Unexpected Encounters [B.H.M.]

31

After spending the night at Brian's house, I helped him take care of his house. We cleaned most rooms and changed his bedding, I helped him until I was happy to leave him on his own for the day. I still had a few things to do at home. The following week was my week off. I wasn't too stressed, but I still had tests and assignments to mark and lessons to prepare. I'd have to keep myself busy because if I allowed myself to get lost in my thoughts, that wouldn't end well. There was a difficult time coming up, and if the past years had been any indication on what would happen, then it wouldn't go well if I didn't keep busy.

That was one of the reasons why I was glad that during my week off, a pattern emerged. During the days I was productive at home, but then, in the evenings, when I was in danger of getting lost in a negative thought spiral, I went over to Brian's house again. We cooked, talked, did a bit of household work and just generally had a good time together. Some nights I slept in his guest room, some nights I went home. But I always had his company if I needed it, and I managed to not make him suspicious that there might be more going on, behind the scenes so to speak.

It was a wonderful week, a great mix of preparing for the rest of the term and relaxing, spending a lot of quality time with a good friend. And I didn't know if I was the only one who perceived it this way, but we did grow closer as friends during the week. It was wonderful, actually. There had been a couple of days when he had seemed hesitant to spend time with me again, but in the end he always called me up again and asked me to come over. And those were the days when I was happiest to drive all the way to his house, because those were the days that I knew he cared about me, and that he valued me as a friend. That he valued me a lot.

However, that week had to come to an end as well and the daily life was once again dictated by work. I didn't mind as long as I kept busy, even though it meant that I had less time for Brian. I actually ended up missing him more than I would have thought. I missed the evenings with him, just to unwind. We did talk on the phone a few times, but we didn't see each other. And that continued even into the weekend, because on Friday night, I went out with my colleagues again.

I was torn between wanting to see Brian, and wanting to be a good colleague. In the end I decided to go out with my colleagues, as the past time had been fun and I didn't do that often enough. We wouldn't go to a pub quiz this time, but I thought it might be fun again. Another good way to distract myself. And it sort of was. It was good to be out with a group of people once in a while, it took my mind off everything. We talked about a lot, and in the end they found out that I was still very much single.

And that was when it got interesting, because they were determined to get me to go home with a man. I had to spend the rest of the evening trying to convince them that I didn't want to. It was tough, and I barely managed because they got a handful of men to buy me drinks, and the more I had to drink, the harder it was to make clear judgements. I was flattered, some of these men were very charming and it was hard to resist. But in the end I did resist, I went home on my own because the voice of reason was just a little bit stronger. I decided to live luxuriously and take a taxi home because I was worried I'd end up falling asleep in the tube.

I didn't really know the time I got home, but I fell asleep pretty much the moment I lay in bed. And I slept for a while, when I woke up it was past noon. I could still feel the fact I'd had a lot to drink the night before, a lot more than I was used to. And that's why I took it very slow. Keeping my flat relatively dark, I went to get some water and took something to help with my headache before I dug out my emergency supply of coffee. I didn't usually drink it anymore, but on some days it was necessary. I never liked it, but sometimes it helped. Once I'd had my coffee - I decided to skip food for now - I let some light in because I could handle it now. I needed a bit of brightness, because I knew the danger of not letting in some light for days.

I took it very slow, though. It was Saturday, so I simply tidied my flat a little and made sure I had enough to eat for the weekend, because I was getting worried I might not be able to get myself to go out much these following days. When I saw that I did have enough food, I didn't even bother changing out of my pyjamas because I was comfortable the way I was and no one would see me like this anyway. Sometimes it was necessary to do all you could to feel comfortable.

It was already past four in the afternoon when I moved off my couch again, because I had run out of water and I was getting thirsty. I also got a few snacks while I was up anyway, not in the mood for any proper food, especially not because I'd have to cook first before I could eat. However, before I made it back to the couch, my doorbell rang, making me groan a little in frustration. I really didn't want to see anyone that day. Nonetheless, I walked into the hallway, placing my glass and the snacks on my chest drawer there before I answered the door. "Hello?"

"Hello Miss Johansson," a familiar voice replied. I could tell who it was even though he sounded a little distorted. And even though I wasn't really feeling it, I had to smile. That was the effect he had on me.

"Brian? What are you doing here? Is everything alright?" He sounded pretty cheerful, which was great, but surprising. It seemed almost as if we had reversed roles for the moment.

"It's been a while since I've seen you or heard from you," he pointed out. It was true, I had been slacking on calling him... and that wasn't good. "And since I was out anyway, I decided I might as well stop by and see how you are. Do you have time?"

I looked down on myself and sighed. I had time, but I wasn't ready. Now I knew how he must have felt whenever I stopped by unannounced... "Uhm..." I didn't really want to send him away again, because I knew what that did to someone with his state of mind, and I knew that some company wouldn't hurt. But I still wasn't ready. "I'm not really pretty to look at right now, Brian," I warned him. "I've had a long night with a bit too much alcohol last night..." That was only part of the reason if I was honest.

"Ohh," he said, sounding surprised. "I didn't know you did that. Sounds like fun. I'm sure you look fine though, Frida, you've seen what I can look like on a bad day. I promise I won't judge you," I heard him say.

I had told him the same not too long ago, when I had helped him clean his room, and he had believed me. I knew I could trust him as well. "Alright," I gave in. "I'll leave the door open so I can go put on some proper clothes, just come in," I instructed him before I buzzed him in. "I'll put the parking permit out as well," I added before I opened the door of the flat and went to get dressed, like I had told him.

I didn't dress up too much, because I really didn't feel like it, but I put on a bra and some longer trousers as well as a regular shirt for relaxing, one of my old favourites which had been washed out over the years. One of the few bandshirts that I owned, of course it was a Queen shirt. But I figured we had gotten to a point in our friendship where it was okay for me to do that, plus that shirt was really comfortable and that was what mattered to me right now. I had heard Brian come inside to get the visitors' permit, so when I could hear the door close, I figured he had come back inside again.

And indeed when I stepped into the hallway of my flat, I could see him taking off his shoes and jacket. It was a sight that made me smile somehow, despite everything. I thought about who it was that was taking off his shoes in my flat, it hit me just how surreal this was. One of the rock gods of our generation was here in my flat, casually undressing a little, showing me how fabulous he looked in the shirt he had picked today. Every time I thought about it how incredibly lucky I was to have such an incredible man as such a close friend. Not only was he a rock god, he was such a kind and sweet person through and through. He wasn't afraid to show that he was human, just like everyone else and that made him so likeable. I didn't feel scared or nervous anymore because I knew he was just like me, he wanted to be treated like that too - usually.

"You don't look terrible, Frida," was the first thing he said to me. "I can tell you were up late, but you just look a little tired. Don't worry," he added, leaning down to greet me with a hug, which had turned into the standard greeting and I loved it.

"That's good," I simply said with a small smile, not wanting to argue with him about that. He wouldn't let me try to tell him otherwise anyway, I knew him that well by now. "Do you want something to drink? Or something to eat?" It was strange, as soon as he was here and I had a task again, I felt better. But that was good, if I could keep myself busy by taking care of him, then I would. I loved having him around actually.