chapter three:
❛ falling buildings ❜

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Eloise sat beside Peter on the boat ride, the sun casting a warm glow on the water. She leaned against the railing, watching her best friend Chiara pose playfully with Ned, her camera flashing as they snapped pictures. "I can't believe that Chiara and Ned are a thing," Eloise gaped, shaking her head in disbelief.

Peter chuckled softly, glancing at Eloise. He had been stealing glances at her for a good five minutes, captivated by the way her eyes sparkled in the sunlight. "Y-yeah, I think they're cute," he managed to say, his voice slightly shy.

Eloise turned to him, her smile infectious. "Yeah, they're soulmates," she sang, her voice light and teasing, and the two of them laughed together, the sound mixing with the gentle lapping of the water against the boat.

As the boat approached the dock, it came to a stop in front of the hotel. Mr. Harrington, their group leader, announced, "Looks like we're here. They're doing renovations to the place-getting some upgrades."

Eloise eyed the building with curiosity and apprehension as she stepped off the boat. The moment her foot hit the dock, she almost slipped on a slick surface, but Peter was quick to react, grabbing her waist and steadying her. Eloise giggled, her cheeks flushing. "Nice save, Peter," she said, beaming up at him. Peter felt a warmth spread through him, a slight blush creeping onto his face.

Inside the hotel, the atmosphere changed. Chiara glanced around, wrinkling her nose as she leaned into Eloise. "This place is a dump," she muttered, eyeing the peeling paint and worn carpet. Eloise nudged her in the side, a playful reprimand.

Just then, Flash, another member of their group, piped up. "This place is sinking!" He gestured to a puddle forming on the floor, adding to the grim ambiance.

"You mean charming," Mr. Harrington corrected, trying to maintain a positive spin on their surroundings.

"It stinks," Chiara retorted, crossing her arms as they moved deeper into the building.

"Okay, everybody, drop your bags off. We're gonna meet at the Da Vinci Museum at 3. Let's go!" Dr. Bell exclaimed, her enthusiasm attempting to lift the group's spirits.

Eloise and Chiara headed toward their assigned room, their footsteps echoing in the dimly lit hallway. When they finally reached the door and pushed it open, both girls halted in surprise. The room was small and cramped, with barely enough space for two twin beds and a rickety dresser.

Chiara's expression soured as she surveyed the space. "Seriously? This is it?" she complained, tossing her bag onto one of the beds with a huff. "I feel like I'm in a closet!"

Eloise couldn't help but giggle, despite the disappointment. "At least we have a view of the... uh, parking lot?" She tried to make light of the situation, but Chiara rolled her eyes, clearly unimpressed.

"This is not what I signed up for," Chiara grumbled, flopping onto the bed dramatically. Eloise sat beside her, trying to stifle her laughter.

"We'll make the best of it," Eloise said cheerfully, nudging her friend. "Think of it as an adventure!"

Chiara groaned but couldn't hide the hint of a smile creeping onto her face. "Fine, but I expect five-star service from our little 'closet' here."

Eloise chuckled, feeling the bond between them strengthen, even in the face of the unexpected.

Eloise and Chiara strolled through the sun-drenched streets of Venice, the aroma of fresh pasta wafting from nearby restaurants. The vibrant colors of the buildings reflected off the canals, creating a picturesque backdrop for their adventure. Chiara spun around on her heels, her camera clicking as she captured the essence of the city. "This place is absolutely magical!" she exclaimed, her voice filled with enthusiasm.

Eloise smiled, her heart soaring as she admired the scene. "I know, right? It feels like we've stepped into a postcard." She raised her camera and snapped a candid shot of Chiara, who struck a playful pose with her arms stretched wide, embodying the joy of the moment.

After wandering through several quaint shops, they entered a small boutique filled with handmade crafts and colorful souvenirs. Chiara picked up a delicate glass pendant, and Eloise marveled at the intricate masks displayed on the walls. With their arms laden with unique finds, they stepped back into the bustling street, sunlight streaming down.

As they walked, Eloise felt a sudden jolt as she bumped into MJ, who was casually leaning against the shop's entrance, a mischievous glint in his eye. "Hey, you two!" he called out, a teasing smile spreading across his face.

"MJ!" Chiara exclaimed, her eyes lighting up. "What are you doing here?"

MJ pushed himself off the wall, a smirk playing on his lips. "I was just watching the show. Did you know Peter's been, like, staring at you all day, Eloise? I swear he's been following you around like a puppy."

Eloise's cheeks flushed instantly, and she shot a glance at Chiara, who looked ready to burst. "Holy shit, girl! I called it! He definitely has a thing for you!"

Eloise shook her head, feeling flustered. "No way! He's probably still in disbelief that we're the same age now. I mean, we've known each other forever; it's just Peter!"

Chiara nudged Eloise with her elbow, her grin widening. "Come on, you can't tell me you haven't noticed how he looks at you. It's not just friendly; there's something else there!"

"Seriously, it's nothing," Eloise insisted, though a flutter of excitement raced through her at the thought of Peter's gaze lingering on her. "We're all just having fun together."

MJ raised an eyebrow, clearly not buying it. "Uh-huh, sure. Just fun. But if he's staring at you like that, I think you should take it as a compliment. It's not every day you find someone who looks at you like that."

Eloise sighed, torn between embarrassment and a flicker of hope. "Fine, maybe he's cute. But I'm not getting my hopes up. Friends don't just turn into something more overnight."

