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Just Take Me Home - Tia Kofi x La Grande Dame, Plane Jane x Nymphia Wind Summer in Italy college abroad AU

FIRST CHAPTER OF OUR NEW FANFIC, JUST TAKE ME HOME, IS NOW POSTED.

Dada fled to Italy from France when she was only 16. She wouldn’t meet the hilarious, corny Jane and quiet, reserved Gothy for another two years. This would be their third summer together guiding a group of college kids around Italy before they studied abroad.

Dada just wanted to get the tour over with, like always. Jane just wanted everyone to call her Plane. Gothy just didn't want to crash the bus. But instead they were met with Crystal, who just wanted to smoke on balconies. Nymphia, who just wanted to take cute insta pics. And Tia, who just wanted to enjoy time not spent in her suffocating hometown…

And she figured Italy would be the perfect place for a summer fling.

“I swear to god it was like something out of a fucking movie,” Tia giggled. In the front of the bus, Jane gave Dada her signature knowing look. Dada met her eyes, shaking her head.

“Any idea what they’re talking about?” Jane asked, brow cocked.

“Shut up, Jane.” Dada looked back to see Tia, head leaned against the window, blushing as she gushed to Crystal and Nymphia in a hushed voice. They sat next to her, expressions changing from dropped jaws to giddy smiles. Dada looked back at Jane, smiling. “She’s talking about me.”

A03 link: https://archiveofourown.org/works/55522132/chapters/140904223

Chapter one

solar power - perugia

come on and let the bliss begin

…

For Tia, August couldn’t come soon enough. Essex summers were always dull, the sun refusing to shine to its fullest potential. She was exhausted from ducking her head in stores, desperately avoiding the familiar faces of old classmates and coworkers. She was sick of Sunday dinners with insensitive family members who always had something terrible to say. There was something about England that diminished whatever light Tia had.

Maybe that’s why she applied for the semester abroad program at her University. She reasoned that since it was her final year, it would be her last chance. Not to mention the program would take Tia to Italy, one of the most beautiful countries in the world. It would all somehow end and start at the same time. The hiding, the sun always masked by clouds, the constant stares, it would all be over. But just as that all ended, Tia would be on a flight to Italy. Her family hated the idea, she knew they would, but Tia explained she would be home in time for Christmas. In the end, her parents knew there was nothing they could do, they always knew that about Tia. So they drove her to the airport, wished her luck, then left. And Tia almost wished it was harder to say goodbye.

July ran away from Dada. The days bled through the nights, the nights blended with the dawns, and before she knew it, she, Jane, and Gothy were packing their car for Perugia. She swore time had moved slower just last April when it refused to turn into May. She hated leaving San Martino Sul Fiora, the little town she had come to call home over the past four years, the Paris skyline and bustling streets replaced with rolling Tuscan hills and sweet Italian wine, the ringing laughter of her roommates. She dreaded saying goodbye to them just to waste her last month of summer showing the busiest, most touristy spots of Italy to loud University kids who never listened.

Dada met Jane and Gothy one of the first nights they had arrived in Italy, having to order drinks at the bar for them because they were too anxious to ask the mean Italian bartender in English. The night somehow ended with Jane convincing Gothy and Dada to join her tour guide company.

“Come on sisters, I know you’re overstaying your visits in Italy. You don’t need to be tracked like that.”

It actually wasn’t the worst idea, they weren’t the most unqualified people in the world. Or at least Gothy wasn’t. She had learned to drive the big tour buses in the Lakes District when she was just sixteen, needing to help her dad out when he broke his foot. It was very illegal, but the tourists turned a blind eye, thinking it was all some part of the European experience. But she was damn good at it, and kept doing it every summer until she moved to Italy.

As for Dada, she had visited Italy every summer during her childhood, staying with her grandmother at her vineyard in San Martino Sul Fiora. Her and Gothy made the mistake of telling these stories to Jane, who immediately told them to come work with her, that her company was hiring.

“Honestly it would just be nice to work with someone who can actually speak Italian. At least a little bit. Even if it’s in a very hard to understand French accent. And you’re so tall you could be like our bodyguard,” Jane looked up at Dada with begging eyes. And she just couldn’t say no.

While being a tour guide for a group of rowdy college kids was pure torture, they were okay at it, and it made them good money. This was the third summer Jane gently approached Dada and Gothy, asking if they wanted to be hired for another August, prepared for rejection. Every year Gothy said yes without hesitation. Dada always eventually agreed, but she always dreaded it.

“If you hate it, then stop signing up,” Jane muttered toward Dada as they loaded their final bags into the trunk of their shared car, Bianca.

“Oh shut up,” Dada laughed. “Gothy hates it too.”

“Yes, but I’m not bitching until I have something to bitch about,” Gothy explained.

“I’ll give you both something to bitch about,” Dada muttered under her breath.

“What was that?” Jane asked, daring eyes looking up at Dada, who towered over her.

“Nothing. We should go to bed. We wake up early tomorrow, and everyday for the next fucking month.” Jane headed to the front door without another word. Dada appreciated the stillness of the street for just a moment, knowing the next month would not include quiet moments like this.

