Her smile drops quickly when she sees the look of utter dissatisfaction on my face.
“Okay, Isa, I know. I know. I’m so sorry, but this was super last minute for me, and all of the other cabins are taken,” she whispers.
“So not only do I have to share a cabin, but it’s withher, and there’s only one bed? You’re joking, right? Please tell me this is a prank you’re playing on your prima because I haven’t seen you in years.”
“I wish it were.” She smiles awkwardly. “At least you have your own little bed.” She points at the cot. I look down at it—a mere few inches off the ground like an elevated dog bed. I’d probably end up spooning a few field mice from that height. I look back at her.
“I know, prima. But hey, it’s just for a week. And you’ll be spending most of your time doing wedding activities and talking to Luciano anyways, right? Or maybe you two can get…acquainted better.” She winks.
“Sofia!” I whisper, turning around quickly to see if Valentina is listening, but she seems lost in whatever music is blaring loudly into her eardrums.
Sofia shrugs, her grin playful. “What? You two have always had—something, you know? You fight like you’ve known each other forever—and you have. We were inseparable. Maybe all this tension is because there’s something more underneath.”
I glare at her. “We fight because we can’t stand each other.”
“Sure, sure.” Sofia waves her hand dismissively. “But sometimes the best relationships start with a little heat. Anyways, I have to go and get ready for dinner tonight. Bye!”
“Wait, I’m not do—”
But before I can finish the sentence, Sofia is already halfway to the other side of the camp. She couldn’t have left any faster. I turn back toward the bed and see Valentina still lying there with the pillow over her head. I can hear the music softly escaping the earbuds. I yank one out of her ear.
“Are you seriously napping right now?”
Silence.
“Well, I really think I should get the bed, Val.”
Silence.
I have half a thought to toss her off the bed and spread my limbs out toward each corner, taking over the entire mattress. Maybe I’ll hide her blankets or steal them in the middle of the night and use them for myself. Perhaps I’ll fill her pillow with wet leaves. I could just pee on the bed and assert my dominance. Thanks to Maria, my peeing on the bed wouldn’t be out of the ordinary to Valentina. I walk over to my new bed for the week—the saddest little cot. I can already feel my back aching. Don’t I have to deal with enough in my life? An overbearing mother, a failing restaurant, impossible puzzles from my dead father, and now a crappy bed? This just simply won’t do. I march over to Valentina and poke her in the ribs.
“I deserve the bed.”
She squeaks at the impact of my finger against her skin.
“Why the hell do you think that?” She lifts the pillow off her head slightly, revealing a singular eyeball staring back at me in utter surprise.
“Because.”
The eyeball blinks.
“Because I do, okay?”
I know I sound absolutely ridiculous, but I don’t want to tell this stranger that I’m just tired of getting the short end of the stick in my life. I grew up sleeping on an unbelievably uncomfortable twin mattress until I finally moved out of my parents’ apartment. I just want to sleep in a nice bed all week. I don’t think that’s too much to ask.
“Why doyoudeserve it?” I squawk.
“Because,” she says, smirking.
I blink.
“Because, I got here first. You were the last-minute addition. So why should I give it up for you?”
“Because I’m tired. I just drove three hours to get here. I don’t want to sleep on a dog bed all week.”
I can’t help but feel silly as I argue my reasoning. I sound like a small child throwing a temper tantrum because I wasn’t allowed to get the candy bar at the supermarket. I’m almost embarrassed by myself. Almost. Not enough to give in.
“Listen, Isa. It’s Isa, right?” Valentina says with a tilt of her head, her tone just a little too casual, as if she’s testing the waters.
