Hello everyone. I have been a long time lurker on this site but have never posted a story. This post won’t contain a fight but will set the stage for a battle between two backpackers who have a strange encounter in a European hostel. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.
Backpacker Brawl Part 1
Rachel Thomas couldn’t remember the last time she had been this excited. After four years of grueling work, she had finally graduated from the University of Utah, and the whole world seemed to be opening up before her. Taking a gap year before applying to medical school felt like the perfect way to pause, breathe, and experience life beyond textbooks and late-night study sessions. She had meticulously planned a three-month backpacking trip across Western Europe, beginning in Italy and ending in Portugal, where she would catch a flight back home. It was the adventure she had dreamed of for years.
Now, as her plane touched down at Leonardo da Vinci Airport in Rome, Rachel’s pulse quickened. The warm Italian sunlight bathed the airport tarmac, and she felt a giddy sense of freedom. Everything about the moment felt new: the unfamiliar scents of jet fuel and foreign food in the air, the cacophony of voices in Italian and other languages she didn’t yet understand, and the knowledge that for the next three months, she would be untethered, free to explore at her own pace.
Jamie, her boyfriend of seven months, wouldn’t join her for a few more weeks. He was visiting family in California and planned to meet her in Greece, where they’d spend two weeks together exploring the islands. She missed him already but knew the time apart would make their reunion all the sweeter. Rachel often joked that they were so similar they could have been mistaken for siblings, with their shared green eyes and blond hair. Her curls contrasted with Jamie’s sleek, straight locks, but their easy laughter and shared dreams of medical school made them feel like a perfect match. Marriage was already a frequent topic between them, though neither was in a rush.
Stepping out of the arrivals terminal, Rachel hailed a cab, her large blue rucksack slung over her shoulder. She heaved it into the trunk with a satisfied grin and climbed into the back seat. “Via del Tramonto, per favore,” she told the driver, her tongue stumbling over the Italian. She had carefully selected the Sunset Haven Hostel, a budget-friendly spot near the city center with great reviews for its cleanliness and friendly staff.
The drive into Rome felt like stepping into a movie. Ancient ruins rose unexpectedly between bustling streets, scooters zipped past at reckless speeds, and flower-draped balconies overlooked cobblestone alleys. The cab deposited her in front of the hostel, an unassuming building with cheerful yellow shutters and a small sign hanging above the entrance. She paid the driver and grabbed her bag, anticipation bubbling in her chest.
Inside, the hostel buzzed with life. A young woman with a French accent checked her in, handing her a keycard and gesturing toward a large, airy dormitory upstairs. “You’re in room 14. Top bunk, bed 7,” she said with a smile. Rachel thanked her and climbed the narrow staircase, lugging her rucksack behind her.
The dorm room was surprisingly pleasant, she noted with relief. The rows of ten sturdy bunk beds were painted white and looked clean and well-maintained. Each bed was partially enclosed, with three solid walls, a small ladder, and a privacy curtain that could be drawn shut. A tiny reading light and USB charging port were tucked inside each enclosure. Beneath the beds, individual lockers provided secure storage. It was far better than some of the horror stories she’d heard about overcrowded, dingy hostels.
Rachel stowed her belongings in her assigned locker, changed into her favorite travel outfit—a soft t-shirt, jeans, and her well-worn leather boots—and set out to explore the Eternal City. Rome felt like a living museum, and she spent the afternoon wandering between the Colosseum, the Trevi Fountain, and the narrow streets of Trastevere, marveling at the juxtaposition of ancient history and modern life. It was so very different than Utah. The air was filled with the aroma of espresso and fresh pasta, and she promised herself she’d find the perfect little trattoria for dinner later.
When she returned to the hostel that evening, pleasantly tired but satisfied, she climbed the stairs to her dorm, eager to relax in her cozy bed. Sliding back the privacy curtain, she froze. A green backpack sat on her mattress, its Canadian flag patch unmistakable. For a moment, she stared at it in confusion, as if the bag might explain its presence.
Her first thought was that it looked vaguely similar to her own, but a quick glance at her locker confirmed that her rucksack was still safely stowed. She frowned, annoyed at the intrusion. Hostels were supposed to be communal, yes, but there were boundaries. She glanced around the room for the bag’s owner. The only other person in sight was a middle-aged man a few rows down, speaking softly in German over the phone.
With a sigh, she decided to leave the problem for later. Hostels were unpredictable, and surely whoever owned the bag would realize their mistake and move it. Besides, she wasn’t ready to settle in just yet. She was already dressed, so she decided to just head out and get some dinner.