Tia knew she made the right choice when the train entered the city. If she was being honest, the airport made her skeptical. But as soon as she saw the dark, deep, arched buildings and buzzing squares, she felt as the movie began to write itself. Finally, the best part of this semester-abroad program, the month-long tour of Italy.

On the train ride into Perugia Tia sat next to a girl in a yellow hoodie with pin straight long black hair. She was going to the same University in Perugia for the abroad program and said she was from Taiwan. Tia hadn’t gotten her name, but she seemed like she could be cool.

Professors from local colleges met with the tour group once they arrived at the hotel.

“After you all get settled, we have a scavenger hunt for you to do in groups. But feel free to treat this as a self-guided tour of the city. First team to complete the scavenger hunt, or the team with the highest score wins a bottle of wine per group member.” Tia’s eyebrows raised at the prize, suddenly hoping for a good team. A different professor started listing groups. Names Tia didn’t recognize started to leave her mouth in spurts of 3.

“Tia Kofi, Nymphia Wind, Crystal Methyd,” The professor read out. Tia looked around, not sure exactly what or who for. Her eyes fell on the girl from the train who was also looking around confused. Catching each other's eye, they began to walk towards the other.

“Tia?” The girl asked.

“Yes, Crystal?”

“No, ha- I’m Nymphia,” she laughed.

“I wonder where Crystal is?” Tia asked, Nymphia shrugged.

“Hope she’s not lost,” she joked. Tia chuckled, but kept a lookout for another confused face. Eventually, a student with a head full of dark brown curls and clear rimmed glasses approached the two of them.

“You must be Nymphia and Tia, I’m Crystal,” she said weakly.

“Yeah, it’s nice to meet you, we thought you were lost for a minute there” Tia smiled. Crystal furrowed her brow, looking confused for a moment.

“Sorry, I’ve just said that to about 5 groups now so I was really prepared for rejection,” Crystal sighed. Tia and Nymphia both laughed, once again to Crystal’s surprise. The laughter dwindled into a slightly awkward silence. Tia cleared her throat.

“So listen, I don’t know about you guys but I want that fucking wine.”

“Oh, me too!! We are winning that wine. No way the scavenger hunt is that hard,” Nymphia agreed, looking at the scavenger hunt sheet.

“I’m down too, but that wine is for us three gals and us three gals ONLY!” Crystal declared.

“Deal.” Tia and Nymphia agreed. The three rushed to their rooms to drop off their luggage as fast as possible. As soon as Tia tripped over her suitcase while scrambling up the stairs and Crystal and Nymphia continued to drag her up, she knew that this summer would at least contain some element of adventure with those two.

Dada was right to bitch. This group was rowdy. That was to be expected, all things considered, but this group was exceptional. Despite there being about a dozen members in the group, Dada noticed each person had something to say and the means to say it. It was annoying. Jane adored it.

“The world is coming back, Dada,” she said, watching as the kids got assigned into groups of 3 from the bus window. Dada refused to pay attention.

“You’re so stubborn, it’s stupid.”

“They do this every year, Jane. What am I supposed to do, act surprised?” Dada challenged.

“But look, these groups are going to fucking cling together for the whole semester they’re in this shithole-”

“See! Ay! You agree it’s a shithole!”

“Yeah, Dada, but they don’t know that. Let the tourists have fun then we never see them again in a month. Okay?” Jane asked.

“Fine.” Dada lied. Jane turned back to the window. “Come look at these three,” she chuckled. “They’re going for the win.” Dada peered out the window and saw only vague figures and curly hair.

“Kids,” she tsked.

“They’re older than us,” Jane muttered.

“Oh, by two years, maybe. Still childish. And always trust fund babies.”

“Or they’re just having fun? I don’t know sister, you came to Italy for a reason. So did they. Just let them be,” Jane reiterated for the millionth time. Dada shut up, turning her focus out the window. The three girls began to gather their luggage in a hurry. Dada could hear them laughing as they sprinted towards the entrance. She let herself smile and for once, Jane hid hers.

To absolutely no one's surprise Tia, Nymphia, and Crystal won the bottles of wine. After spending approximately a minute throwing their luggage in their rooms, they began the scavenger hunt. Most groups took over an hour, but it only took them 45 minutes. Having some extra time before they met their guides, they headed back up to their hotel rooms.

“Huh, we’re all neighbors,” Crystal observed. Tia chuckled, they must not have even noticed when they were throwing their luggage in. As she settled into her hotel room, Tia took out her phone to text her family a picture of the bottle of wine. Soon enough, it was time to meet in the lobby.

It didn’t take Tia long to spot Nymphia and Crystal standing awkwardly in the corner of the room. She joined them.

“Look at our tour guide,” Nymphia whispered, darting her eyes to the front of the lobby. Three stood. One extremely tall, maybe as tall as Tia. She was pale and her hair, which was extremely long and straight, was platinum blonde. Her face was impossible to read with her heavily winged eyeliner. The other guide was an entire head shorter, with wavy dark brown hair. She was clearly excited to be there. The other was even shorter with long black hair in a slicked back bun, wearing a vacant expression.

“Which one? The hot one?” Tia asked.

“No, not the tall one, the medium one. I bet she sucks. I bet she’s the absolute worst,” Nymphia muttered, not tearing her gaze from Jane.

