Since I've been told writing helps free the soul and clear the mind by a few people who are WAY more experienced at life than I am, I started this journal. My older sister always told me it was her escape, a place where she could let herself show through without filter, like a bird free to fly as far or long as it could. She was always more poetic about things than I could be. I remember her telling me that if I put down just half of the things that I experienced in my life or about the people I've met, I could have had a library full. Personally, I think she was over exaggerating a little, well unless I ended up here. But, I guess I'm getting a little off track. To be honest the real reason I finally sat down to do this, I would say, would have to be Lukas. He said it helps with adjusting, and between you and I, I think he's curious as to how I knew Mathias and learned the craziest secret ever.
Alright, enough of my ranting and I'll start from the beginning. I had actually met Mathias long ago when I was five. By the way, that was like fifteen or so years ago, and he hasn't changed at all, as I'll explain later. My sister and I were at a summer camp for a week…
"But, Nadine!" I wined as my sister dragged me to the campfire pit. "I don't want to hang out with the others. They're stupid and bug me."
Ignoring me completely, Nadine kept pulling me along. "Come on Sylvia. You're only five. You shouldn't be talking like that. Besides, it won't be as bad as you think, especially since we have a guest coming to tell stories to us." She tried to make it sound as exciting as going to Lego land, but it just felt like I was in line to get a glance at an aquarium.
"So?" I commented.
Nadine let out a sigh. I always hated when she acted like she was so much older when in reality she was only by three years. "Look, just try to enjoy it. I know I read to you all the time, but this time it's by a real adult, plus it's by a fire." She seemed to notice how I wasn't affected. "You didn't get that from mom and dad like I did. I just want you to see what it's like. Can you do that for me?" I don't think anyone will ever be able to resist her puppy eyes, not even her husband to this day.
Giving up, I took charge and started marching ahead of her. "Fine, if it'll shut you up." I could hear Nadine giggle me and, almost, skip.
When we got there, most of the kids were already seated, and a tall man was standing in front of them. Noticing my sister and me, he gave us a huge grin and waved us over. "Nice of you to join us ladies." He motioned for us to sit beside him and Nadine gladly did, with me tagging along. "And what might your names be?" I couldn't help but be distracted by his seemingly wild hair.
My sister didn't seem to care. "I'm Nadine." She said giving a little curtsy along with it. Since I didn't respond, She took it upon herself to elbow me, which only received a grunt. Her face heated up and became an interesting shade of pink. "I'm so sorry for my sister Mr…." Nadine trailed off, not knowing how to address him.
He let out a booming laugh that caused me to jump a little. "You can just call me Mathias, Nadine, and don't worry about your sister. I have my own sibling who's not considered the most social either." I puffed out my cheeks and crossed my arms over my chest. How dare he say that about me when he doesn't even know my name. Mathias stooped down next to me, still wearing that smile on his face. "Are you going to give me the cold shoulder or try to be polite?" He asked sounding amused by the situation. I kept ignoring him. "Is it me then? Do I stink?" I couldn't help but giggle as he pulled at his shirt and frantically started sniffing it. "Oh, so she can smile."
With my mask broke, I decided to just give up. "Sylvia." I said plainly, rocking back on my heels. "That's my name sir." I continued when he gave me a confused look.
Mathias nodded and motioned for me to come a bit closer, to which I complied. "Like I told your sister, just Mathias is fine." The next thing I knew, I was lifted up and placed in his lap. "Hope you don't mind sitting here. I use to always have a close friend's younger brother on my lap when I would tell stories." I shook my head, then looked to Nadine, who was smiling at me. "Good." He turned to the rest of the kids around the fire. "Alright, so what story to you kids wanna hear?" Mathias asked and a ton of hands shot up and they were all shouting out different things. "Whoa, ok." He tried calming everyone down, while the councilors watched and tried not to laugh. "On second thought, how about I just tell you some stories that I remember? That sound good munchkins?" Mathias suggested and everyone seemed to agree with that.
Throughout the night Mathias spun together a collection of Hans Christian Anderson tales ranging from The Princess and the Pea to The Ice Maiden, The Angel to The Tinderbox. It amazed me how he could remember them all. The combination of his voice and the comfort of just being held caused me to drift off somewhere in the middle of it and the next thing I knew I was being cared off. I would of freaked if I didn't hear Nadine's voice chatting away.
"Yeah, she's really a good kid when you can get past her hard shell. I can't believe she's like this and she's only five." It wasn't hard to figure out she was talking about me.
"Kid? You're just a kid yourself." Mathias commented with amusement. "But from all you told me, I can't really blame her. Besides, she reminds me of some of my friends and I'm that person who pushed."
I could hear Nadine's shoes skipping against the ground with a light patter. They faded off as we reached out cabin. "Thank you for carrying her back Mathias."
"Not a problem at all, Miss Nadine." She giggled at that. "Oh, look who's awake!" He boomed causing me to flinch. Mathias put me down. "Did you have a good nap?" I gave a small nod. "That's good to hear." His smile was starting to really grow on me.
Mathias was about to stand to his normal height when I grabbed his arm. "Mathias?" He gave me a gentle hmmm as a replay. "Thank you for the stories, and letting me sit in your lap, and walking my sister and me here." I was wringing my hands nervously.
He just ruffled my hair before giving me a kiss on the cheek. "It was my pleasure to help such a cute, if not stubborn, girl. Now you be good to your sister, okay?" Again I nodded before he shooed us to the cabin.
