A week had gone by since Venezia and Julia had gone out for lunch. Julia had been busy with her courses at her university. Venezia had recently learned that she was a student at the University of Britechester. Venezia couldn't remember exactly what she said she was studying. Of course, Venezia didn't mind that her new found friend had become busy just as they started to really get to know each other, she knew life could get busy at the most incovenient times.
But now that Julia had mentioned that she was in college, she started wondering if college was a good idea for herself and her future family too. Maybe she would meet a boy she liked in college.
Then Venezia had finally heard from Julia one friday afternoon. She had sent her a text, while Venezia had been watching a movie down in the living room.
Julia: Hey girl, I'm bored. Can I come over?
Venezia paused her movie to look at the message sitting in her phone inbox. As quickly as she could, Venezia replied to Julia's message.
Venezia: Sì, vieni.
Julia: Glad I understand Sì.
Venezia couldn't help but laugh at Julia's reply.
Julia's eyes were so wide at the sight of Casa di Bertucci, that Venezia thought they would pop out onto her living room floor. She prayed to St. Anthony silently, and then she chuckled.
"Venezia, your home is so..... breath taking..." Julia craned her neck around to view every inch of Venezia's house. "Why would you want to leave this?"
"È troppo grande!" Venezia shouted. She realized again, that her Italian was showing. When she got excited she often talked very loudly. Venezia naturally used her hands when she talked, but when she was excited, her movement could almost be considered violent.
"Grande... big right?" Julia asked, sighing.
"Yes."
"Score!" Julia said excitedly.
"Julia, do you like being in the university?" Venezia asked, hoping her English grammar was proper.
"I do like college yes. It's not all fun and games though Venezia. You saw how I've barely been around this past week. There's always so much work to be done for classes. Quizzes to be studied for, homework assignments to turn in, professors to e-mail. You can't always fool around in college because you're there for a purpose. But then there are really fun parties, and activities and clubs you can join." Julia tried her best to explain to Venezia how college in America worked.
"Do you think I could go to college here?" Venezia asked Julia. Her brown eyes shimmered with hope in the light of the living room.
"Of course Veni. There's many different people of all ethnicities at the University of Britechester. Even at the other college campus, Foxbury Institute. Everyone is accepted in college. Omg are you thinking of applying to go to college?! What would you want to study!? Omg we could totally be roommates!" Venezia realized once Julia had the idea of Venezia going to college in her head, it would never leave again.
"Mia mamma, always said to me. 'Ottieni un'istruzione! Non essere stupida, non sei stupida! Tu sei una ragrazza, bravissima. Tu sei una ragazza forte. La mia bella ragazza.'" Venezia looked at Julia, and saw that Julia was completely lost again. "She told me to get an education. Don't be stupid, because I'm not stupid. I'm a smart, strong, beautiful girl. Her beautiful girl." As Venezia translated her mother's words out loud to Julia, she could hear her mother saying them her again as a little bambina.
"That is the most beautiful thing I have ever heard in my life!" Julia gawked. "Literally, that touched my heart so much Veni." She placed both hands on her heart, and closed her eyes. She was silent for a few moments. She opened her eyes again, and Venezia was looking at her.
"Didn't you say Grant was coming over today?" Julia asked, raising her eyebrow in suspicion. "Where is he?"
"He'll come later." Venezia said checking her phone for text messages from Grant. The last text she had received from him, had been a few hours earlier. He had errands he needed to run. He promised Venezia that he would stop over after.
"Uomini." Venezia said shaking her head. "Men." She quickly added in after. She wondered what it would be like when she didn't always talk in Italian anymore.
"I'll drink to that. I know the Italian word for wine is vino. Do you have any?" Julia snorted as she stood up from the couch. The pair headed into bar that Venezia had in the house. The bar had sat untouched for a long time. It was nice to see someone using it again.
"You ask an Italian if they have wine? Whatsa matta you?" Venezia belly laughed at her own reply to Julia's question. Julia started laughing again, even though she had just managed to catch her breath from the last laugh.
At the bar, Venezia opened the alcohol cabinet, and pulled out one of the many fine bottles of wine she had. She stuck the bottle opener in the cork, and began twisting. The cork came out with a light pop.
"Uno" Venezia counted as she poured the first glass. "e due." Venezia said in a hushed tone as she poured the second glass for herself.
She sat the empty bottle down on the counter. It had been a long time since she had someone to drink wine with. She barely drank wine alone anymore. At that moment in time, Venezia was extra grateful for Julia's friendship. She missed having a classy glass of wine with her mom.
Venezia grabbed her glass. "Salute." Venezia toasted to Julia.
"Salute." Julia toasted back, and the two ladies took a long sip of wine. The aged grapes enhanced the alcohol content, in every bottle of wine that Venezia owned. Her mom was a wine enthusiast.
