“For a few awful, shameful seconds, I seriously contemplate dashing through the gate and joining the line at Passport Control. It’s moving… — Lauren Henderson Copy Share Image
“ Something else that’s different about Italian boys, I realize. If they see a girl they fancy they go up to her… — Lauren Henderson Copy Share Image
“Luigi, the art teacher, holds up his brush, and we all do the same. I’m not quite sure why we’re mirroring his… — Lauren Henderson Art Copy Share Image
“The cool breeze caresses the back of my neck. I take one of the grips out of my mouth and anchor it… — Lauren Henderson Caresses Copy Share Image
“Talking about partying, I didn’t come to Italy for the summer just to hang out with a bunch of girls! No offense,… — Lauren Henderson Copy Share Image
“Andrea’s unlocked the back door, and Kendra and I push and shove Paige in. She flops down inside with a long sigh… — Lauren Henderson Copy Share Image
“I learned another Italian word recently, painstakingly working on the translation of Jovanotti’s lyrics: storia. It means “history,” but it can also… — Lauren Henderson Copy Share Image
“Eww!” Kendra says, shuddering and clamping her hands on her hair, as if a swarm of bats is about to fly in… — Lauren Henderson Fun time Copy Share Image
“Luca promptly paralyzes me by leaning down, pulling the helmet strap tight, and fastening the buckle under my chin. His aftershave smells… — Lauren Henderson Copy Share Image
“Luigi, the art teacher, holds up his brush, and we all do the same. I’m not quite sure why we’re mirroring his… — Lauren Henderson Art Copy Share Image
“I pull lightly on its soft silky ears, smooth down its thick fur, and distract myself so thoroughly that it’s only after… — Lauren Henderson Copy Share Image
“There are plenty of boys clustered around the wall, laughing, shoving each other playfully, yelling, competing for the attention of the girls.… — Lauren Henderson Copy Share Image
“This is Luca, our friend,” Leonardo says happily as I think: Luca. Finally. “Ciao ,” Luca says, nodding at us, his long… — Lauren Henderson Copy Share Image
“We cross a bridge, and all of us girls gasp in unison and crane our necks to the right-hand window of the… — Lauren Henderson Romantic Copy Share Image
“I’d be mortified at getting stuck down in a sexy squat. Absolutely mortified. I give Paige huge points for coming up laughing… — Lauren Henderson Copy Share Image
“I am Sebastiano, and your name?” he asks. “Violet,” I say as we step over the threshold. “Violetta!” he says, throwing his… — Lauren Henderson Copy Share Image
“Luca waits patiently while she clutches him, kisses him, pats his cheek, muttering “ mio bellissimo figlio ,” “my beautiful son,” something… — Lauren Henderson Copy Share Image
“I think he’s read my mind, because after a brief pause, he asks, “You have a nice time at the party?” There’s… — Lauren Henderson Copy Share Image
“I consider, momentarily, running off to the loo to do a better fix-up job on myself, but what if Luca comes back… — Lauren Henderson Copy Share Image
“Wow,” I breathe as we walk along the road past the parked cars, and come to an arched gate set in a… — Lauren Henderson Fairy Copy Share Image
“Sometimes I think I’m too proud, too self-protective, but then I see other girls making idiots of themselves over boys and I… — Lauren Henderson Psychology Copy Share Image
“She’d been on the verge of flying out to see me--she’d practically booked a ticket to Pisa for the first flight out… — Lauren Henderson Copy Share Image
“ Eccentrica ,” he says finally. “Oh God!” My face drops. “It’s that bad?” “ Cosa? ” He looks confused. “Bad?” “In… — Lauren Henderson Eccentric Copy Share Image
“Ugh, mi fa incazzare a bestia. ” He glances at me, black brows drawn tightly together over blazing blue eyes. “It makes… — Lauren Henderson Copy Share Image
“Is there somewhere Maria could go?” I ask in a very small voice. “Maybe”--I have a flash of inspiration--“maybe a nunnery?” Luca’s… — Lauren Henderson Black clothes Copy Share Image
“I took the time to look up online that songwriter Luca mentioned. It took me ages just to work out how to… — Lauren Henderson Save the world Copy Share Image
“I just told her she needs to oil the hinges,” Catia says firmly. “It is ridiculous, that noise. It will give everyone… — Lauren Henderson Copy Share Image
“Everything’s up in the air--how can I leave and never know the truth? Because in my heart, what I want, more than… — Lauren Henderson Copy Share Image
“ I’m in public, in a club in Florence, snogging a boy who I met only a couple of hours ago, so… — Lauren Henderson Electric shock Copy Share Image
“Luca’s tongue slides into my mouth, slow, drowsy, intoxicating. I hear myself make a little involuntary moaning noise, and I’d be embarrassed… — Lauren Henderson Copy Share Image
“So,” he starts slowly, “if I am thinking that I want to kiss you, I should not say it out loud?” Oh,… — Lauren Henderson Copy Share Image
“And I really don’t want to go back yet.” “I wouldn’t either,” Kelly says. “Not if a boy like Luca were after… — Lauren Henderson Copy Share Image
“Just as I’ve reached that conclusion, and am smiling at my own observation, something happens that is the oddest thing I’ve ever… — Lauren Henderson Copy Share Image
“Sebastiano and I arrive, breathless and laughing, on the stone oval of the dance floor. I’m delighted to see that Kelly’s there… — Lauren Henderson Copy Share Image
“Did you get Paige to bed okay?” “Yes and no,” Kendra says quietly, coming down the steps to the parking lot. Andrea’s… — Lauren Henderson Copy Share Image
“Luca sits down next to me; the seat isn’t that wide, and his thigh presses against mine as he positions himself so… — Lauren Henderson Copy Share Image
“I’ve never been out partying in the countryside before, but this dilemma is bringing home to me the brutal reality that cars… — Lauren Henderson Copy Share Image
“ Bellissime tutte ,” he continues. “You are all beautiful.” Even Kendra, who’s so cool and poised, can’t help looking smug at… — Lauren Henderson Brutally honest Copy Share Image
“You shouldn’t pay any attention to what she says,” Kendra says firmly, nodding at Elisa sprawled out on the terrace chair. “She’s… — Lauren Henderson Copy Share Image
“The curtain billows gently in the breeze behind him as he steps out to meet me, his hair jet-black by contrast with… — Lauren Henderson Copy Share Image
