Lifeline (Marc Guiu)

Chapter 31

Long distance sucked. Even for people like Alicia and Marc who had the means to travel often so they could see each other...it still sucked. Having to spend Christmas away from each other sucked even more but the Premier League didn't stop during that festive period. And Alicia couldn't leave Barcelona because her brother was visiting them this time and that didn't happen often. So the couple had to spend their first Christmas together in different countries...and that sucked.

However, New Year's Eve was not as important for families in Spain. People usually had dinner with their family but not always. Sometimes they would have dinner with the friends they were going to go out with once it was already officialy the 1st of January. So Alicia decided to go to London to spend those days with Marc.

"So...I have two options".

"Two options for what?", asked Marc, looking up from his phone and seeing Alicia staring at her clothes.

"We could dress up as if we were going to go out to party. Or we could wear simple comfy clothes".

"Is the dress you planned to wear sexy?"

"Very sexy", answered Alicia, raising her eyebrows suggestively.

"Then we dress up".

"And change into pyjamas right after midnight?"

"Yes".

They both laughed and started to get ready for the night. It was just the two of them staying home but that was enough for them. More than enough. Having spent the previous days with way too many people around, it was nice to just have a day to enjoy of each other's company.

"Did you get the grapes ready?"

"Yes, and the champagne. It's all ready".

It was rare for them to have dinner sitting in the actual dining table. They usually just had their food while cuddling in the sofa but they wanted to make that night feel more special.

"My phone is going crazy", laughed Alicia. "Should we answer back or wait?"

"Let's wait".

Since Spain was an hour ahead, all their friends were wishing them a happy new year while Alicia and Marc were still stuck in 2024 for another hour. And then...it was time.

"This is both a hilarious and brilliant idea".

"Shhh", Alicia slapped Marc's arm so she could get the iPad ready for midnight. "It's almost time. Get the grapes".

Most of Spain had already been in 2025 for almost an hour...but not all of it. The Canary Islands were in the same timezone as England, so Alicia thought they could watch the livestream of their regional television. Since the Brits didn't do the whole 12 grapes tradition Spaniards did to ask for good luck.

"Ready?"

Marc nodded and they started to eat the grapes. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 and...

"Happy New Year!", they both screamed, trying not to choke on the grapes they were eating.

And once the usual New Year's choking hazard was over, they kissed. First kiss of 2025. First of so many.

As planned, they changed into comfortable clothes after midnight and carried on watching TV. Alicia had connected their TV to her laptop and so they were watching a very typical Spanish show with songs of all decades they had on every New Year's. They could text their friends to join in the jokes about it too.

"It's almost like we're in Spain", she laughed and Marc hugged her tighter.

"Everytime you're here, I feel like I'm home in Barcelona. Did you know that?"

"No, but I love being able to make you feel that way. I don't want you to feel sad and homesick".

"I wish you could be here all the time", sighed Marc.

"Really?"

"What do you mean really? Of course I do!"

"What if I told you I could be here all the time?"

Marc separated from Alicia enough to look at her face. She looked...like she was hiding a secret.

"Ali, don't play with my feelings like that...".

"There's something I didn't tell you".

"What didn't you tell me?"

"I got an scholarship to study abroad", she started and Marc needed her to finish what she was saying already. "I applied for it a year earlier than I had planned".

"Ok?"

"And one of the options is studying in London".

"What?"

"And I picked it", she said so casually, like it wasn't the best news Marc could have been given.

"You did?"

"And my request was accepted".

Alicia started to laugh seeing Marc's face. He couldn't believe what Alicia was saying. It was all he had hoped for but never thought possible. He had wondered if she could move to London when she was going to start the next course but not in the middle of one.

"Why didn't you tell me earlier?"

"I was trying to see when it was an appropriate time to tell you...".

"Ali! The appropriate time was the second you found out!"

She only laughed harder hearing the indignation in his voice because in reality, the emotion that had taken over was happiness. He couldn't be happier at that time. The first good news of 2025 and no other news could top this one.

"So...when are you moving here with me?"

Alicia smiled. "How about next week?"