As soon as I was alone with Nadine, she jumped me. "You like him." She sang.
"No I don't! Shut up!" I yelled jumping in to bed and hiding under my blanket.
My sister giggled in her own bed. "I'm just messing with you. Besides he's way to old for you." I grumbled at her. "Goodnight Sylvia." I heard her sigh as she easily found sleep. I on the other hand stayed up that whole night thinking things over. Too bad I was only five I couldn't really sort everything out. That was the last time I thought I'd ever see Mathias again, funny how there are some things that you're glad you're wrong about.
"Sylvia!" A loud banging came from the other side of the door. "Wake up! You're going to be late for work again!" Ignoring the yells, I rolled over in to my covers. Sadly, that didn't stop any of it. "Sylvia! I mean it! You can't afford to miss anymore this month!" Finally figuring out that this tactic wasn't working, Nadine burst in to my room and ripped the blanket off me.
"Nooooooo." I whined, covering me face.
"Yes." My sister countered as she opened my window to let the now fading light in. "You slept the whole day away, because you decided to go out drinking all night after your shift." I grunted, trying to ignore her rant. "If you're living with us you have to keep your job. Now this is your last chance. Get up!" Nadine finally yelled in my hear with her high pitched voice.
Jolting up, I covered my ears, hoping to stop the ringing. "Alright, alright. I'm up." I groaned, rubbing my temples. Happy with herself, my sister smiled and left me to stumble out of bed. Steadying myself on a nearby chair, I looked myself over in the mirror. My golden hair was I disarray and my green eyes were smeared with my make-up from last night. I was still dressed in my close from the night before, but now they were wrinkled to Hell. To be honest, I was just a hot mess. After I got composed, I grabbed a new outfit and dragged myself to the bathroom for a heavenly shower.
When I was finally clean, I made my way to the kitchen to see if Nadine and her fiancé had left me any dinner/breakfast. Just my luck, the only thing that was on the table was a note. 'Sylvia, Jake decided to take me out for dinner, so you're on your own tonight. Don't forget to GO TO WORK! Love, Nadine.' I let out a sigh before checking the clock. Thank God I had time to hit my favorite diner before I had to be in.
Grabbing my keys, I left out the back door and got on my bike. It was old and rusted, with parts of the black paint starting to fade, but it always got me where I needed to go. I sped down the street, weaving around cars and people with great skill, if I do say so myself. Ignore anyone who says different. THAT MEANS YOU LUKAS! I was able to get to the diner and park my bike later then I would have liked, due to a group of school kids causing me to fall in some bushed and almost getting hit by a car. No really, I'm usually good at bike riding. As I dashed in, I ran in to a tall man, who just so happed to have hot coffee that spilled all over me. "Fuck!" I yelled trying to keep the scolding liquid away from my skin. "Why don't you watch where you're going?"
The voice scoffed at me. "I wasn't the one who was running around like a crazy person." He stated in a monotone voice. I looked up to glare at the pale blonde male. His face was in a flat expression that gave nothing about his emotions away and his eyes seemed to be void of anything as well. The only thing that gave anything away, was the slightly knitted eyebrows that were made visible by the pins holding half of his hair back.
"Excuse me for running late." I shot back sarcastically. "Next time I'll make sure to ask you when you'll be ext time so I wont end up drenched in disgusting black coffee." I wrung out some form my shirt, so happy I wore a black one that night. "And who drinks black coffee at this time of day anyways? Freak." I breathed out, leaving him standing there so I could pick something up and get the Hell out of there.
With all the time I wasted, I opted for a simple sandwich and was able to make it to work right on time. "There you are girl!" Anita, a native from Norway, waved me behind the bar. "I didn't think you'd be showing up tonight." She joked, sliding the freshly made drink to one of the customers.
"No offence, but I'm not really in the mood today." I said, clocking in and waving to a few regulars. "I was just able to dry off after some asshole spilled their coffee on me." I explained when she gave me a confused look.
"Ouch." She said, wrinkling her nose. "Oh!" Anita nearly jumped out of her shoes with excitement. "A Norwegian guy came in not too long ago, and we got to talk for a minute." Every Norwegian male that comes in, she thinks she'd going to merry. I'd pity her room-mate if she ever moved back to Norway. "He seemed pretty upset himself. Said something about having to come all the way here to meet an annoying Dane, and then not getting to have his coffee because of some crazy woman."
I stopped shaking the drink I was making when I heard that. "Wait a minute. Did he seem like a robot who had no idea what feelings are?" I asked.
"Well I wouldn't say that. He was more of the quiet, mysterious type instead of robot." I gave her stern look. "What?!" I just laughed and shook my head. "He's sitting over there with that loud guy." Anita pointed to the far corner.
"Shit." I cursed as I ducked down. "That's the asshole from the diner." I said, keeping my eyes on him. When my eyes shifted to his friend, my hands dropped the shaker, spilling the drink. "No way." I whispered.
Anita crouched down as well. "What is it?" She asked, pulling back her short dark hair.
"Mathias?!" I practically yelled, causing most of the bar to look at me, including the two blondes Anita and I had been focused on. I couldn't believe my eyes.
A/N: So I don't know how many people would read this, especially with an OC, but I wanted to put it up and see. I'd really appreciate some views telling me your thoughts on it. Please and thank you. :) I'll add more if people like it.
