My Best Friend's Brother

Chapter 10

Today, I didn't do much besides returning some university books to their respective libraries. Afterwards, I came home to rest this afternoon to find a package on my bed. When I opened the lid, it revealed that Loki had sent me some flower-shaped hard candies in various delectable flavours to enjoy during the flight. The package arrived earlier today, and it brought a smile to my face. I picked up my phone and called Loki.
"My lady... Always a pleasure to hear your voice,"
"Your grace, I want to say thank you for the surprise package! It was such a delightful surprise to receive rose-shaped candies."
"You are welcome," I felt elated as I talked with Loki. I was scheduled to fly out on Monday morning, and it was presently Friday night. This gave him a sufficient amount of time to arrange a surprise farewell gift for me "I trust that are to your fancy?"
"They're perfect!" Loki chuckled on the other end of the line.
"I know."
"I'm particularly looking forward to trying the Raspberry one. Where'd you even find something like this?"
"I have my ways," Loki sighed, obviously pleased with himself.
"Thank you, Loki. It's a gift tailored specifically to me. I can't tell you how incredibly thoughtful that was of you," I smiled, even though I knew he couldn't see it. I'm sure he was shrugging his shoulders a tad timidly right now; I could imagine it in my head.
"Well, I wanted to make sure you had something to look forward to when you travel. I know it's going to be hard leaving your family on Monday," I laughed.
"So true! It shouldn't be too bad, though. Heimdall is expecting me at some point in the morning,"
"Do you have something to keep yourself entertained just in case Heimdall is delayed?"
"I guess I'll just bring a book or something. I'll find some way to pass the time," I always do.
"Maybe you could work on your research papers for your PhD entry?"
"I suppose you are right," I sighed as I stared at the completed papers on my bedside table. Perks of not sleeping properly at night.
"By the way... Have you even started packing yet?"
"Not yet. I always wait until the last minute for some reason." I started biting my nails "And I didn't bring that much with me,"
"Hmm, is that wise?" He asked in jest.
"I think so. Gives me time to remember everything I need to bring. Usually, I start a little pile somewhere in my room and just add to it as I think of things." It's what I will be bringing back with me.
"That's not a bad idea."
"Course it's not! I'm an experienced traveller, don't forget. I've done this lots before." Then Loki got quiet for a second, alarming me a little. It was supposed to be a joke; I didn't mean anything by it.
"I know," his tone was low and sincere. But before either of us could say more, my bedroom door slammed open. Sage waltzed herself in, lazily tossing herself onto my bed.
"And who gave you permission to come into my room?" I asked.
"Who are talking to?" She asked nosily.
"What are you doing in here?" I remarked. Ignoring her question. I certainly was not amused. Sage couldn't care less. She rolled onto her stomach, her head hanging off the bed.
"Is that Loki? Hi Loki!" I rolled my eyes and he chuckled sweetly.
"Hi Sage," he answered back, though she couldn't hear him.
"Really cute package you sent Willow today. And hey! Where's my candy?! Cats are my favourite animal."
"Stop it, Sage! He got me those as a goodbye present," I gave her leg a light smack.
"Well, actually I came across them while doing some shopping and could not get them for you, Willow. They suited you too well," Loki corrected me.
"You know me too well, your grace," my eyes lowered. Yet another chuckle left his lips.
"Yes; yes, I do." Sage rolled from side to side overtop my bed, making kissing sounds.
"Mmmmmm smoochy, smoochy. Someone's in love!"
"Sage! Ignore her, Loki," I tried to dismiss my sister's unseemly behaviour.
"You are! Why else would you be talking on the phone- gasp!- after dark?"
"For your information, Loki called me to see how the packing was going and to say goodnight. That's all!"
"It's true. And I have learned that you haven't started packing yet," Loki laughed.
"I'll pack on Sunday after brunch. Has Thor invited you?"
"Yes, he did," Loki replied. I felt butterflies in my stomach.
"Good. Because if not... I was going to ask if he hadn't yet."
"You were?" Loki's tone was peppered with a hint of surprise.
"Of course! I wanna see you one last time before I go."
"Don't worry; I wouldn't miss it. I'll come for brunch with your family at eleven sharp,"
"Perfect! It'll be our last family outing until Alder and I come back from university," whenever that may be.
"Are you going to bed soon?" Loki then inquired.
"Soon. I just wanna organize my desk and have a bath, then I'll go to bed. How about you?" "Hmm, I think I'll go to the training ring for a bit, then have a shower and go to sleep."
"Sounds good. Make sure to wear yourself out so you're good and tired."

