A Place to Belong:

The November air was cool, and the smell of fresh pastries from a nearby café wafted in. Despite the charm of your surroundings, you felt an ache in your chest.

You had been here for two weeks, living your dream of studying art in Italy, the country your grandparents had left behind. But Fitting in was turning out to be harder than you'd imagined.

“Hey, Aussie!” a voice called out, you didn’t need to turn around to know it was Martina, the ringleader of a group of girls who had taken an immediate dislike to her.

“How’s the outback treating you?” Martina’s voice dripped with false sweetness. “Or do you miss surfing with the kangaroos?”

“You know,” Martina continued, flipping her perfectly curled hair, “just because you’ve got an Italian first and last name doesn’t mean you’re one of us."

But before Martina could say anything else, a voice cut through the courtyard.

“Martina, don’t you have anything better to do?”

Everyone turned to see Matteo Ricci. Matteo was one of the most respected students in the school.

Martina scowled. “Stay out of it, Matteo.”

“No,” he said firmly, walking over. “You’ve been picking on her since she got here, and it’s pathetic. Jealousy doesn’t suit you.”

You hadn’t expected anyone, let alone Matteo, to come to your defense.

“She doesn’t belong here,” Martina shot back, her voice rising.

“Who are you to decide that? Maybe focus on your own work instead of tearing hers down.” He replied.

Martina glared at him. Instead, she turned and stormed off, her friends trailing behind her.

Matteo turned to you, his expression softening. “You okay?”

You nodded slowly. “Yeah. Thank you… I didn’t think anyone would say anything.”

He shrugged, giving her a small smile. “Martina loves being the center of attention. But don’t let her get to you. Your work is incredible, and you deserve to be here as much as anyone else.”

“Thanks, Matteo. Really.” You say.

Matteo walked you to your next class as he nods in response.