Harry
"Are you sure this is the right way?" Louis asked again as we headed slowly down a gravel road.

"Yes! Nicola said to turn take the second left after we passed through the town," Liam cried from his seat as co-pilot. "It's also what Google maps says."

"Well if that what Google says..."

I chuckled as Liam rolled his eyes in frustration. We were on our way to Nicola Conti's Villa. The boys and I had rented a car in Florence and now driven nearly four hours in the Italian countryside to reach it.

"Here what's this?" I asked as I pulled the car to a stop. In front of us was a large mosaic sign that read "Villa de Conti". I looked over to the boys with a smile.

"YES! Jesus it's bout fuckin time!" Cried Niall.

I turned the car down the small gravel road. We passed by tall Italian trees and an incomprehensible number of small vineyards. As we cleared the top of a large hill we got our first glimpse of the Villa. It was huge.

"Holy fuck," muttered Louis as Liam merely let out a low whistle. I drove around the large fountain and stopped outside the front door. As we stepped out of the car a little man came running down the large steps to grab our bags. A moment later Nicola appeared.

"You have made it!" She called from the steps. She had a large hat on to match her light white sundress.

I grabbed my bag from the trunk and headed up to say hello. She gave me a smile before wrapping her arm through mine.

"How was your journey?"

"Bumpy. Lots of gravel roads."

Nicola laughed at this. Once the others were ready she lead us into the giant Villa. Marbled floors and columns two stories tall decorated the vestibule. This is a place you saw in museums…yet this was the place Nicola called home. I suddenly felt very out of place.

"My family has lived in this house since the 1700s," Nicola said, shooting me a small smile as we walked. "One day this will be my brother Marco's house."

"Why not your house?" Liam asked.

"Oh no, I belong to the city," she smiled. "But Roma gets too hot in July and August, so I will come here."

Nicola lead us upstairs and too the right. At the end of the hall she pushed open a pair of large double doors to expose the most beautiful room I had ever seen.

"I apologize for the old furniture...but mothers insists we keep it."

"Check this out!" Cried Niall heading over to the balcony.

I wandered over and my jaw nearly dropped. Our room overlooked the extensive garden and bright blue ocean. As we stood there a warm breeze blew through us and into the room.
I turned back to see Nicola smirking at us. "What do you think?"

"It's incredible!" I laughed in disbelief. Niall, Louis and Liam nodded in agreement before Niall ran and jumped on the four-poster bed.

"Ya sure as hell know how te live Nicola," Niall sighed.

I felt Nicola by my side, lacing her fingers with mine. "We've had centuries of practice Niall. Now, how about some food and vino? Mio Padre would like to meet you all."

Nicola waited and talked with us as we attempted to make ourselves presentable. One we had clean clothes she again took my hand and led us out of the room. I felt Louis ruffle my hair as we decended the staircase, tthough I did my best to ignore it. I know he wants to get me with Nicola. In fact I'm sure he would be fine seeing me with anyone as long as it cured my loneliness.

"Now just warning," Nicola said, pulling me from my thoughts. "My father can be some eccentric."

"We'll keep that in mind," I smiled. We had nearly reached the doors to the large patio when she paused once more.

"Oh and one more thing." She had placed her hand on my chest to stop us as she said, "Do not ever call him Mr. Conti. It is always Signore Conti."

"And why is that?" I teased.

She gave me a smirk and stepped closer. "Because we are proud Italians. Why should we have to change everything for you English boys huh?"

The guys and I laughed at this while Nicola added. "Besides, it is his pet annoyance."

"Pet peeve," I corrected.

She turned to the rest of the guys with her eyebrows raised. "See what I mean? Perhaps I will just start speaking Italian?"

"Then maybe I'll learn something."

She took my hand once more and pulled us out onto the large patio. The shaded spot overlooked the beautiful garden. There was a fountain at the far end, and the sound made for a refreshing atmosphere.

"Maybe we will do as my brother did," Nicola mused. "He taught his girlfriend by speaking nothing but Italian to her."

"I feel like that would just turn into one big game of charades," laughed Liam.

"Not if you're good at reading body language," she hummed before stepping forward to greet the people already seated at the table. I couldn't help but watch her hips sway as she moved. Damn this girl was beautiful.

"He's in love," whispered Liam from behind me.

"I mean who wouldn't be?" Mused Louis.

"Shush!" I hissed, worried her family would over hear.

"Oh shit lads, he's got it bad!" Giggled Niall in his chipmunk laugh.

"Papà this is Harry, Liam, Louis, and Niall," Nicola's voice once again clearing my thoughts.
I stepped forward and shook Signore Conti's hand. He was a robust man with dark skin and a large mustache.

"Benvenuto!" He boomed. "It is wonderful to meet you. Nicola has told me much about you all. Oh! And this is my beautiful wife Maria."

"Lovely to meet you," I bowed slightly. The boys and I knew little about the Italian customs and therefore weren't quite sure what to do. I heard Nicola let out a small laugh at our predicament.

"You must be starving!" Cried Signore Conti. "Come! We have food and wine for you all."

We sat down at the large table as the conversation between Nicola and her parents continued. Out of kindness for us, they continued their conversation in English.

"Nicola, have you heard from your brother?" Signora Maria asked? I looked over at her as a butler came and poured my wine. She appeared worried.

"He's fine Maria! Marco will be here soon," Signore Conti sighed.

"Is he bringing his girlfriend papa?" Nicola asked.

"What's that?" Niall whispered from next to me. He was pointing at a piece of toasted bread with a brown substance sitting on top of it in a glob.

