España

Today, was the D-day. The day I and Kye have been longing, wishing, dreaming, and begging for- our first ever solo(without adult supervision) trip.

Obviously, my stoic cousin was still tagging along but we will just ignore him like the instruction manual that comes with every gaming console.

Our flight to Spain was at 3:00 (yeah in the morning). We had some other timings available on the same day but this was the cheapest one and who did not enjoy an empty spacious airport.

Of course, my parents had to accompany us to the airports and make sure we texted them once we were on the flight, off the flight, in the hotel, and just before sleeping and after that, before any miscellaneous thing we decided to do.

The flight was quick, smooth, and sweet. We didn't even notice when we landed in Spain; in between all the excitement and giggling even Lawrence had gotten annoyed enough to shift to the empty seats of the other row.

I loved the cities more at night so we had an unintentional night out till we reached Kye's vacation home just on the outskirts of town. Lawrence wouldn't be entertained this early at his college dormitories so he had to stay with us or as he said–he stayed with us for our 'protection.'

We never went to sleep that night. All we could think of was what to do NEXT. Kye couldn't shut up about how her father had never brought her to Spain while having a literal mansion built in his name. I on the other hand was finally happy to have escaped my parents and that suffocating household. We kept talking about all the typical girly stuff-  what to wear, where to shop, how to pose for pics, if Spanish guys were hot, and most importantly what to EAT.

Speaking on the topic of Spanish guys I was reminded of Aimé. I told Kye about the hill and how we met and how he could be a better guide than Lawrence. Kye was okay with it except for the fact that I had told her about the hill this late and never even mentioned this hot guy before.

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It was 9 and Lawrence had finally graced us with his presence so that we could at last leave for the city. I had worn a baby blue, sleeveless, pointelle top with laces and petite bows along with some white shorts and a soft white knitted cardigan. While Kye had decided to go with a short summer dress with cute strawberry motifs all over. Her dress also had puff sleeves and an adjustable bodice along with some laced edges. We wore our Mary Jane's and ran for the cab. Squished in the backseat along with Lawrence we decided to show him our day's plan. He wasn't the least bit interested in it but we had the obligation to do so cause of our parents. At least, he left us alone once he reached his college.

I had already messaged Aimé about our arrival in Spain and he was on his way to Barcelona the last time we spoke.

We both stood at the bus stop he had mentioned looking like lost puppies.

After a while, some random guys decided to approach us; probably seeing how lost and alone we looked. I may not have mastered Spanish yet but these guys were disgustingly flirting with us.

Rando guy 1: Hola chicas, ¿buscan papás en la ciudad?[=Hello girls, are you looking for any daddies the city?]

Rando guy 2: No parece que te entiendan, hijo de puta. Probablemente italiana o francesa.[=They don't seem to understand you, son of a bitch. Probably Italian or French.] Hey, don't worry he was just asking y'all if y'all wanted to go have some drinks with us on his yacht.

Rando guy 1: Oye, ¿desde cuándo carajo tengo un yate?[=Hey, since when the fuck did I have a yacht?)

Rando guy 3: cállate hermano![=shut up bro] Come, come, there's our car.

[I was about to express my anger in the few Spanish swear words I had learned from Lawrence when someone put me in a chokehold from behind ]

Aimé: Vete a la mierda. Ella es mía. [=Fuck off. She is mine]

[Unfortunately, I body slammed Aimé before I could've processed his voice. We didn't ever figure out if the guys had run away because of Aimé or me. Nonetheless, we carried on, though Aimé was a little cross with me and didn't speak a word to me the whole day thereafter.]

Avril: oh my god Aimé! when did you come here?  I'm so so sorry I didn't know it was you choking me from behind

Aimé: What the f*ck do you mean by choking you!? That was a godd*mn back hug. Every other girl except you would describe it as choking.

Avril: well even Kye thought I was being choked so 

Aimé: ow ow .... what!?

Avril: oh nothing. Do you want some water or any caramel coffee? We could rest if you want to.

Aimé: So you are Kye? Nice to meet you. Really sorry, didn't mean to show you such a disheveled side of mine. Well, then where are we planning to head first mademoiselle?

Avril: Parc del Laberint d'Horta! It'll be fun to exercise our brain and legs first thing in the morning.

Kye: I think we should visit the churches first and receive God's grace for a safe journey and return. Maybe La Sagrada Familia or the Cathedral of Barcelona

Aimé: La Sagrada Familia it is then!

Avril: Hey! Did you even hear me now....? Hello?

Aimé: Do let me know if you find any difficulty in understanding anything Miss Kye.

Kye: Oh sure thanks

Avril: ....

The Church was indeed beautiful and majestic even though a bit crowded. We then visited the Cathedral of Barcelona and Picasso Museum and the Gothic quarters. It was already 18:00 by then.

Avril: Hey guys let's also go to the Labyrinth before nightfall, please. I don't want to tour only Barcelona for the rest of the days. We should finish sight-seeing everything important about each city in a day at least.

Aimé: I think we should visit the Güell Palace now. Or maybe the Montjuïc Castle. What do you think Kye?

Kye: umm...I'm fine with any but let's go see the Labyrinth first na?

Aimé: what Labyrinth. That's a waste of time, only kids go there.

Avril: are you for real? Guess what you're right I'm a kid.  You should just take Kye with you and go on a lovely couple's date together. Why I the kid should bother an adult like you? Thanks a lot, Aimé for ruining the one vacation I was looking forward to!

I did run away aimlessly like a kid until the crowd subsided while brushing away my tears. Whenever I got really angry these d*mn tears had to fall and my face had to get flushed like a tomato. I just hoped they hadn't seen me like this. I definitely had spoiled things for Kye too. I felt even more sorry now and started bawling my eyes out. But I couldn't have dragged her away with me since Aimé was a better guide and fluent in Spanish and could protect her unlike me if we fell in danger. I was just a crybaby like my dad says.

