ELIZA

11

Alina said nothing about Justine's visit to Eliza. The guilt washed heavily over Alina, but she feared losing Eliza more. It was nearing spring break, and Alina had planned to go home. She was FaceTiming Eliza.

"Why don't you come to Argentina?" Eliza suggested.

"Really? I could do that?" Alina replied.

"Yea, we could get an Airbnb and be together during your spring break!" Eliza said eagerly.

Alina, having a little cushion of savings from her internship and tax return, thought deeply. As a college student, money was supposed to be spent wisely. However, this was an opportunity to be together, and Alina could not pass that up.

"Ok, I'll get tickets!" Alina exclaimed.

Eleven hour flight and no Spanish skills whatsoever, Alina landed in Argentina. Alina was a fearful person because of their appearance. She knew she would be read as a young man with her short hair and androgynous figure, the broad shoulders and narrow hips. Eliza reassured her that the airport was the safest place she could be, and she would be waiting for her at the terminal.

Eliza met Alina at the gate. They looked at each other deeply and shared a kiss. Since they were college students, they had to take a bus into the city center. They would not know the luxuries of taking a taxi for a long time. During the bus ride, Alina lay her head on Eliza's chest. Eliza stroked Alina's hair and kissed her forehead. Eliza seemed the more feminine one, but Alina was surely more subdued.

Alina thought of Justine, how she was betraying both of them. Before she left, Justine seemed to have the impression that they could get back together, but Alina made it clear that she wanted to be with Eliza. Alina's emotions were all muddled. She loved them both, but differently. Justine was like a home, and Eliza was a new adventure. Justine was not the type to explore, whereas Eliza took the world on like she was exploring the rainforest with a machete.

Eliza's Spanish was impressive. She took on the Argentinian accent as she spoke to the Airbnb host. Most of the time, Eliza had classes, so Alina was left to her own devices. At first, she spent most of the time doing her homework and tidying up the apartment. Then, one day, she decided to venture out.

She Googled the closest grocery store and followed the map. Alina, though she was from New York, could not help but feel helpless, as she did not know the language or understand the pulse of Buenos Aires. She kept looking over her shoulder for pickpockets. When she made it to the grocery store, she found the meat aisle and decided to buy a steak and rice. When she looked around, there were no vegetables.

Where on earth will I find some beans?, she wondered. She went exploring more around the apartment and found a specialized store that had all kinds of vegetables. The owner said something to her in Spanish, but the only thing she knew had to say was, "No hablo". They proceeded to work together with gestures. Alina looked around the store and pointed to large green beans, larger than the ones in the States, wide with big seeds. She asked for a quarter kilo, paid, and left.

Alina went to work in the kitchen. She boiled the rice and started searing the steaks before cooking them down. She was afraid they would be too red. After some time, she sauteed the beans in the steak rendering and waited for Eliza's return. They had not eaten properly since Alina arrived, eating mostly sushi and snacks. It was time for a proper meal.

The door opened, and Eliza appeared. "Oh! What's this?" she said in delight.

"Dinner!" Alina said, grinning.

"You did this all by yourself?" Eliza said, proud.

"Yes, I can get around a city." Alina laughed.

Eliza cut into the steak, but Alina saw how rare it looked.

"Oh no, it's too red!" Alina said, disappointed.

"You forget that I'm French." Eliza winked.