"Hola, bonjour, and Welcome to Villa. My name is Andy, and I'll be your tour guide today. Get ready for a wild adventure filled with beautiful sights, sounds, and culture. All of which is brought to you by Canyon Tours, "where beauty has a price, and a cheap one at that." Now, follow me as we explore the eighth wonder of the world," I paused and glanced at Milly. Her body was slumped over, and her face was dazed. She looked like the poster child for boredom.

"C'mon Mills," I said as I chucked a pillow at her, "I can't afford to flop on my first day." She screamed into the pillow. She was always one for the dramatics.

"I'm sick and tired of listenin' to your boring speech. I came here for entertainment, not to watch you monologue." She threw the pillow back at me.

I rolled my I eyes as I spoke, "I told you I had work today."

"And I told you I wanted Chinese food! But looks like that's not happening either," Milly grunted with her arms folded over her chest.

"You can't compare me working so I can afford Uni, to you craving Chinese."

"Yes, I can. They are totally relatable." Her nose was pointed up, exposing her nostrils to the world.

"That hair dye must be seeping into your head. Is your brain purple, too?" I teased.

"First of all, it's lilac. Secondly, It's our last summer together. Soon you'll be off becomin' a zookeeper in the states, and I'll be reporting the latest stories in London. I just want to spend some time with you before there isn't any left," Milly whimpered. Her gray eyes pouted up at me. Here comes the waterworks.

"First of all," I mocked her, "there's a big difference between a wildlife biologist and a zookeeper. Secondly, we still have sixty three days before that happens. And I promise you, Milly, that no matter how far we are, I will always find a way to get you Chinese food." She smiled and pulled me into a hug. She whispered into my chest as she burst into tears. But all I got was a muffled "Andy bean," and what I think was an "I love you". I pulled back and wiped a lilac hair from her face.

"Speak English, Milly. I can't understand you when you get like this." I smirked.

"Oh. Would you rather me talk like this?" She did her terrible American accent. It was a horrible mix between Southern California and a southern drawl.

"No. Please keep strictly to South African dialects," I pleaded

She frowned, "Why, I thought you had a thing for American girls?"

"I do. Thank goodness you're from Cape Town," I replied.

"And gay, too," Milly boasted.

"And gay, too," I mocked her, then looked at my watch and saw it was half past eight. "Hey, how about you join me on my first tour."

"And listen to your cheesy speech again, no thanks." 

"C'mon. Join me in exploring the eighth wonder of the world." I raised my eyebrows for effect.

"As fun as teasing you sounds, I've already been on the tour a thousand times." Milly flopped down on her back and began typing away on her phone.

"It's my treat."

"Nah. I still have some University things to finish up."

"Are you sure, beca-"

Milly through her hands in the air, "Just go," Milly groaned.

"Meet you at Remmy's, six o'clock?"

"Yes! Now go, can't afford to flop, remember?" I gave her a quick hug and headed out.

I could make it on time if I ran, but why would I do that when I could appreciate the Island scenery. You think I'd get use to the Island after so many years, but the swaying palm trees, colorful birds, and warm breeze never get's old. It wasn't too long before I found my way to the Canyon Tours building. The old building was more of a glorified shack with its peeling wooden walls and slightly crooked roof. You think with all the tourist that visit the Island, Ellis, the fine owner of this establishment, would fix it up. Or better yet, buy a new building.

"You're late," Ellis spoke sternly.

"What?" I was genuinely confused.

"It's 8:47. You were suppose to be here at 8:45. Therefore, you're late." Ellis was always a stickler for time, but this was ridiculous.

"Oh, c'mon. The first tour doesn't start till nine, and I'm not even doing it," I groaned.

"Doesn't matter. Aaron's tour doesn't start till eleven, but he got here on time." The burly man wagged his finger at me. 

"Well, Aaron's got no life!" I whipped my head behind Ellis into the break room, "No offense Aaron."

Aaron hollered from the back, "None taken!"

I gestured towards Aaron, "He practically lives here."

"Maybe you should lose your life, and live here as well," Ellis spoke like he just came up with the greatest comeback the world's ever seen. 

