Chapter Text
All life has changes, sometimes when you’re a child, a teenager, or even when you’re already an adult.
Even better, it’s change that allows you to move forward.
What better change, in the bloom of youth, than a great opportunity to travel?
—
Pov/First person
Mornings were definitely peaceful at home... Everything except the alarms in the bedrooms that warned it was better to get up.
I made a face as I sighed, threw the alarm clock to the floor, and snuggled back into bed, smiling as I tried to go back to sleep.
It was vacation, I was about to start university, and that made my family happy because on this continent, families with our income didn’t usually get past high school.
-Sis~ -hearing my sister’s voice made me cover myself completely with the blanket.- Hey! Mom wants you to come down to eat.
-you’re tempting me... But no.
-... There’s mail~
I couldn’t understand what she meant by that, I was half-asleep, but when it clicked, I tossed off the blanket and rushed out of my room, running to the living room and straight to the little table where we left letters (or bills).
-good morning, sis -my little brother said with a smile.
-Shut up, don’t distract me!- I started looking to see if there was any letter for me.
-... I get romantic and you get bitchy.
I rolled my eyes when I heard him. All I could see were bills—electricity, water, gas, etc., etc., etc.
When I spotted an envelope with a stamp, I smiled and quickly sat down, staring at it with hope. This was my last chance.
I’d already taken exams for different scholarships, but it was depressing seeing I hadn’t gotten into any—neither the United States, France, nor Russia had accepted me.
I swallowed hard and opened the letter slowly.
-Open it already! -my dad startled me, but I listened and pulled the letter out of the envelope quickly.
I hadn’t noticed my family was already sitting around me. I felt way too much pressure—if I didn’t get into this university, I might as well become a secretary.
I started reading the letter out loud in a low voice and just sighed. As I read, I couldn’t stop smiling more and more. I couldn’t help it—I squealed with excitement, hugging the letter while my family looked at me just as thrilled.
-Well?!- Mom looked happy as she held Dad’s hand.
-... I’M GOING TO SPAIN! -I yelled excitedly so I could celebrate with my family.
For a moment I’d felt like I’d never get to study abroad, but getting that news was one of the best things that could’ve happened.
Although... now I have to try to tell my parents that... I’ll have to live with a family temporarily.
—
Everything was completely arranged. I had to be in Spain before classes started, so I could get to know the place and start building a relationship with the family I’d be assigned.
I got in touch with the scholarship directors. Apparently, since it was a new university, the dorm rooms still weren’t available, so during that time we’d have to stay with those guardians.
It wasn’t a problem for me, really. Even though I’m not very social, I know how to adapt to new things.
Something else they told us was that they might assign us a job to help out, but that would be decided later. My suitcases were ready, my family was happy for me, but we didn’t imagine I’d be that far away for so long.
I never even left the city on my own, and now... I was going to live on another continent without them. But this isn’t the time to regret anything—I need to focus. I can do this.
-come on, the flight’s almost leaving -my dad answered as he asked the taxi to wait.
-it leaves in two hours -I laughed, looking at the house one last time.
-but you always have to be at an airport early, so get your ass in the damn taxi or I’ll lock you in your room so you can’t go.
I laughed softly. I knew Dad hadn’t agreed at first—I still remembered the scolding he gave me when I came back home after taking the tests.
I sighed and said goodbye to my family one last time.
-when you get there, tell us if there’s a Spaniard in the house you’ll be living in -my sister winked, and I just shook my head, amused.
As far as I knew, there was a man with several kids, but I didn’t really mention that—otherwise my dad probably wouldn’t let me go.
-Remember to take lots of photos!
-yeah, of course. Mom, don’t cry anymore, I’ll call you at least twice a week -I smiled, trying to calm her down.
-I know, it’s just that one of my daughters is leaving, you’ve never been so far from here.
-don’t worry, woman, she knows how to take care of herself.
-that’s right -I smiled.
I knew how to defend myself—mostly because my dad firmly told me I wasn’t going anywhere without knowing how to fight, and that if I couldn’t beat one of my cousins in a fight, I could forget about going.
