Beneath the Starry Sky

Little Village

Alina Baraz - Pretty Thoughts 🎵

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It seemed Nate and I were the only vacationers haunted by this strange ghostly occurrence. The next day I emerged from a dreamless sleep. The room was freezing. A quick terror rang through me as I remembered the salty water burning my eyes. My throat was sore.

"You don't look so good," Joy said. "Did you leave the room last night? I slept like a log but I thought I heard someone coming and going."

I opened my mouth to tell her about what happened last night but no way. She wouldn't receive it easily. 

"Just a quick stroll." I said breezily. "By the way, I'm starving."

I had definitely worked up an appetite after last night's swim...

Nate and Cristian were sitting with a couple other guys from their group at the bistro tables by the garden. I felt his eyes follow me as we walked in and found some seats by the fountain with a magnificent view of the ocean.

It was absolutely perfect.

We're really here for free, huh?

Joy nudged me and made sneaky eyes.

"Nate's staring..."

She'd call it a crush; I'd say it was a silent understanding. Only me and Nate knew what had happened to us last night. I was spooked to say the least. Apparently the bluest skies couldn't ward off the spirits in the night... or day for the matter.

Ariel appeared suddenly. I watched him bus tables, water the flowers, and make drinks. I could just feel my eyeballs pop out of my head. Nate found my eyes and shrugged. We'd just have to deal with it, I suppose.

I had a latte and some fruit for breakfast with a croissant. It was enough to fill my tummy without feeling so bloated. My hunger pangs gone and miraculously, so was my headache.

I mean, this whole ghost thing wasn't bad, per se, but it was completely bizarre. I'd leave it at that. I did not want to spend my vacation pissing off some ghosts, so I'll make my peace.

I'm wearing a baby blue maxi dress today, underneath, a white bikini. I think Joy and I are headed to the beach again today. I'm still excited to feel the white powder sand in between my toes, the crystal mesmerizing aqua gleaming in the white sun. Oh my God. It hits me again.

"Joy! We're in Cuba!"

"The first of many trips!" Joys lifts her coffee with liquor in the air and I clink my drink to hers. Ghost boy or not, I'd make this a hell of a vacation.

We speak excitedly for a few minutes, discussing any excursions we'd like to do. In the distance, something that looks like a golf cart weaves through the little pathways around the resort and stops at the opening of the dining hall.

A round man with a Super Mario mustache gets out of the cart and has a drink with another driver.

"I heard that cart can bring us to the nearby village. We can go shopping today, maybe get a souvenir or something. It doesn't have to be a whole day thing." Joy explained.

I see the man's old fedora in his nest of black wavy hair. His dimples are pleasant and makes him friendly. His sandals are humble but one of a kind. I want this feeling, always. I'd like to find something to take home with me when this is all over.

We agree to some last minute plans to the little village. We quickly wave to the man and he gets the hint as we run over and slide into the seat behind him. We're off, gliding through the cobblestone path, the salty wind in our hair, our lips bitter from Cuban coffee.