Myria POV
It's Saturday and we go to karaoke. Noelia, Alicia and Arancha have gone to a spa again without telling the others. I don't like the karaoke plan at all, but Isabel insisted and as she comes from some difficult weeks we wanted to do it for her. She's gonna introduce us to her new boyfriend, Daniel.
This week has been very weird. In the afternoon I spent the whole time with Alba in Elena's room working on the project. I hope that as the campaign has been a success thanks to my ideas, she won't doubt my professionalism and commitment to the job.
'Although knowing her she is capable.'
her on Tinder. We have more in common than I thought and time flies by. I'm not trying to make fun of her, or force anything, I'm not even trying to flirt, I'm just getting to know her, talking to her, telling her things that I can barely share with others by protecting myself behind the screen (and Alejandra's picture). Since I work at Hevia Company I barely have time for anything, I only see my friends once a week, I'm hardly ever at home with my cats... my life is not what you would call an adventure, there's no excitement, it's boring, I don't do too many things... it sucks, actually. So I guess I have this feeling that the moments when I'm talking to Alba are the best part of my day.
'Because it can't be anything else.'
ELENA: Are you ready?
I was lost in my thoughts and I didn't see her come in.
MYRIA: Yeah.
She looks at me worriedly.
ELENA: Are you okay?
MYRIA: Sure, why?
ELENA: I don't know, you were just lying there on your bed staring at the ceiling doing nothing.
MYRIA: I was waiting for you, can't you see I'm dressed? I've been like this for two hours now, you little princess.
Elena looked very pretty today, she had put on black shorts and boots and was wearing an oversized black t-shirt. She had also done her hair and make-up.
MYRIA: Well, tonight's the night, I see.
This could only be because of Rosa. She grins at me.
ELENA: I guess so.
MYRIA: Well, why so long?
ELENA: I wanted to enjoy it.
I look at her without understanding.
MYRIA: Wouldn't you enjoy it more if you kiss and do adult things?
ELENA: I know what I mean.
'I don't.'
Elena comes out of my room to complete the finishing touches. My phone vibrates. Alba.
ALBA: I'm going to karaoke night with some friends. You know one of them has been in jail?
I chuckled under my breath.
'Of course I know.'
ALEJANDRA: Wow, are you trying to impress me with your contacts?
ALBA: I don't know, are you impressed?
ALEJANDRA: A little.
ALBA: Then it was totally my intention :D
ALEJANDRA: And, tell me, are you going to join her and dedicate your life to crime? That would impress me more.
ALBA: I'm tempted... but don't get your hopes up.
Elena goes back to my room.
ELENA: I'm here, let's go.
--
Tonight Rosa and Alba are coming with Javier. It feels strange to see him out of the office, but I guess it's all a matter of getting used to it, like with the others. We went to karaoke talking and sharing anecdotes. I mean, Elena and Rosa were very goofy, more than usual, because they've been goofy since they met each other (well, Elena was goofy before). Isabel and her boyfriend showed up when we were already at the karaoke door.
ELENA: Isabel! How you doing?
We hugged her and she introduced us to her boyfriend. He seemed nice. I don't like to pay too much attention to Isabel's boyfriends because every week she shows up with a different one, so that's it. One more nice boyfriend, Daniel, nice boyfriend number 2343425.
I don't feel like karaoke, if I'm already embarrassed normally, tonight I'm even more so. There's my boss, you don't go to karaoke with a boss.
When we go in we order drinks, tonight I will need to drink a lot if I want to dare to sing. I don't want to, but since they're going to insist that we all sing, I'll have no choice, so I have to drink. We haven't even sat down yet, and Isabel wants to start singing. She needs to recover the time she's lost.
ISABEL: Come on, Daniel and I will start.
Rosa and Elena sat together, the rest of us sat opposite them at the table so as not to be third wheel. Javier sat next to me and Alba on the other side.
That's good, the last thing I want is to sit next to her tonight.
JAVIER: Are you gonna sing, Myria?
MYRIA: Probably not.
ELENA: Uh, no. We all sing here.
Isabel and Daniel were yelling a lot, it was awful. That's the bad thing about karaoke, they're embarrassing, people shout loudly and it's horrible. But the worst part is when you're the one doing it. When they finished singing, they sat down next to Rosa and started making out. The poor girl didn't know what to do, she had turned red and we all laughed.
MYRIA: Don't worry Rosa, you'll get used to it.
