Fire Meets Ice

Chapter 4: Daydreaming

This was the first time Alexa had ever seen a man naked in person, especially through a window of an apartment building across from hers. She didn't know how else to react or what would correspond after.

I'm an idiot for not closing the curtains, she thought. I didn't know he lived so close by.

As embarrassment washed over her, she chided herself silently. Ugh, I should be really careful next time.

Across the way, Marcus was equally flabbergasted. He found it oddly endearing that she lived so nearby. After hastily throwing on some clothes, he stood up in his room, drying himself with a small green towel. Just then, his phone buzzed, drawing his attention. It was a message from his ex, Delilah Stolt, who he had broken up with three years ago.

"Babe, I missed you. Let's get back together," her text read.

Annoyance prickled at him. Why now? he thought, irritation bubbling beneath the surface. He typed a quick response, his fingers moving with purpose. Stop calling me "babe." We broke up years ago. You need to get over it.

As he hit send, another wave of frustration hit him. I don't have feelings for you anymore. Leave me alone, Delilah.

Marcus stared at the screen, a scowl forming on his face. That bitch... Why does she want me back? I honestly don't give a f**k about her. 

One month later, everything seemed to be going steady at least with Alexa's new life in a foreign country. Nobody was rude or judgmental towards her like they were in Colorado, especially in an area of unprivileged kids and delinquent students coming from poor familial backgrounds. I She was amazed at how refined and polite the people are here in Stockholm. One day after a class lecture, Alexa spent time with Anya in the library where there were little to no people around. She was on her laptop working on the pitch project part 1 that their professor assigned.

"Anya," Alexa began, glancing up from her screen. "We really should get started on the pitch project for public health. It requires a lot of research."

"Relax," Anya replied nonchalantly, "It's not due for another 10 days. We can easily wrap it up in under 2 hours."

"Okay... if you say so," said Alexa. "Have you finished the lecture quiz due tonight?"

"Oh, someone in the GroupMe chat sent their answers, and I got them all correct thanks to their help," Anya said with a smug smile. "I can send them to you if you want, girl."

"Nah, no thanks. I'm good," Alexa replied, shaking her head. "I'll just review the lecture notes myself. It shouldn't be too hard to get the right answers."

"Alright," Anya said, her tone light. "If you change your mind, don't hesitate to text me."

They continued to work in companionable silence for a few more minutes until Anya suddenly looked at her watch and frowned.

"I think we should leave for now," she said, gathering her things. "My boyfriend just finished with basketball practice."

"Sure, let's go see him," Alexa agreed. 

They headed into Anya's shiny red car and Alexa sat in the passenger's seat. It only took them 20 minutes to drive to the basketball court inside the fitness center building of the university. When they got inside, Anya ran to Oscar's arms and they both shared a kiss. He was wearing a basketball uniform and Marcus happened to be one of the players as well.

"Hey, babe... What's up? Miss you like always," Anya said, her eyes sparkling.

"Just waiting on you, honey," Oscar replied, his gaze sweeping over her outfit. "You look sexy in that getup you picked."

Anya grinned, tilting her head playfully. "We can both agree I have very good taste. You can never call me tasteless."

Oscar's eyes caught the figure of Alexa standing a bit awkwardly nearby. "Oh, babe," Anya continued, turning to her friend. "I forgot to introduce you to someone. This girl here is a new friend of mine."

She gestured toward Alexa with enthusiasm. "Her name is Alexa."

"Alexa, meet my boyfriend, Oscar. We've been together for eight years," Anya beamed.

"Nice to meet you, Alexa. It's nice to see Anya making new friends like she always does," Oscar said, offering a friendly smile.

"Really nice to meet you too, Oscar," Alexa replied, her voice soft.

Just then, Marcus joined them, a grin spreading across his face as he overheard the introductions. "Wait, she's here too? What a coincidence," he thought, surprised to see her.

"By the way," Oscar said, motioning toward Marcus, "this goofy buddy of mine is Marcus. Forgive my idioticness for almost forgetting about him."

Marcus chuckled, nudging Oscar playfully. "Dude, we already know each other. She's the girl I kept talking to you about—the one who 'rebuffed' me at the gym and the one who almost got her wallet stolen at McDonald's."

Oscar burst into laughter. "Yeah, you told me that already! Most hilarious shit I've ever heard!"

Marcus grinned, enjoying the banter. "I guess we can both come to terms with who's the real goofy monkey of our friendship... But you have to give me credit for helping her dodge a bullet from going broke. Never good to lose your ID or credit card."

Anya's eyes lit up as she processed this new connection. "I didn't know you guys knew each other! But it's great! Means we can go out together more, right, Alexa?"

Alexa felt a mix of shyness and excitement. "Yeah, we definitely can, Anya. Even though I don't go out a lot."

"But you should!" Anya insisted, her tone lively. "It's no way to live life hiding in your room like a hermit crab, 24/7, eating popcorn and watching Netflix."

Oscar nodded in agreement. "Anya's right. Life has so much to offer, and we've got to make the best out of it."

Anya continued, her enthusiasm infectious. "We often go bowling together. It'll be fun if you play with us."

"Yeah, sure. Sounds like something I might do," Alexa replied, a smile breaking through her initial reserve.

Internally, she mused, I didn't know his best friend was Anya's boyfriend. Eight years, that's impressive. Most relationships turn sour after three months.

Marcus, catching the glint of interest in her eyes, thought to himself, Makes me happy to learn she's friends with Anya. That means I'll get more chances with her. I can help her get out of her comfort zone.

Alexa was even more elated upon learning about her friend Anya knowing Marcus all along and the fact they're very open minded and close with each other. It was strange; she couldn't pinpoint the subtle shift in her mood, but she was certain it was different from anything she had felt with her exes. With Marcus around, her spirits began to lift.

As Anya drove her back to the apartment, Alexa's thoughts swirled. Once inside, she quickly sought solace in a hot shower, hoping to wash away the chill from the cold outside. After drying off and slipping into her soft sleepwear, she sank onto her bed, allowing the day's events to settle in her mind. Seeking a distraction, she opened Instagram, her eyes scanning through her feed.

A notification caught her attention, suggesting she follow someone with the intriguing username @mk_sson.  It was Marcus. As she scrolled through his pictures, a blush crept onto her cheeks at the sight of his handsome face and the sheer number of followers he had amassed.

"I didn't know he had Instagram," she thought, marveling at the photos. "Marcus Karlsson, huh?"

His smile was captivating, and the more she looked, the more she found herself drawn to him.  

Suddenly, her finger slipped, inadvertently tapping the blue follow button. "Oh no... I didn't mean to follow him!" she thought, wide-eyed at her accidental move. "I hope he doesn't notice..."

Yet, despite her embarrassment, a small part of her couldn't help but think, "But I still think he's hotter in person than in pictures."