Page 16 of Queen’s Gambit

Slipping behind the wall of suits, my mama smiled when she spotted me and then looked away as I led Ana from the crowd. With each step we took, my entire body sang a little louder. I stopped at the guest room prepared for Frida.

“This is yours.”

Frida nodded and walked inside. Just being alone with Ana was like walking on air. I had no idea how one person could affect me the way she did, but in such an uncertain world, the one thing I was certain of was Ana.

Her room was the next in the hallway. I didn’t say a word as we stepped through the door and closed it. My need for her was unbearable, and I couldn’t take it anymore. I grabbed Ana, wrapping her up in a hug I never wanted to end.

“I’ve missed you,” I said as she held me just as fiercely.

“I’ve missed you more.”

“Impossible.”

Yulianna – Age 14

I couldn’t imagine what it was like to grow up in a place this beautiful. Not that I didn’t love home. There was much beauty there, too, but this felt magical. We’d passed what seemed like a thousand rows of vivid green and purple grapes. Workers had smiled and waved as we drove by, and Eddie’s home had shone like a bright white pearl in the late morning sun.

“Do you have to go to the party tonight,” I asked.

It was customary that when the meetings lasted longer than a day that a welcome gathering was held the first night. It was filled with food, drinking, cigars, and cards.

“I’ll have to show my face to be polite, but Papa has nothing planned until this evening. I was hoping to take you to the beach.”

“What if my father comes looking for me?”

“We’ll have chaperones. He should be fine. I’ll have at least two guards, and I’m sure Frida will want to come as well. Do you want to ask, and I can volunteer to take you?”

I smiled as I thought over his deception, but I had a better idea.

“No, let’s just go. I can ask for forgiveness later if he’s angry. With my luck, he would say no for a dumb reason. I’m not letting him ruin this trip for us.”

Eddie kissed my cheek, and his lips were warm against my skin. My stomach fluttered with excitement. I’d never been to a beach, and my first time would be with Eddie.

“I’ll change and round up a couple guards.”

“I’ll grab Frida and get ready.”

His gaze was so intense that it made me blush, and I looked down at our feet. It was getting harder to hide how I felt around him.

“I’ll meet you back here in fifteen minutes,” he said.

I nodded as he let me go and walked to the door. Eddie stopped and looked over his shoulder at me. He didn’t say anything, but the corner of his mouth lifted in a goofy, lopsided grin before he left.

There was a door connected to the next room, like at home, and I ran to it and knocked. Frida opened it immediately. I squealed with excitement, and we jumped around like we’d lost our minds. It was wonderful having her here. She was not only my friend but the only person I’d been able to confide in about Eddie.

“What did he say,” Frida asked as I dragged her into my room and over to my suitcase.

“We’re going to the beach. You can wear my stuff.” Unzipping the suitcase, I pulled out two pairs of shorts and t-shirts and tossed a set at Frida.

“Are you sure? I can go get my suitcase.”

“Don’t be silly. I don’t care if you wear my clothes. Besides, we don’t have time. Eddie will be back in ten minutes.”

“He’s so hot,” Frida said, and I laughed.

“I know. He makes my heart race.”

There was no way to keep the blush off my face as I thought about the smile he’d given me.