Beyond Good and Evil

Chapter 17: Tomi

By the time Alicia helped Robert take off the gear from Buttercup and clean her, darkness had fallen over Luleå. He swooped by the couch briefly to kiss her, before he was out the front door, keys in hand.

"We better get moving too," Andreas sighed wearily, glancing at his phone screen. "It's almost seven, and we haven't eaten."

Elsa slid off the kitchen table stool, padding over to him. The hem of her white perm rigged mesh chiffon strapless dress swayed around her thighs, the pale moonlight filtering through the window illuminating the side of her body white. She looked like a cute fairy, Alicia thought.

"Should we throw out the condom we left on the couch?" She asked, her gaze shifting to a crumpled, damp translucent object on the cushions.

A very dirty, naughty fairy.

"We better," Andreas chuckled, picking it up with a disgusted look on his face. "We don't want poor Gaz walking back in to find this on his couch."

"Mind if I come with?" Niklas reappeared from the bathroom, looking apparently relieved. "My girlfriend is out with friends."

"Sure," Andreas grinned, the corners of his mouth stretching up to reveal perfect white teeth. "Me and Elsa are going to probably watch some movies anyway."

Elsa threw herself at Alicia, causing her to stagger back into the cooking island. "I love you Al."

Managing to keep her footing, Alicia rubbed her friend's petite, bony back. "Love you too, Els. Keep in touch."

Elsa nodded, giving her a genuine smile that softened her eyes. "I will."

Andreas fished his car keys from his pocket, whisking Elsa out through the front door with him. Niklas waved at Alicia, smiling briefly, before he too was through the doorway.

Alicia leaned against the doorframe to watch them depart. Andreas pulled open the passenger side door to his FWD for Elsa, smiling at her. They made the perfect pair. Unlike Sean, Andreas seemed to be fun-loving and energetic. He could take jokes, and join in on any fun situation, just like Elsa. And just like Andreas, she played bass.

Once they were out of eyesight, Alicia closed and locked the front door. She had no idea what to do to keep herself occupied while Robert was picking up his kids. Jonas had left earlier, to get back to his girlfriend and pick up his guitar from the repair shop, and Tomi was fast asleep on the couch, having succumbed to the persuasive effects of alcohol.

Eventually giving into the persistent nagging thought at the back of her mind, Alicia took out her phone and dialled Frank's number.

"Alicia," he breathed after seven rings. "How are you honey? How's Luleå?"

"It's great, dad," she replied, easing down onto the end of the sofa where Tomi was out cold, his front facing the back of the white cushions. "I've had fun so far. I'm coming back in a couple of weeks though, to finish my degree."

There was a shuffle on the other end, followed by low murmurs. Alicia heard her mother's worried tone in the background, while Frank tried to hastily explain a lot of things at once.

"Alicia, sweetheart," Jodie's soft motherly voice spoke this time. "We're glad you're alright. Robert is obviously taking good care of you. He seems like a good man."

"He's the best," Alicia smiled, falling back against the couch. Tomi stirred, moaning groggily as he attempted to raise himself on his palms. "I'll talk to you soon, mum, dad."

She slid her phone onto one of the wooden tables, glancing anxiously over at Tomi. He rose into an upright position, scratching the back of his head, his chestnut waves spilling over his broad shoulders.