Pills of love

Bumblebee (part 2)

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The car hummed steadily along the coastal road, it was an inviting day, the sun was high, casting a warm glow over the landscape. That period of the year was a continuous alternation of hot and muggy days, warm days and cold and gloomy days, a panacea for weather lovers.

Frida stared out the car window, her fingers tapping nervously on her knee. Taking a deep breath, she said "Svenne, will we get there soon?" she asked, forcing a lightness into her voice.

"Yeah, it's just another twenty minutes or so" Svenne replied, his eyes fixed on the road ahead, shaded behind his shades "We'll have a good time, you'll see".

Frida sighed and her stomach twisted uncomfortably "What do you think we'll do at Benny's?" she turned to him, trying to gauge his excitement.

"Not sure" he shrugged "Probably just hanging out, maybe some games, some jamming..." he said, nonchalantly "Why?".

She bit her lip, a frown tugging at her brows "I just thought... I mean, I was hoping we'd have some free time for us there to do... I don't know, something different... Just you and me".

"Like what?" he glanced at her, brow raised "Frida, it's just a beach weekend, you know? We've already a lot of time at home when we're together and alone" he smirked.

"Right. Just a beach weekend" she looked back out the car window, the waves crashing against the rocky shore "I guess I thought it'd be more...".

"More what?" he pressed, his tone turning slightly sharper "You're not making sense, you know? What's the matter this time?".

Frida sighed, frustration bubbling to the surface "I don't know... More fun? It's just... We have my grandma's birthday tomorrow night, so we won't stay for the entire weekend and I thought...".

Svenne's grip on the steering wheel tightened "Wait wait..." he sighed "You know... I think it's not a big deal if we won't go this time".

Frida's stomach dropped. Tomorrow was an important day; it was her grandmother's birthday. Her grandmother. Her only family. And in prospect there was a day filled with baked goods, laughter and cherished family traditions.

How could he be so nonchalant about their plans for her?

Frida turned to him astonished "What do you mean?".

"I mean..." Svenne sighed, shaking his head slightly "I think the guys want to try new music and songs and it could be an intense productive weekend for us all, you know?" he turned to her slightly and noticed her expression "But... you can still go alone if you want. I mean, it's not like it's a big deal for me to be there to celebrate with your grandma or not, right?".

"Not a big deal?" she exclaimed, her voice rising "It's her birthday! She's my family! I can't just skip it because we're at a beach house!".

"Frida, calm down. I told you I wanted to spend a couple of days with my friends and you. Just this once" he glanced at her, frustration etched across his face" You could leave tomorrow morning, if you really want to. I can even drive you home myself... But... I would really love to stay... And for you to stay too... Just..." he sighed "Just think about it, babe, okay? You might also want to stay away from home to... Yeah, to relax a bit. You are so tense recently".

"Think about it?" she scoffed, crossing her arms "You think I want to ditch my grandma for a bunch of games and sunbathing? No, thanks".

Svenne sighed, shaking his head "I don't get why you're making such a big deal out of this".

"Maybe because it's something that matters to me deeply!" she shot back, her heart racing "Maybe because I want to be there for her!".

The blatant suggestion that she could abandon her grandmother's birthday for some impromptu trip stung harder than she anticipated. She didn't want to resent Svenne, that day she had promised herself not to get angry, but moments like this made it almost impossible not to.