Chapter Two: Vacker blomma
(Smoking is in this chapter.)
Days went by as did weeks. Alessia was constantly in class or at work. Sighing softly as she was trying to keep her attention on Dani at times as well. Christian hadn't been very supportive recently. She had been busy in her studies knowing her friend had gotten a break since the incident. Sitting at the table while tapping her glass with her phone opened. She kept in close touch with MayQueen. She still hadn't told her about being invited on the trip. To be fair, she hadn't really thought about whether she wanted to go or not. At least put her passport into use. She sighed and pulled out her personal sketch book and began to draw. Her mind was on autopilot while drawing and she jumped when her phone vibrated. Looking at it and smiling before groaning. How could she forget?
MayQueen14: "Happy Birthday my vacker blomma!"
ArtisticFlower: "Thank you! I actually forgot."
MayQueen14: "You forgot your own birthday?"
ArtisticFlower: "I guess I have been so busy."
MayQueen14: "Any plans to celebrate?"
ArtisticFlower: "No. I just got off work. Boss asked me to cover a shift."
MayQueen14: "All you do is work, study, and sleep. You even take care of your friends. Have you no time for yourself?"
ArtisticFlower: "I mean, I have time now."
MayQueen14: "True. Is there anything you want for your birthday?"
ArtisticFlower: "Hear your voice?"
MayQueen has sent a voice message.
Alessia held her breath and looked around. Packing up her stuff and headed into her room. Closing her door as she sat on her bed. Pulling out her headphones and plugging it. Another deep breath as she put her headphones in and clicked play.
Naturen är vacker överallt omkring oss. Vi måste bara överlämna oss till det, min vackra blomma.
Alessia played it over and over. Smiling non stop as she was listening to her voice. Yes, her voice. It was slow, but she loved it. It sounds so sweet like honey. It gave her goosebumps as if she was right there with her. She laid back down while hugging her extra pillow. Sighing softly as her phone went off again. Looking at it and smiling.
MayQueen14: "Did you get it?"
ArtisticFlower: "I did! Your voice. It's so beautiful. Like honey."
MayQueen14: "I didn't know voices have taste."
ArtisticFlower: "No. I meant it's sweet. Like music to my ears."
MayQueen14: "You make me blush."
ArtisticFlower: "Well, you did steal my heart."
MayQueen14: "You did that to me as well."
ArtisticFlower: "So, I have to tell you."
MayQueen14: "What is it?"
ArtisticFlower: "My friend Pelle invited me to visit his village in Sweden in a few months. I'm still debating about it."
MayQueen14: "What is there to debate about? Come visit Sweden. It's beautiful."
ArtisticFlower: "I want to meet you."
MayQueen14: "Is that what you truly want?"
The question hit hard. Her voice was already so sweet. What did she truly want? Not to be busy all the time as life just walks right past her. She has been so busy taking care of her friends, she never really sat down to think what she really wanted.
ArtisticFlower: "Yes."
MayQueen14: "Do you believe in fate?"
ArtisticFlower: "I'm not sure."
MayQueen14: "What about love at first sight or soulmates?"
There's that word again. First from Pelle and now from her. Alessia sighed and frowned. She hadn't had much luck in the love department.
ArtisticFlower: "I am not sure. It would be nice to have a soulmate because then everything else would fall into place."
MayQueen14: "Exactly. Go on that trip. It may change your life in ways you never know."
ArtisticFlower: "You're right. I hope to meet you though. I do think about you all the time."
MayQueen14: "I think about you all the time too my vacker blomma. Go and celebrate. You need a break."
ArtisticFlower: "Thank you. I do have work soon. I will be putting in a request. I'm going to visit Sweden!"
MayQueen14: "Good. You'll love Sweden. It's beautiful. It's time to sleep. Talk to you later."
ArtisticFlower: "Rest well. You really made my day."
MayQueen14: "Good. You always make mine."