"No idea," I shrugged. "Dare you to try it."

"No way in hell."

"Yes! She's a lovely little thing!" Boomed Signore Conti. "You know she's English too?"

"Really?" Louis frowned before breaking into a smile, "wonder if we know her?"

"Doubt it," snorted Liam.

"Well you'll find out tonight at the party," mused Signore Conti.

"When are they supposed to get here papà?" Asked Nicola. She grabbed one of the toasted breads and took a bite before holding it out for me.

I wrinkled my nose as her father answered, "Marco said he would be here soon."

"It's a truffle," Nicola laughed, holding out the food. "Try it! Or are you turkey?"

I burst out laughing. "Chicken. The saying is 'or are you chicken?'"

"Are you that as well?" She smirked, only slightly blushing at her mix up. I rubbed my palms on my jeans before taking the toast from her hand. It was good, really good. Nicola laughed as she wiped my lips with her napkin.

I felt myself growing giddy at her touch. I just had enough time to see Liam shoot me a smirk before Signora Maria began questioning us. However I didn't end up paying much attention to the conversation. Nicola had intertwined her fingers with mine and even gone so far as to drape her leg across my lap under the table.

"Well look at that...it is nearly six o'clock. The party will be starting soon and I imagine everyone needs to spruce up a bit?"

"Si papà," Nicola stood and quickly led us back through the winding mansion and to out room. "I'm sorry for cramming you all into one room for the night. But the party guests will need a place to sleep. By tomorrow you should have more space."

"Don't worry," laughed Liam. "We're used to sharing."

Nicola let out a laugh before closing the door. I turned to see all three of my friends smirking at me.

"Well if we run out of space, it's nice to know you can sleep in Nicola's room," mused Louis.

"Yeah I'm sure she wouldn't mind ya cozyin up te her tonight," chuckled Niall. I grabbed the nearest pillow and chucked it at Niall. He quickly dodged it and broke into a fit of giggles.

"It would sure beat hanging around with you losers," I joked.

"Ohhhh!"

"What happened to bros before hoes mate?”

“Please, like you two even respect that,” snorted Louis. “Wasn’t it you two who went to dinner with Thalia, Maeve, and Kenzie?”

“You know they were our friends too at one point,” Liam argued. “Besides, Thal’s not holding grudges so why should we all?”

“What do you mean?” I asked, letting my curiosity get the better of me.

“She said it was nothin',” Niall hissed. Liam rolled his eyes.

“What was?” I pressed.

“Apparently she might be seeing someone,” said Liam.

“But she played it down,” Niall quickly added. “Said she weren’t looking fer a relationship.”

I let out a snort. “Of course she did.”

“Were you planning on telling us this?” Louis asked.

“O’course!” Cried Niall. “But I didn’t want te take Harry’s attention away from da lovely Nicola…”

“Who is the guy?” asked Louis.

I shook my head at Louis before heading to the shower. As much as I did want to know, I was sure I didn’t. It was no surprise that Thalia had found someone else. But I’d rather not know how he compares to me. Once clean I slipped on my nicer pair of clothes and stepped out onto the balcony while the others got ready. I really needed to get Thalia out of my head.

The party had started and I looked down to see Nicola talking with her mother on the patio. She was wearing a white gown, highlighting her tanned Italian skin and dark hair. It was obvious Nicola had feelings for me but did I feel the same way? She was beautiful, there was no denying that. But could I ever love her?

I ran my hand through my hair as I watched Nicola turn to the house and let out a small scream. I frowned until I saw a man appear and pull her into a hug. Hmm it must be her brother. I let out a smile as he twirled her around.

And then I saw her.

She appeared behind the man, looking unsure of herself. Her long black gown hugged her elegant curves and trailed lightly behind her. Could it really be...Thalia?

I blinked and rubbed my eyes. But she was still there. Just as I was about to grab one of the guys I realized how silly I was being. Why on earth would she be here? I'm at a wealthy party in a secluded villa in the middle of the Tuscan countryside. I was overreacting.

"Harry are you ready mate?" Called Liam. I ran a hand through my hair and returned to the room. Liam frowned, "you alright?"

"Y-yeah. I'm fine," I answered.

I knew they didn't believe me, but thankfully none of them pushed it. As we headed down to the party I felt myself growing anxious. I just needed to find Marco's girlfriend to prove to myself it wasn't her.

"Harry! Niall, Liam, Louis!" Cried Nicola. She hugged me tightly before lacing her fingers with mine. "Come and join the party!"

Nicola pulled us through the hall and out to the patio. Through the crowd I could see the mysterious girl in the black gown. She was facing away from me and talking adamantly to Nicola's brother. As we neared she disappeared. I wanted to run after her but Nicola took my arm.

"I'm going to grab a drink," I managed. Nicola gave me a smile and kissed me lightly on the cheek before turning her attention back to my friends. I was momentarily dazed, but managed to snap out of it as I headed in the direction of the girl in the black gown.

The party was in full force now and I had to carefully make my way through the crowd of diamond laden ladies. As I reached the ballroom paused. She had to be here somewhere. I could feel my heart thumping in my chest as I scanned the room.

There. She had just rounded the corner. I flew after her. As I rounded the corner everything seemed to stop. My breath caught in my throat.

She was halfway up the stairway. Her long brown hair hung in a series of curls in twists. She held her dress as she ran, up the stairs.

Could it really be her?

"Thalia?"

Notes

dun dun duuuuuuuun!