Page 13 of My Spanish Love Affair

I laugh. “That sounds perfect, actually.”

I head up to my dorm, a mixture of excitement and nerves swirling inside me.

I was hoping that my three dormmates would all be in to hear how my meeting went, and I smile softly as I push open the door.

“Olivia! How’d it go?” Camila asks before I can even cross the threshold.

“It was really good,” I admit, laughing softly at her enthusiasm. “The guy who I met with was lovely. He really put my mind at ease about it all. He said that there’s a job opening in Valencia. I’d be teaching English in a secondary school, and the school would help with the accommodation,” I explain. “I… I think I’m going to take it.”

“Valencia?” Zoey says, her eyes lighting up. “No way! That’s such a cool city. I went there last year. Loads of history, and the beaches are gorgeous.”

“Good for you, girl," Ben pipes up.

“Thanks,” I say, feeling warmth spread through me at their enthusiasm.

“When do you leave?” Zoey asks.

“Well, I still need to accept it, and then finalise a few details… but it’s all happening fast.”

“You have to let us throw you a farewell night out,” Camila says, her eyes sparkling. “You can’t leave Madrid without a proper send-off.”

“I’d like that,” I say, smiling.

“I’m sure Ben won’t mind extending his stay until you leave so that he can celebrate with us,” she continues. “Right, Ben?”

Ben laughs softly. “I do need to get back to reality at some point,” he says. Camila looks at him with pleading eyes and he raises a hand to rub at the back of his neck. “What’s a few more days though, right?”

∞∞∞

The days pass me by in a whirlwind of preparation.

Carlos sends over more details about the job, the school and the accommodation, and I spend hours researching Valencia. Every vlog I find makes me more excited, and as much as I love Madrid, I can’t wait to make it to my next city.

In between planning, I try to make the most of my remaining time in Madrid. Sofía suggests a few must-see spots, and I spend my days exploring museums, trying new foods, and soaking in the vibrant atmosphere of the city.

My roommates are a constant source of encouragement, helping me practice conversational Spanish and hyping me up about the move.

My mother isn’t quite so enthusiastic.

“It all sounds lovely, Liv, but I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t worried,” she says.

“Worried about what?” I ask.

“I’m worried you’ll never come home,” she admits, her voice quieter now. “I’m so glad you’re enjoying yourself, but Spain is so far. What if you love it so much you stay permanently?”

“Mum, I’m not running away forever,” I assure her. “This isn’t about leaving you or home behind. It’s about doing something for me. Now, I’ll actually earn money instead of just living out of my savings. But I promise I’ll come back to visit when I can, and Iwillcome back home.”

“It’s not that I don’t want you to go. I want you to be happy, Olivia. I really do,” she says. “It’s just hard to let go sometimes.You’ll still always be my baby.”

“I know,” I say, my voice softening. “And I love you for caring. But this is a chance for me to take some time to myself and figure out who I am and what I want. I’ll always come back to you, though.”

There’s another pause, and then she sighs.

“You sound so sure, love. And I’m proud of you. It’s just going to take me a little time to get used to it.”

“I understand,” I tell her. “Besides, I’ll call you all the time. You’ll practically be there with me!”

This time, her laugh is lighter and more genuine. “You’d better,” she says.

---