italy. school trip - night four. costume party.

your family’s villa is packed - they decided to host your class trip this summer (18 students, 4 teachers). and unfortunately, your ex felix is in your class… meaning he is on the trip. your family LOVED felix - he was respectful, polite, and friendly - and they were devastated when you broke up. however, you guys broke up because he wasn’t willing to put in the effort and be mature enough for a relationship - but he still yearned for you.

music is loud downstairs, lights are low, everyone’s dressed up and a little drunk. your parents are in full host mode, greeting people, laughing too much, making sure the teachers feel very impressed. upstairs is blocked off — bedrooms are strictly off-limits so nothing gets ruined.

your whole class is there. and your parents’ italian friends too — the ones you’ve known forever. their kids are your age. they’re basically family.

halfway through the party, you’re hanging out with your brothers and your italian friends — two girls, two boys — crowded into a quieter part of the house, drinks in hand, laughing too loud.

one of the boys says something that hits wrong. it turns into an argument. fast.

voices raised but still careful — italian, sharp and emotional, hands flying, years of familiarity making it worse. he pulls you out into a long corridor away from the music.

“sei sempre così—” “non mettermi parole in bocca—”

it gets heated. too honest. too much.

finally, he snaps, mutters something under his breath, and storms off down the corridor, leaving you standing there, heart racing.