Wrong choice (Ferran Torres)

Chapter 1

Anna looked around the empty apartment. Empty of all the things she had bought for it during the past 4 years and that were now on their way to Barcelona. But not empty of the memories she made and she was leaving behind.

Her story was one that many lived before. In her second year of uni, she moved to London to study abroad for a year and then...she met a guy she fell in love with and that year abroad turned into 6. But he wasn't a part of her life anymore and hadn't been for almost a year. So between that and how hard it proved to find the job she wanted in London, Anna realised it was time to go back home. To go back to Barcelona.

"Bye bye London", she whispered, looking out of the plane's window.

It was bittersweet. She was going to miss London but she had missed Barcelona while she was away, so she was excited to be back. Still, a little tear rolled down her cheek when the plane took off. Six years was a long time when you were only 25 so ending that big chapter in her life was not easy.

"She's back!"

Anna chuckled seeing her parents waiting for her at the airport. They got a big banner too, which meant everyone was looking at them and now at her. But she loved how ridiculous they could be. And she loved being back with them.

"I'm back!", she screamed back, hugging both of them. "And I'm hungry so please take me home or to a restaurant".

The drive back to her parents didn't have a quiet moment. Anna spoke to her family all the time, but facetime wasn't the same as being next to each other. It felt so good to be there with them.

And when she got home, her room was already ready for her. Anna knew she had to find a place to live soon but she was staying in her childhood room in the meantime. There was so much to do, so knowing she didn't have to worry too much about her living situation took a big weight off her shoulders.

"We got one of your boxes", said her mum, pointing at the box next to her desk. "But not the rest. I guess they'll show up soon".

"Yeah, I sent them a bit later but it's fine. I have old clothes here too so it should be fine".

That was a funny feeling too, seeing her old closet. People changed a lot from 19 to 25 and Anna was no exception. Some of the clothes she had loved so much before leaving to go to London were now things she'd never wear. But she still had some basics she could wear while she waited for her clothes to arrive.

After taking a quick shower, Anna put on some comfy clothes and went back downstairs to meet her family for dinner.

"It's so good to have you back, honey", said her dad, hugging her.

"Yeah, it's good being back. When will Joel get here?"

"Well, your brother is always late so probably soon. He should have gotten here an hour ago".

"Of course", she laughed and moved to help them set the table.

A part of Anna was begging her to relax. To spend some time with her family and just be there. To rest. But she couldn't stay still for too long, so she was already thinking about the job interviews she had to do and the apartments she needed to visit.

"Little sister! Where are you?"

Anna ran to the door to embrace her brother Joel. He was the person she had missed the most while away. He called her little sister but they were twins. And best friends.

"You didn't come to pick me up at the airport. We're not siblings anymore".

"But...I bought a cake for you".

"And just like that, you're my favourite brother again".

Their parents called them to have dinner and Anna and her future dominated the conversation.

"So what job interviews are you doing?"

"One here for the radio and then one in Madrid".

"Are you moving away from Barcelona again?", asked her mum, feeling sad at the prospect of Anna being far from home again.

"No, I could do that job from Barcelona. It'd involve traveling but my base can be here. I don't want to go anywhere anytime soon".

"Good", said Joel, nodding to himself.

And so they started to plan what to do the next few days. Josep, Anna's dad, wanted to accompany her to see the apartments she had her eye on. He felt he was the one who could advise her well...and he also needed to make sure she was living in a safe area. He had already worried so much knowing his daughter was in another country but Barcelona had its dangers too.

Her mum, Sofía, offered to take her shopping so she had some nice outfits for the job interviews. And because any excuse was a good excuse to go shopping together.

"Don't look at the price tags. I'll pay for the clothes".

"Mum", started to complain Anna. "I have money".

"And if you don't spend it, you'll keep having that money".

"I've paid for my own things for the last 5 years. I don't want to go back to depending on anyone financially. No offence".

"Can't it be my welcome back present?"

Anna laughed. "How many of those will you get me?"

"As many as I want to".

So Anna let her mum pay for one of the outfits they chose. If it made mum happy...

It had been a while since Anna felt so safe and taken care of. Her last year in London hadn't been the easiest for her. She felt quite alone at times so being back with the people who loved her the most was such a great feeling.

"How much is the rent and what does it include?", asked her dad to the man who was showing them the apartments.

"I already told her...".

"Tell me the numbers too".

"Sorry", said Anna, chuckling. "It's just my dad being my dad".

But she appreciated that. Because when she was in London, she had been given a rent price that was too high twice until her now ex checked the numbers and saw they were trying to scam her. It was probably easier to do that to foreigners than it was to do it to a local but...she had never rented a place in Barcelona and was a bit clueless. So her dad's help was priceless.

"This one then?", he asked his daughter while she looked around the best apartment they had visited, which also happened to be the one closest to her parents' house.

"This one. It's the right choice".

One thing done. Now it was time for the job interviews. And Anna felt more than ready for them.