Under One Sun

Chapter 3: Waves Of Change

The sun was shining brightly as Olivia, Bruno, Annie, and Anthony boarded the boat for their language course's group outing. Excitement buzzed in the air, the salty breeze tousling their hair and sending laughter soaring across the deck. Today, they would sail along the beautiful coast of Málaga, soaking in the sun and practicing their Spanish with newfound friends.

As the boat glided over the gentle waves, Olivia felt a thrill of freedom. She leaned against the railing, feeling the sun on her face, watching the coastline of Málaga stretch into the horizon. Bruno stood beside her, his smile wide as he pointed out the sights, his enthusiasm infectious.

"Look at that cliff! Isn't it amazing?" he exclaimed, his eyes sparkling.

"Yeah! It's stunning!" Olivia replied, her heart racing at the way he looked when he got excited. She loved how passionate he was about everything, even if it made him a little shy.

As they sailed further out, the group began to loosen up. They shared snacks, cracked jokes, and even attempted to sing traditional Spanish songs. Annie, never one to shy away from attention, led the group in a goofy rendition of "La Bamba," with everyone joining in, laughter echoing over the water. Olivia couldn't help but smile as she watched Bruno trying to keep up with the lyrics, his cheeks flushed with laughter.

"Are you ready for the match later?" Anthony asked, leaning against the railing with a smirk. "I hear it's going to be intense!"

"Absolutely! I can't wait to see how the locals celebrate," Olivia said, her excitement palpable. The plan was to head to a nearby bar after their boat trip to watch a big football match. They had heard it was a favorite pastime among locals, and the thought of cheering with the crowd thrilled her.

Once they returned to shore, the group headed to a lively bar filled with excited chatter and the scent of tapas wafting through the air. The atmosphere was electric, and Olivia felt a buzz of anticipation as they settled in at a table close to the screen.

As the game kicked off, they ordered pitchers of sangria and plates of food to share. The excitement in the air was contagious, and before long, Olivia had lost track of how many glasses she'd had. Laughter flowed freely as they cheered for the team, the whole group losing themselves in the excitement.

In the midst of the revelry, Bruno had pulled out his phone, scrolling through pictures to show Olivia. "This is my best friend, Julia. We've known each other since kindergarten," he said, his voice warm as he shared stories about his friends back home.

Olivia leaned in closer, her heart fluttering as she listened to him talk. He had a way of making even the simplest stories captivating, and she found herself mesmerized by his smile, the way his eyes lit up when he spoke about things that mattered to him.

"I think she's going to study abroad next year, too," he continued, swiping to another picture. "And here's us at the beach last summer. It was epic!"

As the night wore on, the sangria began to take its toll, and Olivia felt a delightful haze settle over her mind. She couldn't help but giggle as she swayed slightly in her chair, her gaze flickering back to Bruno. In that moment, feeling bold and carefree, she blurted out, "You know, I think you're pretty cute, Bruno."

His eyes widened in surprise, and for a moment, everything around them faded away. He remained calm on the outside, but inside, he was a whirlwind of emotions, heart racing and mind spinning. Did she just say what he thought she said? Could it be true?

"Uh, thanks?" he replied, a shy smile creeping onto his face, trying to maintain his composure while his heart soared. The playful teasing from Julia and the others faded into the background as he processed her words.