Chiara was relentless, her playful nudging turning into an enthusiastic push. "Friends who clearly have some serious chemistry! You can't deny that."

"Okay, okay," Eloise laughed, trying to keep her tone light, but her heart raced at the prospect. "But let's not dwell on that. What do you want to do next?"

MJ chuckled, shaking his head as he watched the two girls. "You're in denial, but I'll let you have your moment. Just don't say I didn't warn you when he makes a move."

Eloise rolled her eyes, her laughter bubbling up. "Enough about Peter! Let's find something else to take pictures of. Look, there's that beautiful gondola over there!"

As they walked on, Eloise felt the warmth of the sun on her skin and the thrill of adventure in her heart. She couldn't shake the feeling that maybe, just maybe, there was something more between her and Peter, but for now, she was content to enjoy the day with her best friend, capturing memories in the magical city of Venice.

As Eloise and Chiara wandered through the sun-soaked streets of Venice, they were surrounded by the city's enchanting beauty. The vibrant colors of the buildings reflected in the shimmering canals, and the aroma of freshly baked pastries wafted through the air, tantalizing their senses. Chiara twirled around a corner, her laughter bubbling as she snapped pictures with her camera, capturing every moment.

"Look! There's Peter!" Chiara suddenly exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with mischief. Without waiting for a response, she playfully pushed Eloise toward him and took off, a cheeky grin plastered on her face.

Eloise stumbled, her heart racing as she tried to regain her balance. She didn't realize how close they were to the edge of a canal until it was too late. With a splash, she plunged into the cool water, her breath caught in surprise. "Chiara! I'm gonna kill you!" she shouted, her voice ringing out as she surfaced, water streaming down her face.

Peter gasped, his expression shifting from shock to concern as he sprinted toward the riverbank. "Eloise!" he called out, urgency lacing his voice. Eloise paddled frantically, her heart pounding, and swam toward him. He extended his hand, his grip firm as he pulled her from the water, the cold shocking her system.

"Are you okay?" Peter asked, his brow furrowed with worry.

Eloise squeezed the excess water from her hair, a giggle escaping her lips despite the situation. "I'm okay! Just another day with Chiara!" She flashed a bright smile, trying to lighten the mood, and Peter couldn't help but smile back, a mix of relief and admiration in his eyes.

"Walk with me?" Eloise suggested, and he nodded, glad to be by her side again. They stepped onto the nearby stairs, where the sunlight danced on the water's surface, momentarily lifting the weight of the world from their shoulders.

Suddenly, an Italian man approached them, holding a single red rose. "Hey. German? American?" he asked, his accent thick as he studied them.

Eloise furrowed her brow in curiosity. "A rose for you?" he said, extending the flower toward her. Eloise turned to Peter, her eyes brightening as she accepted it. "Aw, Peter, you got me a flower?" she gushed, her heart fluttering with delight.

Peter shook his head, his cheeks flushing slightly, but Eloise didn't notice his embarrassment. She twirled the rose between her fingers, savoring the moment, until her gaze fell on the small bag the man was holding. "What's in the bag?" she asked, intrigued.

"Oh, uh... boh," he replied, a hint of uncertainty in his tone.

Eloise blinked in confusion. "A word that MJ is obsessed with now. It's anti-aloha here," Peter explained, trying to keep the atmosphere light. Eloise laughed, the sound brightening the air around them, but then the ground beneath them began to tremble.

"Peter. I'm not going crazy, right?" she asked, her voice shaky as the vibrations intensified.

"No, you're not!" Peter replied, his eyes widening in alarm. They turned to the water, where an enormous wave was rising, swelling ominously. Eloise's heart dropped as she spotted Chiara and Ned in a small boat nearby.

"Oh my god! Chiara and Ned are gonna die!" she exclaimed, panic surging through her.

"Get to safety, Eloise, okay? I'm- I'm gonna find some help!" Peter shouted, determination in his voice.

"Peter!" she called, but he was already sprinting away, leaving her feeling momentarily stranded. She groaned in frustration, adrenaline kicking in as she dashed forward, weaving through the panicked crowd.

Suddenly, the sound of glass shattering echoed around her. Instinctively, she covered her head, heart racing as she pushed ahead. Just as she rounded a corner, her foot caught on a loose cobblestone, sending her sprawling to the ground.

"Eloise!" Chiara's voice pierced through the chaos. She and Ned rushed to her side, concern etched on their faces. "Are you okay?" Chiara asked, her eyes wide with worry.

"I'm fine! I'm just glad you two are okay!" Eloise replied, relief flooding through her as she looked at her best friend and Ned. She quickly got to her feet, shaking off the water and dirt.

"We need to get out of here!" Ned urged, glancing back at the rising water, which churned dangerously close.

"Let's go!" Eloise shouted, her heart racing as they took off together, sprinting down the street. The sound of chaos surrounded them-people screaming, vendors packing up their goods, and the ground rumbling ominously beneath their feet.

Eloise felt a rush of fear mixed with determination. She couldn't lose her friends, not now. As they ran, she could feel the tension in the air, a mixture of excitement and dread pushing them forward. The beautiful city they had come to explore now felt like a chaotic race against time.

ASH SPEAKS!

short chapter sorryyyy!!!

i love peter and eloise so much>>

PLEASE DONT BE A GHOST READER!
COMMENT AND VOTE! IT HELPS US WRITERS STAY MOTIVATED:)