"Seriously?" I shouted.

"Yes, seriously. And as punishment, you're in charge of showing the new trainee around."

"No! I hate showing around trainees." I folded my hands over my chest.

"And I hate my employees showing up late. Besides, you haven't even shown any around." He was right, but still.

"You sound like Milly," I mumbled.

He straightened up at the sound of Milly's name, "Makes sense. She is my daughter." Never have I known a father so proud. 

"And I'm like your son. Can't you just give me a break?" I begged.

"Son or not, I don't show favoritism." He raised his chin, giving me a better view of his full, ginger beard.

"Oh C'mon Mr. Ellis. Don't make m-" Ellis cut me off.

He raised his voice, "Now, I gave you direct orders, and I expect you to respect them and follow suit. So quit your yammerin'. Here she comes."

"Hi," she waved, "sorry, I'm late." I didn't even bother looking at her. I could already tell by the accent she was a native. It was easy to spot the blend of French and Spaniard by the sound of her r's.

"No problem. It's only your first day," Ellis chirped. Why that-

"So, it's okay for her to be twenty minutes late, but when I'm two you act as if your gonna fire me." He smacked me upside the head. It hurt.

"What's gotten into you? I know very well that your folks taught ya manners, now start acting like it," he barked while I glared at him, "Go on, before your parents start turning over in their graves." I know he means business when my parents are involved. I looked up, and two my surprise, a beautiful girl stood before me.

"Hola. Excuse my rudeness. Ellis here has his knickers in a bunch, and is taking it out on me." I received another smack upside my head. The trainee giggled as I extend out my hand.

"Hola." She struggled a bit, but shook my hand. It usually takes people a bit to realise I'm a lefty. I know I'm supposed to succumb to the almighty-rightys and just switch hands, but it's fun to confuse people.

"My name's Andy. You're a local I presume."

"Jack. And born and raised here. Viva la Villa!," she exaggerated. We both laughed at the overused phrase. The older folks of the island love to tell the story of the how it came to be. A cautionary tale of how the natives of Villa rebelled against Les Carnavals, won their freedom, and banned all Carni's from ever stepping foot on the island again. I knew the story all too well. My mother used to read it to me every time she was home. She was a wildlife photographer who traveled a lot, and would always bring stories from other cultures back with her. Those stories were all I had left of her.

"Where are you from? I can't quite place your accent," she asked.

"Well, I spent the first eleven years of my life in England, then I came to Villa and have been here ever since." Spending six years here has screwed with my accent a bit. I've had people argue whether or not I was Spanish or French. I've even been pinned down as a New Zealander, South African, and once, Novocain made me sound Irish. Apparently, I'm a little bit of everything.

"I wouldn't of guessed it," Jack admitted.

"Most people don't," I quipped.

"So, what brought your family here?"

I sighed before speaking, "I moved here when my parents died."

"Oh, sorry I asked."Jack's eyes quickly averted from mine.

"It's okay, you're not the first." I was trying to make her feel better. It's been so many years since they died, and I've come to terms with it. We stood in awkward silence till Aaron sneezed and scared us both. We laughed at the ridiculousness of it.

"So, Jack? Short for Jacqueline?"

"No, short for Jackson. I was supposed to be a boy but surprise," her voice was encompassed with sarcasm as her hands shook with emphasis. 

We shared a laugh once again.

Ellis butted into our conversation, "Well, now that you're acquainted, why don't you give Jack a quick tour." Ellis nodded at me and that's when I knew. That cheeky... He set me up. Probably told Milly to swing buy so I was late. The poor bloke has been trying to set me up since the whole Sarah debacle a few summers ago. She was my first love, but at the end of July, Sarah left just as quick as she came. But Jack was a local, and I had 63 days.

"Shall we?" I held my arm out. She smiled and linked arms with me. Guess trainees weren't so bad after all. At least, this one wasn't.

We walked around the town square for about an hour. Eating food, playing games, and just, talking. Turns out, Jack is a witty one. She loves reading and playing football. She was captain of her team last year, and hopes to finish out her senior year at the top of her class. As she told me about herself, I couldn't help but stare at her hair. It was long, black, and wavy. I couldn't help smiling. Most girls here have wild hair. Curls too big to describe, and hair too colorful to look directly at. Her hair was, calm. You'd almost think she was a foreigner.