With that, she blushed and sighed. Looking up at the ceiling. She had butterflies in her stomach again. Hearing MayQueen's voice in her native language sent her heart soaring. She put her headphones back in to listen to it again. Not knowing what it said as she played it on repeat.
Spring had arrived in New York. Though there was still snow all over the ground. The weather was starting to get warmer. Finishing several coffee orders as she leaned against the wall and wiped her forehead and sighed. She felt stressed and tired all the time now. Dani had been visiting her at work recently as of late. Not that she minded it. It kept her mind occupied.
"Alessia, we need someone to clean out the machine again." A girl's voice came. Alessia sighed and pushed herself off of the wall.
"This is the manager's job. I am not a manager." Alessia sighed as she was pulling out the tools and cleaning supplies.
"No, but you should be. You've been here for years. You know the store better than anyone." The girl spoke while crossing her arms.
"I don't need more stress in my life." Alessia spoke as she handed the girl a bucket. "Go fill that with hot water and sanitizer." Alessia explained as the girl smiled and nodded while taking her leave. She walked over to the machine and began unplugging it and felt a pair of eyes on her. She looked over her shoulder and smiled.
"Pelle! Hello!" She smiled as she walked over to him.
"I see you are very busy today." He spoke as she nodded.
"Yes. One of our machines is down and our manager is not in yet, so it falls to me to take care of it." She sighed while setting the cloth on the counter.
"But you're not the manager?" Pelle asked with a confused look but a smile on his face.
"You're right about that." Alessia spoke as she rang up his order and leaned against the counter.
"Got time for leaning, got time for cleaning!" A male's voice spoke as he walked in.
"And you're late!" A girl shouted.
"Office now!" He spoke back to the girl.
"He is charming." Pelle spoke as Alessia shook her head.
"He is right. There is a lot to do." Alessia spoke as she picked up the cloth again.
"You're always busy. Hey, when are you off?" He asked.
"In about five minutes." Alessia spoke with a smile.
"Alessia, I need a word." Her boss spoke.
"Uh oh." Pelle spoke with a chuckle. Alessia gave him a smile and took her leave. Following her boss into the back where the office was.
"Finished cleaning that machine?" He asked while typing on the computer.
"No sir." Alessia spoke as she took a deep breath.
"Why not?" He asked.
"Well with due respect sir, it's not my job. It's the manager's." Alessia spoke in a calm voice.
"No. We are thinking about promoting you." He spoke while turning in his seat to look at her.
"Oh! I um." Alessia began.
"You will have to cancel your trip to Sweden though. For training." He added. Alessia felt her heart drop to her stomach.
"Can I sleep on it?" She asked.
"Of course! Let me know tomorrow. Go ahead and clock out. I'll do the machine." He spoke. Alessia nodded and took her leave from the back office. She clocked out and saw Pelle waiting for her with a smile. She grabbed her sweater and walked out of the shop. Inhaling the fresh air.
"What did he want?" Pelle asked as they started walking down the sidewalk.
"He wants to promote me to management." Alessia spoke while taking a drink.
"That's exciting!" Pelle spoke.
"I would have to cancel the trip." She added.
"That's not exciting." Pelle then frowned as they sat down on a bench.
"I need the money but I really want to go." Alessia spoke with a frown. "I want to know what her world is like." She added without thinking.
"You're always thinking about her, aren't you?" Pelle asked. "MayQueen fourteen." He added. She nodded her head. Feeling her eyes sting a little. Pushing them back and sighed.
"What is it that you want to do?" He asked.
"Well, I need the money but I want the trip." Alessia spoke.
"Well, still come to Sweden with us. You shouldn't pass up a life experience." Pelle spoke. He was right. What if she met MayQueen? What if she didn't. The feeling of loneliness was hitting her hard.
"You're right. I don't want to miss this trip." Alessia spoke. Pelle nudged her with a smile.
"Come. We are going to Josh's place and then a party." He spoke.
"I'm not even dressed for a party!" Alessia spoke with a chuckle.
