Chapter 2
Luca
“Food!” I call out. Today is my turn to cook, and I decided to make the one dish I love most: risotto.
I’ll never forget the special moments I shared with my parents when they taught me family recipes. For most of my life, Friday evenings were spent in the kitchen with my younger brother and sister — laughing, sharing stories, and cooking.
Risotto was always my favorite, because every time we made it, the day felt even more special than any other Friday.
“You outdid yourself this time, Rossi. Dude, this smells amazing.” Matt takes an exaggerated breath as he sits down.
“Ever heard the phrase don’t judge it till you try it ?” Tilly says, flashing me a smile.
“Come on, T. We both know my risotto tastes better than any of your ready-made meals.”
“Pff, yeah right.” She rolls her eyes. I push the plate toward her.
“Come on, try it.”
I slide everyone their plates, and we dig in.
“Ok, I have to give it to you, Luca. This is really good. I’m sorry, babe, but if you think otherwise, you’re lying to yourself,” Yana murmurs, mouth full of rice.
“Thanks.”
I wink at her. “What do you think, T? Good?”
“I guess.”
“Ha, I knew you’d like it.” I point a finger at her.
“Yeah, well, it’s not like it’s your recipe!”
“I’m the one who made it through, didn’t I?” When she doesn’t respond, I add, “Did I really just make Matilda Harper speechless?”
“Ok, but no need to be so smug. You can cook, great. Not everyone is blessed with this ability,” she mutters.
I laugh at her irritation.
“Why are you laughing!?”
“Sorry, sorry. You’re just a terrible loser.”
“No, I’m not!” she snaps.
“Yes, you are. And…” I raise a judgmental brow, “You’re such a princess.”
“Omg, guys, stop. Rossi, you’re an amazing cook. And Tilly, you’re a sore loser. Now, eat!” Matt practically shoves the fork in my mouth.
“Thank you!” I declare, happy with that statement. Tilly doesn’t look too pleased, but everyone has to be humbled sometimes.
“So, what’s the plan today?” Yana asks, piling seconds on her plate.
“Of course you’d ask that, you over-organizer.” Kowalski teases.
We like to call Yana our calendar because she is literally our calendar.
I don’t remember the last time I used it when I lived with her.
“No, seriously, what are we doing today? It’s sunny outside, and we’re in the house doing nothing. Come on.” I nudge Zara’s shoulder. “Queen Z, you definitely have a good idea.”
“Hold on, Rossi. Yana asked me what we’re doing today, and I vo—”
“No, I didn’t! I asked everyone.”
“Yes, you did. And I vote we go on a run.” Matt suggests, looking way too excited at the idea.
“No offense, Matt, but no. Not everyone likes running in their free time.” T groans, looking like even thinking about running was a chore.
She is basically known for hating it. Every time the coach tells us to do laps, she makes it known that she is not happy about it.
“Zara?” I look at her expectantly. “Any ideas?”
“We could go to the waterpark?”
I plug my ears as Yana shrieks.
“Wait, that would be cute! I literally bought a new swimsuit recently. I’ve been waiting to wear it!” She’s practically jumping out of her seat.
“Fashionista.” Zara rolls her eyes.
“Hey!” Yana pushes Zara. “At least I look good.”
“And I don’t?”
“Ok, well, I never said that. Just because I complimented myself doesn’t mean I said you look bad,” Yana says.
“You said at least, which indicates–”
Zara stops when Yana looks like she's about to explode.
“Whatever, you’re such a drama queen.”
“Thank you. You’re a queen too.”
“I never—” she sighs. “Never mind.”
I laugh.
I get up and start putting the dishes in the sink. Chores aren’t on me today, but risotto is horrible to clean.
I know from experience because my mom would always make me and my brother clean up and not to toot my own horn or anything, but I got pretty good at it, and fast.
I see Tilly walk in from the corner of my eye and smile.
“You know, when you laugh at a girl, you automatically become part of a girl problem, right?”
“Huh?”
“Just saying, you can’t just laugh and walk out of the room.”
“I’m sorry if I find your catfights amusing.”
She takes the rinsed dishes I hand her and starts loading them into the dishwasher.
“You think fighting over looking pretty is amusing?”
“I don’t know. I’m not a girl.” I shrug.
“Not a gentleman either.” She huffs. I snicker, because clearly I have some kind of death wish.
I’m right when Tilly sends me a death glare.
“I really wish looks could do harm right now. I’d cut your throat.”
“You know you love me.” I tease.
“Apologize, douchebag.” She punches me in the shoulder, and I’d be lying if I said it doesn’t hurt.
“I’m sorry,” I say solemnly, trying to hide my smile. “Happy?”
“Very.” She smiles.
“Don’t you have anything to say?”
“Am I supposed to?”
I look at her in disbelief. “That punch hurt.”
“Aw, did I hurt you?” she mocks. “You’ll survive.”
“I hate you.”
“Right back at ya.”
***
Of course, Tilly and I finish changing first. The whole group agreed to wait for each other outside the changing rooms, and we were the first ones done.
“You are so dead, Rossi.”
“Are you planning on drowning me, T?”
“Maybe…” She looks way too excited at the idea.
“Not if I drown you first.”
“Ha, as if you could ever drown me.”
“Game on.” I wink and walk to the others as they come out of the changing rooms.
I love this waterpark so much. Tilly discovered it first many months ago, and we come here often enough that the workers recognize us.
It has been going through some reconstruction, and all the good rides were closed, so we haven’t come here in a while, and I can see the changes.
“Omg, I’m so excited! Zee, you’re literally a genius.” Yana gravitates toward the water.
“Hey!” Matt calls out. “You seriously being a scaredy-cat? Come on, let’s go to that one.” He points toward the scariest slide I’ve ever seen.
It has to be at least 70 feet tall, and the number of turns is terrifying. Yana clearly has the same thoughts, because she looks horrified.
“Absolutely not, Matty. I’m not stepping foot near that slide. That’s probably age eleven plus.”
“I’m sorry to break it to you, but you’re nineteen.” He deadpans. “Now come. The worst thing that can happen is you’ll get stuck.”
“Haha, very funny.” She drawls. “I’ll stick to the pool and slides that aren’t longer than my legs.”
Matt looks at Zara, who shakes her head. “Absolutely not. I’m not planning on hurting myself right before the volleyball tournament.”
“I’ll go.” Tilly shrugs. “You only live once, right?”
I lay down on our blanket and rest my head on my hands, looking at the sky.
“Wait, really? I wasn’t expecting anyone to go with me.”
“What, were you just suggesting it to look cool?” she teases.
“How could you ever think that?” Matt feigns offense.
Tilly laughs. “Are you coming, Rossi?”
I lift my head and stare at her blankly, because what else am I supposed to do– tell her I’m terrified?
Hell no.
“Oh my God, don’t tell me you’re too scared.” She reads my mind. “Come on, I’ll hold your hand.”
I swat her hand away. “First of all, I’m not scared.” I try to look convincing, but she knows me well enough to see right through my lies. “And second of all, I don’t need your hand for anything.”
“Sure thing.” She looks unconvinced. “Come on.” She runs in the direction of my death and, of course, I follow her.