Starfish summer

7

Ana's perspective

It was early afternoon, and we'd already dropped Sofia off at the kids' club. She was probably having the time of her life, making new friends and diving into all sorts of fun activities. Meanwhile, the rest of us—my cousins, parents, aunt Isabel, and I—decided to try out the regular beach club, the one open to all guests. It was a change from our usual secluded spot, and I was curious to see what it was like.

As we walked along the sandy path, I kept observing the place. The vibes were very different from the secluded area's. The beach was bustling with activity: families building sandcastles, friends laughing and playing games, couples lounging on the sun beds. The sound of waves crashing mingled with the chatter and laughter, creating a vibrant, welcoming ambiance.

My mind wandered to the events of the past few days—meeting Iván, our conversations, and the way he made me feel. It was all so new and exhilarating. Lost in my thoughts, I didn't notice my cousins Tiago and Daniela approaching until they were right beside me.

"Ana, what are you thinking about?" Tiago asked with a teasing smile.

"Just enjoying the view," I replied, smiling back. "It's so different here, so lively."

Daniela nodded in agreement. "Yeah, it's nice to mix things up sometimes. Plus, we might meet some interesting people."

I couldn't help but think of Iván again. Would he be here today? The thought made my heart race a little.

The past few days had been like a whirlwind. Meeting Iván had been unexpected, but it felt like something out of a movie. His smile, his laugh, the way he looked at me. I wondered if he was thinking about me too, if he might show up at the beach today.

"Ana, do you want to go for a swim?" Daniela's voice broke through my thoughts.

"Sure, why not?" I replied, standing up and stretching. The idea of a refreshing dip in the ocean sounded perfect.

We walked down to the water's edge, the cool waves lapping at our feet. The ocean stretched out endlessly, a beautiful expanse of blue. We waded in, the water gradually rising up our legs until we were fully submerged. It was refreshing, the perfect way to cool off on such a warm day. The water felt amazing, washing away the heat and making us feel alive.

We swam for a while, laughing and splashing each other, enjoying the cool embrace of the sea. The sun glinted off the surface of the water, creating a sparkling effect that made everything seem magical. The saltwater tingled on our skin, and every now and then, a gentle wave would lift us up and carry us a few feet closer to shore.

After a good swim, we made our way back to our spot, feeling refreshed and relaxed. The sun beds and umbrellas were a welcome sight. We grabbed our towels and dried off, letting the warmth of the sun dry the last bits of water from our skin.

"Want to grab a drink?" Daniela suggested, pointing to a nearby beach bar.

"Sounds perfect," I agreed.

We walked over to the bar, where the sound of clinking glasses and soft music created a laid-back atmosphere. The bartender greeted us with a friendly smile, and we ordered a round of mojitos. The fresh mint and lime smelled heavenly, and the icy drinks were just what we needed.

We took our drinks back to our spot, sitting down on the sun beds and sipping the cool, refreshing mojitos. The mix of flavors was perfect, a balance of sweet and tangy that made each sip a delight. We chatted and laughed, enjoying the easy conversation and the relaxing vibes of the beach.

As we sipped our mojitos and enjoyed the sunny afternoon, I noticed a group of guests playing volleyball a little further down the beach. It looked like a fun, casual game, just a bunch of teenagers having a good time. I scanned the group, but Iván wasn't there. It was just some other hotel guests, laughing and enjoying the game.