How The Heartaches Come And They Go

Chapter 24

Marieke couldn't sleep that night. She kept replaying the last kiss Frida gave her until she made her decision. The way Frida's delicate fingers ran along her cheek and chin before she closed the door behind her. She would be back the next day, but not to see Marieke, not to hold her close and gently kiss her. She wanted to talk things over with Agnetha. Agnetha didn't know Frida had been back after their fight, Marieke didn't tell her. She had wanted to, she had wanted to tell her everything and ask her for advice. But she knew that wouldn't have been fair. The whole situation wasn't fair. Marieke felt as though the whole world was rested on her shoulders. If she chose to be with Frida, she would hurt Agnetha. Agnetha who had become her close friend, whom she trusted and who trusted her. Agnetha who had confided in her, when she thought she couldn't talk to anyone. Even if they kept it a secret from Agnetha, all that was on the line if she were to find out, again. But if she chose to not be with Frida it wasn't only Frida's happiness on the line but her own as well. Marieke was surprised how much she had grown to feel for Frida in such a short amount of time, it felt surreal. She kept tossing and turning for what felt like hours. Now it was her who felt like she couldn't talk to a single soul in the whole world. Frida had asked her to make the decision based on what only she felt herself, but Marieke couldn't. Whatever she decided would affect all three of them. By the time Marieke finally did drift off to sleep it wasn't long until the sun rose again.

When Frida let herself in with the spare key again, the house was still quiet. It surprised her, but she and Marieke had agreed they wouldn't see eachother until Marieke had decided whether she wanted to be with Frida. So chances were she hadn't made her decision yet. Frida threw her coat over the couch and took of her boots before she went upstairs. The door to Agnetha's bedroom was open, but still Frida knocked. Agnetha was awake, though still in bed, when she said:
"Oh, you're not who I was expecting."
"It's good to see yout too.", Frida replied just a little too snide regeretting it immediately:
"I'm sorry, I'm not here to fight with you again. Actually, I'm here to apologize."
"Oh, Frida.", before Agnetha had the chance to say anything else Frida continued:
"I shouldn't have lied to you. You did see Marieke and I holding hands, but it didn't mean anything and I should have been honest with you about that."
"I shouldn't have brought it up like that. I'm sorry I hurt you."
"Oh, Agnetha it's alright."
"No, please listen to me.", Agnetha grabbed Frida's hand tightly.
"I'm sorry I punished you the way I did, it wasn't fair. We went through the same heartbreak, but I was selfish and made it all about me. I always thought, oh Frida is the strongest person I know she will get over me, but I will never be able to get over her. So out of jealousy I punished us both, me for my actions and you for being able to put up with them." Agnetha took a deep breath.
"I still love you Frida and I probably always will. So I want you to be happy and not to hurt you." Frida wiped away the single tear running down her cheek, before hugging Agnetha tightly:
"Oh, Agnetha, I love you too."