RAQUEL

Run...

Shit. Shit.

Barking behind us.

Oh, shit.

I should have exercised. Why am I so out of shape?

Because you don't exercise, you idiot, you just said so.

In the distance I can see Ares' silhouette. Marco passes me by, like the flash. Once again, I hate soccer players.

My heart is about to burst out of my chest, Dani also catches up with me.

"Run, Raquel, run!"

"I'm not...," I run out of air. "Forrest Gump!"

Dani smiles at me.

"I know, but I always wanted to say that. Seriously, run!," she walks away, in a hurry, I give her the finger.

"What the fuck do you think I've been doing?"

Samy, Apolo and Joshua also pass me. Oh, no, them too. I am officially the last one.

I'm about to panic when I see Ares come back for me, and grab my hand to literally pull me behind him. The dogs are barking loudly behind me, I don't even dare to look.

How did we end up being chased by four dogs?

Let's just say because of alcohol and bad decisions, emphasis on bad decisions.

I had the bright idea to celebrate even more when the party at Ares' house was over. MY idea was to drink at my house, listen to music, but, of course, that wasn't enough. Dani, the one I call my best friend, came up with the wonderful idea to show us an infamous lake she found last week while jogging or whatever. So, obviously, all of us with alcohol on the brain functioning as bravery let her bring us to it. But what Dani didn't know is that the lake has not been open to the public because it is basically NOT for the public, but is private property, part of a ranch guarded by dogs.

And that's how we ended up running for our lives.

With Ares' help, I jump the fence (which should have warned us to the fact that it wasn't public at first) and we leave the dogs on the other side. I fall to my knees dramatically, my heart pounding in my ears, in my head, everywhere.

"I'm..." heavy breath, "going to die."

Ares, Marco and Apolo look like they haven't just run for their lives, they're not even sweaty. To my consolation, Dani and Samy are a few steps away from me, grunting and breathing just as heavy as I am. And Joshua, well, let's just say Joshua is not in his best moment. Samy can barely speak.

"I'm going to kill you, Daniela."

Dani raises her hand.

"I..."

Joshua enlightens us with his commentary.

"That was... unbelievable!"

We all give him a "but what the fuck..." look. Joshua runs his hand over his face.

"It was like a video game, live play, the adrenaline, wow."

Okay, there's a chance that some of us are still very drunk. Dani laughs out of nowhere, out loud.

Scratch the possibility; we're all still drunk. Joshua's sweet eyes fall on me.

"And I have to say, if this we were a video game, you'd be so dead, Raquel. I would never choose your character to play."

For the second time that night I gave my finger out at someone, alcohol is making me rude. I raise my gaze to the sky, surprised at how clear it's getting.

"Oh, shit. Is that the sun?"

Dani laughs again and Joshua joins in. Apolo follows my gaze.

"Oh, it's dawn."

At what point did the night pass us by?

Alcohol makes us lose track of time. Samy speaks while taking a breath of air.

Marco watches her and the adoration is obvious in his eyes, he is so in love. He and Samy have been dating for a while, I'm so glad. Samy deserves to be happy, she's a good person. My eyes fall on Apolo, who is looking at Daniela discreetly. I wonder if between them there will be a chance or nothing at all.

The delicious new summer weather settles against my skin, warming it. It's so nice to be outside like this, no coats, no jackets, I missed this.

Dani nods.

"It's a perfect day to go to the beach."

Samy pouts.

"You're right, I wish we could go."

Joshua paces back and forth, gets very hyper when he drinks.

"Why don't we go?"

We all turn our heads towards him like the girl in the exorcist, he continues.

"Ares and Marco are sober, and we can all fit in their cars."

Dani hits him with his elbow.

"Don't go around making decisions for others."

Ares smiles.

"No, I think it's an excellent idea." Apolo supports him.

"Yes, this is probably the last time we will be reunited like this."

Most of them are going off to college, and while Dani, Joshua and I will be attending the same college, I can't say the same for the others, especially Ares. It hurts so much every time I remember about it, I've pushed it to the back of my head, it's like not thinking about it makes it less real.

Joshua raises his hands in the air.

"To the beach, everybody!"

I can't help but smile, his enthusiasm is contagious, and I am so happy to see him happy especially after what happened to him. I was very excited when I found out that he is going to attend my university, I want to be close to him, not only because I want to take care of him, but because I want to be there if at some point he relapses or feels lonely. Depression is not something that is cured overnight, it takes time, and there may be situations that lead to a relapse, and if that at some point happens, I want to be there for him.

Samy narrows her eyes, looking behind me.

"Is that Gregory?"

I turn around to see, sure enough, Gregory walking towards us with a bottle of what looks like Jack Daniel's in his hand. But what...?

"Finally, I've found you guys!," he shouts, approaching us. He told us he would catch up with us, but that was about an hour ago, and when he didn't show up we assumed he wasn't coming.