“I don’t know about that, but the tall one is literally the hottest person I’ve ever seen in my life. I think I’m scared of her,” Crystal joked.

“They’re all probably fine,” Tia said, unable to tear her eyes away from the tall, blonde tour guide.

Dada and Jane looked out at all the students in their tour group.

“Weird bunch..” Dada observed.

“Interesting bunch,” Jane corrected. “Jesus sister… you ready?”

“Yup.”

“Great. By the way, I’m trying out a new nickname, please respect it. Please. Alright. Here we go. HELLO! Hi! Hi, can I get everyone’s attention!” Jane called, holding up her hand. Just like that, Dada lost the last thing she knew. Because this trip even ruined Jane. Jane took the role of being a tour guide far too seriously, her hilarious bitchy self being taken over by the cringiest, most enthusiastic Karen-like tour guide. With that being said, it didn’t even mean she was a good tour guide. “Thank you! My name is Jane, but you guys can call me Plane. And this is Dada!” Dada waved.

“Hi. I’m Dada. I am your other tour guide,” she said shortly. “Jane I am not calling you that,” she added in a heated whisper. “This is Gothy, our wonderful bus driver,” Dada had a whisper of a smile on her face as Gothy gave the group a short wave.

“Why does everyone here have weird names?” Nymphia muttered to Tia. She couldn’t help but agree, but was still wondering where the hell these girls were even from . “Plane” (Obviously Jane) was definitely American… probably from Utah… Maybe New York if Tia was being nice. But that Dada girl… Tia wasn’t sure where her accent was from, she knew it wasn’t Italian… maybe she was German…?

“It’s nice to meet you guys. We will be your tour guides and keep an eye on you crazy kids while in the hotel,” Jane explained. Her and Dada took the next five minutes to run the group through all the boring information they were required to go over before turning them all back to their rooms.

“We leave early tomorrow! No sleeping in!” Dada called after the group. Gothy turned to smile at her.

“I do suppose it’s nice to be back.” Dada just shook her head and followed the group upstairs.

“You only have to drive them. I have to deal with the bullshit. Also, do not call Jane that horrible name. She is so dumb.” Gothy let out a laugh as they turned down the hallway.

In every hotel, it was the same set up. There would be a corridor sectioned off for the group and Jane, Dada, and Gothy would get the three rooms on the very end at the exit. There they would have to sit until 12am every night to make sure everyone made it in their room safely. It was easily the most annoying part of their job, but necessary due to privileged kids sneaking out then getting lost or mugged. Dada had just finished settling into her room when three girls rushed past her doorway.

“Okay you heard the boss, we’re leaving early tomorrow. I’m pretty sure the first activity of the day is at like 8 am,” Crystal began, her, Tia, and Nymphia standing in front of their bedroom doors. “So I’m drinking my wine tomorrow night, because the next morning we’re just driving to Florence. Would you ladies like to join me?” She asked, and Tia let out a giggle, putting a hand on Crystal’s shoulder.

“Is it too soon to say I love you?” Tia asked, feeling like she was at summer camp. Crystal grinned.

“No, it’s not too soon! I love you sister!!”

“You two are weird. But yeah, we’ll drink the wine tomorrow night. Now, goodnight. I’ll see you dorks in the morning,” Nymphia said, and to Tia it just sounded like I love you. The three girls parted their ways, each of them going into their respective hotel rooms. Tia and Dada both fell asleep that night, wondering what the next day could possibly bring.

A loud tapping on Tia’s door woke her up in the morning.

“Rise and shine sister! Today is the first day of the best summer of your life!” It was that Jane girl again, going down the hallway and waking everyone up. Tia prayed it wouldn’t be this way the whole trip, endless early mornings after restless nights, but something told her that it would be. Was this tour about to suck? Their tour guides were a couple of 20 year olds who weren’t even from Italy, Tia was older than them, she was probably more qualified to lead the tour. She stood up quickly and opened the door. “Morning!” Jane beamed.

Her hair was perfectly pulled into a high ponytail, no slut strands to be seen. She wore a high waisted khaki skort and a light blue polo 👕 t-shirt that was perfectly tucked in. Her sneakers were chunky and so white they probably reflected the sun. How long had she even been awake for?

“Morning…” Tia yawned, rubbing her eyes. “Oh! We got a heavy dozer on our hands!” Jane quipped. Tia swore she was shouting.

“What time is it?”

“Eight! We’re meeting downstairs in an hour, don’t be late,” Jane said before moving to the next door. Across the hall the other tour guide, what was her name again? Dada? was also knocking on doors across the hall.

“Wake up! First day of tour! I’m not going to stop knocking until you open this door!” Dada called, continuously rapping on the door. She heard a chuckle from behind her, and when she turned around all she saw was a head of curly dark hair with dyed auburn highlights ducking behind a door and closing it. Dada looked at the room number, it was one of those girls who won the wine. The tall one. She already knew the exact type of group member she would be; loud, enthusiastic, and naive. She would be emptying her wallet at any and every gift shop she passed. Yes, Dada knew this type of group member and they were nothing but pains in the ass.

The door in front of her finally swung open and there stood another girl from the wine winners. Her hair was a mess with heavy bags under her eyes.

