exhaled, the kind of breath that carried both excitement and the faint, terrifying awareness that everything in my life was about to change. This was a big opportunity for me.
“Don’t break,” I warned the zipper.
It listened.
Barely.
I collapsed onto the edge of my bed and stared at the ceiling of my apartment, sunlight spilling through the half-open blinds. My room looked the same as it always had, but I already felt like I was leaving a version of myself behind. The girl who had been stuck in the same routines, the same relationships, the same city that had begun to feel too small for her dreams.
I checked my phone. 9:12 a.m.
Time to go to work.
*****
The conference room at the office buzzed with that specific energy that only existed when something important was about to happen. Coffee cups. Laptops. Low voices and expectation.
My aunt Maeve stood at the front of the room, arms folded, sharp eyes bright with pride as she watched me take my seat.
This was it. The debrief.
“Alright,” she said, clapping once. “Hailey’s heading to Italy to represent us at the Europa League event. Three months. This is big. For the company and for her.”
A few people smiled at me. I tried not to grin too wide.
Cameron leaned over from the seat beside me. “Look at you, international businesswoman.”
I rolled my eyes. “Relax. I’m still me.”
“Yeah,” he said. “But now you’re me in Italy.”
I shot him a look. He laughed.
Cam had been flirting with me for months — not aggressively, just… persistently. The kind of interest that hovered, waiting for permission to turn into something more. But I’d never given it. I didn’t mix work and pleasure. It complicated things. And my life was already complicated enough. Plus, he may be my type on looks, but once I got to know him, that changed.
Maeve reviewed the logistics, goals, and expectations. I took notes even though I already knew most of it. My role as head of Social Media was straightforward: to build visibility, manage branding, and keep the company relevant while the world’s eyes were on the league.
After the meeting, Aunt Maeve pulled me aside.
“I’m proud of you,” she said softly.
My chest tightened. “Thank you.”
She squeezed my hand. “Go make something beautiful.”
*****
By the time I got home, my apartment already felt temporary.
I dropped my bag, kicked off my shoes, and FaceTimed Summer.
My twin answered immediately.
“There she is,” she said. “Miss World Traveler.”
“I leave tonight.”
Her grin softened. “Three months, huh?”
“Yeah.”
She studied me through the screen. “You’re ready.” She said because she could tell I was doubting myself.
I nodded. “I think I am.”
“That’s what I like to hear. You’re going to be amazing,” she said. “Babe, did you put my towel in the dryer?” I heard Josh’s voice in the background. Josh was Summer’s boyfriend. She met him when she moved to L.A., and they were playing around with their feelings, dating other people, but they got the hang of it in the end. She’s never been happier. I heard her mutter something to him before she turned back to me. “Just… don’t fall in love with an Italian.” She joked.
I laughed. “No promises.”
We talked until my Uber arrived.
*****
The knock at the door came right as I was grabbing my coat.
I opened it to find Ryan.
My most recent ex-boyfriend. I know, most recent might sound crazy, but I have a lot of exes. I have a tendency of getting bored with guys, and once I see they’re not the right fit. I’ll just ditch ’em.
“Well,” he said. “This is awkward.”
I stepped aside. “You’re here for your stuff.”
He nodded. “Yeah. Figured I’d do it before you leave the country.”
He packed in silence while I leaned against the wall, watching the life we never really built dissolve into a backpack and two jackets.
“Have a good trip,” he said. We broke up because I didn’t want to do the whole long-distance thing for 3months.
“I will.”
And just like that, it was over.
*****
Italy greeted me with warm air, rolling hills, and a skyline that looked like it belonged in a painting.
I pressed my forehead to the taxi window, heart racing.
This was real.
The company had booked Cameron and me in the same hotel as most of the racers — a luxury building near the city centre. The lobby buzzed with accents, movement, energy.
“This place is insane,” Cam said.
He checked in, then turned to me. “Want to go explore?”
I shook my head. “I need to set up my software, track trends. Work first.” I’d normally jump at the opportunity to explore, but I needed to settle in first.
He smirked. “Of course.”
That night, I collapsed onto the bed, exhausted but wired.
My phone rang.
Pierre. He and I kind of became best friends ever since he helped me and Nate surprise Summer one time.
I answered with a smile. “I made it.”
He laughed. “I saw the pictures. Italy already looks good on you.” As the head of Social Media at my aunt’s company, I also have my own social media account that I’m always active on. I have a good number of followers. Almost at 500k.
We talked about the flight, the city, Cam. He always teased me about him. Then—
“Hey, at least I didn’t start on you and Ethan,” he said. He teases me about Ethan, but I normally shut it down because it actually gets to me.
My breath caught.
The memory of my goodbye party flashed through my mind. The laughter. The drinks. And the quiet, guarded test driver with eyes that held too many secrets.
“That was last year’s news. Keep up,” I joked, hoping he wouldn’t pick up on my tone.
Pierre hummed. “It’s not news if nothing happened, girl.” He prolonged the last part.
“I’m hanging up now.” I threatened.
“Okay, okay, I’ll stop. Just wanted to tell you good luck on your first day.” He said.
“Thanks.” I smiled.
I stared at the ceiling long after the call ended, my heart doing something I didn’t yet understand.
