the Devil and the Sea

3| Night of San Juan

"Do you know that British universities have a credit for work program? So this guy is studying economics in London. He is the son of a rich guy. His father got him a job here in Sitges for the summer to gain recognition and learn Spanish. Nothing interesting." Phil answers.

"What does he look like?"

Phil looks at me like he's seeing me for the first time.

"Calm down miss, I thought you already have a boyfriend?" he says, barely holding back a chuckle.

I hear Marina giggle.

"And what? Do you think those who have someone can't talk about other people?" I snort in disgust and plop down on the sofa, "and, by the way, my personal life is none of your business."

"Oh! And he is a Chelsea fan." Phil is teasing me.

"What? It can't be good."

"What's wrong with Chelsea?" Phil almost spits back his beer. "Remember, he's a Londoner, just like me."

"Yes, but you are one of the good ones: you support Arsenal," I sit on the couch next to Phil.

"Well, that's true. But you remember I'm from North London, don't you? But... what the hell is going on between Chelsea and you?"

"You're joking, right? If football is a religion, Mourinho is the devil. And Mourinho was Chelsea's manager, remember?" I look at Phil with wide eyes.

Phil laughs,"Why is that?"

"You must be joking! Do you remember the rivalry? Mourinho vs. Pep Guardiola, Barcelona's manager...?"

"Okay, okay, girl. Take it easy. It's just football." Phil replies defensively.

"Exactly: this is football." I smile sweetly so he doesn't think I'm being rude. For some reason, I'm worried about Phil's feelings.

"Your wild look is embarrassing." Phil says, and his gray eyes have turned into slits.

"So what? It doesn't bother you when I flirt with you." I gently push him with my foot.

"It's different."

A strange feeling fills me and I can't ignore it. I feel the same way as at the end of May, when Ricky and I climbed the hill and looked at the sea from above under the sunset. Then I had an anticipation that something special would happen this summer. I did not know what it was connected with or with whom, but I well understood that Ricky's participation in this would be minimal.

Could this be it?

Phil snaps his fingers in front of my face to get my attention. I irritably focus on the gray narrowed eyes opposite and arch my eyebrow inquiringly.

"What are you thinking about?"

I'm about to ask something else about that "boy from London" when a ringtone fills the room and Phil rushes to his phone like his life depends on it.

I stand in front of the mirror and examine the reflection, and I don't like how I will look until the wound heals.

I find myself thinking the problem is not what I hit, but that the guy from London that Phil spoke about will join our party, and I will not look attractive.

It seems that I lost the last brains from the blow.

"I'm going to a party soon, do you want to join me?" Marina asks, standing next to the mirror.

I shake my head as I look at her.

"Now? OK, I'll come!" I hear Phil's voice and glance over his thoughtful face in the reflection of the mirror.