"Turn left to west-" Ms. Andrea turned off the GPS and she smiled. "We don't need GPS. You got me!" She said and we cheered.
Our first destination was the mountains. Unfortunately, I didn't bring my special escape kit. You know, the one we used to get Lexi to my room from the window. If you don't remember it, you can check it out again in #TheChristmasSwitch. The special kit contains some mountain climbing materials that I need to use now. But of course, Ms. Andrea wouldn't be expecting us to bring that.
We stopped at the bottom of the Faito Towering Mountain. Ms. Andrea said she'll be climbing up first, so that she can guide us up next. When she was at the top, she wiggled the rope tied around Lexi and I saying we can climb up now.
As soon as we began to climb the slopes of Mount Faito, the views open up, stretching into the distance across the woods and mountain landscape in the foreground to the deep blue Bay of Naples on the horizon. On one side, we saw the Sorrentine Peninsula and the island of Capri with its iconic Faraglioni sea stacks just off the coast; on the opposite side, the outline of Mount Vesuvius and the city of Naples hugging the gulf. We enjoyed the panorama from both the road and the many walking and hiking paths which wind their way uphill through the woods.
When Lexi and I was halfway to the mountain top, she shivered because of her fright of heights. She closed her eyes and froze to that spot. That was very dangerous. The rock she was standing on can break any time, and she was too heavy.
"Hey, don't worry. It's just like climbing my house to the window. Imagine we just have to go up to the-" I tried cheering her up, but it was no use. "Hey Lexi! Look! There's a spider on the rock you are standing on! It's crawling to your foot" I said loudly. Lexi was immediately alarmed and didn't even looked at her foot. "Ugh! Get it off, get it off!" she shouted, and climbed up faster. In a matter of thirty seconds, we were finally at the peak of the Mount Faito. "The spider-faking was a help, Al. Thanks." Lexi thanked me. I chuckled. "Umm...there WAS really a spider on your foot. I think it's a tarantula." I replied, looking at her leg. The spider was still there and Lexi also realized it was real.
"Aaahhh!!" She screamed and tried wiggling her foot. The spider jumped off the cliff in annoyance, and I felt sorry for the spider.
There are also many of restaurants and cafès on the peak of Mount Faito, in addition to sports facilities with a playground for children and a swimming pool. We ate at the Il Covo Del Buongustaio, a 4.5 star rating restaurant in Mount Faito. The food there was delicious. I ordered their homemade pasta with provola, sausage and mushrooms that costs 8,50 €, Lexi ordered grilled steak that costs 3,00 €, and Ms. Andrea ordered the mixed salad. And we also ordered the Pizza con Nutella, which is a pizza with nutella. It has almonds, chocolate and white chocolate chips, and some raisins for toppings since the original pizza toppings does NOT go with nutella. Nutella and pepperoni?! Ugh!!!. Last but not least, DESSERT!!! Since the manager is also a fan of Ms. Andrea, he gave us a on-demand desserts, which means whatever kind of dessert we want, the chefs will make it for us, and it's also because they don't have that much of desserts. But I still ordered their original and latest "Dessert of the day", and it was cherry cheesecake with a strawberry on top and a cherry filling with a graham cracker on bottom and vanilla flavoured top. You know how cheesecakes work, right? After a boost-up meal, we chatted a little.
"That was SO GOOD, right?" Lexi started. She was sipping from the glass of lemonade. "Yeah! Totally hit the spot!" I replied, lying on my back on my chair. The food was great, and best thing about it is, it's Ms. Andrea's treat! What?! I have money, but it's ONLY FOR EMERGENCIES!
"So...did you like the food?" Ms. Andrea asked, sitting properly like she wasn't full. "I LOVED IT! Especially the pizza. I never had eaten such a thing!" Lexi answered and I laughed.
"That's wonderful. Me and Willy don't often come up here. Maybe just once or twice a year, 'cause I'm usually in Venice, planning for another concert. But actually, I want to live here in Sorrento. It's just business. The singing isn't actually me. Architecture and cooking is really the true me." Ms. Andrea said, starting to get sad.
"Being a singer was just our mother's decision. My voice was like an amazing voice when I was a kid, and our parents would often tell me to sing. At first I liked it, but then it got harsh. Mother would get angry at me if I missed a note, and always expected me to be beautiful and joyful all the time. I can't be angry or sad because she said it would ruin my presence, and it can make people hate me. So, until now, she still wants me to be a singer. Forever." She said with a sigh. That was very sad. A tear dropped from my eye and I sniffed.
"Ok! Who's ready for another adventure?!" She said happily, trying to change the subject. "Ooh, me! Me!!" Lexi raised her hand and stood up from her chair. I was still sad about her story, but I didn't want to ruin the happiness.
We took the elevator down, and sat inside ol' Jenny.
"Our next destination is...dun dunun nuun...The Piazza Tasso!" She announced and we smiled.
The heart of the town is often called the busy Piazza Tasso, surrounded by little streets where you'll find shopping and places to eat. It's a delightful town for strolling around, relax, and enjoy a bit of 'la dolce vita'.
Ms. Andrea dropped us off near the Fauno Bar, a 4.4 rated café, as she went uphill to the parking space.
"Hey Lex, I wonder why we're riding on a campervan. I mean-we're not going to camp here, are we?" I asked to Lexi, swinging on the swing chairs on a taxi stop.
"Hmm...I don't really know, but let's wait. Maybe we're going on a camping hotel, like the Romantic Relais. It's 4.7 rating, and with free breakfast!" She answered, swinging harder on the swing chairs. Suddenly, I became more curious and confused.
