hatred // chris schistad

fourteen.

TORSDAG.

'relax chris, we'll be fine.' says alex.

they're currently waiting in the oslo aiport waiting for their flight to be called out. chris is stressing out as he's never been on a plane this far away before. he's been to sweden and germany but england was the furthest place he's flown to.

he's sat next to alex, his legs moving uncontrollably because of his nerves.

'flight 379aziw to phoenix, arizona is now boarding.' says the intercom. chris heart stops for a moment but alex takes his hand and squeezes it slightly.

'we will be fine, trust me.' she says.

'i'm also surprised your mum let me come on this flight with you. you know just the two of us and stuff.'

'my mom's never been the type of mom who's that over protective when it comes to boys. she knows i've always had guy friends, just some closer than others i guess.' she says shrugging as they wait for their ticket and passport to be checked.

'and she's met you multiple times, she trusts you. she's just still in shock you paid for our tickets. we will pay you back when we can.'

'i think you will not, come on this is just a present.' he says with a smile.

  ❁ ❁

'grandma! grandpa!' says alex running over her to her grandparents.

'alexandra!' they say happily as they hug her both. chris follows her happily, tired from the flight but also shy about meeting them.

'now is this the famous chris i keep hearing about?' she says looking at chris with a smile.

'now you're a very attractive young man, aren't you? i hear you've been looking after my granddaughter well.'

'grandma, we're just friends.'

'that's what all the youngsters say alexandra!' says her grandpa laughing as they walk to the car.

chris puts their luggage in the back and sits in the back next to alex. chris can tell by her face, she's over the moon about being back in the united states.

'so alexandra, what's it like being back in phoenix? how's life in norway?'

'oh it's amazing, i'm finally home. this is my country. i mean norway is a beautiful place to live but their culture and way of living is so different than americans, i still struggle to fit it. and also the weather is completely different, i went from extremely hot to extremely cold. but i would be lying if sometimes i do prefer the way norwegians are a lot more calmer compared to us americans who are often quite loud.'

'you know when your parents told me they were moving to europe i was expecting england or ireland, when she told me norway, i was a little confused.' she says.

chris is just sat in the back, looking out the window watching the big city rush past him.

'so chris is this the first time you've been to america?' asks his grandpa.

'yes it is. but it's always been a dream of mine.'

'first time! is there anything you would like to do while you're here?'

'well, i'm not really similar to what's in phoenix. i'm a typical tourist and only know mainly what's in los angeles and new york.' he says.

'there's plenty to do in arizona! and also we're only a few hours away from the grand canyon. and if you want we could go on a road trip to california, it's not actually that far! but it's up to you son.' he says with a smile.

'why thank you sir, but i did come for alex so whatever she wants to do or visit, i'll do it.' says chris with a smile.

'chris, you don't have to do that, i lived in the states nearly my entire life. and you paid for my flight, i'll do whatever you want to do.' she says to him in norwegian.

  ❁ ❁

jonas : you're in the states?

alex just stares at her phone screen with no reaction.

'alex? alex, what's wrong?' repeats chris. she doesn't say anything except show him the screen.

'what the fuck? who the fuck does he think he is? i'm going to call him.' he says putting alex's phone to his ear.

'chris don't! he's not worth it and it will cost me a fortune on my phone bill to call norway.' says alex quickly, he sighs and puts the phone down.

'alright, we're switching our phones on airplane mode. the only use for them is music and photos. no exes, no friends, nobody. deal?'

'deal.'