Isabel and Daniel were totally oblivious to our conversation. Elena got up to sing. I was quite surprised, she usually needs a couple of drinks to sing, but today she's determined.
'Very good Elena, you' came to succeed.'
Javier and Alba were talking about the drinks campaign.
MYRIA: Huh, don't you dare talk about work at the weekend.
They chuckled.
ALBA: I was telling him that the campaign was a success.
JAVIER: And that it was all thanks to you.
I was surprised by that.
MYRIA: Did you say that, Alba?
Alba looked at Javier and then at me.
ALBA: Not in those words.
I smiled cockily.
MYRIA: I see, I'm a good professional after all. After doubting me and talking nonsense to me in the office.
Alba rolled her eyes.
MYRIA: Do you realize how much talent you've been wasting by sending me to make photocopies all day?
ALBA: Myria, stop it. Don't spoil it. -She's quiet for a moment. -You've done a good job, happy?
I smiled from ear to ear.
MYRIA: Yes, I'm happy.
JAVIER: But it's true, let's not talk about work on Saturday night, we're all young.
ELENA: I don't know what to sing, Myria, help me.
I got up to help Elena.
MYRIA: What do you want to sing, a love song for Rosa?
Elena looked at me with a frightened face, Rosa had also turned red.
ELENA: No, asshole, I want to sing something danceable.
I felt terrible, I noticed I was turning red.
MYRIA: I' m sorry. I thought that...
ELENA: Just kidding, of course I want to sing something to her.
He winked at Rosa, who giggled.
ELENA: But I don't want it to be cheesy, and I don't want it to be awkward.
ROSA: Do you want me to pick it for you?
ELENA: No, because it has to be a surprise.
MYRIA: But this isn't going to be a surprise, we're picking it in front of her. I'm picking it for you!
Everyone laughed. Except for Isabel and Daniel who were still in business.
ELENA: That's right, it doesn't matter, I'll choose.
I went back to my seat giggling.
Elena POV
I'm really nervous, I want to sing something for Rosa but I'm embarrassed. It's been a long time since I've been to karaoke and I don't know what to sing, besides, I've never sung love songs, I don't like them, I think they're tacky. But I want to show Rosa my feelings and I'm sure she'll appreciate the effort I'm going to make.
'Which is great, because Myria will surely remember this day for years.'
I wanna be with Rosa. I think I can leave my worries behind, I don't think I'll get tired of her after two days as I do with other girls. Even though we haven't kissed or done anything, you could say we're already something. I don't know what that something is, but it's... something. It's something beautiful. And I've been thinking about it for a few days now, I don't think that just because we finally put a name to it, or kiss, or go one step further, that something will go away, will it?
'It shouldn't.'
I've never had a relationship, I don't know if I'll be good at it, I'm sure I'm the opposite of good, but if there's one thing I'm clear about, of all the things in the world, which are few because few things are clear to me, it's that I want my first serious and real relationship to be with Rosa. I would also like it to be the last, but I don't know about that, I can't control it, but the other thing I do, the first one I do.
I've been choosing the song for a while now and I'm starting to get nervous. All of them seem horrible, is it really so difficult to choose a love song that doesn't make you cringe?
'I've got it!
Wonderwall by Oasis. It's perfect.
ELENA: Well, I've got it. Guys, I'm going to sing. -I said solemnly.
Rosa is looking at me and grinning excitedly, she's clapping her hands. The others are clapping too, but I don't care, I only see her.
ELENA: Don't clap yet, I haven't started yet.
MYRIA: We're clapping because you've finally finished choosing, we were nodding off.
ELENA: Myria, shut up.
Everyone laughed.
ELENA: Well, I'm going to start now.
The music starts to play.
"Today is gonna be the day
That they're gonna throw it back to you..."
Everyone is quiet, even Isabel and Wohon are looking at me. I'm so embarrassed, I have to focus and look only at Rosa.
'Oh God, Rosa.'
When I turn to her I see her with all the excitement in the world on her face and her eyes glazed over. It's no big deal either, I'm getting even more embarrassed that she's looking at me like that.
'I've got to focus on the song or I'll end up singing God knows what.'
"Because maybe, you're gonna be the one that saves me
And after all, you're my wonderwall."
Alba POV
It's lovely how Elena is singing. What she is singing and how she is singing it. She looks very nervous and you can tell she's embarrassed to do this, which is difficult for her, but she's doing it because she knows Rosa is excited about it. I'm so happy for her... I've never seen her so moved. My best friend is right now living one of the most magical moments of her life. And we all know it, we are silent and enjoying it. I feel so lucky to be here sharing it with them.