Rachel made her way down the stairs and into the lobby when she heard a voice from the front desk.
“Yeah, I was just wondering if you had any spare keys to the lockers,” someone was saying, “because I guess somebody locked their stuff up in mine by mistake.”
“Oh yeah, for sure,” came the familiar voice of the sexy Australian guy who had checked her in earlier. “What was your bed number then?”
“Room 14, Bed 7.”
Rachel turned and looked over at the desk. A young, brown-haired woman about her age was standing there. She was probably about two inches shorter than Rachel’s own 5’7” and had a similarly athletic build. She looked like a fellow backpacker Her outfit was nearly identical too: rolled-up green hiking pants and a t-shirt, but she had on Teva sandals in stead of boots.
Rachel hesitated for a moment, then started toward the desk, speaking up as she approached. “Hey, sorry. I think you’re talking about me.”
The other girl turned toward her, frowning slightly. “What?”
“Yeah, sorry for eavesdropping, but you said you were in Room 14, Bed 7, right?”
“Yeah, I did,” the brunette replied, looking puzzled.
“Sorry, but I think you might be in the wrong bed because that’s the one I’m in. That’s my stuff in the locker.”
“Oh, are you sure?” the other woman asked, glancing at her bag. She looked apologetic but skeptical. “Because I’m pretty sure I’m in the right one. I have my key card right here.”
With that, she pulled out a key card with “Room 14, Bed 7” written on it in red pen.
“Oh, okay. Well, there must be a mix-up then because I have the same thing,” Rachel said, pulling out her own card with the identical writing.
Both women turned to the worker at the front desk, who was now looking equally confused.
“Shit,” the desk worker muttered. He rubbed the back of his neck, clearly embarrassed. “I’m really sorry. It looks like we might have double-booked you.” He began typing on the computer, his expression tightening as he checked availability. After a moment, he frowned. “We’re completely booked solid.”
Rachel sighed, frustrated. “Is there another hostel nearby that might have room?”
The other girl shook her head. “I’ve been looking online, and everything else is pretty full this time of year, at least anywhere close to the city center.”
Rachel pulled out her phone and opened the HostelWorld app. The other woman walked beside her and looked at her phone over her shoulder. Sure enough, the brunette was right. Everything remotely affordable was either booked up or too far from where she wanted to be.
The hostel worker offered an apologetic shrug. “I’m really sorry. There’s nothing else I can do.”
Rachel felt a pang of annoyance, more at the hot, but apparently dim man behind the desk than the young woman beside her. She didn’t blame her of course, it wasn’t her fault, and it’s wasn’t like she wanted her to be forced out.
For a moment, she and the other girl stood in awkward silence, both clearly debating their next move. Then, the brunette suddenly spoke up.
“Hey, you know what? I’m cool with just sharing the bed if you are,” she said with a shrug. “That might be easier than trying to find something new at this time of night.”
Rachel blinked, taken aback. Sharing a bed with a total stranger? The other girl seemed nice enough, but they didn’t even know each other’s names yet. On the other hand, finding something in her price range now would probably be a huge hassle. It could take hours, and she’d risk ending up in a sketchy place. And really, how different would this be from sharing a bed with her mom or sister on road trips?
“Okay, sure,” Rachel said after a moment’s thought. “I guess that would work. Definitely better than trying to find another place. It’s a pretty big bed.”
"Okay, perfect,” the other girl said with a beaming smile. She held out a hand. “I’m Claire, by the way.”
“Rachel,” she replied, shaking her hand. “I was just about to grab a bite to eat and then check out the Forum. Want to come?”
“Oh, yeah, for sure,” Claire said eagerly. “Do you mind if I just throw my bag in the locker first? I think there should be plenty of room.”
“Go for it,” Rachel said, smiling.
As she stood there, watching Claire hurry toward the stairs, Rachel felt a mix of emotions. She was relieved they’d found a solution but couldn’t quite shake the strangeness of the situation. Sharing a bed with someone she’d just met was definitely not how she’d envisioned her first night in Rome. Still, Claire seemed friendly, and maybe this was just part of the adventure she’d signed up for. After all, wasn’t the whole point of this trip to embrace the unexpected?
After leaving the hostel, Rachel and Claire wandered through the lively streets of Rome, the evening air warm and buzzing with energy. They strolled past ancient ruins and bustling piazzas, stopping to admire the Colosseum lit up against the night sky. Both women quickly discovered how much they had in common. Claire, like Rachel, was traveling after graduating college and taking a gap year before starting a career in environmental science.
