•Sleepless nights / ayokay•

WELCOME TO CAMPOBELLO
''the adventurous town in the south coast''

These are the words written on the old rusty sign at the entrance of the town. I have left São Paulo to come to Santa Catarina state, arriving at the south of the country, being embraced by the colder temperatures.

The plane trip was relatively fast and I didn't have to wait long for the bus to bring me to my final destination. Obviously, the bus and my stay at the local hotel are included in my contract with the travel agency – after all, tickets to Greece are not cheap.

I left the bus station after 4pm, having some difficulty finding a taxi – not even Uber exists here! – and now I admire the small, cloudy town through the car window, my head slightly leaning on the glass.

We first drove through some curves down the mountain, reaching the town at the sea level. Trees skirt one side of the road, the smell of grass surrounding us. On the other side, the beach is visible, and its waves break heavily in the sand.

My nightmare slightly returns in my mind and I need to bite my lip to hold back the bile that was rising. But I can not deny it, the beach really is beautiful, even by far I can see how the water and the clear sand extends for miles, quietly inviting tourists.

The lack of sun causes the environment to become darker, the waters being a strong blue and the forest a misty green. However, there is an exotic and wild beauty around here, making me breathe the new air easily, feeling my arteries fill with an excitement that I still can't understand.

The car finally guides me to downtown. The streets are narrow, and some are pedestrian only, being made of dark cobblestones. Even from the road I can already see how the streets resemble a maze, all connecting in the middle.

The architecture is gorgeous, very European with its low buildings glued to each other. The cafés remind me of France. There are tables in the middle of the old streets and people walk as if they know every inch and face around – probably, they really do.

The town is quite calm and even if it is barely 5pm, the sky is already darkening. The yellow lamps inside the shops and restaurants shine and the smell of food floods my senses.

When the small downtown is ending, the shops being gradually replaced by houses, the car stops and I look up, watching the hotel in front of me. It has five floors, with balconys on all sides.

My shoes squeak in the lobby while I carry my suitcase, backpack and travel bag, almost stumbling on my foot, cursing Chloe for choosing so much for a only month-long trip.

I observe the wooden reception desk and the beige and brown sofas that surround the environment comfortably. The walls are dark and with colorful pictures painting the landscapes of the town. On the left side door leads to a small bar – alcoholic beverage just below my room, Elena likes it.

Shit, did I really just talk about myself in the third person? I need to get some sleep. No, I need to eat and then sleep.

I put my travel bag on top of the desk and rub my eyes, running my hands through my hair. The girl behind the furniture gives me a receptive smile, her thin lips opening a little while her red hair is tied in a high bun, some loosen locks framing her young face.

''Good afternoon, welcome to CampoBello hotel. Do you have a reservation?'' she asks me in a calm voice. The only action I can do right now is return her smile and nod my head while I give her the crumpled reservation paper.

I lean over the counter as I wait for her to type, watching her eyes go through the computer screen.

My neck turns to the side and I watch a couple walking holding hands through the lobby, both smiling and looking at each other with shining eyes. My chest tightens and I need to swallow a lump that has formed in my throat.

''Everything is in order, Miss Sloan. Your room is 203,'' the young woman tells me and my head snap towards her, my locks hitting my cheek. Her hand is stretched holding a key and her eyes watch me as she waits for a reaction, but I can't master one, my breath hitching.

''It's Bernardi,'' I answer after a couple of seconds, my voice comes out drier than I intended while my shaky fingers pick up the key.

I see her opening and closing her mouth, her face altering between me and the screen of the computer. ''But... '' she begins, cutting herself in the middle when my chin rises; she swallows and turns her attention completely to the computer now. ''Of course. I'll fix it right now, I'm sorry for the bother and I hope you enjoy your stay here, miss Bernardi.''

Her fingers type eagerly the keyboard. I inhale and open the biggest smile I am able to in the moment, feeling guilty for the worried girl in front of me.

''Don't worry. Thank you so much and have a great night.'' My voice is sweeter now. I pick up my travel bag again, throwing it over my shoulder while my fingers curl up in the handle of my suitcase, its wheels causing a constant rhythm against the wooden floor.

The receptionist wishes a good night back, putting her locks behind her ears. I reach the old elevator in a few steps and click on the second floor, feeling the rusty metal creaking as it rises. A long blue carpet extends down the hall, the elevator is in the middle and I follow towards the left, finding my door in a couple of seconds.

I open the dark brown door and the room welcomes me silently. I walk through the entrance aisle, the en suite opening in my right side – there is first a walk in closet and the bathroom soon after, the latter being relatively large, with a bathtub on the farthest wall, two sinks and white tiles. My travel bag slips down my arm hitting the floor as I let go of my suitcase too, being sure I won't undo them until tomorrow.