“Why… do we have… to wake up… so fucking early…??” The girl, Nymphia was her name, whined.

“You’re on European time now,” Dada said with a smirk. “I suggest you get used to it or you’ll be miserable.”

“I think I’ll just be miserable,” Nymphia muttered, closing the door.

“Meet downstairs in an hour!” Dada called.

“Okay, we are only 30 minutes behind schedule and that’s okay! It’s really normal for groups to take some time adjusting to TOUR LIFE if you will! I remember on my first tour, it was the first night and I had NO IDEA what I was doing.”

“Talk about something else!” Nymphia called. Jane turned to Dada, a shocked look on her face.

“Just do the bit,” Dada shrugged as Gothy started the bus and pulled out onto the road.

“Okay! Moving on apparently! In case you missed it last night, my name is Plane and…” Jane held the microphone to Dada’s mouth.

“My name is too hard to pronounce, so you can just call me Dada.” She deadpanned. A few chuckles were heard throughout the bus.

“Kinky…” Dada tried not hear Nymphia giggling as Gothy reluctantly took the mic to speak.

“I’m Gothy, bus driver from the UK.” Jane was quick to continue on.

“I’m from America. I was born in Boston but took a gap year to come to Europe on a backpacking trip. When I made it to Italy, I fell in love and just… never left,” she explained before holding the microphone to Dada’s mouth again.

“…I am from France. I lived there then moved here. I am French, they are British and American, so naturally we are the best people to show you around Italy.”

So THAT’S where her thick accent was from, France, Tia realized with a grin. What was some French girl doing guiding them around Italy? It was then Dada first heard her bright laugh that cut through any room, any conversation. Her eyes flicked up to see the tall girl who ducked behind her door that morning. Dada tore her eyes away just as Tia met her gaze.

“We are just about at our first stop, The National Gallery of Umbria Art Museum. Take an hour wandering this beautiful museum and take in all that… art! Okay? Slay!” Jane said enthusiastically. Nymphia chuckled from beside Tia.

“Slay!” She mocked. Jane didn’t take offense though, in fact she grinned. Moments later they pulled up to the art museum and everyone began filing out of the bus. Tia couldn’t help but notice how Jane, Gothy, and Dada hung back, not leaving the bus.

“Are they not coming?” She asked, frowning.

“What? They’re not?” Nymphia turned, looking to see Dada and Jane both sitting on the bus stairs, passing a cigarette back and forth. “Whatever. They’d probably be annoying and make us read the plaques!”

“Ew… you’re probably right,” Tia agreed, though she didn’t believe that.

“Well I bet they’ve been come here thousands of times now,” Crystal supplied. “They probably won’t be with us for most of this stuff.”

“Well… that’s dumb. They should have to come, it’s their job!” Nymphia complained.

“I thought you didn’t like them?” Crystal challenged.

“I don’t. At all. But I still think it’s dumb. Tia gets it,” Nymphia said. Tia just shrugged, head turning back to see the tour bus in the distance.

“Well that was fucking stupid,” Nymphia huffed, walking out of the museum.

“It was a little boring,” Tia yawned. “Like, why were the lights so dim? And why did it feel like a church in there?”

“Exactly, Tia! You agree! You understand!” Nymphia laughed. Crystal just shook her head with a grin.

“Maybe if you read the plaques you would understand.”

“Boring…” they approached the bus, doors creaking open as Gothy opened them.

“Did you ladies have a blast?” Jane asked.

“No??? I almost fell asleep in there!” Nymphia said.

“What’s your name again?” Jane asked her.

“Nymphia. This is Tia, and this is Crystal.” Dada looked at the girl with the pretty laugh, Tia.

“Well, we’re going to a chocolate factory next. That sound better to you, Nymphia?” Jane asked, but with a hint of teasing in the back of her voice.

“A chocolate factory? We could’ve been spending all that time at a chocolate factory but we spent it at a dumbass museum?!”

The bus took off. It was a short drive to the chocolate factory, they honestly could’ve walked but Gothy wanted to get used to driving the bus around. Again, they dropped the tour group off without going with them. This time Dada noticed a glare from Nymphia, and a certain disappointment from Tia.

“How do they hate us already?” Dada asked, trying not to feel disappointed.

“Speak for yourself. That Nymphia girl likes me, I can tell,” Jane smirked, watching as the group walked away.

“I…I disagree, I don't think she does,” Dada chuckled lightly, Gothy joining in.

“Mark my words sisters. I can just tell,” Jane said, shaking her head.

“Whatever you say,” Gothy scoffed. When the group returned, they seemed in much higher spirits. Nymphia and Tia ran up onto the bus, smelling of cigarettes and rum balls.

“Hey! We have a problem with you two!” Tia exclaimed. Dada was shocked slightly, she hadn’t really heard Tia speak up yet.

“And what is that?” Dada responded calmly.

“You should have to come on the tours with us!” Nymphia exclaimed.

“Uhhh… why?” Jane asked, head cocked at Nymphia. Nymphia looked at her in disbelief.

“Because you’re our TOUR GUIDES. It’s your job.”

“Well, we’ll come with you to the next event, lunch!”

