Walking home from the bus, I thought about Nelly and where he was from. I wanted to know more about him. Everything about him.
It intrigued me that someone as nice, someone so innocent as him could come from that country. Not once did I actually meet someone there that smiled at me. The entire time I was on vacation, I saw people happy to be with their families together on vacation in a beautiful place (I will admit I may not like Finland, but the scenery is just breathtaking). But no one actually mingled with others. Not friendly anyway. Service was not served with a smile at that hotel. The staff smiled to each other. And locals. But if you really payed attention like tiny younger me did, it was like everyone pretended all others they didn't know, didn't exist. I smiled at a maid one time passing in the hallway to the room with my mom, and she gave me a look so dirty it made the situation ironic. After that, I only payed attention to me, my mom, and my dad. That was all that mattered anyway. The three of us together.
If at least one person like Nelly could come out of that country, I was willing to meet more.
I wanted to know about his family, if he had siblings back home, a mom, a dad, grandparents, cousins, what the food was like. Was he wealthy back home? Maybe a prince. A runaway destined for the throne who didn't want the title or power. The possibilities were endless. I've been telling him all about me, my family (minus the dad part), and this country. He probably thinks I'm self-absorbed. I haven't gotten to know him much to be completely honest. Hopefully tonight would fix that.
I just hope it all goes smooth. Daisy better behave. Maybe mom will make nachos. I hope he isn't allergic to anything. Especially cheese. You can't be just allergic to cheese right? When you're lactose intolerant you have to be allergic to all dairy right? Like yogurt, milk, cream cheese the whole shabang right? Not just cheese?
"I believe so." Nelly said.
"What?" Did he just answer my question? Was I talking out loud? How much did he hear?
"I'm pretty sure you can't just be allergic to only one dairy product. I may not get out much but I know enough." He chuckled a little and lightly covered his left pec with his right hand. Why do guys do that? They need to make sure it's still there? Wait. I should stop while I'm ahead. I might say something out loud again. Am I doing that now?
I glance slightly over at Nelly to see if he's looking at me like I should be in a mental hospital. He's looking ahead and just smiling with a spring in his step, probably still thinking he's hilarious.
"Nelly?"
"Yeah?'', still smiling.
"What was I talking about before the cheese thing?" Dear Lord, I promise I'll start actually reading the book in english class if he didn't hear me. I promise. Well, I'll try. I promise I'll try with all might.
"Nothing. We were just walking in silence to your house before." Oh good.
"By the way, how long before we get to your house? We're almost at the next stop."
I took in my surroundings. Good going, Lina.
"Yeah, my house is two blocks thataway. We passed it." I said pointing behind me. "We can just follow the trail of dead brain cells back to my house."
"Hey, don't be so hard on yourself. After that test in science today, I'm pretty sure mine are back there too."
I laughed with him. Now that was actually funny.
••••••
When we finally got back to my house, I could hear the music blasting inside. Rap. Great.