I almost went to the University of Utah, actually,” Claire said as they walked. “But then I ended up at McGill in Montreal. Too cold sometimes, but I loved it.”
Small world,” Rachel replied with a grin. “I had a roommate freshman year who went to McGill. She was always trying to convince me to visit. Maybe I should’ve.”
By the time they returned to the hostel a few hours later, Rachel felt like she’d made a real connection. Claire was easy to talk to, and they already shared the kind of banter that made Rachel think they could become great friends.
Back at the hostel, they each grabbed their toiletries and headed to the showers. The shared bathrooms were cleaner than Rachel had expected, which was a relief. After showering, Rachel changed into cotton shorts and a tank top, brushing out her damp curls before heading back to the bed they somehow shared. Claire followed shortly after, dressed in similar sleepwear. They both laughed at how alike their styles were.
As Rachel climbed into the bed first, she pulled back the covers and settled against the far side of the mattress, her back to the wooden panel. Claire climbed up after her and slipped under the covers as well.
"Hey,” Claire said, her voice light but earnest. “Just to give you a fair warning, I’m a bit of an active sleeper, so apologies in advance if I bump you.”
Rachel laughed, adjusting her pillow. “Oh, no problem. And same, by the way. When I used to travel with my family, they always made me sleep by myself on the couch.”
Claire grinned. “Haha, my sister used to say that sharing a bed with me was like being in a fistfight.”
Well, hopefully, we can make it through the night without any black eyes or bloody noses!” Rachel teased.
They both laughed, the sound easing some of the lingering awkwardness at the situation. Claire turned toward Rachel, her expression softening.
Sorry again about this,” she said quietly. “I know it’s not ideal.”
“Oh, it’s totally fine,” Rachel replied, smiling. “It’s not like it was your fault. Plus, I’m glad we met. I had fun today.”
Thanks, I did too,” Claire said, her smile widening. “Are you ready for bed, then?”
“Oh yeah, definitely,” Rachel said, reaching up to turn off the small reading light attached to the bed. The curtain around their bunk softened the dim glow of the room’s ambient light.
“Good night,” Claire murmured.
“Good night,” Rachel replied, settling onto her side. She closed her eyes, feeling the mattress shift slightly as Claire adjusted herself. Sharing a bed with a stranger wasn’t exactly what she’d planned, but Claire seemed great, and Rachel couldn’t help but think she’d lucked out with her new travel companion.
With that, they turned away from each other, each shifting slightly as they sought a more comfortable position. It was a bit odd to feel the body of a woman who was still basically a stranger next to her. The bed was big enough that they weren’t actually touching, but Rachel could feel the other girl moving slightly, hear her shallow breathing, and feel the heat emanating off her body.
However, her body was tired from a day of travel and walking around for a few hours in the heat of the Italian summer. Despite the odd sleeping arrangements, she fell into slumber quickly.
Suddenly, Rachel jolted awake as she felt something hit her leg. Blinking in the dim light, she realized it was Claire’s foot. Still groggy, she shifted slightly, thinking it was a one-off. But just as she began to drift off again, the other woman’s foot struck her leg once more, this time a little harder.
Rachel sighed quietly, pulling her legs up slightly to avoid further contact. But it didn’t help. Just when she thought she was about to fall asleep again, she felt Claire’s butt bump into hers—once, then again a few seconds later.
At first, Rachel froze. She didn’t want to disturb the other girl, especially if Claire was still asleep. But she also couldn’t just let herself be shoved against the back panel all night. Tentatively, she pushed her butt back, hoping it would gently encourage Claire to move over.
To her surprise, Claire pushed back.
Rachel’s eyes widened slightly in the dark. Was Claire asleep or awake? She couldn’t tell. The room was silent except for their breathing and the occasional rustle of sheets. Still, Rachel held her ground, pressing back more firmly this time.
Claire responded immediately, shoving her hips back with a surprising amount of force. Rachel felt a flicker of annoyance but also a strange… sense of challenge.
She pressed her legs against Claire’s, her calf nudging the other woman’s. Claire didn’t back down; instead, she pushed back harder, her foot sliding up against Rachel’s shin.
Rachel’s mind flitted back to their earlier conversation. “When I used to travel with my family, they’d make me sleep by myself on the couch,” she had said, and Claire had laughed about how sharing a bed with her was like being in a fistfight. Apparently Claire hadn’t been exaggerating.
