World Men à la Mode

Chapter Twenty-six - Barcelona

        Morning came all too quickly as both your and Valerie's alarms blared, letting the room's occupants know that it was finally three in the morning. You felt as if you had barely gotten any sleep, which was probably true. You decided to take a nap on the plane after it took off, and you were positive that your friends would be doing the same.

        You took a speed shower and didn't bother with makeup, but you did apply sunscreen. Valerie quickly took her turn in the bathroom and came out with a bare face. She seemed to have the same mentality as you that morning when it came to putting on makeup. The two of you, now dressed, packed away what you didn't need in your suitcases and prepared your carry-on bags. After a small struggle to help Valerie close her suitcase, both of you headed down the many stairs, deciding to abort using the elevator, with your luggage. Darcy and Samantha were already down in the foyer of the hotel, as was Charlotte, who sat huddled against the wall half asleep with her belongings.

        Feliciano and Lovino soon joined your group with their little duffel bags sling over their shoulders. Feliciano seemed chipper as ever while Lovino slunk down against the wall next to Charlotte, obviously not fully awake yet either. No one said a word as the rest the of the group made their way down the stairs. Alfred gave a yawn and covered his mouth with ye back of his hand before speaking.

        "I know it's super early, and we're all still tired, but we've got an hour drive to the airport to nap and then the nearly two hour flight to Barcelona to do the same. Because of it being so early, security is going to move a lot quicker than it does in America," he explained. "We have to walk to where the bus dropped us off when we first arrived in order to board it. Keep your items close and keep a watchful eye out. Just because it looks and sounds quiet out there doesn't mean there aren't people who will try to jump you."

        The group gave various nods of acknowledgement before everyone headed out into the silent streets of Florence. Alfred was right about other people still being out. A barefooted man with dirtied clothes walked through the group as Alfred and the brothers figured out what the quickest route to get to where you needed to be was. The guy didn't linger and walked off, leaving everyone feeling weary and checking their belongings to make sure everything was still there.

        Lovino and Feliciano led the group down the darkened streets with Alfred following up from the back. You thought you wouldn't be seeing the man from earlier, but you were wrong. He was sitting on the curb of the sidewalk a few streets away. He got up and began following your group, his hands rubbing together. Lovino noticed and dropped back to patrol the expanse of the group, him and Alfred taking turns walking the length to make sure the guy didn't try to pull something. He said a few words to Lovino before walking off, to which Lovino flipped him off. Feliciano had the group stop at a stretch of street a minute or two before the bus pulled up. The group loaded up all the luggage and found a seat on the bus.

        Feliciano was the only one on the bus, minus the bus driver, who stayed awake and happily woke everyone else up. Him and his brother walked everyone into the small airport and directed them to where they needed to go to check in their luggage and go through security. Alfred went ahead of everyone and got in line first for the luggage check. The brothers gave your friends kisses on their cheeks and said their goodbyes. They lingered a little longer on you and pressed a kiss closer to your mouth. Feliciano slipped a piece of paper into your hand.

        "Keep in touch with us, bella! Maybe you could come back, and we could lead you around a new city!" he chirped happily.

        "Sì, what he said..." Lovino added quietly, rubbing the back of his neck.

        You nodded and kissed their cheeks in return before joining your friends in line. You made it through the luggage check and security fairly quickly. You had to wait a few minutes to board the plane, but up happily took another much needed nap once the plane took off. A kind flight attendant woke you and the rest of your group up once you landed. You grabbed your carry-on and walked off the plane with tired eyes. Your friends and you gathered around the baggage claim and helped one another grab your suitcases. Alfred then led the group outside.

        An array of groans escaped the mouths of you and your friends as the summer heat of Spain hit you. There was a nice breeze that rolled through occasionally, but it did nothing to dispel the stickiness that the humidity created. Amilia made a comment of how gross she felt already, but you paid her no mind as a man came running up to you. He was around Alfred's height and had unruly, slightly curly brown hair. His eyes were a beautiful green and his skin was of an olive tone. A bright smile graced his face. He wore tan khaki cargo shorts and a black tank top as well as brown sandals.

        "Hola, chicas!" he greeted cheerfully with a wave. "My name is Antonio Fernández Carriedo, and I'll be your local tour guide while you're here in Barcelona!"

        You could tell he was a native to the region with the slight lisp he had, but you thought it was rather adorable.

        "I know you all must be very tired, so we're going to have a relaxing first day, okay? I already have your rooms set aside at the hotel, which you'll be happy to know is close to the beach. We'll head there now so you can put your bags in your rooms and relax after we have breakfast. You guys will then have the whole day to enjoy La Barceloneta, which is the beach I mentioned a little bit ago. We do have dinner promptly at five o'clock, so I would recommend we head back to the hotel between three-thirty and four to shower and get ready for that. After dinner we'll be going to the Parc del Laberint d'Horta to do the hedge maze they have and enjoy the beauty of nature before having some free time to go shopping in the nearby plaza. Sound like a plan?"

        "Damn. He knows the schedule better than I do," Alfred laughed before yawning again.

        Antonio chuckled. "I suppose I do, amigo. But it's time to board the bus! Ladies first. I'll load your luggage into the back for you."

        You and your friends thanked him before getting on the bus. Everyone fell asleep before he could even get on with Alfred, but neither of them minded. They knew you were all wiped out yet. The cat nap on the bus seemed to be all you needed to be fully rejuvenated for the day. You took your bag to the room you were sharing with Lily and Charlotte before heading out to Antonio and Alfred to have breakfast. You ate happily before heading back to your room with your roommates to get ready for the beach. There wasn't much to do except to prepare a beach bag, change, and reapply sunscreen.

        After about two hours of waiting, Alfred came around saying that it was time to leave and that everyone should gather in the lobby. You changed quickly and headed there with your bag slung over your shoulder. Antonio walked the group the two blocks to the beach and then to where they had cabanas and umbrella spots reserved for them. You settled down happily and prepared to sunbathe for a bit before enjoying swimming in the ocean. After you dried off and relaxed under the shade of an umbrella, you read some of the book you brought with you. You eventually were interrupted by Antonio and Alfred warning the group that it was soon time to wonder back to the hotel to shower and prepare for dinner.

        Dinner was held at a fancy restaurant deeper in the city. Everything was rich tasting and flavorful. Afterward you went straight to the Parc del Laberint d'Horta. You walked around for a bit before heading to the maze. It was massive, and you ended up getting lost a few times with your group before Lily remembered a trick regarding dragging your hand along either of the walls to find your way out. You all had a laugh as it took you longer than you expected to get out, but it lead to some hilarious Snapchat stories. After enjoying the park a little longer, you headed out to the plaza nearby and shopped around, buying smaller trinkets you liked so they wouldn't take up too much space in your suitcase. The group then headed back to the hotel around nine o'clock. You got ready for bed and fell asleep after Alfred let everyone what time they had to be up by.

~Author's Note~

DreamsForDays here! The update is early today due to having to run some errands later. But welcome to Spain everyone! This chapter was more relaxed, but we'll be getting into the more exciting parts next week! Thanks for reading! Feedback in the comments is always appreciated! Until next time!