We had taken a bus before I had left it in between some stops. I ran straight after that without checking my location and reached on top of some hill again. This was larger though and looked like an amusement park but it had already been closed. It was 18:45 and getting really dark. I couldn't run down before complete nightfall and the mobile phone signal was faint too and there was no one in sight. I decided to trespass and climb up on top of one of the Ferris wheel's cabinets. No human would search for me there and probably no animal could climb up there too.

I ran again while checking for my surroundings and quickly started climbing the wheel. It was enormous and terrifying to look down from. 

I did have mild acrophobia but the thrill was worth the risk. I didn't climb its peak but it was still high enough for me to see the whole city.

From the side of the wheel I was at I could open the other side of the cabinet to fall to my death. That was quite a tempting idea. I had realized by now that either Kye or Lawrence when he would come to pick us up at 20:00 would message my parents about my sudden disappearance and a boy called Aimé. My mom could've called me anytime since I last checked my phone and my entrance exam results would be out tomorrow too.

For everyone, I was the perfect poster kid. The privileged child. But only I knew how much of it was a privilege and how much of it a restrain and burden. I knew what went down in the kitchen. And I knew what life would be like when I finally failed. I also knew I hadn't lived a life where people could remember me for years after my death; for how loving or kind I was. I didn't have many friends or a lover in the least. If I did get admitted to the college my parents wanted me to I would still have to slog away for the rest of my life instead of doing what I really wanted. But I didn't even know what the f*ck it was that I wanted. I was still waiting to get my true gift, my real passion even if I had to pursue it as a hobby later on. It would at least keep me alive. I would finally see some life in me and not be the monotonous doll my mom had created. I had always envied those who had found their call because they all looked so happy to be alive despite their struggles while I was just barely scraping by each day.

I opened the door and placed one foot out in the air miles high from the ground. No one would even know. No one would find your body. Hurry up! Now is your chance to be truly free!

While I was still contemplating my reason to live I heard that faint voice again, screeching in the distance.

Aimé: Avril! Avril! Avril, are you here? Please answer me. Pretty please? I'll take any punishment you give me just come back. I'm so scared, Avril. Are you here?

He had almost started sobbing while I too was crying in the cabinet thinking how he would've continued searching for me if I had taken that step ahead.

There was Kye, Lawrence, and even the bane of my existence- my parents who would kill themselves after me or at least remember me for many years. Who would be actually sad about my death. So, I screamed back at him to let him know I was there.

Avril: Does it feel good to be ignored now!!?

Aimé: no...sobs.... it doesn't... sobs.....just wait there...

Avril: um ok?

He climbed up with his flushed cheeks and red nose and tear streaks all over his face

To lighten up the mood I joked about the way he looked but he just hugged me in return. I felt bad and embarrassed.

Avril: hey... I'm right here and I can take care of myself....I  would've been fine even if you didn't come looking for me and it still won't be your responsibility.  So you don't have to feel guilty okay?

Aimé: sniffles you just don't get it don't you?

Avril: what do you mwhmmwm

He kissed me. Yeah, not just a peck but a French kiss for a hot minute.

Avril: Ai...Aimé

He was red as a cherry when he realized what he had done

Aimé: I'm sorry... I didn't mean to...I mean I did mean to but I should've asked for your consent first... I'm sorry again.

Avril: That's fine since I liked it or else I would've body-slammed you again... jokes apart you are moving quite a lot... we might knock this off balance and fall...

Aimé: oh yeah yeah... I'll sit down

It was a cramped place and we were sitting opposite each other. He was clearly trying to avoid my eyes and it wasn't working

Avril: So how many girls have you kissed before me?

Aimé: what? None! But why are you asking that?

Avril: well I don't believe you. With that level of skill and technique....you might've as well kissed a dozen before.

Aimé: That's gross! What about you then? you were receiving it quite well too...never even tried to gasp for air

Avril: You were my first..... and I intend it to be my last.

Don't get me wrong but we can't be a thing

Aimé: what! Why not?

Avril: look Aimé ...  I think like you but I come from a very different background. If my parents get to know, if they haven't already that I'm alone atop some hill with a GUY they're gonna catch the first flight here just to slap me and get me grounded. And if they get to know we kissed; my father would bit the sh* t out of both you and me and then disown me. I'm not even kidding or exaggerating any of this. Plus, I am not into dating; ask me again at thirty if I'm free to marry you. And lastly, this will hardly work– I live in France, you live in Spain. We don't even know yet where we'll be for college. You're a business major and I'm a STEM major. No offense but my parents definitely won't like you. We both will always be busy and god forbid we become like my parents.  Also, I'm pretty sure you'll get bored of me in a few months if not annoyed. Let's keep this as a happy memory and an impulsive mistake and move forward in life.

Aimé: What if I earn a lot of money to treat you like a queen? Will they accept me then? And we can just get engaged if you want to get married at 30. I don't have any problem!

Avril: Didn't you just hear anything I said? Also, I'm pretty obsessive over things I consider mine....you'll be suffocated by me

Aimé: I did hear what you said that's why I asked you what I did.

Avril: Just let this vacation get over and see how we do till the end of this year, in long distancing without CHEATING on each other. You'll come to your senses then. Also, we are still not dating so don't try to touch me again or else I'll break your hand.

Aimé: ok ok chill. Geez!/

Avril: let's sleep for a while now. I'll set the alarm for 6.30.

Aimé: Ok, come here, I'll put you to sleep

Avril: f*ck off! Go to sleep!

Aimé: chuckles