quickly shutters whatever he's feeling.
An employee that I guess you would classify as a bellboy comes hustling from another hallway, pushing a large gold cart. He promptly begins to load our meager belongings and then leads us to an elevator and then up to the top floor.
"The view here is unparalleled in the city," he announces proudly with a beaming smile. We're all subdued in our response, and his smile dims.
Carter stands stiffly in the corner, intentionally putting as much distance as possible between himself and the rest of us. The elevator doors open, and I momentarily forget Carter's little fit because the view is truly spectacular. The Mediterranean Sea sprawls out in front of us, palm trees dot the golden beaches, and you can see La Manquita, Malaga's famous cathedral in the distance.
It's breathtaking.
"Know any good trees?" Quaid asks innocently as he hands the eager young guy some bills for a tip.
"Trees?" he asks, confused.
"Ignore him," Logan and Carter both say together, and I can't help but giggle.
"Something funny?" Quaid asks, and I just roll my eyes since that's become his favorite statement this trip evidently.
"I'll just be going," the bellboy says awkwardly, but no one is paying attention.
The ting of the elevator as he leaves creates an awkward silence as the four of us just look at each other.
"A black card, huh?" Carter spits sarcastically.
"Got a problem with that?" responds Quaid calmly.
Carter just stalks off into one of the bedrooms and soundly slams the door shut.
"Carter's kind of grown up to be an ass," comments Logan, and for some reason, the comment once again has me spiraling into giggles.
"Should we go find your tree?" asks Quaid, his eyes alight with mischief.
"Nope, remember today's a beach day," I remind him.
"How could I forget that I get to see you in a bathing suit?" he flirts.
I try to smile, but thinking about standing in front of them in a bathing suit has me wanting to throw up, so I'm sure that I look more like I'm grimacing than grinning.
Quaid and Logan both wink at me and then grab their bags to go change. I take my bag and head to the master, since I figure—or at least hope—that one of the guys will spend the nights there with me while we are here. I've had enough of teasing kisses. I'm ready for a home run.
I walk into the room, and then suddenly, the floor under my feet gives in, a dark cloud pulling me under. I’m brought to when I hear Logan knocking on the door. When he sees me lying in the middle of the floor, he rushes towards me.
"Valentina? What happened?"
By my silent reply and shake of my head, I realize I have no idea.
I remember walking into the room, but then everything goes blank after that. I have no concept of how much time has passed, and I don't want to ask. I know what just happened is because of the tumor, and I don't want to lose the rest of the day.
I still have time left, I remind myself.
But the reminder sounds more like a frail prayer, than true fact.
For the first time since I embarked on this adventure, I start to worry about what I'm actually going to be like at the end of the three months…if I even make it that far.
Will I be peeing myself, throwing up constantly, not remember where I am? Because all of that happened during treatment. The symptoms calmed down since then, but me losing moments of time is not a good sign.
"Valentina?" Logan presses again. "Quaid, get the fuck in here."
I realize belatedly that Logan just asked me a question.
"I'm fine," I lie. "I just slipped on something," I continue with an awkward laugh.
Logan stares at me hard, studying my face. He knows I'm lying. The question is, will he decide to call me out or not.
Quaid comes running in, as does Carter. And now evidently it's a party.
I unsteadily get to my feet, savoring the way that Logan holds onto my waist to help me up. It's a weird thing to be so turned on by such a simple gesture while dying.
"Really, I'm good," I assure them. "I'm going to get changed and I'll be right out."
All three of them are studying me, and I know they're going to have a conversation about what just happened as soon as they leave the room.
I just don't want them to know for a little while longer. Everything will change