My Best Friend's Brother

Chapter 1

I was sitting at my desk in my flat in New York. My suitcase was lying open on my bed, still empty. I was dreading returning to my home in Midgard. I was one of seven wards to King Odin and Queen Frigga. The other wards were my siblings. We were only here in Asgard as my home in Alfhiem had been ransacked by my Great-Grandfather, Malekith The Accussed and his army of Dark Elves and despite my family calling out for help from the other realms (Midgard excluded), only Asgard answered my father's call. It was shortly after our arrival in Asgard that my father passed away from Lung Fever. He had tried (And succeeded) to rescue my mother from the Fjord in the middle of a snowstorm. Something that I am still weary of to this day.

My aim was to send some work off to my professor before I began to pack. I always did leave that sort of thing to the last minute. I had just scarfed down the last of my takeaway dinner when my phone started to vibrate. A caller was the last thing I needed at the moment.
"Nugh, I do wish people would leave me alone?" I groaned picking up the device. My sister's face was on the screen; that silly selfie she took of herself a few years ago "Hello, Cassia."
"Finally! How many times do I have to call you before you pick up your damn phone?" My sister complained. It was still strange that Asgard had a phone line these days. Thor had spent many months convincing his father to allow one. I heard that Thor's friend Tony Stark had quite a hand in it. I met him one time when Thor was visiting. He is a lovely man who knows how to make a good drink. However, I prefer his friend Rhodes.
"It was silent and all social media was on do not disturb. I do have my education to finish. I'm trying to get the final chapter done before the deadline. What's up?" I yawned.
"What's up? What's up is you're flying home tomorrow." My sister squealed. She has far too much energy for my liking.
"I know. Why do you think I'm working so hard?" I rolled my eyes as I opened up my emails. I wasn't. I finished my essay three hours ago. I was waiting for my professor to email me my grades.
"Have you even started packing?" I heard my younger brother speak. Cassia raised an eyebrow. I scoffed at her.
"No. Don't worry, I will get it done... eventually. What's more important is that I get these chapters to my professor before I go to bed tonight, which by the way, your constant calls aren't helping."
"When someone has to worry about you. We haven't seen you since the summer months" Cassia rolled her eyes. I soon heard the clicking of fingers "In a minute,"
"Well, that's what happens when people do their education in a different realm... Now what do you want? I have to get this finished." I pinched my nose.
"Well, don't expect me to come meet you at the Bifrost with that attitude."
"I don't want you to come to meet me anyway! With all the exchange students arriving. It'll be super busy and I'd rather none of you come to deal with that. I'm perfectly capable of getting to the palace by myself."
"Uh-huh, sure. Anyway, Your bestie wants to talk to you." Cassia grinned.
"Ok, put him on," I didn't have any issue talking to him. I have missed his face.
"Hi, Willow," I smiled as my male best friend's voice echoed.
"Hi, Thor. What's up?" I laid my phone on the desk.
"I just wanted to see if you're ready for tomorrow."
"I will be... at 6 am in the morning," Why did he have to get Heimdall to summon me so early?
"Do you have your bags packed?"
"Yes, Thor. Relax; I've done this a billion times before. I know what I'm doing." He let out a sigh.
"I know, Will, but I can't help it. It always makes me worry when you travel, especially on your own like that."
"I'm nearly five hundred years old. I think I can take care of myself." Perks of being an Elf from Alfhiem. Thanks to my Elf senses, I am very good at avoiding people. Also helps that I can manipulate druid magic. Just the other night, I hung a guy by his toe over the Hudson River for trying to grab my bottom.
"I know, I know. It's just Midgard is so far away," A smile drew across my lips. That is my best friend, The overprotective oaf "I will make sure that there is a carriage ready to pick you up"
"Thor... There is no need for that. I can easily walk," I tried to dismiss the man but his stubbornness was too strong in him.
"Willow, you're a young woman on your own. I worry for your safety. I would travel to Midgard myself to escort you here but I am needed here. Mother insists on it. You're taking being picked up in a carriage. End of discussion."
"You know, I don't mind walking alone. I do it quite often here in Midgard," I do love a morning stroll through Central Park.
"Are you trying to give me a heart attack? Perhaps a stroke?" he chuckled "Besides you need someone to carry your bags,"
"I'm only bringing one suitcase and it's full of gifts for you guys. There is no point in me bringing any of my Midgardian clothing with me. Odin will surely cast me out in the rivers." I rolled my eyes. Odin and I did not get on. I did not like the way he spoke about his family. Though I have not met Thor's brother yet. He lives in London 90% of the year "And I won't have anything valuable on my person. There's really no reason I can't walk like a normal person,"
"Yeah well, you're not a normal person. You're the Princess of Alfhiem, ward of Odin and my best friend. You will be picked up" his voice had some authority in it. I sighed, rolling my eyes again. He is so old-fashioned. Maybe I have spent too many years here in Midgard where I am used to looking out for myself.
"Alright, alright. If it will make you happy... I'll be ready at the Bifrost at 6 am..." I gave in. I shouldn't. I should have stood my ground but I was too tired to deal with Thor tonight "It's really not necessary though."
"I'll be the judge of that. How'd your appointment go, by the way?"
"I would have told you if anything was wrong." I looked at my nails. They need to be freshened up.
"How's your blood pressure?" Thor licked his lips. Someone shouted in the background. Thor held one finger as he rolled his eyes "Apologies... my brother is home for the winter too,"
"It's fine. Maybe I will get to meet him this time and it is stable. I've managed to keep it up pretty well."
"That's good. Speaking of which, do you have lots of water and snacks for the trip tomorrow?"
"Yes! You don't have to worry about that. I've got everything under control," my hand ran over my face in agony.
"I wouldn't worry if you weren't close to fainting."
"But I have never fainted before! Just... gotten close a couple of times." I admitted. I have had a weak heart ever since I came to Midgard. I used to think it was the stress of dealing with Thor's friends or his place of work. (I still find really weird that he has a job). Thor made a deal with his work that I had to do regular check-ins with them. Apparently, it was for my safety but I feel like it was just Thor keeping tabs on me. But these last six months have been trying times.
"Just make sure you have everything you need."
"Seriously, stop fretting over me. I'm not going to blackout in the Bifrost. Heimdall will not let that happen,"
"Hey, it's not my fault! You're the one who doesn't want to take medication for your condition."
"Because Midgard can hardly cure a weak heart," My hand flew up into the air, despite my knowing he couldn't see it. There was a moment of silence before Thor let out an exasperated sigh.
"Alright, alright; I trust you. Just send me a text when you are at the compound. Just so I know you are safe,"
"I will. That is a promise," I smile as I lean back in my chair.
"OK then, I'll let you go. Enjoy your last night in Midgard."
"I will! Just finished up dinner and about email my supervisor." I typed away on my computer. I only had to name my work and I was done with this education.
"You better have not had a waffle smothered with chocolate sauce and Oreos for your dinner tonight."
"Course not. I have pop tarts," I said while throwing out the wrapper in the trash. He sighed for the final time.
"Ok, good night, Will. I'll see you tomorrow"
"Alright. Have a good night." I smiled as I stood up and stretched.
"Have a good sleep. Don't go to bed too late."
"You too," I could practically feel him smiling from this side of the line.
"See you tomorrow, Willow,"