Lifeline (Marc Guiu)

Chapter 34

International breaks were a funny time. Some players had time off but others didn't. Also, it was hard to know who was going to be part of the international squads sometimes so making plans for those potential days off wasn't as easy as it was in the summer. However, Marc knew he wasn't going to be playing with Spain so he had organised a little trip for him and Alicia. But she didn't know it yet.

"Hi? What are you doing here?", asked Alicia, seeing Marc waiting for her outside of her university building.

"I didn't have to go to training and thought I would pick you up".

"I like the way you think", she said, wrapping her arms around Marc's neck and kissing him. "Maybe we could go somewhere nice to have lunch since you're here in the city".

"Sounds good".

They quickly found a Japanese restaurant Alicia had wanted to go to for a while and ordered some food.

"This is the best thing about London, I swear. We have good foreign restaurants in Barcelona but the ones here are so much better".

"Yeah, we need to try them all", agreed Marc. "I wouldn't even know where to begin. I've always been so basic with my diet".

"I'll turn you into a foodie soon".

It was when they were having dessert that Marc thought about telling Alicia his plans.

"So...I have 5 days off. Because of the international break".

"Right. I'm off uni too for Easter. Should we go back to Barcelona?"

"We could if you want to but...I thought we could go somewhere nice. Just the two of us".

"Where?", Alicia was now very intrigued.

"Well, it's hard to take you anywhere you haven't been to since you've been travelling so much your whole life but I noticed two places you didn't mention".

"There are a lot of places I haven't been to".

"Yeah, but we don't have the time now to go to another continent so I'm talking more about Europe".

"Go on...".

"Amsterdam and Berlin. Have you been to any of those cities?"

"No", answered Alicia. "There are photos of me in Berlin as a baby but I don't really remember the trip".

"So...should we go there?"

"Yes, we should".

Alicia couldn't stop smiling. It was true she had traveled a lot throughout her life. It was a family thing. They loved traveling. But traveling with Marc was different and more special. So even if he took her to a place she had visited multiple times, it'd still be the best trip because of them being there together.

"You're not visiting us, then?", was what Victoria asked Alicia while they facetimed.

"Vicky, you won't even be in Barcelona. You're traveling with Fermín to watch him play with Spain".

"You and Marc could join me".

"Vicky...I love you. But I want a few days away with my boyfriend".

"You live together! You see him all the time!"

Alicia chuckled. "I know. But I'll go to Barcelona soon. And you'll visit us next month too".

"I guess...".

The two friends kept chatting while Alicia packed her bag. It was just a few days but it was still chilly and she wanted to make sure she had everything she needed. And then, it was time for their trip.

"We need to try the waffles. I saw that on TikTok!", said Alicia, pointing to the shop in Amsterdam where they were supposed to make really yummy ones.

"I'm definitely not telling the team's dietitians about this trip".

"Oh come one! You're all muscle. Eating some sugar won't kill you. It will actually make you happier".

"You make me happier".

"Awww", cooed Alicia. "You make me happy too but eating waffles while I'm with you? Peak happiness!"

The line outside of the shop was quite long and Marc felt it was a bit of a waste to spend so long there, when they could be exploring the city. But Alicia kept telling him about the video she saw of people talking about the shop and she looked so excited...he would have waited in line for 6 hours if that made her smile.

"Oh my God, I can't wait to try them!"

"Wait until I pay for them at least", laughed Marc and gave the money to the guy who was selling them their food.

"Your hot chocolates are ready too", he told them, offering the cups. "Enjoy!"

"Thank you".

Alicia kept her promise and took a big bite of the waffle the moment she was out of the shop. Her smile got even bigger.

"This is so good".

Marc tried his waffle and he didn't really love it. He wasn't a fan of sweet food but he ate a bit more anyway. "Do you want the rest of mine? I'm not hungry".

"Ok".

So she ate the waffles while Marc took sips of the hot chocolate and held Alicia's cup until she was done eating and she wanted to drink hers.

The rest of their time there was also dedicated to trying all the food. They walked everywhere so at least Marc knew he was exercising by moving around the city so much. It was weird for him not to go to the gym but he didn't want to miss any of Alicia's plans for the two of them.

And then it was time to go to Berlin. Alicia also took them to try all the food there but this time, she also wanted to visit the museums.

"You have to feed your body but you also need to feed your mind, my love. Think about it".

"I'm a footballer. We don't tend to think often".

"I'll teach you how to do it", she winked.

One of the places they visited was the Altes Museum, which was Germand for old museum. The outside of the building already looked stunning but Alicia couldn't wait to see everything that they kept inside. Greek and Roman history was one of her favourite topics to study, so getting to see so many pieces from those times was amazing. And seeing Alicia's happiness was amazing for Marc. He was already planning their summer holidays. He couldn't wait to keep exploring the whole world with her by his side.