It's a long shift at work.
Although I'm very thankful to Ivan for switching stations with me. Honestly, I wouldn't be able to handle customer service.
Ivan pokes his head in the kitchen at 3pm. "Princess, it's leaving time."
I nod, cleaning up the mess I made. "Alright."
"Do you need a ride home? I'll drive you." He hands me my coat, smiling.
"Sure. Th'nks." I slip it on and walk out. I think he just offers so he can be right in my business for a while longer. I don't mind though. He means well.
He leads me out to the car. "How've things been? I haven't seen you in a while."
I laugh to myself. "'s been 3 days."
"That's a long time for me!" He gets in, turning on the car.
I get in and buckle up. "Sure. Well.. they've been fine."
"Did you talk to Nora?"
"Ja.. I did. 'verything's good between 's now." He smiles.
"That's great!" I nod. "Also 'm dating Tino." Why do I talk, I shouldn't have said that.
"...Oh?" That was a long pause. "Ja. 's living here for a year. Said he really likes me. I told 'im we could date. 'f he promised t' take it slow."
I'm not looking at him, I can't look at him. "That's nice."
Pause. Long, long pause.
"Are you happy about this?" I nod. "Ja. I guess."
I suddenly remember. "I should call him. I said I would."
Ivan starts driving as I pull out my phone. Maybe I'll just text him.
'hej, Tino. it's Bir.'
I put my phone down and take a long look out the window, before it vibrates.
'hi bir! u texted me! i didnt think u would!' I feel myself cringe. He has the texting skills of a 3rd year. Gross.
'ja, ja, I said I would, didn't I? what's up?' Vibrate. 'nothin rlly. im spr bored. & lonly. if u ever get some time we shld hang out :D'
YUCK. Excuse me. I like proper grammar.
Ivan glances over at me. "Texting?"
I nod. "He has no proper English skills 't all." He laughs. "Boys are lazy when it comes to those things!"
"Are you?" I snicker. He shakes his head. "I rarely text.. and when I do, I spell my words right, like any educated person would, da?" He grins.
"Haha, same! I might not c'pitalize things, but they're 'lways spelled right!"
Why are we laughing over texting styles? I don't know. I feel like we've gotten closer. In a cheesy way. Only good friends could laugh together over something so tawdry.
I text a reply. 'sure. tommorow afternoon alright? you can come over to my place.'
Vibrate. 'juu! :D txt me the adress!'
I huff. I think I might just call him from now on. I hastily type in my address. Hopefully he will be educated enough to find the place.
Or I'll have to come pick him up.
'ill b there around 3! :D'
I nod, then question why I'm nodding. He can't read my nods.
'alright. see you then. c:'
I think this will be a good experience.
Maybe, if Nora's not around.
Well, actually, maybe she should be with us. So she can keep me from doing anything stupid.
The car suddenly jerks to a stop.
"We're here!" Ivan smiles widely.
I flash him a quick smile then open the door. Before I close it, I turn back around. "D'ya wanna come up fer coffee 'r something?"
Ivan nods. "Sure, thank you!" He gets out, shutting the door.
Is Nora still around? Probably. I pull my keys from my jacket pocket and head up the stairs, Ivan following close behind.
I open up the door, sighing. She's not here.
Ivan peeks inside my apartment. I grab his arm and pull him inside, pointing to the couch. "Ya can sit over there."
Ivan nods. "Alright." He sits on the couch, idly looking at things, touching knick-knacks on my coffee table.
I make a pot of coffee, leaning on the counter and staring off into space.
"So where is Nora?"
I turn around. "Nora? Oh. She has school." I shrug. "She should be gettin' back soon."
"Ah, okay." He smiles.
The coffee is done by now, so I grab the pot and pour two cups. "What d'ya want in yer coffee?"
"Milk. That's all." He drums his fingers on the edge of the couch and hums.
I nod, putting the milk in his and putting an ungodly amount of sugar in mine. I hand him the coffee, smiling.
"Spasibo." He takes a sip and smiles. "It's very good, Princess."
I smile. "Takk." I drink mine and stare at the wall, and a familiar voice suddenly floods in.
"I'm home ~ !" Nora. Ivan stands, putting his coffee on the table. "Hello, Miss Nora!"
She smiles widely. "Ivan! I didn't know you were here!" She pats his back and glances at the table. "Coffee?"
I nod. "Want some?" "Yessssssss.." She rubs her hands together and puts her coat on the door.
I grab a cup, and start making it. I already know what she wants. A little bit of sugar, a lot of milk. And chocolate syrup in it.
"Here." I hand her the cup. She grins. "Thanks, bud."
She flops down on the couch beside Ivan, smiling. "So how have you been? I haven't seen you in weeks!"
Ivan shrugs. "Quite average. Nothing amazing has happened, but nothing horrible has happened either. I can't complain." He smiles slightly.
Nora nods, completely engaged in the conversation. "My week has been really busy! I have finals this week and I've been studying my ass off just to-"
I tune out the rest of her college talk, trying to straighten up a little.
Tino's coming over tomorrow.. Tino's coming over tomorrow.. I'm a little excited!
But I should probably tell Nora.
"Hej, Nora?"
"Huh?" She turns to me, pausing her long rant.
"Tino's comin' over tommorow."
She smiles, to my surprise, and flashes me a thumbs up. "Great." She resumes her conversation with Ivan, and I continue tidying up.
I can't wait until tomorrow.
It's around 10pm now. Ivan's long gone, and Nora is snuggling me in my bed.
Which brings about an important.
"Nora?"
"Hmmmmm?" She smiles, pulling me closer to her.
"Are ya living here now?"
She freezes and looks up at me. "Why do you ask?"
I shrug. "You've been here f'r a week straight. Ya never usually stay th's long."
Nora nods. "Yeah, I guess you're right. Maybe I am. That's cool, right?"
I sigh. "Sure. As long as ya help with the rent 'nd stuff."
She lets out a squeal. "Then I guess I am!"
"Great." I say, half-sarcastically, half-sincerely. "Now let's get t' sleep."