They drove to a small little restaurant for lunch, pushing tables together to fit everyone. “Okay, so now we wanna hear about you guys!” The group went around telling their names and some random facts about themselves. There were students from all around the world in their group, including a couple guys from Germany and some loud girl from Florida named Vanjie. She had to repeat her senior year of high school three times. And of course plenty more kids that Dada paid no attention to. Instead she zoned out, only coming back to reality when Tia spoke up.

“I’m Tia. I’m from England, uhh from Essex. I’m in my final year at Nottingham University. I came here to…” Tia suddenly was very aware of Dada’s eyes on her, lingering. Why was she so beautiful, so perfect? It was too intimidating. “Well I’ve been excited to do a semester abroad basically the second I learned what one was.”

Dada finally broke her gaze from Tia. They finished going around the group, learning that Crystal was from Missouri and Nymphia was from Taiwan.

“That’s so cool!” Jane exclaimed.

“Yeah. It is. And you’re not even joining us on the best part,” Nymphia said, arms crossed round her chest.

“You think the tour is the best part?” Jane asked, sincere. Nymphia rolled her eyes.

“Obviously. Apart from the tour we are literally just doing school but in a different country,” Nymphia shrugged.

“I’m honestly flattered, Nymphia.”

“Wasn’t a compliment to you.”

“Just for that, maybe I’ll consider joining you on tour. I can’t speak for Dada and Gothy, but maybe.”

“Yes!” Nymphia and Tia cheered together, knowing already that Jane and Dada were a package duo. And maybe Gothy would tag along too.

“You have no backbone, do you?” Dada hissed to Jane once they sent the group off to have free time.

“Oh come on, it's a little tour around Italy. And I said I’d consider it… Besides, I honestly don’t think this group can handle it alone…”

“Okay, that I understand but… god I just don’t want to go. They don’t really care anyway, you know that,” Dada whined.

“Then don’t go. Whatever. These girls care. And I think that’s adorable of them. And hot of Nymphia. So you can hang back, whatever, it’s fine,” Jane replied easily. Dada scoffed, Jane knew it wasn’t as simple as she made it sound.

Tia, Nymphia, and Crystal on the other hand were clueless.

“I… I don’t even want to move,” Nymphia whispered. They had found a wall to sit against, smoking a pack of Marlboro golds Tia had supplied.

“Yeah… but our asses are gonna start to hurt in about 20 minutes,” Tia sighed but grinned when Crystal asked;

“Do you girls smoke? Like- weed??”

“Oh thank fucking GOD!” Tia exclaimed. “I was really scared I was gonna have to find European weed all alone.”

“I haven’t smoked weed since I was abroad in American high school!” Nymphia laughed. “But I will join you girls.”

“Oh thank god! Three is such a good smoke circle!” Crystal cheered. They swapped stories from uni and frat parties, talking about different types of trouble they’d all gotten themselves into until Tia noticed as the street got busier. Checking the time she noticed it was 5pm. Wow. Tia was not expecting that at all, time really does fly. They all ran to meet Dada, Jane, and Gothy at the restaurant they were told to go to for dinner.

“You’re late,” Gothy observed as they scurried to sit with the rest of the group.

“Sorry, we lost track of time and-,”

“Don’t care. Just be lucky we haven’t ordered,” Dada said, not looking up at Tia. She didn’t know why she was being so cold. She just wanted to say SOMETHING to Tia, even if she was an asshole. Tia turned away, trying to shake the weight suddenly pressing on her chest and the heat rising to her face. Her hot tour guide already hated her, great, just what she needed for the perfect summer. Tia tried to focus in on conversations, but she kept her mouth shut. She felt stupid, wandering eyes always landing on Dada who was twirling a fork in her hand, talking to Gothy and only Gothy. Maybe Jane every now and then.

Tia begged for a joke she could piggy back on, or an opportunity for her to swoop in and show Dada that she wasn’t some loser, not that it mattered what she thought. Dada sat glancing across the table the whole dinner. Tia surely hated her and was probably laughing at her. Dada knew she was acting uptight, she always tried to hate the group members. But something about at least Tia felt different, Dada hated that she had to take a jab at her. She hated that she didn’t know how to apologize. She hated that she wanted to know her.

They finished their dinner and began a quick walk to where Gothy parked the bus. Dada tried to walk by Tia, hoping that a conversation would somehow start and she could show Tia she wasn’t some complete and utter asshole. Why she even cared, she didn’t know. Alas, opportunity never came and they boarded the bus. The drive to the hotel was short, and Dada found herself going to sit alone in her room, telling herself tomorrow would be easier.

“Okay ladies, who’s room are we drinking in tonight?” Crystal asked, a mischievous smile on her face.

“Mine! Or anyone’s I guess. They’re all identical,” Tia said.

“I already opened my bottle, don’t ask when,” Nymphia muttered.

“You know what, I won’t,” Tia laughed. The girls all grabbed their bottles and slipped into Tia’s room. “I googled it, these bottles are worth, like, a hundred dollars each. That’s crazy.” Crystal stood using a bottle opener found next to the ice bucket to work the cork out of their bottles.