She found herself sitting on a couch with her phone opened and sighed. She wanted to talk to MayQueen but the time difference. She heard footsteps and looked up. Seeing Mark sit down with a groan and using his vape. Blowing the smoke up above his head.
"So much homework man!" He complained. Alessia rolled her eyes. "We could be getting laid!" He added. What is with this man constantly wanting to get laid? She crossed her right leg over her left leg and leaned back. She was wearing regular dark blue jeans and a black blouse. Taking a drink from her water bottle.
"How are you always so calm?" Mark asked while looking at her. She wasn't. She was just better at hiding it.
"Who said I am calm?" Alessia asked while raising a hand and shrugged her shoulders.
"I just want to fuck a bunch of milk maids." He sighed.
"I am sure they don't like being called that." She rolled her eyes. Feeling her phone buzz as she opened it and smiled. It was her again. Feeling her phone snatched from her hand as Mark took it from her. Reading her messages.
"Those are private Mark!" She shouted while making a swipe for her phone as he pushed her back onto the couch.
"I have feelings for you." He spoke while reading her phone. Alessia felt anger boiling inside of her.
"Give it back you immature ass!" She shouted.
"Everything alright?" Pelle's voice came as he saw Alessia trying to grab her phone. He grabbed it and handed it back.
"You're really pathetic, you know. Why not just be normal and be my girl?" Mark asked with a smirk. Alessia felt her eyes sting again. "Pining after someone you'll never have." Mark added as he sat down and took another inhale of his vape. It felt like a slap to the face.
"Hey, you okay?" Pelle asked.
"I'm fine. He's right. Maybe I should take the job offer." Alessia spoke as she grabbed her sweater and left the room. Feeling her heart ache at this. Mark was right. She was never going to see MayQueen in real life. Never hold her. Kiss her. She turned into an alley and covered her face. Rubbing it as she tried to push it back.
"Hey! Alessia!" Pelle's voice came as she groaned. Wiping her eyes.
"Here." She spoke and sighed. Leaning back against the wall.
"Are you okay?" Pelle asked. Wanting to touch her shoulder.
"Yes. I'm fine." Alessia spoke.
"What Mark did was uncalled for." Pelle spoke softly.
"But he isn't wrong." Alessia spoke looking at Pelle.
"What do you mean?" He asked.
"I'm pining over a woman I can never have. She lives on the other side of the planet. I'll never get to see her." Alessia spoke.
"That doesn't mean that she doesn't make you happy." Pelle spoke.
"I've never even met her." Alessia spoke and crossed her arms.
"Sometimes the strongest bond we make is with the people we have yet to meet." Pelle spoke.
"Those are deep words." Alessia spoke. But she did feel better. "Thank you, Pelle." She added. He nodded.
"Come, let's head to that party now." He spoke.
"I wonder if Dani is coming." Alessia spoke.
"Christian sent me a message and said she is." Pelle spoke.
"Oh good! Get her out for some fresh air." Alessia spoke as she followed Pelle back to Josh's apartment. "You should teach me Swedish." Alessia then spoke.
"Ah. Want to speak my language huh?" Pelle asked with a smile.
"Wouldn't hurt. She calls me vacker blomma." Alessia spoke.
"It means beautiful flower." Pelle spoke. Alessia blushed at this. It made her smile. Looking down as she felt something warm and fuzzy bloom in her stomach.
The house had music playing as the music vibrated the walls and the ground. It felt overstimulating as she put her sweater back on as a comfort. She was then handed a drink from Pelle and smiled.
"Come. Everyone is in the main room." He spoke. She nodded and followed him. Seeing Dani as she smiled.
"Hey!" Alessia spoke as Dani smiled at her.
"Hey! Didn't think you'd come. Parties aren't your thing." Dani spoke as Alessia shrugged with a smile.
"Thought I'd pop by and hang out." Alessia spoke. Nudging Dani who nodded. Seeing her friend go off into her own world. Knowing she was still processing in her mind. She knew Dani well. Hearing the guys talk. She felt her phone vibrate as she pulled it out and sighed a little. Feeling her heartbeat against her chest and she held onto her phone tightly in her hand. It was MayQueen asking how she was. She wanted to answer. Not in front of Mark. Everyone was talking about the summer. She hadn't told Dani about Sweden yet and she felt bad.
