STOCKHOLM ➵ tomlinson

eleven

JOSEPHINE
friday, three days after

I pulled my warm blue jacket down as I followed Louis into the grocery market. An apartment full with five boys makes the fridge run low.

"So the guys you live with," I began.

"Right," Louis said, "They're Australian--"

"Any Americans or would rooming with Americans in Brooklyn be weird?" I asked jokingly.

I was afraid it would've been awkward but he, fortunately, laughed and looked at the variety of cereal.

"We met along the way. We're close. They're almost like my brothers."

"Speaking of brothers, uh, how about your family?"

An awkward silence landed itself right between us when he stopped walking and talking. He turned around and my brown gaze met his piercing crystal eyes.

"I-I-I mean if you're uncomfortable," I stammered, "you don't have to say anything."

"Chill Josephine, don't speak with them anymore."

"Oh," was all that left my mouth.

I felt awkward and intrusive, forgetting that not everybody was so connected to their family. I would know that very well.

--

"Are you cold?" he asked me.

"Not at all," I whispered back. It was a winter in New York, how could I not be freezing? However, the blue eyed boy had little on, in fact less than me, and I felt worried that he would give the little he had to me. Currently, he had given up spending time with his roommates to go on a small trip around town with me.

"Would a drink help?"

Oh.

"Yeah, sure."

He drove us deep back into town to the finest café that I use to go to.

We finally parked but as we were about to go inside, he stopped in his tracks, making me almost knock him over.

"J, please do me a favour. Go to the trunk and take the scarf and wear it. Cover your face too, your cheeks are red!"

I smiled in embarrassment and took the keys he held out.

I walked back to the car and opened the trunk. It revealed multiple empty water bottles, soda cans, and other various drinks. On the left sat cooking books and on the top right sat a bunch of camping equipment. I looked under the box of equipment and there it was; I found the scarf under all the camping gear. Then I pulled down the trunk door and walked into the cafe.

My poor eyesight left me with Louis to order something for me. It turns out he got me a peppermint hot chocolate, which I found out was my new favourite holiday drink. In the corner of my eye, I spotted two boys snapping selfies and having fun. I wish I could go back to such simple days.

However, they looked similar. I tried to squint to see closer but then a familiar voice cut off my mission.

"Let's leave. I want you to meet my roommates as fast as possible," Louis explained.

I didn't ever question him. He had, after all, taken me away from the empty life I had before. I felt free now. It was like a caterpillar's change to a butterfly; I was anchored to the dirt with nothing but I had to let myself be trapped in shell. Finally, I have let my wings free. I know now, I will soar.

We left the cafe and drove off to his apartment. I felt butterflies in my stomach because of the pressure of needing to look perfect for his friends.

"Don't worry Jo," the blue-eyed boy uttered. "You're perfect the way you are. Don't stress too much."

It was like he read my mind. We constantly had the same thoughts. I can't help but wish that I had left my previous life earlier. What other adventures would I have gone on instead of crying in my bedroom?

Soon enough, we reached the apartments he resided in. The silver metal elevators spoke money, and the gold doors said debt. How does he afford to live in this obviously wealthy place?

hi honeys. im so sorry for not updating for too long. good news is im almost on my break! ill be writing more hopefully.

Q1: Do you want to see more from Josephine or more from her family and friends?

Q2: Would you like to see more before or after the day she met Louis?

-el