Italian Journey

Chapter 1

Hey readers, this is my first attempt at writing a story here on wattpad. Don't be too hard on me, I know I'll improve as I continue. With your constructive comments, of course.  I hope you enjoy it.

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The hot and humid air inside the diner hit Jasmin in her face as she pushed open the door. Surprisingly, there were very few customers for the breakfast rush which is usually packed and hectic. Jasmin shrugged off her coat and headed to the locker room to store her stuff and get ready for her shift. When she came back out she saw Diane, her friend and co worker along with Betty another waitress, huddled together, whispering over a newspaper. As she approached they both looked up, though Betty had a scowl on her face.

"Well, well, here's the lucky girl herself. When were you going to tell me?" said Diane.

"What are you on about this morning? Tell you what?" I said.

"About your trip, silly. Your all expense paid trip to Italy" Diane says with a smile, waving the newspaper in the air.

"What!?" Jasmin grabs the newspaper while Betty grumbles under her breath about 'lucky wretches' and stalks away. But there it was, at the bottom of the third page of the local newspaper, a picture of the Coloseum in Rome, with her name below as the winner of the raffle and therefore the Italian trip.

Jasmin could not believe her eyes and her brain was numb to her surroundings- all she could think about was the fact she, who had never won anything in her life, had just won such an amazing prize. It seemed too good to be true.

"So when do you leave?" Diane asked, jolting Jasmin out of her inner ramblings and bringing her back to reality.

"I can't go, I need to work. How would I pay my rent and other bills? Maybe I can cash it in and have a little extra this month" I  state with a hitch in my voice.

"You'll do no such thing!" Diane whisper yells so as not to make a scene. "You deserve a break in life and good fortune has finally looked your way, so don't you dare throw away this opportunity. I would kill to be in your shoes right now and all you can think about is cashing it in?!" I had never seen Diane so angry with me.

"Don't get me wrong, I would love to go , it's a once in a lifetime chance to see the country but I have to face reality - Clive is not going to pay me while I'm off on a trip."

"Hmm, ask him for an advance and I'll cover the rest. Jasmin I'm not taking 'no' for an answer. You are going on this trip and that's final" She says with a soft smile but firm voice.

Jasmin hugs Diane tightly while Diane pats her back gently. "Does it say where I collect the ticket?"

Diane picks up the newspaper and nods, "yeah, it says at the school administration office between 9 - 11 am. My goodness, you better get down there now."

"What about Clive? I ask. Diane quickly says, "you leave him to me, I'll cover for you. Just go "

Jasmin hurries to the back, collects her handbag and dashes out the diner. Catching the local 15 bus, she gets to the school in half an hour and heads to the administration office. Collecting the tickets and signing the necessary documents, Jasmin heads out to wait on the bus to head home. However, she begins to get the feeling that she's being watched. Looking around , she sees nobody and shakes it off as simply nerves and excitement.

I'm going to Italy! I can't believe it! Jasmin wants to jump up and down but calms herself as the bus approaches. The grin on her face , however feels permanently plastered on her face.

As the bus pushes off, Jasmin glances to her left and sees Margaret, the lady who sold her the winning ticket, sitting at the bus stop. Margaret just winks at her. "That's strange. I wish I could have told her how she brought me luck. Oh, well"

Looking at the bus driving away, Margaret  comments, "Enjoy your trip Jasmin. I hope you're willing to embrace the opportunities that will befall you. Enjoy your Italian journey."

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