Moving further, the huge bed greets me, its blue and gray covers seeming super comfortable. There's a grey fuzzy rug in the middle of the room and I kick my shoes away, feeling the fabric soothing my feet. I drop my backpack on top of a desk on the opposite wall of the bed, a large television right next to it. There are two armchairs on the other side of the bed, near a door that leads to the balcony.

I walked towards it, my fingers curling up in the delicate white curtain, pulling it to the side. I open the glass doors that lead me to the small but comfy balcony. There are other two chairs, each with a mantle on top, and there is a little wooden table in the middle. Plants are attached to the railing and the view is fascinating, being able to watch the horizon afar.

The movement has slightly increased down the street, and the sky is gradually painting itself with all the colors of the sunset.

A sigh escapes my lips, my shoulders relaxing. I lean my elbows on the railing, feeling its cold against my skin. I put my chin on top of my hands, my head falling to the side as I watch people walking.

It's scary being here alone, it's terrifying, actually. But it's so nice to know that I can be whoever I want to be. No one knows me, much less know my story. It's freeing, and completely maddening too.

My teeth bite my lower lip, my whole body getting tired. But honestly, I'm afraid to go to sleep and face my fears in my nightmares. A cold breeze passes through me, my hair swaying against my face as the slight plants' aroma opens a smile on my lips.

I move my toes, feeling them finally relaxed after hours inside the tight shoes. I exhale and turn back to the bedroom. I drag my socks across the floor as I decide to take a quick shower and go for a walk.

🩺🩺🩺

The hot cup of coffee in my hands warms me against the cold night in the town. After my bath, I put on a jeans, a white blouse and a blue coat on top, finishing the look with my usual black boot and heart necklace.

I went to a café and had a small dinner, the place was nice, but the prices not so much. In the end, I ordered a to - go drink to keep me warm while I explore a bit of my surroundings.

I walk through the narrow streets, passing by small restaurants and shops. The cobblestones give a rustic touch and the high lamppost with yellow lights create a comfortable environment.

When I'm turning a corner, I find a cute tiny flower shop. It's already eight o'clock and the store is closing, but there are still some flowers on the street. I calmly approach a solitary sunflower in a vase, my face lowering to inhale its aroma.

For some reason, it's like breathing summer and a smile opens up on my face.

''Excuse me...'' I slightly raise my head toward the sweet new voice. It comes from a beautiful woman, her black skin contrasts with her white sweatshirt and her curly hair fall on her shoulders.

She's a little taller than me and her dark eyes travel between me and the sunflower. Her delicate features open in a smile as she continues to talk, pointing with her red nail to the flower, ''Will you buy it? It's just that it's the last sunflower and today it matters a lot to me,'' she justifies, biting her lip.

''No, no. I was just admiring it, it's all yours,'' I say taking a step back. We both laughed embarrassed for a second.

''I'm sorry, I'm usually more receptive. You're new in town, right?'' Her big eyes stare at me, her head tilting to the side as I blink. ''My God, today I'm being such a disaster,'' she says smiling and running her hand across her face.

''I am not like a stalker or anything, but I was born and raised here. It's a small town and everyone knows everybody, it's hard to not notice a new face, especially a pretty face like yours.'' Her hands sway in the air as she speaks, and her black cheeks incredibly blush when she realizes what she just said at the end.

I smile at her carefree way, sympathizing with her clumsiness as she stumbles over her own words. ''I didn't mean to hit on you. Not that you are not hittable on. You're really beautiful and I play for both teams, you know. Oh, fuck. But I am dating now. With a man. Not that it matters. But anyway...''

''I am Elena,'' I finally decide to say, interrupting her endless rambling as I stretch my hand. Her mouth and eyes close, a sighing escaping her lips before she looks at me again, shaking her hand in mine.

''Akira.''

''And hmm, you're very pretty too,'' I add. We both giggle and for some reason I am just comfortable around her, being able to play freely – Chloe will be so jealous when I tell her this.

Her shoulders tremble, the necklace on her chest swaying. ''I promise I'm not this messed up normally, today is just a tough day,'' she sighs, her fingers rubbing the corner of her eye.

I feel her deeply, sympathizing with the tiredness in her body and the lack of sparkle in her eyes. And I think she realizes the same in me because her stare analyzes me intensely.

''It's all right, I'm an expert on bad days,'' I say shrugging, bouncing on my heels.

''So, Elena, why did you come to our charming tiny town?'' Her voice is more confident now, my name slipping through her lips. ''Wait, don't answer it. Let me guess.

