Page 64 of No Greater Oblivion

My last class of the day is on the other side of campus and I need to grab something from the library before they close for lunch. Otherwise, I’m screwed. These Catalonians take their siesta breaks very seriously and I learned my lesson the hard way the first week of class. Get places before the midday break or be prepared to wait several hours. The Caribbean girl in me understands punctuality is subjective but the American in me wants things done immediately and with haste.

I barrel around the next corner, too focused on the list of readings in my hand to realize someone’s right in front of me. We collide with enough force to send me flat on my ass and the other person topples forward, having tripped on the unleveled stone surface and landing on their hands and knees.

“Are you okay!”

“I’m so sorry!”

Our voices overlap and Beni catches up less than a second later. He kneels beside me and wraps an arm around my waist to help me up but I remain nailed in place.

“Alyssa?”

Too busy gathering up her things to notice at first, it takes her a second to lift her head and when she does, recognition colors her features. Books forgotten she replies, “Dahlia?” almost as if she doubts I’m really here.

In an instant, we start talking over each other.

“What are you doing in Spain?”

“Oh my God, you go to BIS, how⁠—”

“What do you mean me? What about you⁠—”

“And your place at Marcia’s?”

“Still there. How are your⁠—”

“Married, old, still driving me crazy. Who are you⁠—”

“Boyfriend, long story⁠—”

“Ladies!” Beni interjects. “Might we continue this conversation in an upright position?”

“Oh.” Lyss blinks a few times and hurries to gather her things. “Right.”

Beni picks up one of her books and hands it to her before gathering up my papers and bag. There’s a moment where Lyss and I make eye contact, a little hesitant on what to do. However, the second she steps forward, I meet her there and when she hugs me, I do my best to hug her back but it’s impossible. No one hugs like Lyss. She puts her all into it—every ounce of strength, every emotion, every drop of contentment.

It’s the kind of hug only a best friend can give.

“So, um…” Lyss’s nose crinkles as her gaze drifts over to Beni. “Who’s that?”

“Bodyguard,” I murmur around a bite full of xuixo. “Long story.”

“Hm,” she hums in response but doesn’t comment on it again.

She takes her time dipping her tea bag into her cup of hot water and without counting, I know she’s done it approximately twenty-five times. She’s always had a problem with numbers, if they aren’t even or perfectly divisible by five, it irritates her. And she still takes her tea the same she did when we were kids. That is to say, she drowns the hot water in sweetener until it’s more sugar or honey than tea. Today, it’s sugar but I can still smell the faint hint of mint.

The weather has been beautiful all day, sunny and clear, so we found a small café close to campus and are enjoying our late afternoon snack out in the sun. Beni still keeps a watchful eye but from where the car is parked across the street. I appreciate the privacy he gives me especially since Alejandro was very clear about keeping him attached at the hip.

“How did you end up at BIS?” I ask, eager to change the subject.

“It’s my senior year and I decided to do a semester abroad while I still had the chance.”

“Your bachelor's, right?”

She nods. “Yeah, I had to take a break for a while after Dad⁠—”

Lyss cuts herself off. I can tell she’s wondering how much she should divulge or if she should say anything at all. I decide to save her the trouble.

“I was really sorry to hear about Ronan…” I hesitate. “How’s he doing?”