-come on, get in already. You know, whoever says goodbye too much doesn’t really want to leave -my dad put the suitcases in and got into the passenger seat. I stayed in the back seats.
I sighed. I was nervous. I looked at Mom and my siblings through the window and waved goodbye, feeling the car start moving. I watched the house get smaller and smaller, but my phone vibrated and I grabbed it.
-one of your friends? -I looked at Dad through the rearview mirror and shook my head.
-it’s my guardian -I smiled calmly and checked the message.
Contact- Mr. Sergei
-I got the news that you’re coming today.
Oh, yes, I’m heading to the airport-
-Do you want me to pick you up, or do you want to send me your location?
Well, really...-
Could you pick me up?-
-Of course, message me when your plane lands.
Sure, thanks-
…
I was way too nervous. First, I’d be flying without anyone I knew. Then I’d get to Spain and meet the family that would take care of me.
My guardian seemed very serious. Even though I tried to stay positive, maybe he just doesn’t like talking with faces or emojis or whatever. Maybe I’m so used to that, that’s why his messages feel so dry.
I could only say goodbye to my dad before getting on the plane. I’d bought sleeping pills—no way in hell was I staying awake on a plane. That was panic-inducing.
I could only feel my eyes getting heavier and heavier until I simply fell asleep.
...
I felt movement that forced me to wake up. I yawned and looked at the flight attendant, who looked relieved.
I laughed awkwardly and fixed my hair. When I left home it was morning, almost dawn—so it had to be at least 4 p.m.
-excuse me, we landed almost half an hour ago, we hadn’t seen you.
-excuse me, I must’ve looked dead -I laughed, standing up to grab my things. I turned on my phone and opened my contacts while I walked off the plane.
Mr. Sergei
Good afternoon, my plane has already landed-
I sighed, hoping he wouldn’t be busy. I sat down while I waited for my two suitcases to come out.
-I see. I’ll be there in fifteen minutes.
Alright, how do I recognize you?-
As unbelievable as it sounded, they hadn’t sent me a picture of him or his kids, which at first scared me a bit.
-... I have an eye patch, it’ll be easy to recognize me.
I could only reply that it was fine. It was weird—an eye patch? I didn’t give it much importance. I just watched the belt where the suitcases were and waited for mine to show up. I put on my headphones and started listening to music to kill time.
In less than ten minutes, I saw them. I got up to grab them, then looked around everywhere. All I could do was wait.
...
I’d gone to get something to eat while I waited. I sighed, but then I heard my phone notification.
Mr. Sergei
-I’m here, where are you?
By the vending machines-
Wait, no, I’ll go to the entrance, I’ll see you there-
I started walking toward the airport entrance. Obviously I had to ask for directions, but I found it easily. I looked around and grabbed my phone.
I don’t see you-
-I think I see you, raise your hand.
I looked around again and raised my hand, feeling a few stares, but I just obeyed the small request. I really didn’t see anyone nearby. What if he went to the wrong airport?
-maybe I should’ve asked for his location -I whispered as I lowered my hand, grabbed my phone to text - where are you?
-behind you.
I let out a yelp. I didn’t get scared because he appeared out of nowhere behind me, but that voice was scary. It didn’t even sound like he had a Spanish accent. I turned around to greet him with my nerves hidden, but I had to tilt my head way up to see him.
-...fuck -I whispered.
I know it’s wrong to judge by appearances, but holy shit, this man is gigantic. I knew he said he had an eye patch, but damn, the scars he had... That man wasn’t Spanish. He definitely wasn’t.
-do you need help with that?- I noticed he looked at my suitcases, but I shook my head. I couldn’t speak. I went mute, either from nerves or fear.- Fine, let’s go, you must be tired.
I watched him walk away and just followed him to the parking lot. I stayed a bit behind him—well, I didn’t expect to run into a two-meter-tall European with such a deep voice.
-what the fuck did I get myself into -I told myself before putting my things in the car and getting in.