POV Victoria

My beating heart pulses in my ears.

I can't look away as my mom studies the glossy brochure of the trip to Europe my school is hosting this summer.

Biting my top lip in apprehension, I lean over the kitchen counter. Waiting for her answer.

Was she going to say yes? Or will it be the traditional, maybe?

My mom's bottom lip curves into a slight smile.

So far, so good.

She finds the price of the trip. I hold my breath, and her eyes widen. When the shock passes, her forehead furrows, and a frown appears on her lips. I mentally curse, knowing my dream of going to France isn't happening.

"Victoria, this will cost us a lot of money. But I know how much you want to go to France," she says, a sincere smile covering her tan complexion. "This trip might be a good opportunity for you."

"Are you saying I can go?"

My mom chuckles at my excitement and places her hands on my shoulder.

"It's a wonderful idea Mija, but..."

Great, there's that annoying 'but.'

"But?" I ask, not wanting to hear what comes out of her mouth next.

"You need to ask your Papi. You know how he is with these kinds of things." She gives me an apologetic look.

I groan, remembering how protective my dad is.

Miguel Rodriguez, or who I call Papi, is the family bodyguard on steroids.

He's always behind our backs, making sure we aren't out on the street past curfew because, according to him, "Uno nunca sabe."

"Mami, he's going to say no. What should I do?" The image of me in front of the Eiffel Tower fades away with my words.

"I'll talk to him." She places a hand on my cheek, and I nod in appreciation before heading to my room to call my cousin Sofia to tell her the news. Not even a minute later, her voice fills my ear.

"Hello?"

"Sofia! Remember the trip to France our school is hosting this summer?" My words come out rushed and full of excitement.

"Um, yes?"

"My mom said I might go if my dad agrees!" I beam, and Sofia squeals.

"Victoria, that's amazing. Ahh, hot European guys!" She sighs dreamily, and I laugh at her girlish thoughts.

"Sofia, why don't you come with me?" She stays silent, and I continue, "remember how much we wanted to do this together? This is our chance to see the world."

"I don't know Victoria... I want to go, but you know how my parents are." There's a hint of disappointment behind her words, but after thinking about it for a minute, she caves in, and I'm sure it's from the thought of meeting a 'hot European guy.' "I'll let my parents know about it tonight, and maybe your mom can help change their minds if they say no?"

"Of course!" I assure her.

"We're going to France." She sighs.

"Maybe," I correct her.

"Right," comes her sheepish response.

After hanging up the phone, I head to the kitchen when the front door opens, signaling my dad is home.

My eyes fall on the trip brochure, and I bite my bottom lip while my right foot taps below me.

I watch as my dad sets his lunch box on the counter. He offers me a smile, and I give him a nervous one in return. His brows furrow in concern when he notices my nervousness, but he says nothing and washes the dirt from his callous hands.

I warn myself not to say a word about the trip until my mom talks to him, but I don't listen to my conscience, and the next second I'm blurting out my request.

"Can I go to Europe in the summer?" I slap my hands over my mouth and stare in horror as my dad's back tenses through his dark blue work uniform.

He slowly turns to face me.

"What?" His booming voice reflects off the walls, and I grimace when I notice his eyes are wide with shock.

I let out a nervous laugh, avoiding his stare.

"Umm..." I mutter, unable to form any words.

He raises both eyebrows, waiting for my explanation. When no words come from me, he crosses his arms over his chest.

I swallow the tightness in my throat and take a deep breath before telling him about the trip.

"Papi, my school is hosting a trip to France in the summer, and I was hoping I could go." His forehead creases into three lines of disapproval. "Mami said yes!"

My dad exhales a sharp breath and pinches the bridge of his nose in frustration.

"No," he says, and his voice is firm, leaving no room for argument.

The kitchen is silent, and all I can do is look into his eyes, mine becoming blurry from my unshed tears. He didn't even think about it.

"Please, Papi, this is my dream to go to Europe, to Paris. I've been good, and I have good grades." My voice breaks, and his eyes soften when he sees how much I want to go to France. "Can this trip be my graduation present?" I plead, trying to hold in my tears, but it's becoming harder by the second.

There's a moment of silence, which he breaks with a sigh.

He brings me into a hug.

"Cariño, it's too dangerous. I can't let you go to another country all by yourself. I'm sorry." He lets out a breath, and I nod weakly to avoid an argument.

As I make my way out of the kitchen, I place the brochure in his hands, hoping he might reconsider.

A few hours later, I sit in silence as my family has dinner.

When I muster the courage to lift my head, the first person I see is my fifteen-year-old brother, Cristian. Then I glance at my older sister Eloisa and her husband, Mathew. I sigh, watching as they whisper to one another with a smile on both their faces.

A cough from my right brings me out of my daze. I turn toward the noise to see my mom smiling at me. She elbows my dad on his side, prompting me to give them a questioning stare.

"Victoria, I talked to your mom, and she's changed my decision to let you go to France, but—"

I don't let him finish because I jump out of my seat to hug him and my mom.

"Papi, I already know the rules," I say, rolling my eyes, and he grunts. "I need to call you and tell you what I'm doing and where I'm going," I repeat the speech he gives me every time I go out.

"I'm serious, Victoria. I want to know you're safe, and you need to promise me you'll stay close to the adults," he warns, his voice dropping.

"Papi, nothing will happen to me." I smile at him, excited for the next six months to fly by.