Their butts were now firmly pressed against each other, each refusing to give an inch. Rachel could feel the solid muscle of Claire’s ass against hers, the slight shift, flex, and push as Claire adjusted and pressed back with even more determination. The sensation was oddly intimate, and Rachel couldn’t help but marvel at how absurdly stubborn she was being, shoving her ass against a woman who she had just met and who she was pretty certain was asleep.
The pushing continued, neither of them giving an inch. It wasn’t aggressive, exactly, but it was persistent. Rachel couldn’t help but stifle a small, incredulous laugh under her breath. Of all the bizarre experiences she’d imagined having while had traveling, this was not one she had thought of. And yet, she didn’t entirely mind. There was something oddly funny—and maybe even a little exhilarating—about this silent tug-of-war in the dark.
Finally, Rachel whispered, “Claire?”
There was no response, just the soft, steady sound of Claire’s breathing. Rachel shook her head, a faint smile tugging at her lips. Whether awake or asleep, Claire seemed determined to hold her ground. Sighing, Rachel relaxed into the mattress and decided to let the battle play itself out. After all, it was just one night—and somehow, she was certain it was one she’d remember for a long time.
The next morning, neither of them mentioned the jostling from the night before. Claire was already awake when Rachel opened her eyes, pulling her hair into a loose ponytail as she quietly gathered her things. Rachel yawned, stretched, and climbed out of bed. They exchanged casual good mornings, both acting as though the night had been completely uneventful. They got dressed and headed downstairs to the hostel’s communal kitchen for breakfast, which was free and bustling with travelers chatting in various languages.
Over toast and coffee, Claire mentioned her plan to visit a specific museum that day. “I’ve got tickets for the exhibition at the Colosseum—had to reserve them weeks ago. It’s supposed to be incredible.”
“Oh, I’ve got tickets for that too,” Rachel said, “but mine are for tomorrow.”
“Ah, well, you’ll love it. I’ll tell you if it’s worth the hype,” Claire replied with a grin as she finished her coffee. “What are you planning to do today, then?”
“Probably wander around a bit, maybe check out one of the parks nearby,” Rachel said. “I might just take it easy.”
After breakfast, Claire left for the museum, and Rachel decided to stroll to a nearby park she had noticed the day before. The morning air was warm but refreshing, the shade of the trees offering a pleasant respite from the sun. Finding an empty bench, she pulled out her phone and called her boyfriend. It had been a few days since they last spoke, and hearing his voice instantly brought a smile to her face.
“Hey, babe,” he said, his tone bright and affectionate. “How’s Italy treating you?”
“It’s amazing,” Rachel replied, “the food, the sights, everything. I can’t wait to show you all the pictures when you get here. Only two more weeks, right?”
“Yeah, feels like forever though. I miss you,” he said, a hint of longing in his voice.
“I miss you too,” she said softly. “How’s everything back home?”
They chatted briefly about his internship and a party he had gone to over the weekend, before he asked, “So, how did you sleep last night? You sounded wiped out when we texted.”
Rachel hesitated for a moment, then laughed. “Okay, so get this: there was a mix-up at the hostel, and I ended up having to share a bed with a stranger. Turns out she’s actually super nice, but yeah, we shared the bed.”
“No way,” he said, laughing. “You? Sharing a bed with someone you just met? I bet that was interesting.”
“Oh, it gets better,” Rachel said, giggling. “She’s apparently an active sleeper, and she kept bumping into me all night. At first it was just her foot hitting my leg, but then she’s full-on pushing me with her butt.”
“Damn, well now you know how I feel, baby! If she’s even half as bad as you are, you two must have been having a straight-up wrestling match in your sleep,” he teased.
Rachel laughed harder. “Okay, yeah, fair enough. But honestly? We were pretty evenly matched. I had to bump her back. To defend myself, obviously!”
“Well that’s what all those squats are for, right, Rach? Just use that ass and bump her on out of there, babe!”
“Exactly,” she said, still laughing.
“Well, I’m rooting for Claire to get some payback for me,” he said with a grin in his voice. “Maybe she’ll succeed where I’ve failed.”
“Not a chance,” Rachel replied, still chuckling. “I held my ground. It was a draw at best.”
“Alright, alright, but don’t let your guard down. She might come back swinging tonight.”
They both laughed before easing into a different topic of conversation. They talked a little longer before saying their goodbyes, exchanging “I love you’s and promises to call again soon.