“Literally why is this so fucking hard??? Nymphia, how did you do it?” Crystal asked, dropping the bottle opener helplessly. Nymphia walked up and fiddled with the bottle opener for a few seconds until the cork popped out. “Ha! You’re dumb!” She teased.

“How?!” Crystal asked, jaw dropped.

“I don’t know, I think I’m just better than you,” Nymphia shrugged, flipping her hair. Tia giggled as Nymphia opened the second bottle with ease.

“Thank you, Nymphia…” Crystal muttered.

“Okay! A toast!” Tia called out. “To the three best mother fuckers here!” Nymphia and Crystal cheered. They all clinked their bottles together before taking long swigs. The wine was dry but sweet and nothing like the shit they had back home. Tia drank some more, clearing just to the top of the label. When she looked back up, Crystal and Nymphia were laughing, so Tia naturally started laughing too.

“I think… I think it’s gonna be a good fucking semester,” Nymphia laughed, lips stained red from the wine.

“I’ll fucking drink to that!” Crystal giggled, tipping the bottle back and taking another drink. Tia cheersed Nymphia again and they all drank (chugged) the expensive wine. Crystal wiped her mouth and looked at Tia grinning. “Where are you from?” She asked.

“Oh- uh- England,” Tia said. Hadn’t they gone over that earlier today? Crystal chuckled.

“Yeah, I could tell you that just by looking at you. Where though? I watch Love Island, I know the different spots.” Tia drank again. She could’ve sworn she said where she was from today…

“Essex, just far enough from London,” she supplied.

“Oh– how is that?” Crystal asked excitedly.

“Shitty sometimes. There are good spots, though. Good moments,” Tia said. She took another drink, hoping it would take the attention off her. Crystal took a drink too. Nymphia had been quiet for a while now. Tia and Crystal seemed to notice and looked over at the same time. Nymphia had cleared a good amount of her bottle already and was just smiling at the ground. “Nymphia? You with us queen?” Tia asked, giggling. She looked down at her own bottle. Huh. She must’ve drank quite a lot of hers as well.

“You guys are funny,” Nymphia chuckled. Crystal gasped.

“Nymphia! Nymphia you are funny too!” She laughed.

“Guess where I live! Guess!” Nymphia demanded.

“Uhhhh… Taiwan,” Crystal guessed.

“Yes! How did you know?” Nymphia asked.

“I didn’t. I just guessed the place you told us you were from,” Crystal answered honestly with a grin..

“Oh, that makes sense,” Nymphia replied, then drank again. Tia’s chest was warm and her lips were stained red. When she looked up, Nymphia was still drinking, eyes closed.

If there was one thing Tia knew when she signed up to go to Italy, it was she would have to pick someone in her tour group to have a crush on. She just knew it would be unrealistic for her to go to Italy and not at least try to fall in love with any random woman who looked at her just right, it was lesbian vacation culture. Tia had already considered Nymphia the second she saw her on the train. That dark hair, those mysterious brown eyes, Nymphia was the blueprint for Tia’s vacation crush. But alas, after actually hanging out with her, Tia realized she and Nymphia were definitely going to be nothing more than friends. Tia couldn’t even be bothered with Crystal, who despite being absolutely gorgeous and hilarious, Tia had a feeling they were too different but somehow too similar... The only other two people she had really met were-

“Hello?” Said a voice from the other side of the door.

“Oh god, I’ll handle this,” Nymphia muttered, words slurring together. Standing on the other side of the door were Jane and Dada. “Oh shit, hey.”

“Wow. Strong smell of wine in here sisters,” Jane said.

“We won it fair and square,” Crystal defended. Tia sighed.

“It’s 11pm, you have one hour until quiet time,” the crank tour guide, Dada, said from beside Jane.

“Plane is a dumb name,” Nymphia chuckled. To Dada’s surprise, Jane just smiled.

“Okay, Nymphia, ” she laughed, turning away. Tia and Crystal burst out laughing.

“Goodnight, see you ladies in the morning.” Jane shut the door behind her.

“That bitch!” Nymphia gasped. Tia and Crystal just kept laughing, slapping the desk.

Tia awoke to the sound of her alarm, “Dancing Queen” playing as she groaned, rolling over to the nightstand and quickly silencing her phone. She laid in bed for a moment, feeling absolutely miserable for herself. She was nauseous, definitely from drinking the bottle of sweet wine last night. Tia remembered she was in Italy, and that she was leaving for a month long tour of the country. TODAY. In an hour and a half, actually. Tia knew she had to get up, get ready to leave. But god, she really didn’t want to. She took ten seconds to keep her eyes closed before she had to get out of bed.

Tia tried to process the day she was about to have, she had no clue what the plan was. It only took about two hours to get to Florence, but Jane said last night it would take all day. Why? Tia hoped they weren’t gonna make them walk or something awful like that. Didn’t they have a bus? Whatever.

With her ten seconds long expired Tia flung herself out of bed. She then heard someone in the hallway starting to knock on all the doors, saying something to each room. A few seconds later, Tia heard two sharp raps on her own door, followed by a bright, wide awake voice;

“WAKE UP SISTER!”