"Hey, there's something I need to tell you." Alessia spoke.
"Oh?" Dani asked. "What is it?" She asked as she was still in space in her head.
"I'm fucking dreading summer." A guy spoke as Alessia looked at the guy who just joined them randomly in their conversation. "While my dad watches Law and Order all day." He sighed. Law and Order? She wondered which one he was talking about because a few of them were actually good.
"You have to work at your mom's shop when we get back from our trip." Pelle spoke. Alessia sensed her friend Dani become alert at this.
"You guys are going somewhere?" Dani asked while looking at Christian. Alessia glared at Christian at this. At least he told her? Right? She sighed and rubbed her forehead.
"I mean, yeah, we were thinking about maybe. We were talking about it." Christian spoke. Alessia shook her head at this.
"For when?" She asked.
"From mid June to late July." Mark replied.
"In two weeks?" Dani then asked. Yep. He never told her. How annoying he is.
"I mean, if we even go. I probably won't. We were just talking about it." Christian spoke. It was a straight up lie. She knew that he already had his ticket. They all did. There was awkwardness in the air.
"Hey, I'll give you a ride back." Alessia to Dani who nodded. Grabbing her keys as she went outside. Getting into her car as the backdoors were opened. Seeing that Christian was joining them. Shaking her head as she drove them back to their apartment. It was a silent ride.
"Hey, you said you wanted to talk to me about something?" Dani asked.
"Yeah, I got invited to Sweden as well. I want to go. Though my job offered me a promotion and in order to take it, I have to cancel my trip." Alessia spoke.
"Well logically speaking, you should take the job." Dani spoke. She knew her friend wanted her to stay.
"I want to go to Sweden. Experience another life. Another culture. Pelle said that I could get a lot of inspiration from his village for drawing." Alessia spoke.
"That's not going to pay the bills. You need to work." Christian spoke.
"Says the guy who lives off his parents' money." Alessia spoke.
"Hey!" Dani spoke. Alessia frowned.
"Sorry." She replied and sighed. Pulling over to the parking side of the street. She felt angry again. How could she defend him? Then again she understood. She loves him. Locking the car up as she followed the other two inside.
"Dinner?" Christian asked.
"I'm not hungry. Call for take out." Alessia spoke.
"You usually do the cooking though." He spoke.
"I'm tired. I'm not hungry." Alessia spoke as she took her sweater off.
"So, go make us something to eat and then go to bed." He replied.
"Shut up. You are not my boyfriend." Alessia glared at him.
"Stop! Both of you." Dani spoke as she went to the kitchen. "I'll make you food." She added. Alessia shook her head and left. Closing her bedroom door and locked it. Sitting down on her bed. Was Christian always like this towards women? Shrugging as she felt her phone vibrate again.
MayQueen14: "Are you alright?"
ArtisticFlower: "Yes, just a long and emotional day."
MayQueen14: "Talk to me."
ArtisticFlower: "I'm tired of Mark and his homophobic behavior towards me. Dani defends her toxic boyfriend who expects me to bend to his needs. I'm sorry. I'm ranting."
MayQueen14: "Never apologize for how you feel. You deserve to feel loved and held like anyone else."
ArtisticFlower: "I just feel more alone than ever."
MayQueen14: "That feeling won't last forever. I'm here."
ArtisticFlower: "I wish you were actually here. I want to hold you and kiss you. I know. It sounds cheesy but that's how I feel."
She face palmed herself for sending that message and groaned. Rubbing her face. She felt like a stupid teenager letting the emotions get the best of her.
MayQueen14: "I thought you don't like being touched?"
ArtisticFlower: "I trust you. I don't know how to explain it but I do."
MayQueen14: "Do you love me?"
Alessia sat up at the question. Feeling her chest heart beating against her chest hard at this as her face heated up. That warm feeling in her stomach was happening again.
