>So, there is this one guy at the shelter and after all this month he still calls me Jennifer - he freaks me out. Besides that, everything is normal.<
>I wish you good luck at the US Opens!<
>You did amazing! OMG, congratulation to your win - I hope you have a nice party later ;) <
>I feel a little bit alone in this conversation...?<
>Is this about the kiss? Please don't be mad!<
>Are you alright? I saw the photo on Instagram, that you're in hospital?!<
>I'm worried.<
>This Is getting ridicilous!<
>Tory?<
>You said, you wouldn't stop talking to me!<
>So this is the last try - I won't bother, if you can't stand my presence anymore! But if you still do, please message me. Or call. Or visit. Or send smoke signals. Or carrier pigeon. Anything. Please.<
The last one nearly killed him.
He closed his eyes for a short second and let out a suppressed breath.
"You alright, bud?", Mark asked next to him.
"Sure."
"Ready to drop in?"
"More than ever", Torstein answered and followed the Canadian with his eyes, when he started to ride down the slope. He was in Canada, hanging out with Staale, Ulrik and the McMorris Brothers, to learn some new tricks on this new freestyle park in a ski resort close to Montreal. The season was finally nearly over, just the Burton European Open would take place in two weeks and then: holiday!
He couldn't wait for the off season and to occupy his mind with different thinks. Of course he still had a couple of things to do, he usually planned a new series of products for AWSM, did a lot for his sponsors and usually some footage himself, but - the first thing he will do is going home!
He hasn't seen his family in ages and he had the feeling, that might be the thing he needs in the moment. To feel comfortable and at home and like himself again.
With force he stuffed his phone back into his pocket and started to go down the slope.
The session was super productive, successful and most of all: fun. Exhausted but with positive energy they made their way back to the hotel, to take a shower, grab something to eat and prepare themselves for an epic Aprés Ski party to end this week with a bang - organised by Craig (of course).
"Ready to Rambo?", Mark greeted Torstein at his door and both of them made their way to the Club. When they arrived the party had already started. They made an A-line to the bar and ordered Tequila Shots for the whole group and that's where the party buzzed.
Shortly after their arrival, a group of girls approached them and all of a sudden, the guys turned into little cocky Rowdys, trying to impress the girls and order one round of drinks after the other.
While Torstein watched how Ulrik got handsy with another girl, he noticed how the nice brunette next to him tapped him on the shoulder and tried to start a conversation with him. She was cute and sweet and slightly tipsy just like him and while they were talking about the snowfall this season he felt an attraction towards her. Her name was Amber and she gave him some hints and he gave her some hints and both of them already knew where this would be leading...
Until his phone buzzed and his first thought was: Hannah!
Quickly he pulled out his phone, but it was just a message from his phone company, that he got a voicemail. He let out a heavy breath and excused himself from Amber to get new drinks. He ignored the bar though and went straight out of the door and turned left along the wall of the little cabin, passing by a couple of people making out. When he found an empty sport, he leaned against the wall and looked at the sky.
A couple of minutes past, before someone approached him. Since it was dark, it took him a while to realise that it was Craig, who brought him his jacket.
"Thought you might need this."
"Thanks bro", Torstein said and took the jacket gladly.
Craig followed his example and leaned against the wall.
"Do you wanna talk about it?", the Canadian asked after a small period of silence.
"What do you mean?"
"You were going on pretty well with this girl and I could see that you wanted the fun and boom - all of a sudden you vanished - what's wrong?"
"There is this girl...", Torstein started, but didn't knew how to continue,"...I've met a while ago and she is ...just special. And for whatever reason, I just had to think of her and couldn't stop."
"Why didn't it worked out?"
The Norwegian huffed.
"We're just friends. At least, we have been."
"Ok, sorry, dude, but I need more information to this story. What is it with this girl?"
"We've been close friends for a while and I kinda...developed feelings for her?", he replied in an unsteady voice, the first time he ever spoke this words out loud. "But it's not the right time, she considers me as a friends and she just broke up with her longtime boyfriend and on my last visit, I kinda...kissed her. I haven't called her since, but when things got heated with the chick inside and my phone buzzed, my initial thought was Hannah - as if I would cheat on her, which is so stupid and completely irrelevant since we're not actually dating and I haven't spoken to her in a month and I am such an idiot and I miss her."
Craig had a hard time to find sense in Torsteins rambling, but he sure felt sorry for his mate, because the guy seemed seriously troubled. He laid a hand on his friends shoulder.
"Why don't you just call her?"
"What if she hates me? Or worse, what if she feels sorry for me and everything will be completely awkward between us...?"
"Well, in all honesty, I can understand, if she is confused, you've been given this girl really weird signals."
"I feel bad for not answering her messages..."
Craig sighed.
"Man up and talk to her. She seems really important to you. And please come inside again, I don't wanna carry an ice block home. I can hunt the brunette girl away if you want."
"Thanks digga. I'm coming in a minute."
"You're ok?", the Canadian shot him a questioning look.
"I'm fine", Torstein reassured him. Craig left and the Norwegian took out his phone, which was the cause of his inner war. He went through his address book and lingered over Hannahs number. A picture of her was right next to it. It was a photo he secretly took, when they were in a castle in Edinburgh. It showed Hannah from the side, a deep blue beanie on her head, her hair curly and darker from the rain and her eyes thoughtfully attached to a picture on the wall. She looked all soft and kind and just so much like herself in this foto.
Before he could make up his mind, if he should call her or not, a receiving call startled him. When he saw the caller ID he got confused. It was his mother, but the time was very unusual, it must be early in the morning in Norway.
"Hey honey", his mother said, when he answered the phone, "you should come home quick. Your father had a heart attack."