It was obviously Jane, who Tia decided was just too much. She was surprised she got along so well with Dada, who didn’t seem to mind only Jane when she was being loud. Nymphia had already gotten a glower from her last night, Tia remembered. She bet Dada hated her already if she thought Nymphia was too loud. Whatever, Tia didn’t care. She finished getting ready, going through her suitcase before she zipped it to make sure it was still perfectly packed. She had half an hour to kill before the bus left, so Tia grabbed her suitcase and backpack and headed downstairs.

While it was no continental breakfast at the Holiday Inn, Tia liked the hotel breakfasts in Italy so far. She and Crystal sat in silence as they shared a plate of assorted pastries and cakes with weird nuts in them, (insert Crystal giggle) and different fruit Crystal forced her to put on the plate. Nymphia came down ten minutes before they had to leave, grabbing a banana and a glass of water, sitting down in front of Crystal and Tia.

“I wanna go back to bed,” she yawned. Crystal laughed and Tia leaned forward, patting Nymphia’s head.

“Poor baby, go back to sleep,” Crystal cooed. Nymphia just glowered at her as Tia laughed uncontrollably, already feeling more awake as she downed a second cup of coffee. “Tia make sure you drink water too, caffeine dehydrates you.”

“Actually that myth was debunked. So,” Nymphia said matter of factly, causing them all to laugh again. Jane came up behind Nymphia, who refused to turn and look up at her, eyes trained on Tia and Crystal.

“Morning sisters! Looks like you’re feeling good this morning. Are you ready for this trip to get started?” Jane was smiling, waiting for them to say something back. It was silent for a few moments. She was still smiling, waiting for an answer.

“No,” Nymphia muttered quickly, Crystal chuckled, Tia cracked a smile.

“Fuck you Nymphia,” Jane said, not unkindly. This caused the table to actually laugh, even Nymphia who turned around to look at Jane finally, a teasing grin already on her face. “Tell me where we’re going tell me where we’re going tell me where we’re going,” she said quickly. Jane just rolled her eyes, shaking her head at Nymphia as she let out a cocky laugh.

“Where’s the fun in that Nymphia? Let today be an adventure.”

“You’re boring and ugly,” Nymphia deadpanned, Tia let out a shout of laughter, Crystal laughed into her hands.

“...okay, real creative I guess. Be on the bus in five minutes. See ya!” Jane was unfazed, going to the next table to talk to a couple other guys in the tour group. And then everyone was on the big tour bus, easily spread out since they had the smallest group. Tia watched as Jane walked down the long aisle, counting every head. “Alright, that’s thirteen!” Jane exclaimed once she was at the front of the bus again. “It’s an uneven number which is too bad for partner activities, but it is Dada’s lucky number, so that’s great!” She said to the group, probably hoping for a few laughs. Tia, Nymphia, and Crystal threw her sympathy laughs.“That’s sixteen of us total, counting me, Gothy, and Dada. Okay! So… today we are driving north up to Florence, one of the most iconic cities in Italy. That’s only two hours away. But we’re gonna be making a couple stops along the way today, Dada and I have a couple of cool spots we want to show you. We’re gonna be doing this on every travel day, so don’t go thinking these are days to just fuck off and sleep on the bus. We’re trying to show you the real Italy, the Italy you’re gonna be living in. We want to show you as much of this beautiful country as possible, we want you to be able to soak it all in, whether it’s touristy bullshit city scams or you’re making homemade pasta in some local’s kitchen. Does that sound good to you?” The bus was silent, other than Crystal, Nymphia, and Tia, who were failing at holding back their laughter. Jane grinned at Dada who just rolled her eyes at Gothy as she started the bus engine. Jane held the mic to Gothy’s mouth.

“Let’s gooooo,” she quietly cheered into it, somewhat boredly with a ghost of a smile on her face. The bus lightly cheered, Tia, Nymphia, and especially Crystal the loudest of all. Gothy pulled out of the tiny hotel parking lot, and for the next half an hour Tia sat with her head pressed up against the window, watching everything in wonder, from the people walking the streets, the different shop fronts, or Gothy’s perfect turns going down the narrow roads, being forced to take turn after turn to get out of the city. Tia was surprised there wasn’t a more straightforward way out of Perugia, but she figured Italians were just bad at road design.

It took Gothy only fifteen minutes to navigate them onto the highway heading north, away from Perugia. But they didn’t make it far, Tia soon saw water peeking over the horizon.

“Welcome to Parco Regionale del Lago Trasimeno my friends!” Jane announced cheerily, her American accent never leaving as she pronounced the Italian name, the bus driving down the length of the huge lake, mountains rising above the sparkling waters. Gothy pulled the bus over eventually, parking next to the other tourists who were out exploring the lake. “Alright folks!” Tia let out a chuckle, she didn’t see Dada’s raised eyebrows, her quirked lips. She was too busy making eye contact with Nymphia who was rolling her eyes. “We’re gonna hop on a ferry, explore the island a little bit, and we’ll be on our merry little way! Sound good??” She asked the group, waiting for what usually got at least some cheers. But not this summer. Just deafening silence. Jane’s bright smile only faltered a little bit.

“Slay!” Nymphia yelled, obviously trying to be an asshole again. But Jane’s smile only grew wider as she slung her backpack over her shoulders, Gothy flipping the lever to open the doors.