ArtisticFlower: "Yes."
MayQueen14: "I feel the same."
ArtisticFlower: "I'm really speechless right now."
MayQueen14: "Me too. I'm smiling like crazy."
ArtisticFlower: "My boss spoke to me today about a promotion."
MayQheen14: "Did you accept it?"
ArtisticFlower: "He said I would have to cancel my trip to Sweden."
MayQueen14: "Is that what you really want?"
ArtisticFlower: "No."
MayQueen14: "Tell me. What do you truly want?"
ArtisticFlower: "You already know that answer."
MayQueen14: "I know. I want you to say it again. It makes me smile."
ArtisticFlower: "You. All I want."
MayQueen14: "Wasn't hard now was it?"
ArtisticFlower: "No. What about you?"
MayQueen14: "You. You make me happy. I know I do the same for you."
ArtisticFlower: "You do. I'm not going to take the promotion. I want to visit Sweden. I know there are many things I can learn from there. Pelle said there are many things I can draw from his village."
MayQueen14: "I want to see your drawings."
ArtisticFlower: "I want to see you."
MayQueen14: "To hold me and kiss me?"
ArtisticFlower: "Now you're just rubbing it in my face lol."
MayQueen14: "What does lol mean?"
ArtisticFlower: "It means laugh out loud. You made me laugh."
MayQueen14: "I see. You make me laugh too. Smile. Feel loved. I want you to feel the same."
ArtisticFlower: "I do. I still want to see you. I'll be in Sweden in a few weeks!"
MayQueen14: "I am excited for you! Get some rest. Dream of me, my vacker blomma."
ArtisticFlower: "Aways."
She was smiling non stop as she set her phone down on its charger. Hearing a knock on her door as she stood up and went to the door. Unlocking it and saw Dani standing there alone. She looked around and didn't see Christian.
"Hey, can we talk?" She asked as Alessia nodded and held the door open. Dani walked in and sat on her bed.
"I'm sorry about earlier. He shouldn't have spoken to you like that. After everything you've done for us." Dani spoke. Alessia smiled and nodded before sitting down and sighed.
"I'm going on that trip." Alessia spoke.
"I know. I am too." Dani spoke. Alessia looked at her friend and gasped. "Christian invited me and I accepted." Dani added.
"So, you're coming as well?" Alessia asked as Dani nodded.
"I am! I am going to start packing for the trip. You should as well." Dani spoke.
"So, are you okay with me going and not taking the promotion?" Alessia asked. Dani nodded her head.
"Yeah. We should all do what we want when given the chance. Life is too short." Dani spoke. She was not wrong about that.
"Well. Got to get to packing then." Alessia spoke as she sat up. Dani stood up as well.
"Yeah. The guys are hanging out tomorrow. Pelle invited us to go." Dani added. Alessia nodded as she opened her closet door.
"Get some rest." Alessia spoke. Dani nodded with a small smile before taking her leave. Alessia sighed a little and pulled out her trunk. It seemed so real and close now. She was excited to be going to Sweden! Making sure she had gotten her important documents and put them into the bottom of her suitcase. She had never really read the papers. Only knew they were important. Pulling out different outfits. She found her favorite outfit she decided to wear on the day there. Packing a few dresses just in case she needed anything formal to wear. She hummed softly while looking around her room and sighed. Making sure she packed enough hair ties. Hearing her phone vibrate as she looked at it. It was Pelle. She picked it up.
"Hey!" She spoke with a smile.
"Hey! So, did Dani tell you that I invited you both to hang out tomorrow at Mark and Josh's?" Pelle asked. Alessia smiled at this. She was starting to love Pelle because he was always including everyone and his charm was hard to resist.
"She actually did! I am off tomorrow, so I'll be there!" Alessia spoke. She was smiling at this.
"This is great! I look forward to seeing you both tomorrow! There is some stuff I wanna show you. Have you been practicing your runes?" He asked. Alessia was just flipping through her book.
