Lost in You

Chapter 10

Not long after that, Maja and I are the ones standing in the lobby with our suitcases while waiting for the taxi that will bring us to the train station. "I can't believe we already have to go back," I say turning my phone in my hands. Marius was true to his word. I got updates on the travelling and the competitions. In exchange, I tried to keep him cheered up when things didn't go as planned. I no longer want to imagine that I almost didn't go down again and he almost didn't ask for my number. "At least you used the time here well," Maja says with a look at my phone. Of course it hadn't taken long until she figured out why I'd really gone down that early. And then I had to tell her everything that I kept from her before, which I'd gladly done. Because with his message on my phone, it no longer felt like I'd imagined everything and more like something I could get excited about with my friend. "And I can't wait to get back," I admit and smile. Maja giggles because she knows that the dirty rooms aren't what I look forward to. "We can't wait to have you two back either. Are you sure you can't stay?" Sophie, the woman behind the front desk asks. We've gotten to know her over the past few days and she's lovely. As were most people we worked with here. I still can't fully believe how lucky we've been. Or that I'd nearly spend my Christmas break buried in books and worried about getting money for our summer holiday instead of working here."No, even if I'd like to," I say and smile at her. "But I am glad that we can come back soon," I add. Maja and Sophie agree. "Especially when we'll have a full house again then," Sophie says and grins at me. Of course, it had been her behind the front desk that morning and of course, she'd heard some of what we'd said. At least enough to know whose message I wait for now when I keep glancing at my phone. "Can't wait," I say and smile back. Then the taxi pulls up in front of the door. Maja and I hug Sophie goodbye. The journey should have been long. At least it had appeared long when we'd come a week ago. Now that I dread going back to where the reality waits for me, the train seems to fly past mountains and forests until the big city has us back in its grip. Maja even has to nudge me to get me moving after we've stopped at the central station. "You could at least look like you're glad to be back. Isn't your family coming next weekend for a belated New Year's party?" I put my phone away and get up. "Yes they are. I told you that you're invited to come along, right?" Maja grins. "No. You must have been distracted." I suppress the urge to pull out my phone when it vibrates again. "Take this as an invitation then." Maja laughs. "I will, thank you. We didn't have much of a chance celebrating before after all." Our New Year's Eve was spent in our room with some of our favourite films, champagne and food from the room service. Soon after midnight, when the firework had quieted a little, we went to sleep, knowing that there was work waiting for us the next day. I never asked Marius what he'd been doing that night. Had we already known each other better, I might have invited him over. But back then, I'd been convinced that that would have been the last thing he want. "The week in the mountains overall makes up for it," I say while we push our way through the overcrowded platform. "For you definitely," Maja laughs. I roll my eyes, but I can't keep a smile off my face. I'm still counting down the days to the moment we'll meet again in the hotel and the exams that are coming are the last thing I want to think about. It's a good thing I have Maja around to keep me grounded and remind me that I'd regret not passing the exams this semester. No matter how much my thoughts swirl away from marketing and towards the TV as soon as Friday draws closer. I haven't told Marius yet that his updates are no longer necessary because I don't want him to stop texting them, including the additional information about the competition that I don't understand. Something about the wind changing or some track being bad. "You liked it as well, admit it," I pant and am glad when we made it to the exit. "Of course I did. It was my idea and I can't wait to get back either. Only that my reasons are different." She nudges my shoulder. Despite the teasing, her smile is real. She really is happy for me, even if I've already told her that nothing has actually happened and it might never will. But at least I had these few days of happiness. "I do look forward to our ski tours as well," I say, but Maja is already busy looking for her parents who promised to pick us up.