Alena |Complete|

[1]

"It's nice to meet you my name is Alena" I speak into my translating device

Piacere di conoscerti. mi chiamo Alena the device speaks back to me

"Piacere di conoscerti. mi chiamo Alena." I repeat with a smile "Not too bad" I speak out loud to myself.

"You missed training."

I jump at the sound of my father's voice and place my device back down in my lap. "Sorry, I must have lost track of time."

"What's got you so distracted all of a sudden? I thought this is what you wanted Alena, I thought you wanted to take over as the leader of the Cobras?"

"I do." I assure him "Come on Dad I've been training my entire life what's a few missed days?"

He raises a brow and crosses his arms across his chest

"I promise I'll be there tomorrow." I smile sweetly

"I'll hold you to it." He leaves the room

Dad's right, I have been a little distracted lately and I have missed the last three days of training. The truth is a few months ago I applied for an exchange student program in Mossora, Italy. The program runs for one year and only a select amount of people are chosen. I can't be sure I'll be chosen but I've always had good grades and if they reach out to any of my lecturers here in Springs I know they'd give me a good reference.

For the past three days, I've had my head in books learning as much as I can about Italy as well as learning the speak the language with the help of my translating device. I know I said I can't be sure I'll get in, but a girl can dream, right?

Buzzz Buzzz Buzzz Internation number calling:

"Hello?" I answer in an excited tone

"Salve, parlo con Alena?" (Hello am I speaking to Alena?)

"This is she."

"Hi Alena, this is Sofia calling from the University of Mossora, I'm calling you in regards to the student exchange program, are you still interested?"

"Sì, I'm still interested." I sit up straight with a hopeful smile on my face

"In that case, I have some very exciting news. We've spoken to a few of your current lectures in Springs and they have all given you a glowing review. You've been chosen as one of the ten students to join us."

"Really? Thank-you, Thank-you so much, when do I start?"

"We've requested all students are here by Monday of next week as that's when regular classes start back, but if you need a little more time, we can work around it."

"No, Monday of next week is fine, I can be there." I stand up from the couch and do a happy dance.

"Ci vediamo lunedì, arrivederci" (Great, we'll see you on Monday, Goodbye)

"arrivederci"

I hang up the phone and squeal with excitement as I dance around the room. "I can't believe it, I can't believe it, I'm going to Italy."

I take a few deep breathes and calm myself for a moment, that's when realization hits me. Oh crap I may have a tiny, tiny little problem. I failed to mention to Mum and Dad that I'd applied for the transfer. Part of me because I didn't want to get my hopes up on getting in, the other part of me because I know Dad would say no, and my chances of him saying no even now I've been excepted are still high.

***

"Dinner was amazing as always Sweetheart" Dad says with a smile as stands up from the table and places a kiss on the top of Mum's head before starting to clear our plates