"Yeah. Some of them come to me in dreams actually. Like I already knew them." She replied.
"Really? They are known to be magic. Have powers." Pelle spoke.
"Really? I thought dreams are more like memories?" Alessia asked as she turned her desk lamp on and sat down.
"You're the dream specialist. Not me." He chuckled at this.
"No. Just what the psychology professor told us in class." Alessia chuckled.
"Get some rest. I have more things to show you tomorrow." Pelle spoke.
"Alright. Sleep well!" Alessia spoke as she hung up as she laid in bed.
It still seemed nighttime when she looked at her phone and yawned. Messing with some buttons before setting it back down. Not knowing she sent a picture. Mumbling as she turned in her bed and faced down on the pillow. Hearing a knock on her door only a few hours away. She sat up and stretched her arms.
"What time is it?" She asked. Looking up to see no one. Raising a brow as she opened her door. There was no one there either. Shrugging as she went to change her clothes. This time wearing light blue jeans with black sneakers. A button up short sleeve blouse. Grabbing her sweater just in case as she grabbed her sketchbook and pencils. She grabbed her side backpack and put her stuff inside of it before leaving her room. Locking the door. Making sure she had everything. Her wallet, keys, sketchbook. She was good to go until she heard her stomach growl. Deciding she would grab something on the go as she left the apartment. Feeling the warmth of the sun as summer was getting closer. She was smiling again while walking down the sidewalk. Their apartment was not far from where she and Dani lived, so she decided to walk this time. Seeing a cafe ahead as she decided to grab a doughnut or two.
"Hello!" A young girl's voice spoke. Alessia smiled as she nodded to her. Feeling someone touch her shoulder. She jumped and brushed the hand off her shoulder.
"Sorry, just passing through." The older man spoke. Alessia sighed and focused back on the girl.
"Can I get just a dozen regular glazed to go, please." She spoke. Pulling out her card to pay and stepped aside as she was already handed a box. "Oh?" She asked.
"They were just made!" The girl spoke. Alessia gave the girl a half bow before taking her leave. She stopped at another store and saw something that caught her eyes. It was perfect. Knowing that Dani's birthday was soon. She went inside and looked around. It was an old shop. Seeing two necklaces together but separate in a glass case. They were on silver chains and were beautiful. Looking closely, there were rune carvings on them. She would have to ask Pelle about them. One was the moon and the other a star. She grabbed them and paid for it. Wrapping the present up with the paper she was given and then into a bag as she was walking down the sidewalk again. Making sure she didn't run into anyone as she finally arrived. Heading up the stairs as she knocked on a door. Seeing it opened as her friend Josh was there.
"Alessia! Hey! You brought snacks!" Josh shouted with a laugh and rubbed his hands together. She walked inside and handed Josh the box as she opened it and took one. Biting into it as she could taste the sugar flooding her mouth as she sat down.
"You made it." Pelle spoke as she nodded. Licking her fingers clean as she pulled out her sketchbook. "I have an idea." He added as she looked up at him. He pulled out his sketchbook and handed it to her as he took hers.
"What are you doing?" She asked.
"I think this may help us get to know each other more. We are going to draw in our sketchbooks. Add on to the drawings and we keep swapping until we believe the drawing is done." He spoke.
"I like that idea!" She spoke while looking at the drawing she had gotten. It was a still life of the table in front of her. She smiled as she began to draw. "You wanted to tell me more about your village?" She asked as Pelle smiled.
"Yes. Every year we hold festivals to elect a new May Queen." He spoke. Alessia froze. No. It couldn't be. Maybe all of Sweden does this kind of thing.
"Every summer?" Alessia asked.
"Yes, every midsummer. Every ninety years however we do rituals to honor our God and Goddess." Pelle spoke. Alessia was listening closely. She was curious about his religion. If they did rituals, she wanted to know about them.
"What kind of rituals?" Alessia asked.
"Well, we have them to ask for good luck and to bless our crops and what not. We also have a fertility hunt." Pelle spoke. Alessia raised her brow at this.
