CHAPTER 2: We walked through the gate to Ville's-would you call it a house or a tower?-and halfway up the walk to the door, Ville face-planted. I burst out laughing. "You know, you're pretty clumsy for a guy who jumps around on stage." I said, helping him up. "I wasn't clumsy until you came around." Ville retorted with a smirk. "Well, I'd better leave, or you might wake up dead tomorrow." I started walking back toward the gate, but Ville grabbed my arm, making me stay. "First of all, I don't want you to leave. Second of all, you can't wake up dead." Ville said matter-of-factly. "Yes, you can." "No, you can't." "Yes. You can." I scooped up a handful of snow and smashed it over his head. His mouth opened and I could tell he was going to come after me for revenge. I took off running for his front door, but it was locked. I was trapped. "Ahh!" I screamed as the cold hit my head and slid down my back under my shirt. I did an about-face and tackled Ville onto the snowy ground. We wrestled like this for about ten more minutes, all the while, laughing and 'arguing' about whether or not you could, in fact, wake up dead. When we finally made it inside, we were soaked and freezing. Ville insisted on putting my clothes in the dryer, and gave me some pajamas and an old button up shirt. We sat across from each other at his bar in the kitchen, drinking hot chocolate. I pulled my dark hair back into a ponytail and said, "Well, that was fun." I had a grin plastered on my face and I knew I must look goofy, but I didn't care. Ville just stared at me inquiringly. "What?" I asked. "It's seven o' clock. We are going to be late getting to dinner." Ville said, his smile slowly growing. I cocked an eyebrow. "I'm going to cook. What do you like?" "Hmmm..." I rested my head on my hand and thought about it. "Can you make spaghetti?" "Of course, love. Just one problem...I don't have the supplies needed." "What do you have the supplies for?" "Probably nothing edible." Ville laughed a little. "Don't worry, darling. I'll go buy things to cook you dinner." "I'll come with you." I hopped from the barstool. "No, you stay here in my pajamas; I'll be back in 20 minutes." "Okay." I plopped back on the barstool and watched Ville leave. What was I supposed to do for 20 minutes? First thing: I had to pee. I ventured in search of the bathroom. I looked around downstairs and finally found it. As weird as it sounds, the bathroom was beautiful. The sink, toilet and claw-foot bathtub were all black porcelain; there was red trim around the white walls and the towels were all red. The floor was white marble; the window was closed and I could see the black shutters outside. I used the bathroom and continued upstairs to see the rest of the tower. There were a couple of rooms up here. I walked to the end of the hall and opened the door; it was obviously Ville's room. The king-size bed had a black comforter (and I'd like to imagine black silk sheets). There were CDs scattered on the dresser, and an ashtray on the bedside table. No snooping. I thought. Go back downstairs and wait for Ville. I turned to head back down to the kitchen and saw Ville leaning on the doorframe. Ville raised an eyebrow and said, "Find what you're looking for?" "I wasn't looking for anything. I was just taking a look around." My heart was pounding; I was sure he could hear it. I waited, but Ville just stared at me and didn't say anything. "Maybe I should go." I tried to walk past Ville, but he put his arm out, stopping me. I swallowed. "I don't want you to leave. I believe you." Ville smiled. "Now, come help me make dinner; I'm a horrible cook." I smiled and followed Ville downstairs to the kitchen. On the counter, there were paper bags filled with the things needed to make spaghetti. Ville pulled out garlic bread and sparkling grape juice. I looked at it questioningly. Ville looked a bit embarrassed. "I don't drink anymore, and this is the closest thing to wine, without actually being wine." I grinned at his discomfort and took the bottle from him, pouring two glasses. "So, if you don't cook, and you don't have any other food around here," I said, looking in the empty fridge. "What do you eat?" I glanced back at him. He was leaning against the counter, looking confused as he read the instructions on the garlic bread. "I usually just order Chinese food. Or pizza." I shook my head and started cooking the spaghetti. Ville didn't really help, just watched and drank grape juice. Finally, I finished our dinner and handed Ville a heaping plate of spaghetti and garlic bread. His grin was so big, it made me smile in response. "Thanks." Ville said happily. After a quiet dinner, I told Ville I had to go. "Why?" Ville asked. "It's nearly nine o' clock." I replied as if it were obvious. "Well, let me walk you." "No, I'll call a cab." I smiled and dialed the number on my cell. Ville closed my cell phone and stuck it in his pocket. "Here." He handed me my dry clothes. "Go change and then I'll walk you home." "Fine." The walk home was cold and Ville lent me his jacket. "Thanks." I said, putting it on. It was his Deep Shadows jacket. "No problem." We were silent for a few moments, until Ville said, "So, how long are you in Finland?" "Until I graduate from the University next month." "Oh." We walked the rest of the way to my apartment without saying anything. When we finally reached my door-Ville walked me all the way upstairs to my apartment-I could tell it was going to be an awkward goodbye. I smiled and gave Ville back his jacket. He folded it over one arm and, before I knew it, he had me squeezed into a hug. "Oh!" After a moment's hesitation, I hugged him back. When he pulled away, I said, "What was that for?" "I had a great time today. I haven't had a lot of fun being sober. Well, aside from being on stage. Thank you." He seemed really sincere. "You're welcome. Thanks for dinner." "Yeah, we should do this again." "Definitely." I was trying not to sound too desperate. And I wasn't really desperate, just excited and happy and every other great emotion all at once. I unlocked my door and walked inside. Right after I closed it, I heard a knock. I opened the door to see Ville holding my cell phone out to me. "Thanks." "See you later." Ville smiled and kissed my cheek. Then he was gone. Inside, I was too happy to do anything but smile. I took a hot shower and put on some pajamas. I made some hot chocolate and went to bed, but my mind was racing and I couldn't get to sleep. I heard my phone ring and looked at the clock beside me. A little after midnight. Who could be calling me this late? "Hello?" My voice was clear from not being asleep yet. "Hey sis!" I heard my twin sister say from the other line. My heart started pounding. Why hadn't I checked the caller-ID? "What do you want?" I could practically see the smile on Nat's face. "I'm in Finland."