Myria is open-mouthed and stupid-faced looking at Elena.
'If she dares to make a single joke or comment I'll rip her head off'
When she finished we all applauded, Elena was grinning with her cheeks redder than usual and Rosa stood up and hugged her. Nobody said anything, we just looked at them. Even Myria didn't spoil this moment, and she usually loves to do that. But she doesn't. She watches them with an idiotic grin on her face.
'She has a nice smile, actually.'
After Elena, Javier sang. He chose a Mariah Carey song and treated us to some impressive diva vocals. I really wasn't expecting anything like that, and it seems that the others weren't either, because they stopped everything they were doing (including Isabel and her boyfriend) to watch Javier.
Everyone except Myria.
'Why is she looking at me?'
Myria has a special ability to make other people uncomfortable, and by other people I mean myself.
ALBA: Myria.
MYRIA: What?
ALBA: What do you want?
MYRIA: Nothing.
She turned to look at Javier. But what's wrong with her? Less than ten seconds later she looked at me again.
MYRIA: Are you going to sing?
ALBA: I guess, aren't you?
MYRIA: I need to drink some more. -She pointed to her glass and we chuckled.
I thought it was funny that she was embarrassed to sing in front of us. I've always loved going to karaoke with my friends, and I'm past the embarrassment phase. When we were teenagers, Rosa and I would spend our afternoons locked up in the karaoke room singing, imitating the choreography of our favourite singers and having fun. I miss that time.
When Javier finished we all applauded him.
ROSA: I didn't know you could sing so well.
JAVIER: When I was a kid I went to singing lessons.
ELENA: And you got a lot out of it.
I nodded, Myria was staring at me again.
'Why does she keep staring at me?'
MYRIA: Now it's your turn.
'She just wants to laugh at me.'
I guess he'll think I sing badly, or something. But the truth is that's not the case, so it's not going to work out well for her.
ALBA: Wouldn't you rather sing something for us first?
She tensed up.
MYRIA: No, me later, I'm not drunk enough right now.
She was on her third drink, she wasn't drunk but her eyes were a bit sparkly.
ALBA: Well, I guess it's my turn.
Myria POV
I haven't been able to take my eyes off Alba all night. Why does this happen every time I drink? It's like the alcohol turns her into some kind of magnet and my eyes are made of metal. She's fucking Magneto. And she looks pretty today too.
'You think that every day.'
I don't. I don't. I think it sometimes, the times she comes out looking pretty, which isn't many, it's a few. They are few. I'm looking forward to hearing her sing. While she chooses the song I pour myself another drink, I think I'm starting to feel the effects of the alcohol.
'How beautiful Elena and Rosa look together.'
I'm so happy for my friend, they keep looking at each other as if they're going to kiss at any moment but... in the end they don't! If they don't do it tonight for themselves, I will put their heads together and force them.
ALBA: I know what I'm going to sing.
I look at her curiously. Rosa laughs.
ROSA: I already know what you've chosen.
Alba smiles at Rosa.
'Her smile kills me.'
ALBA: I don't know why it's taken me so long to choose, I always start with the same one.
Then the beginning of Rihanna's Take a bow comes on and Alba starts singing. She hasn't even finished the first line and I'm already burning inside.
'She's perfect.'
No, no, she's not perfect. She's a magnet, she's magnetic, that's it. She's not perfect because sometimes she's hateful. Although it's true that now, watching her singing, I can't remember what it is that I hate (do I hate her?) so much about her. Her voice is full of shades, it's sweet, it's dark, it sounds too good. I wish I could say something to her, but I can't. I must not. I shouldn't. It wouldn't be right. If I tell her she sings well or that she's pretty she'd just roll her eyes and look down on me. Or she'd be offended that I'd be so confident with her and force me to call her Miss Hevia again.
'Alba hates me. But I don't hate her.'
I picked up my phone. I opened my conversation with her.
'Not my conversation. Alejandra's.'
For a moment my chest filled with bitterness, I wish I could talk to her like that, like Myria and Alba, not like Alejandra and Alba.
But now it doesn't matter, I'm just going to write her a sentence, just a sentence I've been thinking all night and now, seeing her in front of me singing with a smile on her lips, it makes more sense than ever.
ALEJANDRA: I can't stop looking at you.
I put my phone away and finish my drink, watching Alba sing.