"What's that?" She asked.
"Well, it's basically for those who are couples, one runs as the other one chases. To catch them and, well, I assume you can guess what comes next." Pelle spoke.
"No." Alessia spoke.
"They have sex! Get the women pregnant!" Mark shouted as he was bringing out a bong to smoke from. "Shame you won't take part. I would pin you down so hard." Mark spoke as he took an inhale from the pipe.
"You're gross." Alessia rolled her eyes.
"Who knows, there may be a woman there to chase her." Pelle spoke with a smile. Alessia looked down and held onto her phone tightly. Sighing a little.
"Who would want her?" Mark asked.
"Be nice. She's beautiful. My people are about love." Pelle spoke kindly.
"Thank you, Pelle." Alessia spoke as Josh came in and sat down.
"A fertility hunt huh? A good way to help keep your numbers up." Josh spoke. Alessia had no idea why they were all into sex. Going back to the drawing as Christian had come into the room.
"Are the Swedes sensitive about their history of Nazi collaboration?" Josh asked.
"Josh!" Alessia gasped at him.
"Are you sensitive about Hiroshima? Or the trail of tears? Or slavery?" Pelle then asked. Alessia looked at Pelle with her mouth open a little. These guys did not hold back with questions.
"Yes, yes I am." Josh replied. Seeing Christian was looking at his phone.
"Dani is on her way up." He spoke. Alessia smiled. Glad that another woman was going to be there.
"Okay…" Mark started. This dude seemed to have issues against women.
"We need to clear this up?" Josh then asked.
"No. It's all good." Christian spoke. Dani didn't care if they guys smoked. She didn't smoke. It was not something she was into. "But also." He spoke as he went to press the button to let her in.
"What is it?" Alessia asked.
"She's not going to actually come but I did invite her." Christian began. Alessia was confused. Dani told her last night that she was going as well. Why was he lying?
"You invited her? Who is next, Alessia?" Mark asked.
"I'm going! If you have known, Pelle invited me." Alessia replied. Mark ignored her.
"Yes, but she's not coming?" Mark asked.
"She doesn't want to?" Josh then asked. It was now starting to get very confusing with this.
"I invited her and she accepted but she's not actually going to come." Christian spoke. They all looked at each other with confused looks. "You know what she's been going through!" He added. Alessia rolled her eyes. She was the one who was there the most!
"No, we know that. Totally fine if she joins." Mark spoke.
"Yeah man. We don't mind." Josh added. There was a knock on the door. Alessia sat up as Dani was now at the door.
"Just so you know, you guys told me to invite her. Especially you Alessia." Christian spoke. She opened her mouth and then decided the better of it and closed her mouth. Seeing Dani was let into the apartment.
"Dani!" Alessia spoke as she raised her hand at Dani who smiled and nodded at her.
"Hey guys!" Dani spoke.
"Hey." They said in unison.
"How is it going?" She asked.
"It's going!" Josh spoke. Alessia nodded her head in agreement. "So. Sweden!" Josh spoke.
"You're coming right?" Pelle asked. Dani nodded.
"If it doesn't mess with your guys' male bonding plans?" She asked.
"Uh what?" Alessia was confused at this.
"Nope!" The guys said together.
"Oh shut the fuck up." Christian spoke. Alessia raised her brow at him.
"Can you look at my paragraph real quick?" Mark asked. Seeing Dani and Christian give each other a kiss as he followed Mark out of the room. She walked over to take the empty seat.
"Hey Pelle." Dani spoke with a smile.
"Hey Dani." He spoke as he closed his book. Alessia closed the one she had as well.
"That's nice." She spoke as Pelle nodded. He was giving her all his attention now. Alessia was only listening now.
"How are you?" She asked.
"Good. We survived the finals." He spoke as he nudged Alessia who absently mindly nodded her head. She was only thinking about a certain someone.
"Well, I didn't finish since they are giving me a break this year." Dani spoke. It was true. Dani didn't take her finals this year. She was getting an extension. "How did you like the Anthropology department?" She asked as well.
