Chapter 7 School Life

• Danica
• I stepped out the apartment the next morning, the warm bright sun embracing me like a long-lost friend. I had dreamed of studying abroad, and now, thanks to a scholarship, i was finally here. Kylie, joined me outside as she struggled to keep her blonde hair out of her face while grinned beside me, sharing the excitement.
• Our college, Università degli Studi di Palermo, was renowned for its rich history and stunning architecture. As we made our way to the bus station, my thoughts drifted to the upcoming semester. I had enrolled in the Culinary Arts program, I’m so eager to immerse myself in the local cuisine and culture.
• "I'm so excited to dive into Sicilian cooking!" I exclaimed, my eyes sparkling in delight.
• I’m an Italian and I love our food so much and I want to explore more every part of our delicacies.
• Kylie chuckled. "You and your passion for cooking! Well, I'm just here for the gelato."
• I playfully rolled her eyes. "You'll appreciate the art of culinary perfection soon enough."
• Our bus ride to the campus revealed the city's ancient charm. I marveled at the baroque buildings, winding streets, and vibrant markets. All in due time, i would take my time to explore more the city as well.
• Kylie and I parted for our dormitory. As i arrived at at mine, a sleek, modern complex overlooking the sea, I felt a thrill of anticipation.
• It was a sight to behold.
• The building was bursting with various students, going in and out of it. I joined them and made my way the my first class for the day. We all introduced ourselves and interacted with each other. A group was created for our class forum and we were added.
• The next few days passed in a whirlwind of orientation, meetings with professors, and exploring the city. Kylie and I settled into the routine, attending classes, exploring the campus, and sampling local delicacies, while I also joined some cooking classes.
• In my Culinary Arts classes, it has been thriving under the guidance of Chef Bianchi, a renowned Sicilian chef. She learned the intricacies of traditional dishes like arancini, cannoli, and pasta alla Norma. She wasn’t just a good chef, she was a very good teacher as well and her class was one of the classes I enjoyed the most.
• One evening, as i strolled through the historic center with Kylie, she mentioned the upcoming freshman party. I have heard about it and it was set to host this weekend but i wasn’t bothered by it, a party that was bound to be wild. It’s better to be save than so, i can always party under a save circumstance.
• "We have to go, Dani! It's the perfect chance to meet people." Kylie commanded in a hard tone that was clearly not up for discussion.
• I hesitated, still wary of large gatherings. But Kylie's enthusiasm was infectious.
• I rolled my eyes at her. "Okay, fine," I agreed, smiling. "But if it gets too wild, I'm leaving."
• Kylie grinned mischievously. "Don't worry, I'll keep you safe. And who knows, maybe you'll find inspiration for your next culinary masterpiece."
• “Don’t go acting like it was for my benefit that we are going.” I dismissed her pretense with the wave of my hand.
• As we walked through the historic center, my thoughts drifted to her culinary dreams. Now that Kylie mentioned it, I would consider the ideal. I had always been passionate about cooking, and Sicily was the perfect place to explore its rich gastronomic heritage.
• "Kylie, have you tried the cannoli here?" I asked, my eyes scanning the pastry shops as we stroll passed them.
• Kylie laughed. "Of course! I've had my fair share one time when I joined my classmates to dine after class. But you're the expert, Danny. What do you think?"
• My face lit up at her praise. "The shells are crispy, but the filling needs more sweetness. I'll have to experiment."
• I can’t wait to give it a trial on the weekend. It’s one of the times Kylie comes in handy being a foodie that she is.
• Kylie grinned and gloated. "You're always tweaking recipes. I love that about you. I’ll be waiting to be the judge any time.”
• My eyes spotted a small trattoria tucked away in a quiet alley. I couldn’t contain my excitement as I dragged Kylie towards the entrance.
• "Kylie, look! Trattoria Bella Vita. Let's try it."
• Inside, the cozy restaurant enveloped us in warm aromas and lively chatter. My eyes widened as i scanned the menu, my stomach growling at the sight.
• "Oh, Kylie, they have pasta alla Norma! We have to try it." I demanded as I passed the menu to the waiter.
• Our dishes was served our we helped ourselves to the dishes. The taste was amazing for a local eatery that it was. I know I would be visiting here again in the future.
• “They are doing a great job here. There meal is top notch.” Kylie groaned after taking few bites.
• The conversation around the restaurant flowed easily, interspersed with laughter and mouthwatering dishes. We paid our pills after finishing the meal and we made our way to the bus station.
• Not far away on the road side, my eyes catches a familiar silhouette of a tall, dark-haired man entering into a black waiting car, heavily armed men where guarding him on both side as he entered the car. The word that came to my mind was ‘dangerous’
• My heart skipped a beat at the thought of who the man resembled.
• No I must be hallucinating, it can’t be. During the time we spent together in Rome, he didn’t give that kind of vibe. It must be because I still haven’t forgotten about him, that’s why I’m mistaken him for someone else.
• The car speed off after the bodyguards got into the van that was parked behind. I entered the bus and dismissed my suspicions and thoughts of Ignazio.