''You have the whole tired after a trip look, so I assume you've arrived today. You're drinking the coffee from the overrated café in town, so you've never been around here before. No wedding ring, young woman, big city accent, I'm pretty sure you're here alone. My bet is that you've come to discover yourself in the middle of our cutesy architecture and unique adventures.'' The words run down her mouth, her eyes finding a slight glow and I find myself smiling too, having fun playing this weird game.

''You're good,'' I say raising my eyebrows. ''And so fucking presumptuous.''

She throws her head back, laughing. ''Trying to read people is my only fun in this tiny town. I used to be a criminal journalist in the capital, but now I have to settle writing articles for the stupid local magazine. Analyzing people is my remain amusement and way to use my detective skills.'' She shrugs and swallows with difficulty in the middle. I am the one who analyzes carefully now, noticing her hands playing with her rings and her leg bouncing.

''If there's one thing I understand it's changes and our crazy need to hold on to old habits in any way we can,'' I say slowly, and she stares at me curiously. ''But my story is a long one,'' I conclude, putting a few strands of my hair behind my ear, taking a step back.

''Please, let me buy you lunch in this good and small place on Wednesday and we can both tell our long stories,'' Akira suggests as she searches for something inside her red purse. Then she stretches her arm, handing me a card with her number on. When she notices my hesitation, her lips move again, ''I don't know you, but sometimes all I need is a new pair of ears to listen to me. And God knows how I'm in need of a female company after having to stand my brother and his stupid friends for so long.''

I find myself wrapping the card in my fingers, bringing it up to the pocket of my jeans and nodding my head, smiling.

''Good lunch on Wednesday, then,'' I say, hoping that by then she will have taken it down a notch her analyzing skills.

''Good and cheap lunch on Wednesday,'' Akira adds, winking.

A cold breeze passes through us, swaying both our hairs as the owner begins to collect the flowers to close the shop. ''I'll send you a message later. I'll leave you with your sunflower now.'' I move a little, being ready to turn and walk away while her eyes soften, her breath getting stuck in her throat.

''Of course, thank you very much. I hope you enjoy the town.'' She sighs at the end, being able to breathe again and, damn it, how I understand that feeling. It's even scarier to see the same in other people, just now realizing how much it weighs on someone.

''Nice to meet you, Akira.'' My voice is sweet and honest.

''Oh, please. The pleasure is all mine.'' Her hand swings nonchalantly and I start walking again, leaving her to buy the flower.

For a moment, it is easier to breath and I don't want to go back to the hotel. My body is tired, but I know I won't sleep anytime soon.

I cross the street in strides. And I follow the sidewalk alongside the coastline, climbing in the opposite direction to my hotel, being guided for about two kilometers to the staircase that I saw earlier, leading to the sand.

As I go down the steps, my arms curl around my waist, trying to warm me up against the strong winds coming from the sea.

The dark waters are stronger now, their waves bigger, breaking heavily at the end. The sounds bring good and bad memories, both mixing in the middle of this starry night.

My boot smashes the sand as I carefully walk until it begins to decline towards the sea, and I decide to sit down. I feel myself sinking into the dry grains of sand, bringing my knees closer to me.

I wrap my legs with my arms and just watch my surroundings. The strands of my hair flying everywhere. And from a distance I see a tall, masculine figure.

Just like me, he seems to be lost in thoughts. I can't see his face, but the waning moon brightens his body. My head leans to the side, finding the top of my knees as I admire the wind messing the unknown man's hair.

My shoulders weigh and I honestly don't know where I'm going with my life. Observing the same weight in Akira made me realize how fucked up I really am. And it's so tiring. And I pray that this trip really is the answer to all the questions I don't even know how to formulate.

The anonymous man kicks the sand frustratedly, his choked scream waking me from my thoughts as I look away from him. I know no one wants an audience while breaking down so I decide to give him a little privacy as my eyes rise, looking up.

A shooting star cuts the sky and I smile. Even the most unlikely things happen at least once. And who the fuck would have guessed I would end up here – in a small town, alone, sharing the night and frustration with a stranger while one bright light passes through the sky.

Perhaps, as unlikely as it may seem, one day I'll not be broken anymore. And if there's even the slightest possibility of that happening in here, I just have to keep going.

——•:•——
HOPE YOU ENJOYED THE CHAPTER. DON'T FORGET TO VOTE. THANKS FOR READING

- It is more descriptive because I had to introduce the town and stuff. Hope it wasn't boring

- We have finally meet Akira, our future MC for a future book

*this chapter is dedicated to my amazing twin anyamitri

[Sneak Peak CH8: We finally meet Victor!!!!!]