"It's good! I just can't seem to choose if I hate academia or not. Unlike this one. You're doing psychiatry?" Pelle spoke as he nodded towards Josh.
"Psychology. Yeah. That's how you know I'm nuts." Dani spoke with a chuckle. Alessia gave her friend a look.
"Yeah, got that look in your eye." Pelle spoke. "What are you studying again, Alessia?" Pelle asked while looking at her.
"The law." Alessia spoke. She wanted to become a lawyer. Or maybe a police officer.
"So, you are both coming to Hälsingland!" Pelle spoke as he changed the subject.
"Yeah! I cannot wait! You have a special thing in the woods planned?" Dani asked.
"Yes, it's a crazy sort of nine-day festival we are doing." Pelle replied.
"You do that every summer?" Dani asked.
"Uh. Well...this specific one happens only once every ninety years. So it'll be a first and a last for everybody." Pelle replied. Alessia grabbed her drink from the table to drink from it.
"Christian says you're from a small community? A commune?" Dani asked.
"Yes, tiny. What is the word? Incestuous? Incestual?" Pelle was asking.
"Which one do you mean?" Alessia asked with a smile.
"Oh, it's just we are very secluded." Pelle spoke as he pulled out his phone again to show Dani the messages. Alessia felt her own phone vibrate. He was talking about the dances, music, and the clothes they wore.
MayQueen14: "Thinking about you. You are beautiful by the way."
Alessia was confused at this. She opened the messages and covered her mouth. She had sent MayQueen a picture of herself.
MayQueen14: "I assume it was an accident?"
ArtisticFlower: "Yes! I am so sorry!"
MayQueen14: "No need to be. Guess it's a fair exchange!"
ArtisticFlower: "What do you mean?"
MayQueen14: "My voice for your picture."
ArtisticFlower: "That was a birthday present!"
MayQueen14: "Oh I know. Think of it as my present from you."
ArtisticFlower: "Fair exchange then. Enjoy it."
MayQueen14: "I will treasure it."
ArtisticFlower: "Aren't you supposed to be sleeping?"
MayQueen14: "Yes, I just wanted to thank you. Talk to you soon."
With that, she was smiling again.
"I think it's good that you are both coming. Especially you two." Pelle spoke. Alessia smiled at this.
"Are there weddings in your village?" Alessia asked.
"Ah funny you should ask. We marry those we believe are meant to be together by fate. Astrologically." Pelle spoke. Alessia smiled again. It sounds beautiful. "They would have to agree to bind your souls to each other. It's very beautiful actually. Rare but beautiful." Pelle spoke.
"Have you seen any weddings?" Alessia asked.
"One. It was beautiful. I have never seen a couple so perfect for each other." Pelle spoke as he let out a soft sigh with a smile. "It'll be good for you ladies and my family. You know. I never really got the chance to tell you." Pelle added while looking at Dani.
"What is it?" Dani asked.
"How sorry I am to hear about your family. What happened, I can't even fathom. I lost my parents too." He spoke. Alessia could see her friend's eyes swell with tears. "Oh, no I am so sorry!" Pelle spoke.
"No, it's okay. Thank you. I just need to use the bathroom." Dani spoke as she sat up and left. Alessia sighed with a frown.
"Did I upset her?" Pelle asked.
"It's alright Pelle. She's still upset about it." Alessia spoke. "I'll make her favorite dinner and dessert tonight." She added.
"Are you both packed and ready to go? We leave bright and early." He added. Alessia nodded her head at this. Hearing the crying from her friend as she frowned.
"I should go. Dani needs me." Alessia spoke and felt her hand grab gently. She looked back at him.
"You are always there for your friends no matter how they treat you." He spoke. Alessia sighed and shrugged. She grabbed Pelle's drawing in her book as she made her way to the bathroom and knocked on the door. Dani answered it while wiping her face clean.
"Come. Let's head home." Alessia spoke as her friend nodded. Making their way out of the apartment.