There are many great and sad things that happened after our frenemy, Stephanie, and us won a tie in RYM. It was a very big deal and the whole school congratulated us. The third semester, however, was bad. Since the school was built since 1900s, the school was starting to break down gradually. It was a sad fate of our school because I love that school. And it wasn't long 'till a small earthquake came and broke the school. Good thing was, it was a holiday and no one was there except the guards, but they got out immediately. No one was hurt, and we agreed the earthquake only came to brake the school.
Fortunately, the school had another branch in Glendale, San Diego, and in Sorrento, Italy. You must be wondering how it got to Italy.
Well, it's because the president of the school actually lives in Italy with his sister, Andrea. Andrea Damson is a popular singer in Rome, and Venice, two of the most popular cities in Italy. But it doesn't mean they are officially Italian people. They actually have an architecture company in Italy. That is the type of business they want, but their parents wants them to also build a school. They didn't want a school, but they didn't want to disobey their parents, so they decided to build a school, too.
One day...
Lexi and I was just heading to my house from the mall, when she had another great idea.
"Is this gonna make us win another contest or is gonna get us in trouble?" I asked with a frowny face.
"No! Of course not. Our teacher said there's a branch of their school in Italy, and my mom was thinking to continue my studies there, since she works there." she answered. I thought it was a very exciting idea, when I got confused.
"Just YOUR studies?" I asked again. "Well, we're not sure your mom will let you travel to Italy to study with me. Italy's pretty far, and the flight is pretty expensive, and you still have to pay for a place to live there while you are studying." she answered. I sighed. But I didn't want Lexi to go away. Especially without me. So, as soon as we got to my house, we tried to convince my mom to let me study in Italy.
"PLEASE, mom. Lexi's having plans to study in Italy, and I don't want to be alone." I begged. "Please, Ms. Welles. I don't want to be apart from her, either." Lexi begged too, but it didn't work.
"I'm so sorry, girls. We just don't have enough money for the flight. Briar's in the hospital right now, cause she fainted last night. And the hospital bill is big. So we'll need to save up some money." My mom said, sadly. Lexi seemed a bit confused. "Briar's my not-too close sister. And she love adventuring so most of the times she sleeps in our grandparents' house. She went to Singapore last month. And we also don't talk to each other online lately since we just had a big fight through FaceTime, and, well, Mom knows that we need some space." I explained, and Lexi understood. We went upstairs to my room, and I lied on the bed.
"How are we ever gonna survive middle school now? Without you, I'll definitely be alone now and what about Stephanie?" I cried. As in--cry. Lexi lied on my bed, beside me. She sighed. Sighs were catching.
We went downstairs 'cause Lexi needed to go and help her mom with something, and I wanted to eat.
"Bye." I said, and closed the door, as Lexi walked to her house. I sat on the sofa in our living room. I was very sad, and I can't even keep my mind from thinking about Lexi and I parting away.
A little later, my mom came into the living room with a fresh batch of cookies. She sat down beside me.
"I'm so sorry, hun. I wish I could help you, but there is nothing we could do." she explained again. "But is there anything else I could help with saving money? I could work in a convenience store, or I could work as a librarian in our school. They need two more since the library is pretty big." I suggested. But there was just no way Mom would let me study in Italy.
A week later, Lexi was about to go to Italy. My mom let me go say goodbye to her before she takes off.
"Stay safe, Lexi." I said. "Stay safe too, Alyssa." she replied.
At least her mom works in Italy, so she could give Lexi attention even while she is work. As for me, I am a librarian in our school library bow, I mean maybe it could help with the financial problems and maybe it could keep my head distracted from--you know. Life became gloomy after Lexi left to study in Italy. Luckily, my mom said I could video chat with her anytime I want, just not if I am busy.
I was enrolled in a different branch but same school in San Diego. We also moved in there since my dad's office is nearer than in Los Angeles, and the principal of the school said that the president informed her that the old students can have a 50% discount on the tuition fee since it's at least they could do because the other students left because they didn't want another accident to happen. But we didn't want to waste an opportunity like 50% off discount. Remember that we need to save money, and this was the only cheap school that was near. Things were quite fine with the new branch, but recreating the Star's Club wasn't easy. There were more bullies than the previous branch in Los Angeles, and even Stephy the Enemy was in San Diego too, that made things worse, and also, there was not that many members who wanted to sign up for the club. It all made my life the worst, especially without Lexi. She was the only friend I can count on.
Life was still gloomy since Lexi was--you know. After our third semester, we had a one week break before the last semester starts. So, after the last class, I video chatted with Lexi. Here, look at our conversation:
Lexi: Hey girl!!
Me: Hey Lex! How are you?
Lexi: Fine. Gloomy life, though. Mom's always busy. I thought she was finally gonna be able to give me attention, but I was wrong.
Me: I'm sorry but same here. I'm a librarian in our school now, though. I miss you very much.
Lexi: Me too. Hey! Umm... I talked to the president of the school.
Me: Why?
Lexi: I told him the story of us parting. He was very sad. He didn't like the story, though.
Me: Lexi? Did you just got us in trouble??
Lexi: Well...since he was very inspired with my story...he did say that he'll book you a flight to Italy if you allow it.
I was VERY SHOCKED with what she had just told me. I never knew I'd be able to go to Italy!
Me: WAIT! But I don't have enough money to spend for travels.
Lexi: Pfft! Don't worry. I got ya'.
Me: No way! It's too much.
Lexi: Hey, you've already gave me a lot too. This is just a payback to all you gave me.
That seemed a little suspicious. But she was my friend, and I'd do ANYTHING to see her in person again. So I said I'll call her back, and I went downstairs to the living room.
"Mom, I have news." I said and Mom put down her foot and her phone. "Lexi said the president of our school will book me a flight to Italy once I allow it and she said she'll pay for any expenses that I need to pay. Please??" I said and even begged like a dog.
"Whoa, whoa honey. What do you mean?" she asked. I guess I was too fast.
"Ok. Well, we video chatted earlier, just now, and she said that she explained our parting to the president of our school, since he lives in Italy with Lexi, and he was very inspired, he did not want that to happen, so he said he'll book me a flight after I say yes, so that I can at least visit her. And she said she'll pay for my expenses." I explained clearly this time.
"Ok, so I understand. BUT, I cannot let her pay all of your expenses. The ticket was big enough, and it's too much for her to pay for you. So, I hope you understand that...it's a no." she said, and I was very heartbroken. I tried, but it's no use.
Two days later, an email was sent to my account. It was from PayPal. It says "YouTube Studios sent you money. Do you want to transfer it now?" I was very surprised. So I went to PayPal and I logged in on my account. And I was very shocked to see my PayPal balance saying $60,000!!! Was this a scam?!! I went downstairs and showed it to my mom. She was shocked too. Then, a text notification popped up. It was from Ms. Delilah.
"Hey Al. Did you recieve the money?" it said. So I excused myself to my mom and replied, "Yes, was it from you?"
Delilah: No, it was from youtube. Well, you see, my sister and I are also part-time workers in google and the managers there and we are all close friends. So, they immediately send me informations about our payment status, and I also told them about you. Earlier I received a message from them that youtube will send you money since you have 30 million viewers in one of So a million viewers is $2,000 and 2,000 times 30 is equals to $60,000. Get it?
Alyssa: Yeah. Wow, thanks Ms. Delilah.
I was very happy. So immediately told Lexi about this. I also asked Mom once again if she'll let me go to Italy.
"Honey, that was an amazing achievement. But, I dunno, Italy's too far. But you've never been in any other countries. I'm sorry but...
To be continued...