"If we're going on a hotel campsite, why did we need a campervan?" I asked, but Lexi sighed. "I told you, just wait." She replied.
A little later, Ms. Andrea arrived, holding a Louie Vuitton handbag on her left arm, and wearing a "hijab", like what the Muslim women wear on their heads, to cover herself.
"Let's go inside, girls." She smiled. "Are we going to have coffee now?" I asked and Lexi slapped her forehead. "Yes. But it's also a relaxing place to just...rest. So, if you don't want to have coff-"
"DON'T WANT COFFEE? That's hilarious! I'm IN!" Lexi said, walking inside the café confidently.
The café was quiet with some people talking and chatting, drinking coffee, but very few of them was just reading books, and the others using their phones.
"Ok, girls. Can you find a seat for us, please? Ms. Andrea asked, whispering, and we nodded. "Do you think she's covering herself to make sure no one recognizes her and doesn't make any noise or trouble?" I asked again. "Do you think you're annoying, always asking questions that you already know the answer to?" Lexi asked back, annoyed. I chuckled a bit, then my eyes caught a four-chaired table. Perfect! I pointed the spot to Lexi, then she nodded.
We sat beside each other and Lexi texted someone on her phone. I didn't want to be a nosy person, but I was curious about the person's username she was chatting with. It says 'Mom', and for Lexi's username, 'MyPrincess.
Mom: So? Where are you? Ms. Liz texted me u were not home
MyPrincess: In Fauno. Why?
Mom: WHY?! ARENT U SUPPOSED 2 BE HOME WITH YOUR TUTOR?!!!!!
MyPrincess: Mom, dont all caps it
Mom: GO HOME NOW!!!! OR I'LL HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO SEND U BACK TO ENGLAND!!!!
Mom: You cant just travel alone wherever u wanna go u have to leave your COMFORT ZONE!!
MyPrincess: I'm already out of my comfort zone. My username sucks
MyPrincess: And I'm not alone Ms. Andrea Damson and Alyssa's here with me
Mom: WHAT??!!!
Lexi: Talk soon, mom. Gotta drink this milkshake. BYEEE!
Lexi shut her phone off so she won't be able to read her mom's angry reply. Luckily, she didn't saw me looking at her phone, but now, I know SOMETHING'S DEFINITELY going on.
After a few minutes, Ms. Andrea came back, with a tray of latte tor her, mango milkshake for Lexi, and watermelon milktea for me, popular flavour, of course. Lexi grinned at Ms. Andrea as she handed her the milkshake.
"Mmm...yummy." she said. I took my phone out and suggested a groupie.
"Ok, but don't mention anything 'bout me, alright?" She told me, and I nodded. I sipped a bit from my cold milktea, and kept quiet. I was still thinking about Lexi's conversation with her "mom" and I felt like a bad friend, meddling on her life. So I needed to keep my mind out of the thought.
After the short coffee, milkshake, and milktea break, Ms. Andrea told us to stay here near the taxi stop while getting the campervan from the parking lot.
While she was away and we were alone, I thought about the "conversation" again. I tried to keep my head busy by watching cat videos on my phone, swinging on the swing chairs, and even walking around the taxi stop. But nothing seemed to work, for the thought and my curiosity was still there. If I want to keep my head away from the thought, I need to talk it out to Lexi, I told myself. But if she knew that I looked at her phone, she'll be mad at me and ruin the whole vacation. So I just kept it inside my head.
"Ok, girls I'm back." Ms. Andrea said, as she opened the door of the campervan to let us in. "Sorry if I took so long. There was a driver too, who can't get his car out the exit, so I was stuck there, waiting for him." She apologized and Lexi said it was fine.
The rest of the day went great, but the "thought" was bothering me. When we got home, we slept in the cozy bedroom garden. Good thing was, Briar was still online so I texted her about my problem. But first, I needed to make it up to her since we had a big fight last week and we didn't talk to each other lately.
Brie Welles (online)
Feb. 28, 2020 10:32 PM
Al: Hey lil sis. How r u? Mom said u fainted last week, and I wanted 2 know how ur feeling.
I stared at my phone for a few minutes, waiting for her reply. Just then, my phone vibrated. YESS!!
10:35 PM
Brie: So thoughtful of you (childish voice)- NOT! Whats the catch?
Al: What catch?
Brie: Mh hmm
Al: OK, fine!!!!!!! Im having a nightmare with a THOUGHT! I ask u!! A THOUGHT!!!!! I meddled around Lexi. Ya know her dont u? And when I saw her conversation with a person with a username "Mom" I dunno if thats her mom, I was so surprised and curious about it
Brie: Pfft. Seriously? But since ur my big sis, ill help u
When I read the reply, I was very happy to see that we're actually fine now.
Brie: 1 solution...
Brie: TELL HER UR PROBLEM!!!!!!!!
Al: WHAT?!!! NO WAY!!! SHE IS MY PROBLEM!!!
Brie: U asked 4 my help and this is the solution. Trust me.
That seemed rather suspicious. But I would do ANYTHING HELPFUL to keep this thought away. But I wasn't sure if I was confident enough to tell her this kind of thing. So, I just kept it inside of me. But, of course. I won't let a single thought go in my way. Especially that, Lexi did her very best to get me to visit her in Italy. And I will NEVER, as in NEVER, EVER, EVER, EVER, do something that can ruin this friendship and this vacation.