_________________________
Jordi: Meet you in 5.
Estel: I'm already here.
_________________________
Jordi's head rose out from under his blanket. He got out of bed and put on his tracksuit. The green digits on his alarm clock read 10:28 PM. Jordi tiptoed past the snoring Sergi towards the wardrobe. He grabbed his runners and walked out of the room barefoot.
Outside, the hallway was dimly lit. Jordi, light-footed, reached the end of the hallway, where Señor Tito's room was situated. He crouched and crawled past the room and towards the staircase leading down to the kitchen.
There was usually a caretaker who would be up at this time, but he would always be talking with the security guard at the entrance. In the kitchen, Jordi snuck past the various aisles and reached the exit through the kitchen. Before leaving, he made sure to unlock the door for his safe return. It was clear that Jordi had been through this routine many times.
The May night had still not become humid and unbearable. The stars were out tonight, and a pleasant but intermittent breeze was travelling through the paths it could find. Jordi's hair fluttered as he made his way to a shed behind the building. He rounded the shed to find Estel sitting behind it, back leaning against the shed.
No words spoken, Jordi sat down next to her. She took out the right earpiece of her wired earphones and offered it to Jordi. Soon, the two were seated against the shed wall, shoulder to shoulder, each wearing one earpiece. A sacred ritual was complete.
Today, however, Estel snuck her left hand into his right. Jordi turned towards her. This was not usually a part of their ritual. Estel did not explain and kept facing forward. Jordi felt her hand squeeze his tight. Why had she not held his hand before? This was wonderful.
"I'm feeling gracious right now. We can listen to your old-people music today." Jordi, happy to avoid the loud music Estel listened to, plugged her earphones into his iPod.
Cello Sonata No.1 in C Minor, Op. 32by Camille Saint-Saëns.
The boy and girl sat together, under the starry skies, listening to a symphony that belonged to the open fields in the Spring. There was comfortable silence between them, so characteristic of the boy, so uncharacteristic of the girl.
"Are you okay, Ombreta? I'm sorry. I should've told Dad about your… family."
"I'm fine. It makes no difference, Estel."
Jordi sighed and thought back to this afternoon. After a pleasant conversation, Jordi was surprised to find himself at ease in Estel's father's presence. He even accompanied them back to their car, something his mother had taught him was basic manners. Then came Ignacio's question, catching him completely off guard.
…
"So, Jordi, what do your parents do?
"Uh, my mother has a bakery in El Raval, sir."
"Wow, that must be fun, no? And your father?"
Jordi's feet came to a halt. He looked over to Estel as he usually did when he did not have an answer. Seeing a panicked expression on her face worsened his predicament. With no feasible response, Jordi chuckled to negate the question that felt like an allegation to him.
"Uhm, Nothing."
Ignacio Soler, a renowned lawyer, softened his tone when he saw Jordi's discomfort.
"Oh, he doesn't work. That's fin—"
"Jordi has never met his father, Dad. He doesn't know him." Estel's protective tone rose to interrupt Ignacio.
The following conversation was quick and awkward. Jordi did not remember much, for he had escaped into himself for the duration of it.
…
"I'm fine, Estel. I promise. This isn't the first time someone has asked me about him. I get that question from every adult at school and the academy."
"But Jordi… Do you wish you could meet him?"
"NO," Jordi responded, his voice louder than it ever had been with Estel. Estel, of course, always so sure of herself and him, did not even blink back.
"I-I'm just curious. What is he like? Where is he?"
...
Jordi Lloret threw his bag and slumped on the bed. Finally, the year-end exams were over. Tomorrow, he would return home for a few weeks of the summer break. After the vacation, Jordi would join the Cadete level for the next season. At this moment, though, there was something more important to figure out.
On the way to his room, Jordi had heard a few whispers amidst the buzz in the crowd. He was waiting for Sergi to come back from his exam and confirm the news for him. If true, this was huge!
…
Jordi woke up with a start as the dorm door sprang open.
"Ohh, Jordi, my brother. How do you do it? I studied so hard, but they did me wrong, man. How would I know the order of the solar system? All I could write down is that there are 9 planets."
"8."
"What?"
"Our solar system has 8 planets, not 9. They removed Pluto years ago."
"Jordi, what the hell, man? Don't make stuff up."
Sergi ran over to Jordi's laptop and searched to confirm the harsh revelation. Ignoring his hysterical friend, Jordi sauntered to the bathroom. As he washed his face, he heard a muffled exclamation from outside the door.
"It's fine, Sergi. You always do well in Maths and Physics. You'll be fine. Did you hear about him coming to visit?"
Sergi barged into the bathroom, no semblance of decorum visible.
"Hermano, how could I forget? Yes, yes. He is coming today, brother. We will get to meet Messi!"
Sergi grabbed Jordi's shoulders and jumped up and down. He only stopped when he spotted Jordi staring at him with a toothbrush in his mouth. In no time, he was out of the bathroom, gently closing the door behind him.
…
Jordi came out to a crowded room. Ansu occupied Jordi's seat while Eric and Balde were tangled up on Jordi's bed. Sergi sat on his study chair, feet propped up on Jordi's desk. Ansu was the first to spot Jordi.
"Jordi, Messi is coming!"
"Yep, Sergi told me. Do you know when?"
"Around 4. I heard we can ask him questions." Balde, usually so unruffled, was at the edge of Jordi's bed. Upon Jordi's signal, Eric gave him a kick off the bed. As he fell onto the floor, Jordi jumped to take his place.
"Eric, you bastard…"