From the diary of Griselda Vargas-Beilschmidt

48

I wake up to a ray of sunshine in my eye. Is it morning already? Seems like it's morning already. Instincts tell me to wake up before Gabi does, but that doesen't seem to be in need if a hurry. My cousin is curled up like a kitten, and calmly breathing, his back turned on me. Someone's foot is touching my back, while my forehead is touching Gabi's back, smelling his shirt. I like his smell - sea and tomatoes. I feel a lot better now, relaxed and charged, so I sit up and rub my eyes, free of the annoying ray now.

"Good morning, Grissie!"

There's Ashleigh sitting on the chair of the Captain's table, holding a small mirror. Oh. I yawn again and also greet her. She's still in her pyjamas, hair messy.

"Good lord, Gris!" she exclaims suddenly "Your face is so red!" I sigh. There we go again. My skin tone is very pale, so I get sunburnt extremely easily. I can't imagine what would it be like having Fred's or Ingrid's skin tone. Speaking of which, Fred is sleeping soundly next to Gabe. His skin is okay right now, because he didn't walk through the town yesterday.

Ashleigh scoots closer and carefully places her hands on my shoulders, which are also bright red. "Damn," she mutters, then gets an idea "Grissie! I've got some aloe vera cream somewhere-" she rummages through her bag and fishes out a cream bottle. "A-ha! This should help! But first, we really should wash and change, right?"

I can't disagree. I didn't know Ash had this motherly side in her...

The boys are still sleeping, and the American snaps a picture before we head off. I promise to keep it a secret if she prints it for me. Especially Gabi looks so adorable!!

Me and Ash go to the below deck and wash our faces with the water labeled 'Hygiene'. Ash even offers to braid my hair! Then she applies the aloe cream, and I must say, it's really helping. We then grab some cereal from the crate with food and have a breakfast.

When we return, those three are still sleeping. Lazies! Ashleigh chuckles. "Hey Gris, I've got an idea," she grins, "will you record it for me, please?"

"Sure," I say as she passes me her phone, then goes digging into her bag once again, as she picks up an airhorn.

Oh Scheiße.

"Ready?" she whispers and I put my thumb up. "Go!"

The three stand no chance.

George yells like girl, Gabe sits up with his eyes wide as saucers and Fred gets on all four in the bed and growls, then jumps at Ashleigh and rips the airhorn from her hands.

"Why," he mutters, grabbing Ashleigh's shirt. "Why!" He pulls her closer to perform his intimidating stare. She's not affected very much, as she only grins apologetically.

"Sorry, man, but it's past eight, and we need to decide on a few things," she reasons.

"Past EIGHT?!? Mother-" George begins.

"FUCKER!" Gabi finishes.

"I meant mother of God, but this works too."

Ash waves her hands in the air. "Then when would you like to be woken up?!" she questions sulkingly.

"Never," is Gabriel's reply. Poor cousin still looks like he'd just seen a ghost. Fred nods in agreement. Ash makes a face that says 'same bro', but then shakes it off.

"Go below deck and make yourself some breakfast," she orders. The trio looks at each other and slowly, grumpingly, leave the cabin.

"You got it?" Ash asks once they're gone.

"Si! All of it!" she pats my head.

"I think I'll sent it to group chat," she contemplates. "And maybe to dad, too."

When the three return twenty minutes later, they're already viral between the nations.

"So, I was thinking..." Ashleigh starts.

"Wow! Really?" Fred asks with sarcasm. Gabi is still too tired to accompany him with a "oooooooooh!" sound like he would any other time.

"Yes, really, Fred, you goddamned albino maple," she retorts. "And we have several things to do: first off, we gotta write the ship name on the ship, right?" she looks to George, who nods. "Indeed, we need to do that. A ship without a name can't sail."

"Okay, so that's one thing. Then we need to figure out where do they want us to go, so someone should look through the maps again, probably Gabriel, since it's his land," Ashleigh really has a good sense of organization. "and the last one should check how much food and water do we have. That's all I can think of right now."

"Okay, well," Gabe proposes "me and Gris will figure the maps."

"Oki-doki!" I shrug and take Gabe's hand.

"Alright. I found some cans with paint and brushes below deck when I was looking for food. I think we have black and red," Fred adds.

"Good, good. So, who wants to paint the name?" Ash asks. George lifts his hand.

"I'll do it if no one else will."

"Great! I'll help, so Fred can check the food!" Fred scoffs with a grin. "Why do I have the feeling I know why did you do it like that..." he whispers so loud everyone can hear it.

"Haaaaah?!" Ash turns to him "What?!"

"Oh nothing," Fred assures and holds his palms up "I'll go check the food!" he backs out of the room.

"I'll get the paint," George leaves as well, followed by Ashleigh. Me and Gabe look at each other.

"They're such idiots," Gabe shakes his head.

"Si, but they're our friends."

"Whatever. Let's just look at the map."

About thirty minutes later it's clear where should we sail first. Me and Gabe go check on George and Ashleigh, George painting the name on the side of the ship with big block letters in the red colour with his nice handwriting, while Ashleigh is checking he doesen't fall from the rope ladder. Fred joins us soon with a list of items.

"So I went through it and wrote everything down -" 

"And?"

"And we'll be fine for like, five, six days? I think? Maybe?" he shrugs. 

"Done!" George shouts from down there.

Spamano is ready to sail.