The Champions League trophy was safely in the trophy cabinet in London. The season was over.
"Peace," Alex whispered. "Finally."
"DIG!" a voice screamed.
A wave of wet sand flew through the air. It landed on Alex. It landed on his book. It landed in his lemonade.
Alex sighed. He slowly lowered his book.
Mark was standing three meters away. He was wearing neon orange swimming shorts, a life jacket (even though they were on dry land), and a snorkel mask. He was holding a yellow plastic shovel.
"Mark," Alex said calm. "Why are you burying yourself?"
"I AM NOT BURYING MYSELF!" Mark yelled through the snorkel. "I AM DIGGING TO CHINA! I HEAR THE NOODLES ARE FASTER THERE!"
"You cannot dig to China from Spain, Mark," Alex said. "Physics does not work like that."
"PHYSICS IS A SUGGESTION!" Mark shouted. He started digging again. Sand flew everywhere. A crab scuttled away in terror.
"I need a new best friend," Alex whispered.
"FRESH SAND!" a new voice bellowed.
