Sneaky Sweden cameo in this chapter- can you find it? Also, Belarus gets a mention, big brother/sometimes jerk France shows up... and our Matt's special someone...

You are crazy, I think to myself. It is pouring, and cold... Alfred left earlier, you could've gone back to sleep... what are you doing?

As I said, though, I had my reasons for leaving the house... one of them involving the local coffee shop, which I soon arrived at. I pushed the door open and immediately started looking around.

Where is she? Duh, Matt, she's not here. There aren't many idiots that would be out in this rain. You should have just stayed home.

I made my way to the front counter, where the owner himself was taking orders. "Hey, Mr. Berwald," I said to him. He glanced at me through his thick wire-rimmed glasses and the faintest hint of a smile crossed his face. I really like him... he's a quiet guy, and some people find him intimidating, but he really is pretty nice.

"Hey, Matthew," he replied (okay, mumbled. He tends to do that, but then again I've been told I do too). "Nice weather, hmm?" he said jokingly. "So what'll it be, the usual?"

"Yes, please, Mr Berwald," I answered him. He nodded and hurried away. The door opened behind me and I turned around quickly to see who it was... Oh, God, not him... why did he have to come here?

Let me tell you a little about my half-brother Francois. He can be a nice guy... but he can also be a real creep, especially if a girl's involved. Not only that, he's nosy. So you can imagine, the last thing I want is to have him hanging around if she comes in.

In fact, the last time I got the nerve to talk to her, he showed up... and proceeded to chat her up before I even got to say hi to her. Or at least he tried to. I don't know what he said to her, but she got very upset and practically ran out of the place. Ugh. My brother, the creeper...

Mr Berwald soon returned with my coffee and cinnamon roll. I paid him and hurried to find a table somewhere where Francois wouldn't notice me. Unfortunately, it didn't work, and he made a beeline for the corner where I was sitting. Go away Francois... please...

"Ah, Matthieu," he said a bit teasingly, parking himself at my table. "Waiting for someone? A lady perhaps?" No, no, no!

"Francois..." I sighed.

"Oh, come now, tell big brother about it," he said, grinning at me. I don't want to tell you, Francois... now please, just leave me alone... I decided to just say nothing and hope he got the message. Once again, he didn't, and just sat there with that cheesy grin on his face. I tried to avoid making eye contact with him altogether. Finally, he chuckled. "Someone got up on the wrong side of the bed this morning, no?"

"Something like that," I answered him. "I really just feel like being by myself right now. Sorry I'm being so cranky." I meant that last part. He may be weird, but he is still my brother.

"Not a problem," he replied cheerfully. "I bid you adieu then, little brother." He kissed me on both cheeks (which he does to everybody), picked up his coffee and croissant, and left. Whew...

The rain had slowed to a drizzle by then and more people were starting to come in. I bought another cinnamon roll and sat down to eat it when the door swung open. I looked up... and there she was.

The first time I saw her was at hockey practice. Her sister plays on my team, and she came to watch the practice. When I saw her standing by the doors, I couldn't take my eyes off her. Sounds lame, but it's true. She smiled at me... I tried to talk to Natalya about her, but she didn't think much of that idea (typical Natalya).

Then I started seeing her at Fika (the coffee shop) regularly. She always smiled at me when she came in, but I just couldn't get the courage to talk to her. I know, I'm such a dork.

But today was going to be different. I WAS going to talk to her. I stuffed the last bite of my cinnamon roll in my mouth, wiped my hands on a napkin, and got up from my table. As I headed toward her table, I glanced at my reflection in the big windows along the front of the store. Not too bad.

The door swung open again, and I turned around. Alfred? That's weird... he doesn't come in here much. I watched him order a coffee, pay for it... and immediately head to the same place I was heading.

To her table.

Poor Matt... but we are going somewhere with this, I promise... also, I used the name Francois instead of Francis for France because Canada speaks French too (and Matthieu for the same reason when France is speaking to him) More coming soon