Hate To Date You ➤ Jake

|| Goodbye's And Hello's

As soon as she left, Jay stepped inside, his hands shoved deep in his pockets. He looked around the room like he was seeing it for the first time, even though he had barged in here uninvited countless times before.

"So," he started. "This is it, huh?"

"Yeah," I said, voice quieter than I intended.

Jay exhaled sharply, rubbing the back of his neck. "It's weird. You being the one to leave first. I always thought I'd be the one moving out first, but here we are."

I smiled a little. "Guess I beat you to it."

He scoffed, shaking his head. "Of course you did. You were always the overachiever. Mom and Dad are probably still bragging about you to their friends."

There was a moment of silence before his expression turned more serious.

"Look, Sooah," he said, voice softer. "I know I don't always say it, but I'm proud of you. And I'm going to miss you."

My throat tightened. "I'm going to miss you too."

Jay let out a dramatic sigh, shaking his head. "God, this is so weird. You're really leaving. What am I supposed to do now?"

"I don't know," I teased. "Figure out how to survive without me?"

"Unlikely." He smirked before his expression turned serious again. "Just... take care of yourself, okay? And if you need anything—anything—you call me."

"I will."

"Good."

He pulled me into a quick but tight hug before pulling away, clearing his throat. "Alright, enough emotions. Let's get you to the airport before I change my mind and kidnap you back home."

The steady hum of the airplane engines was the only thing grounding me as I peered out of the small window, watching as the clouds parted to reveal the rolling hills of Tuscany below. It didn't feel real yet. The idea that I was leaving everything behind—my home, my family, my friends—to start a new life in Florence, Italy, was both exhilarating and terrifying.

When the plane touched down at Florence Peretola Airport, I let out a breath I hadn't realized I was holding. This was it. No more waiting, no more dreading goodbyes. I was here.

The small taxi wound through the narrow, cobbled streets of Florence, passing ancient buildings adorned with intricate balconies and vibrant flower boxes. The city buzzed with life—street musicians played in the distance, locals rode past on bicycles, and tourists wandered in awe of the historic architecture. It was a city full of art, history, and endless possibilities.

My new apartment was a quaint little space in Oltrarno, a charming neighborhood just across the Arno River from the city center. It was known for its artisan workshops, cozy cafés, and a slower pace than the bustling tourist areas. When the landlord handed me the keys and left me alone in my new home, I took a deep breath, soaking it all in.

The apartment was small but perfect—warm wooden floors, large windows letting in the golden Italian sunlight, and a tiny balcony overlooking a quiet street. I set down my suitcase and ran a hand over the smooth marble countertop in the kitchenette, then made my way to the bedroom. It wasn't much, just a bed, a desk, and a wardrobe, but it was mine.

Unpacking took longer than expected, mainly because I kept getting distracted by the reality of my new life. I found a framed photo of Jay and me from last summer, both making ridiculous faces, and placed it on my bedside table. Then there was the necklace Minji had given me before I left—a small charm in the shape of a plane.

I had cried saying goodbye to them. Jay had tried to play it cool, acting like he wasn't bothered, but I saw the way his jaw clenched when he pulled me into a tight hug and told me to take care of myself. Minji, on the other hand, had outright sobbed, gripping my hands and making me promise a million times over that I wouldn't forget to text her every single detail about my life here.

I smiled at the memory, but a pang of loneliness hit me. This was the first time in years I wouldn't have them by my side. But I couldn't dwell on it. I had to keep moving forward.

After settling in, I decided to explore a bit and find a good coffee shop to recharge. A short walk led me to a small, cozy café tucked away in a side street. The scent of freshly brewed espresso and warm pastries filled the air as I stepped inside. The soft chatter of students and locals, the clinking of ceramic cups—it all felt like a scene from a movie.

I ordered a cappuccino and found a table by the window. Just as I was about to take a sip, someone plopped down across from me with a bright grin.

"Sorry if this is weird, but I saw your book," she said, nodding to the language textbook on my table. "Are you studying at Università degli Studi di Firenze?"

I blinked in surprise before nodding. "Yeah, I just moved here. First year."

Her smile widened. "No way! Same! I'm Elena, by the way." She had short, dark curls and a warm energy that was instantly comforting. "Where are you from?"

"South Korea," I replied. "You?"

"Spain! But I've been dreaming about studying here for years."

We ended up talking for an hour, sharing our excitement and anxieties about starting college in a foreign country. By the time we left the café, we had already made plans to meet up before orientation the next morning.

The next day, I woke up early, my nerves buzzing. I stood in front of the mirror, adjusting my outfit for what felt like the tenth time. Would I stick out? Would I make friends? Would I get lost on campus?

Elena met me outside my apartment, bouncing on her heels. "Ready?"

I took a deep breath. "As I'll ever be."

We walked to campus together, the streets slowly filling with students, some chatting excitedly in Italian, others switching between different languages. The university buildings were stunning—grand, historic structures with towering archways and sprawling courtyards.

Orientation was a blur of introductions, campus tours, and information sessions. I met a few other international students, each with their own story of why they had chosen to study here. It was strange, yet comforting, to be surrounded by so many people who were also stepping into the unknown.

By lunchtime, Elena and I found a spot outside in a sunny courtyard. "Okay," she said, popping a bite of pasta into her mouth. "Be honest. How are you feeling?"

I hesitated, then smiled. "It's... a lot. But it's exciting. I think I'm going to like it here."

She grinned. "Good. Because I have a feeling this is just the beginning."

And she was right.

As I sat there, surrounded by new faces, in a city that was still unfamiliar but already starting to feel like home, I realized something.

I was exactly where I was meant to be.

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A/N: guys who should the next book be about? i have a couple of ideas but yk and yea i did google what collages there r in italy kill me 😼