“SLAY!” Jane cheered, bouncing off the bus as everyone followed, Tia, Nymphia, and Crystal not bothering to hide their cackles as they walked down the steps. “Dada, Gothy, you coming?” Jane asked once everyone was off the bus but the girls, who were hovering at the driver’s seat.

“No,” Dada shook her head twice, Jane just rolled her eyes. She went to say something but Gothy cut her off.

“I’m eating breakfast and emotionally preparing myself for the drive to flashy fashion Florence.” It seemed that only Tia, Jane, and Dada heard Gothy say that, Tia tried to look at Nymphia and Crystal to laugh but they were looking at the huge lake in wonder, not being nosy like Tia, she supposed.

“Whatever. Bitches.” Jane said with an easy grin, turning on her heel to face the group that had just been talking amongst themselves, some taking pictures of the lake. “Alrighty team! Dada and Gothy are gonna stay behind and guard the bus from thieves and mobs, so let’s go!” Jane bounded ahead of the group, her bright white sneakers bouncing off the hot pavement as she led them to the ferry port. “We’re only gonna spend an hour here, because honestly there isn’t much to do, you already had breakfast, AND we wanna spend way more time at the other spot. But this is still sickening, so let’s go!”

Tia got onto the ferry, looking back at the bus in the parking lot. She wondered if Dada was just gonna sit on the bus with Gothy the whole time, or if maybe they’d get out and find a picnic table, enjoying the light August breeze.

“Guys, should we throw Jane off the boat?” Crystal whispered, leaning into Tia and Nymphia.

“Yes.Yes.Yes.” Nymphia said excitedly, Tia let out a loud laugh, all thoughts about the bus forgotten. Soon the ferry reached the tiny island, and Tia thought it was cool enough. Apparently only 30 or so people lived on the Island, they walked through a small shopping mall and up a hill to some old church Tia was supposed to care about. Then they rode the ferry back and there was Dada and Gothy at a picnic table, boredly scrolling on their phones.

Soon they were back on the bus, driving an hour to Siena. Siena was a pretty enough city. Tia, Crystal, and Nymphia wandered the streets, gazing at the buildings above them in wonder with cones of Gelato in hand. But this time, both Dada and Jane stayed back on the bus with Gothy much to the girls' surprise, telling the group to just walk around the city and take it all in.

“When in doubt, get some gelato!” Jane hollered from the bus as they began to walk away. They didn’t come back to the bus until seven pm, their bellies full of pasta and way too much bread. “Nymphia!” Jane exclaimed excitedly the minute the three girls came into view. It seemed they were the first ones back.

“Why didn’t you come with us, you assholes?” Nymphia said bitterly. She had been bitching to Crystal and Tia about it all night, calling Jane and Dada horrible tour guides for just sending them off alone, that they should’ve been there showing them all the cool places, like Jane had promised to.

“Nymphia, I need to be honest with you. Dada and I never go on the tours. They’re dumb. We’ve done it all before, multiple times. Why would we wanna see them again?” Jane asked, and Nymphia just looked at her, dumbfounded.

“This tour isn’t for you to see things, it’s for you to show us things and teach us about them, you’re a tour GUIDE??” Nymphia said rudely. Tia and Crystal were laughing during the whole exchange, even Dada lightly chuckled at the last bit. Jane just folded her arms, posture straightening.

“Well guess what Nymphia? You’re the first person that’s ever complained to me about not coming on the tours with them, because I want you to explore and discover things with your own eyes and heart. Sorry you’re obsessed with me with or something.” Crystal had tears streaming down her face from laughing so hard. “And also I’m allowed to do whatever the fuck I want, and if you don’t like that, then fuck you,” Jane finished, and this time Tia, Nymphia, and Crystal just kinda looked at Jane for a moment. Maybe she really could hold her own against Nymphia. And then Nymphia just smiled, unimpressed.

“Alright, diva,” she said like it was nothing, and hopped on the bus. And of course, Jane followed right after her.

“How are YOU calling ME diva?”

It only took a couple hours to drive to Florence, but the time flew by. Tia sat with her head pressed against the window the whole time as the bus drove down windy roads, past rolling hills and so. many. vineyards. They had timed the drive just right, so the sun was setting behind the hills as they drove into Florence. Tia laid in bed that night, staring at the ceiling as she looked back, reflecting on her day. Her first real day of travel, watching the Italian countryside fly by on the bus, exploring Siena, riding the small ferry on the huge lake surrounded by even bigger mountains. It was all so beautiful already, and she knew there was even more of Italy’s beauty to be seen.

But all Tia could think about that night as she fell asleep in Florence, was why the hell weren’t Dada and Jane coming on the tours with them? What was the whole point if she wasn’t there?

I hate the winter, can't stand the cold

I tend to cancel all the plans (so sorry, I can't make it)

But when the heat comes, something takes a hold

Can I kick it? Yeah, I can

My cheeks in high color, overripe peaches

No shirt, no shoes, only my features

My boy behind me, he's taking pictures

Lead the boys and girls onto the beaches

Come one, come all, I'll tell you my secrets

I'm kinda like a prettier Jesus

Forget all of the tears that you've cried

It's over (over, over, over)