Julia finished her glass of wine first, and gently set her wine glass next to the sink. Venezia quickly followed after Julia. Four quick taps on the front door, startled Venezia as she washed the two glasses.
"Oh, is that Brant?" Venezia asked Julia. Julia craned her neck to the side to peer out of the front door.
"Yup, that's him. I'll let him in." Julia walked over to the front door, and opened it for Grant. Venezia walked over to her two friends, to greet Grant.
"Welcome to my home." Venezia said to Grant. Grant look mystified, he could barely focus his gaze on Venezia, as he was looking around the entire home.
"It's extremely beautiful, Venezia." Grant said shyly, he blushed a deep shade of red, as Venezia batted her eyelashes at him. That drove him crazy. Venezia should probably be careful of her new found secret power (LOL).
"Fuori?"Venezia pointed to backdoor. "It is beautiful outdoors. Let's go sit." Her friends nodded in agreement, and they made there way to the backyard. The backyard, though it was MUCH smaller than it should have been, it was still magnificent.
The friends sat down at patio table, and Venezia raised the umbrella, to block out the sun. It was getting warmer now that it was spring, but there was still a chill in the air.
"You're much late Grant." Venezia playfully scolded Grant. He was perceptive of the joke, and played along back by looking guilty. Venezia and Grant laughed at each other.
"I know Venezia, I'm sorry.." Grant apologized sincerely. "I got caught up in a lot of errands today."
"Oh, nevermind your errands Grant." Julia hissed without even taking her focus off of her cell phone. She quickly shot off a text message and went back to Grant. "Venezia has made an important decision in her life, and you were not here to hear about it."
Grant immediately turned to look at Venezia. "And when were you going to tell me?" Grant asked. Venezia laughed and rolled her eyes.
"If you were not late, you would know now." Venezia laughed some more. Venezia noticed Grant staring at her from her peripheral vision, and shifted her glance on to him.
"I'm here now, yes?" Grant asked. "Tell me!" Grant violently flopped toward Julia, and then back at Venezia. The girls kept their focus on each other, smirking.
"We've been friends for almost three weeks now, and you both drive me insane when you do this." Grant crossed his arms and stuck his lip out at Venezia.
"Veni, just tell him." Julia laughed. "I don't think he will last much longer if we keep holding out on him."
"Grant, I decide I must go to college."Venezia said to Grant. She watched the biggest grin spread from ear to ear on his face. "I want to study English language better." Venezia felt her cheeks become warm with embarrassment, as she had just messed up her sentence again.
"I think," Grant began to say. He stayed silent for a few seconds to think of his choice of words. "that you going to college, is an AMAZING first step. I'm proud of you Venezia."
"Julia will help me with applicazione." Venezia shot a desperate look across the table to Julia. Luckily, girls had a sixth sense and Julia picked up on it.
"Yes, I will be helping her get enrolled in the University of Britechester. She'll start just in time for Summer semester!" Julia squealed in excitement. Julia was excited for her friend on her new journey. Venezia knew going to college would make her mom proud of her, even if she wasn't here.
"And the BEST part of it all is me and Venezia are going to be roommates, and share a house together." Julia smirked at Grant knowing that her comment would make him jealous. Venezia smiled innocently at Grant.
"And you won't be allowed over either." Julia finished in a matter-of-factly tone. Grant rolled his eyes as far as they could.
"Non è vero, Grant. You're allowed over." Venezia said. She shot Julia a what the hell glance.
"Thank you Venezia, I'm glad YOU'RE atleast my friend, unlike-" Grant stopped and coughed. "Julia over here."
Venezia, Julia, and Grant had spent the remainder of that afternoon, buzzing about future college plans. Julia was only about to finish HER first semester at UBC. The three laughed until their bellies ached, and they were doubled over.
Venezia offered the two to stay for dinner, but Julia and Grant had made dinner plans already. As she walked her two friends to the front door to see them off for the evening, Julia quickly turned around.
"I'm so glad I met you Venezia." Julia said smiling, a nodding Grant had agreed with Julia's comment.
"I am glad to have met you also." The three joined in for a group hug. "Don't forget we must do this soon. To make the deadline." Venezia reminded Julia. Julia nodded.
"I won't forget girl." Julia promised.
With one final wave goodbye to her friends, she watched them get into their cars and drive away until they were out of sight. Venezia let the door slowly close behind her. She walked to the living room, and lay down on the couch. She turned the first movie she could find on the television, and pulled her cellphone out.
Venezia didn't pay attention to the movie though, instead her focus on University of Britechester's web site. Scrolling through the webpage, she noticed there was a lot of opportunities that lay waiting for her.
And when Venezia went to bad that night, she was so tired from hanging with her friends she went to sleep right away. And that night, she dreamed about her first day of classes.
to be continued......
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