A special thanks to Flowersc781 for being my first reviewer. ICELAND ROX! (smiles deviously)

Here's Chaptah 2. Enjoy!

Ch. 2-The Call

"Okay, nothing to worry about, just call, talk to Aunt Patti or who ever answers the phone and then just ask how the team's going. You can do this Anika. You can do it!" I muttered to myself as a pep talk before I made the most important phone call of my young life. That morning I had been nervous and jumpy. For example, when I was eating my breakfast, Kier walked up behind me and tapped my shoulder. I jumped about a meter in the air and nearly choked on my banana. When I called my mom earlier she insisted that I call her more often and just chat even though I already do that once a week.

(Flashback)

"Oh, Anya," my mother, Susan, began, "why don't you ever call me anymore? Hall and I have been so anxious to hear from you!"

"Mama, I call once a week! How can that make a huge difference? I have to focus on my studies. It's hard enough without being the only girl in most of my classes!"
"Well, that shows you how much you know. Why, just two days ago your brother got up the nerve to ask a girl out!" she retaliated, fully knowing I am concerned and very interested in my brother's love life.

"Wait! Hall has a girlfriend?"

"Yeah, I do. Her name's Valkyrie Swannson. She's in my class." I heard my brother pick up the other phone.

"Oh my goodness, my sixteen year old brother has more of a love life than me!"

"Whatever you say, Anya. I wouldn't worry so much. Oh, I got to go. Val and I are going out tonight." He said as a parting.

"Oh, good luck and remember to be nice to her!" I called to him.

"So, Anya, why did you call?" I heard my mom ask me.

"Oh, I need Aunt Patti and Uncle Herb's phone number. Do you have it?"

"Why are you calling them? You've never been interested in our family."

"I know, but I need to intern for six months for school and I was wondering if Uncle Herb's hockey team needed another physical therapist or something." I said guiltily. It was true, I never talked to my family and just calling them to get something seemed wrong.

"Oh, well in that case their number is 245-3887, but you'll have to call the overseas operator."

"Okay, thanks Mama. I'll call you back after I call them, yada?"

"Okay. I love you Anya. Hugs and kisses and say hello to Kiersten and Halle."

"Yes, mama. Bye!"

(End Flashback)

Back to my life-changing phone call, right? Okay, so I dialed the operator and told her the State: Minnesota and Country: United States. Then the phone rang…and rang, and rang, and rang. Finally somebody picked up:

"Hello," I heard the sweet voice of my aunt fill the receiver.

"Hey, Aunt Patti. How are you doing?" I replied lamely.

"Anya Marek, is that you?" she asked surprised.

"Yeah, it's me! I've missed you so much."

"We haven't heard from you in so long! What have you been up to?"

"Well, I'm enrolled in Reykjavik University for Health and Nutrition and I've been living with my best friends in a flat off campus."

"That's wonderful sweetie!" I could tell she was genuinely happy for me. She was like a second mother to me, always worried and concerned for me.

"Yeah, so how are Danny, Kelly, and Uncle Herb?"

"Oh, they're fine, Danny plays hockey now and Kelly's been taking dance lessons. She loves it, too! Always twirling and jumping, that one is. Oh, and guess what Uncle Herb's been offered!"

"Um, I don't have any clue." I said honestly.

"He's been offered the job as the Head Coach of the 1980 U.S. Olympic Hockey Team!"

"Oh my goodness! That's terrific!" I said half down-hearted. If my uncle was taking this on, they were going to have professionals. On the other hand, though, I really was excited for him.

"Sweetie, what's wrong? You sound sad." God damn those maternal instincts!

"Oh, I'm okay, it's just… If I tell you will you promise to not get angry at me for being so selfish and self-centered?" I thought that I'd try the truth, sometimes it's the best thing you got.

"Sure sweetheart. What's wrong?"

"Well, I was kind of hoping that Uncle Herb could use a physical therapist or nutritionist for his team, because, well, I kind of need to do about 6 months of interning if I'm going to graduate. And now that he's coaching the Olympic team, he'll probably want professionals and not me. And normally I'd be fine with that and I understand his position, it's just that I'm running out of time." I said in one huge breath.

"Oh, sweetheart, I understand completely! And I'm sure that your uncle will too. It is his decision of who his staff is. I'll see what I can do."

"Oh, thank you so much Aunt Patty. But… I mean… you're not upset with me for not calling more often and only calling when I need help?" I asked, still unsure about the whole situation.

"Anya, I do like hearing from you, but I understand that you're busy with school and boys and such."

"I still feel really poorly about this. How about this, if I promise to call more often, will you see what you can do about the internship?"

"Sure Anya. I'll give you a call a little later, okay? Wait, what is your number?"

"Oh, you just call the overseas operator, tell them you want to make a call to Reykjavik, Iceland and then they will tell you to dial in my number: 909-2602. All set?"

"Yep, I'll call you later. Love you sweetie." she said.

"I love you, too. Bye." I added. Now all I had to do was keep my self preoccupied for the next few hours. And I had the perfect solution: Go visit Rolf!