While we were discussing this, Sage got up off my bed and made her way over to my desk. I wasn't paying attention to what she was doing.
"When were you going tell Loki about this?" I checked over my shoulder at what Sage was doing. She had picked up the open-ended plane ticket that Thor gave me a few nights back. I'd left it lying around in the open. Like an idiot. She opened the flap and pulled out the dateless ticket.
"What? Hey! Put that down! Don't go snooping through my things!" My hand waved at her all irritated now.
"Tell me about what?" Loki asked curiously. I let out a loud sigh
"Oh, it's nothing. My brother just gave me an open-ended ticket in case I changed my mind and wanted to fly back later."
"He did?!" Loki gasped in surprise. I nodded, forgetting he couldn't see me.
"Yeah. As per my contract, I can work abroad for up to six months. But it has to be for a good reason. I doubt my supervisor would let me stay in London because I want to. It doesn't work like that."
"So let me get this straight? If you had a legitimate reason to stay in Asgard, you would be permitted to do so?" He clarified. Again, I nodded, forgetting he still couldn't see "And what would count as a legitimate reason?"
"Conferences, guest events and lectures, research opportunities: anything to do with academia. It's really easy to extend your time aboard once you get the green light to stay; it's just getting the green hard light."
"I see..." Loki cooed thoughtfully.
"Well, anyway, I don't have one. So it looks like I'm going back to Midgard."
"Yes, and you should also start getting ready for bed. You have another busy day tomorrow."
"Yes, I do," I chuckled, a tad surprised he remembered me telling him that I was taking all the younger kids to see a movie and out to the park tomorrow.
"Have a good sleep. Remember to bring lots of water with you tomorrow, and sit down for a little while if you get too lightheaded or hot." I chuckled.
"I will. Have fun at the training grounds. Be careful."
"I will. I'll see you on Sunday."
"See you on Sunday."
"Good night, Willow."
"Good night, Loki." Click! Still holding my phone in my hand, I glanced over to my sister, who was grinning ear-to-ear.
"Do you still believe that you two are 'just friends'?" She folded her arms in triumph.

I was about to give her a piece of my mind when my phone started vibrating again. Thinking it might be Loki who forgot to tell me something on our last call, my eyes widened at Mrs Clark's name on the screen.
"Mrs Clark, hi! Good evening," without hesitation, I answered. She had a habit of calling me much later in the day and always had an explanation for it.
"Hello, Willow. Sorry for phoning so late. I had to submit all my papers in by seven tonight,"
"It's fine! It's fine," It sounded like she was shuffling through some papers on her end.
"Have you gone through the revisions I sent you?"
"Yes! And I've made all the changes you've recommended. It's all ready for you to take another look at it if you have time, that is!"
"I do. Just send me over everything; I'll have a colleague look at it too. Have you told your supervisor about this yet?"
"I have. Dr Langdon has given me his consent and agreed to write a reference letter when the time comes."
"Good. If you send the application in by the end of this month, that should be enough time. They're going to start conducting interviews at the start of next month; you'll know when yours is scheduled by the end of the week if you get one." A smile emerged across my lips.
"Thank you so much for helping me with this, Mrs Clark. I appreciate it." I squeaked.
"Not all at! Just have the application ready to go by the end of the month. It may be a good idea to send Dr Langdon a copy too."
"I will."
"OK then. In the meantime, email me what you have with your corrections. I'll make another set of notes for you."
"Thank you. I'll send the requirements over as soon as we are done talking."
"What you doing?" Sage, who had been very quiet until now, raised her eyebrow.
"Sage! Get out of my room!" I shouted to her in a whisper, holding my hand over the speaker part of my phone. Too bad it didn't work. I heard my old supervisor chuckle mildly. My face went white "I'm so sorry, Mrs Clark!"
"I understand. I had siblings myself. Never a dull moment with large families."
"You can say that again," my eyes rolled tiredly.