Marco laughs.

"How the fuck did you get here?"

Gregory shakes his phone.

"Uber."

Marco pats him on the back.

"You're like a damn cockroach, it's so hard to get rid of you."

Gregory acts offended.

"A cockroach? Really?"

Samy intervenes for her boyfriend.

"Haven't you heard that cockroaches would resist radiation from a nuclear blast? It's a compliment to your endurance."

Marco looks at her, pleased, but says nothing. I have noticed that, although he is not very expressive and affectionate with her, his look says it all. I find it so sweet when cold boy falls in love.

Gregory shrugs.

"I don't care, at least I got here and I think I heard someone say beach. Count me in."

Joshua looks at Ares, Apolo, Gregory and Marco and mutters.

"Wow, you guys are incredibly handsome."

We all laughed, and Gregory winks.

"Single at your command."

Joshua gives him a tired look.

"No, I mean you guys are the first male friends I've ever had and you're too good looking, this isn't going to work."

Gregory pretends to run out of air.

"You're breaking up with me and we haven't even started?"

Joshua ignores him.

"I mean, if I go out with you, I won't get the girls."

I turn my gaze, and grab his cheeks.

"You're handsome too, Yoshi."

I can feel Ares' heavy gaze on my head and I slowly lower my hands. Marco grimaces.

"Yoshi?"

Apolo laughs a little.

"Like the turtle in Mario Kart?"

I give them a murderous look.

"It's not a turtle, it's a dinosaur."

Gregory grabs the bridge of his nose.

"Can we focus on going to the beach?"

Samy nods.

"The cockroach is right, it's a two-hour drive, so let's go."

Dani worries about the logistics of the affair and I admire her for thinking about it when we have dawned drinking.

"We don't have a bathing suit or food."

Gregory clears his throat.

"As my grandpa would say, 'no matter what you lack, you will find it somewhere along the way'."

Marco raises an eyebrow.

"Didn't your grandpa leave your grandmother for a woman he met on the road?" Gregory responds.

"Exactly, he lacked love and found it along the way. Hey, stop ruining my cool moments."

With Marco and Gregory arguing, we started walking to where they left the cars parked.

Time to travel.

#

Already on the road, with the window on his side open, Ares rests his arm on it, while his other hand is on the steering wheel; he is shirtless, with a backwards cap and sunglasses. The sun streams through the window and slides over his skin, highlighting the definition of every muscle in his torso.

Virgin of Abdominals, why did you bless him this much? Why do you bring such a being into this world? So that poor mortals like me suffer every time we see him.

Gregory appears in the middle of our seats.

"I feel like the son back here," he says. "Mom, I want boobie."

I tap him on the forehead with my fingers.

"Very funny."

Gregory returns to his seat.

"Child abuse," he grabs Ares' shoulder and shakes him. "Dad, aren't you going to do anything?"

Ares sighs.

"Relax, son, I'll punish her later," and he gives me that crooked smile that suits him so well.

Gregory grimaces.

"Uuuuuuh!"

Ares laughs.

"How do you think you came into the world, son?"

"I give up! Now!" Gregory returns to his post with his arms folded across his chest as if in a tantrum.

Apolo, who is on his right side, grimaces, and Dani, who is on his left side, ignores us, pensively, looking out the window. Joshua left in Marco's car. We stop at a supermarket to buy what we need for our impromptu adventure. I walk by where the bathing suits are hanging, trying to pick out a simple one. Ares appears in front of me, with a one-piece swimsuit in his hands.

"How about this one?"

I cross my arms over my chest.

"I like two-piece swimsuits."

Ares smiles at me.

"But this one would look great on you, and you can wear it with these shorts," he shows me one in his other hand. "A good combination."

Ha! Nice try, Greek god!

"No thanks, focus on picking something for yourself."

Ares pouts. God, such nice lips, so kissable.

"Please?"

"Nice try," I say, turning my back to him.

Ares wraps his arms around me from behind, to whisper in my ear.

"Well, but if I get jealous, you know how I get," I swallow hard. "So, when you end up fucked in the sand on the beach, don't complain."

"No matter what I wear, you're still going to fuck me," I say, turning in his arms for a short kiss.

He smiles at my lips.

"You know me so well."

"So I'll choose what I want," he opens his mouth to protest, "And, if you protest," I run my hand down his abdomen to his pants, squeezing lightly, "you're not getting any sex tonight."

Ares bites his lower lip, raising his hands in the air in defeat.

"Choose what you want."

"Thank you," I wave him away and he obeys. Who has the power now, Greek god?

I choose a simple red swimsuit, some glasses and a beach hat. Dani shows up next to me with what she has chosen and we leave ready to go to the beach.

"Beach! Here we go!" Gregory exclaims with his fists in the air.

I think this trip is going to be very interesting.