Take a Chance on Me (Frida x Agnetha/ABBA) (#Wattys2024)

Australia 1976

Benny and I had been talking for months about me telling Anna that I'm in love with her. It's been eight years, I really don't know how I've kept this from her for long. I feel bad as well. She's my best friend, she doesn't deserve it. I shouldn't have kept something this important from her for all this time. I'd told her right after the show that I'd meet her in her and Bjorns hotel room. And here I am, sitting on the bed shaking and my hands are freezing because I'm so nervous. It felt like an eternity waiting for Anna to walk in. After a few more minutes of waiting, I heard the door open and a woman laughing. I'd been pacing around the room and the moment I heard that door open, I stopped dead in my tracks. When Anna saw me, she jumped.

Oh my. Frida, you scared me. What's going on? Are you ok?" Anna laughed.

"No, I'm not. I need to talk to you. Sit down." I replied.

"About what?"

Anna and I sat down on the bed. I couldn't even look her in the eyes and I felt myself start shaking again. I sighed then looked at Anna. Or I tried but still couldn't.

"Hopefully you won't be mad when I tell you that I'm in love with you." That was when I looked at her, hoping she'd say something. Anything. Then she stood up and started walking around the room.

"How long have you felt this way about me?" Anna asked in a low voice while still pacing the room.

"Seven, maybe, eight years." I replied.

"Eight years?! Frida?! What the hell? Why have you kept this from me for so long? I don't get it. What were you afraid of?"

"Yes, Anna, eight years. Eight years of having to not tell you, my best friend, how I was feeling. It wasn't like I could just come to you and talking about how much you mean to me and how perfect you are. It was eight years of internal torture. Believe me, there were so many times I just wanted to take you in my arms and stick my tongue in your mouth. It was also six years of lying to Benny." That last sentence slipped out.

"Wait. Benny? Benny knows? When? How?"

"You ask a lot of questions."

"Frida."

"Ok. It was the week after Eurovision. I'd come to your place while Bjorn was watching Linda and while we were talking, that was when I realized I was going to tell you how I feel. But then Linda went down for a nap, Bjorn came downstairs to be with you and the moment I tried to ask to talk to you, you asked if we could talk another time. Well, here we are. It's another time...just...two years later."

By this time, Anna and I were standing and staring at each other. Both of us were silent but still looking at each other. It was awkward for a little bit. Until Anna relaxed and walked toward me. She put her hands on my cheeks and leaned in to put her lips on mine. Her lips were soft and warm. It felt like it was all happening in slow motion and it all felt like a dream I was waiting to wake up from. I very quickly relaxed and kissed her back. Everything I'd ever heard about love being so amazing had made sense to me now. I never really knew what it felt like to feel like this. Anna pulled away and looked into my eyes.

"I love you, Frida. I really wish you'd told me years ago, I would've left Bjorn for you." Anna said.

"You wouldn't have, Anna. Which was fine with me. But we both have to keep this a secret. From Bjorn and the fans. But especially the fans." I replied.  Anna smiled at me then nodded and leaned in to keep kissing me. Benny came in and saw us.

"I'm so happy for you two. But Bjorn is coming so you may want to calm that down." Benny smiled.

Bjorn then came in and saw us all sitting.

"Hey, I've been looking for all of you. We need to go to the arena. Why is your lipstick smeared?" Bjorn asked as he came in to kiss Anna.

"Oh, I was trying to get this off and clearly didn't get everything. I'll fix it right now." Anna smiled.

"Oh. Ok, well, we have to get going. The fans are waiting. I'll meet you all at the elevator." Bjorn walked out.

I went to the doorway of the bathroom and just looked at Anna. She's so beautiful, I couldn't help but smile at how gorgeous she looks. I walked up to her and kissed her cheek.

"Hey. I know it's still really early but, what are we?" I whispered in Annas ear.</p>

"We're nothing until Bjorn knows. I'm sorry." Anna whispered back.

"We have to go." I nodded and whispered as I smiled at her in the mirror.

Since the...whatever I have with Anna had to be kept a secret from Bjorn, the elevator was so painfully awkward. Anna and I had to be all cuddly with men we didn't really want to be cuddly with. All I could think about was Anna and how much my being so close with Benny right now killed her. I only know because I was feeling the same way watching her with Bjorn. The thought of Anna hurting was far outweighed by the thought of her kissing me again. That helped me tune out the screams and cries of joy from the fans. I looked over at Anna and saw her looking back at me. I smiled at her then winked at her. I was very well aware of the flirty looks I was giving but I was hoping Bjorn wouldn't catch me. Luckily he never did. For weeks, Anna and I would exchange looks back and forth at every opportunity we had. Even when Bjorn was in the room and if he asked we would just say it was an inside joke between the two of us and we'd smile knowing why we were really looking at each other.