"And that's how I almost killed my sheep." She blushed.

"You sat on it!" I was stricken with awe.

"Almost sat on it. There's a difference," she laughed.

"Not much of one."

"Hey," She hit my shoulder. "Bo could of died."

"Because of you! And isn't Bo Peep suppose to be the girl who lost the lamb, not the lamb itself," I teased.

"It's sheep. And when I was six, I thought it was the other way around."

"Sheep murderer." I shook my head as I tsked at her.

"Sheep almost murderer," she corrected. She laughed at her own joke. It was loud and obnoxious. She made Milly's laugh sound humble. An impossible feat.

"So, almost murderer, I would give you the tour, but since you're a local it sounds kinda redundant. So why don't w-"

"Actually, I've never taken the tour. Never really been outside of Province." She seemed bashful about the subject.

"You've lived here all your life, and never explored it?" I was shocked. All Villa children spent their summers roaming around, looking for a passage to Les Carnavals.

"Basically." Jack shrugged. 

"Oh, no, no, no. There's no way you had a decent childhood," my voice was filled with surprise. "Welp, we've got about half an hour before we need to head back. Which means we have time for one stop." I smirked.

"Where?" she seemed cynical.

"The greatest place in all of Villa," I proclaimed, posing with my chest out.

"And where would that be?" Her left brow swung up with curiosity. 

"Just a quick walk from here, in Ravens Jungle."

"I don't know. Going into the jungle with a boy I just meant, doesn't exactly sound like a good idea." She made a good point.

"It'll be fun..."

"Not making it any less creepy." She was right.

"I promise to keep my hands to myself?" She shook her head.

"Yeah, I hear it now," I sighed.

"Uh huh." She nodded.

"I promise, we won't be alone. There'll be teens crowding the place. And if you ever feel uncomfortable, I'll take you straight back to work." She still seemed dubious.

"Fine. But try any funny business and I'll chop it off." I'm not sure what she meant by it, but hopefully I'll never find out.

"And off we go!" I grabbed her by the hand and headed towards Raven's jungle, the home of love and heartbreak. Or hookups and summer flings. I forget.

"Wow. I think I'm lost for words," Jack whispered as she looked around with her mouth hanging open.

"Yeah, The Passageway will do that to you." I felt proud as we looked over the cliff. Below us, was a waterfall so big it made Niagara look like a drinking fountain. The trees next to it went up so high you couldn't see the tops. Colorful birds flew overhead in flocks. You could hear the shouts of kids playing in the pool created by the waterfall. This is was the heart of Villa. This is where I met Sarah.

I couldn't help but think about the kisses we shared, the feel of her blonde hair. The way her brown eyes lit up at the site of the waterfall. But one look at Jack, and I didn't miss any of it. I reached my handout and closed her mouth.

"Don't wanna catch flies." Her cheeks flushed.

"So, this must be La Vía De Paso?"

"Ah. You are a local," she scoffed at my words, "Hey, it's not my fault you know nothing about  the Island."

"Whatever. But why do they call it The Passageway?"

"No one really knows. Some say it guides people to true love. Others say it's it shows ones true self."

"What do you say?" Jack asked.

"I've never really believed in any of the island lore. But if I had to choose, I'd say it's the way to Les Carnavals."

"I'm always hearing about Les Carnavals, but my family's always telling me to leave it alone." That's a first.

"Why? Les Carnavals is the source of all Villa fairy tales. You can't be a native without knowing the stories by heart." I turned towards her. 

"My folks think it's nothing but nonsense. Just made up stories used for passing time," she spoke quietly. It was as if she was ashamed.

"So you really know nothing about it?" She shook her head. "What time is it?"

Jack glanced at her phone before speaking, "A quarter past ten, why?"

"We've got fifteen minutes to get back." I strutted away from the cliff. 

Jack arched a brow as she spoke with skepticism, "and?"

"That means fifteen minutes of story time." I smiled, excited to tell a story.