ASTRID, WORK AND SCHOOL-E

Astrid was in a good mood today. When she arrived at work, she was pulled aside by Matilda Meyer who started asking her questions. Alex mouthed a sorry and folded his palm together before continuing his work.

`So, spill the beans', she whispered.

`There are no beans to spill', Astrid put on her apron and went to the deep fryer section.

`Well, your face says otherwise', Matilda spoke while grinning like a bobcat.

`Gosh. This is so embarrassing', Astrid rolled her eyes and looked around. She did not want to share everything with everyone.

`But before you speak, I am sorry, Astrid I should not have left you on your own. I did not expect things to escalate', Matilda held Astrid's arm and gave her a side hug.

`Well, I'm ok now. But it was an eye-opener. No more clubbing for me.'

`Did you know Ace Wagner carried you? Both the brothers were so protective over you!'

`He carried me?', Astrid was surprised. She thought she bit him in his house. No wonder he was so flirty the next day!

`Yes, and you have to tell me what happened next', Matilda's eyes blinked excitedly.

Astrid bit her lip and spoke `I stayed overnight with them. Both brothers were gracious enough to care for me. I almost forgot. I bought a dress for you. Here!' she grabbed the Zara bag and handed it to Matilda.

Matilda's eyes went big and she opened the bag, revealing the sequined Zara dress.

`Oh my god, this is so beautiful', she squealed in delight. `Thank you so much', Matilda kissed her cheek.

`You should be thanking the Wagner brothers. They insisted', Astrid did not want to divulge further of her time with them or her shopping activity. She worried if she would be labelled a gold digger. I must do something with my trust issues, Astrid thought mentally.

`They called me this weekend for a dirt bike ride', Astrid told Matilda who gasped loudly.

`Wow, I think they are smitten by you. Now you have 2 brothers vying for your attention. Way to go babe!', Matilda spoke too loudly, and everyone turned to look at her.

`Milk them right, Astrid,' Vanessa winked at her and she flushed.

`I don't mind getting milked by you, babe', Aaron stole a peck of a kiss from Vanessa who was frowning in disgust.

`You mean they invited you to their mansion?' Bettany spoke in between serving a customer. She wondered how some people can gorge on fast food so early in the morning.

`Yes, they did. And they even bought this weird looking cuffs and headgear. Saying safety is important.' Astrid washed and rinsed the lettuce.

`Astrid, I think you don't know but the younger sibling competes professionally in dirt bike championships. Or was it the elder one?' Lewis Kerr got confused.

`I think its Hadwin. He has like a ton of medals and cups. Sweeping almost every race. And rumour has it that they have a dirt bike court in their house', Aaron spoke with admiration. `You get to meet the legend himself', Aaron added.

`I never knew', Astrid was losing interest in talking and focused on finishing her order of burger and fries packing them rhythmically.

Alex was observing her and as soon as he finishes the task at hand he walked over to her and spoke quietly, `Hey, are you okay?' Alex peered into her eyes.

`I'm fine. I mean it was unexpected.' Astrid replied with a small smile and wanted to drop the matter. Alex's attention was new for her and she didn't know how to respond to him.

`I am sorry. I should not have left you alone,' Alex was annoyed with himself because he could not prevent it from happening, being there and all. Instead, someone else aided her. He felt pangs of jealousy gnawing at him.

`Alex, you are overthinking. How about no more drinking after this? Okay? Smile now', Astrid pinched his cheeks and smiled at him. Mulling over spill milk won't do anyone any good.

`How about all of us work before Mr Davis unloads further shit on our plate! 'Lewis exclaimed when he noticed Mr Davis walking in with Mrs Rheanna Kree.

Everyone quickly snapped back to work and continued until their lunch break. Alex wanted to talk to Astrid in private and score a date with her, but he was conflicted about whether she will accept the prospect of dating him. By the end of Astrid's shift, he was in turmoil. Astrid was in a rush to go to her night class and waved goodbye to everyone.

`Astrid! Astrid!', Alex shouted.

Astrid who was speed walking on the pavement stopped abruptly.

`Hey', Alex was breathing hard having to rush to her.

`Yes, is everything ok?' Astrid was concerned for him running to meet her up. What is he up to?

`Yeah…are you free this week?', he asked with hope in his eyes which Astrid failed to recognize.

`Well, I have night classes until Friday and weekend with the Wagners', she explained.

`I may be free next week. I can't work on the weekends. House renovations', she shrugged her shoulders.

`Okay, I will ask again next week', Alex started to walk back to the fast-food shop, baffling Astrid.

She wondered what he wanted to say, but soon forgot about it when she reached her business school.

Astrid was beyond tired after the night classes finished. She called pop and asked if they wanted dinner, which he politely declined and told Astrid to come home as soon as possible.

She hopped on a bus and reached Route 3, to find Enlil and pop waiting for her.

`Is everything ok, pop?' she looked at them both, curious as to why both came to pick her up when she knew the path to her house perfectly well.

`Yeah, we have a surprise for you', Enlil spoke in a monotone, giving away nothing.

`Mmmmmmm, okaaayy.' Astrid replied and narrowed her eyes at pop.

`You will see.' All three of them started walking towards the forest.

Astrid yawned a few times, and Enlil stopped walking.

`You seem tired', he asked.

`Heck yeah. I guess I stayed awake too late yesterday. I could use some help now. These feet are killing me', she bends down and slapped her thighs.

Enlil laughed at her antics. Grandpa Jones chided her to exercise more and build some stamina.

`Come over, I can give you a piggyback ride', Enlil offered to bend his knees down.

`Really, you mean it? I mean God's can help us, mortals, right?' Astrid was happy and quickly grabbed his neck and Enlil carried her legs around his waist. She immediately relaxed into his back, facing her pop with sleepy eyes.

`You are spoiling her', Grandpa Jones slapped her back playfully. Astrid stuck her tongue out.

`He worked his ass off to fix the house', Grandpa Jones continued.

`God or no god, Enlil is the best.' Astrid rested her head on his broad back and sigh contently. No walking for her!

They walked in silence, listening to the sounds of crickets, croaks of toad, occasional hoots of owls, and the gentle cool breeze caressing them.

`Astrid, close your eyes, we are nearing your house', Enlil instructed her.

`Oh boy, oh boy,' Grandpa Jones was anxious and thrilled at the same time. He rubbed his hands in anticipation of her reaction.

Enlil wrapped his palms around Astrid's eyes and nudged her to walk the last few steps towards her house. She could feel the enthusiasm in the air, smell fresh paint lingering in the air; she involuntary gripped Enlil's hand tighter.

`Holy cow, pop I can sense its big.', Astrid had a foolish smile on her face by now.

`On the count of 3, Enlil. One…two…three!' Enlil slowly let go of his palms and Astrid strained her eyes to adjust to the light, but it took the wind out of her when she focused her eyes.

Her house was completely redone! It was in brick and mortar now. A cobblestone pathway leads to the front door entrance. The walls were painted in muted, soft colours, She could make out rooms and doors inside the house. She was beyond thrilled and her poor emotions got the better of her when tears of joy fell from her eyes, clouding her vision. She blinked her tears away before pop's soft hands wiped her cheeks gently.

`Pop,…I….I..' she stammered, voice thick with emotions.

`Enlil helped me', Grandpa Jones gestured towards Enlil who was amused by her reaction.

Astrid hugged her grandfather tight and showered his cheek with kisses. Grandpa Jones hugged her back and rubbed her back tenderly. Astrid whispered thank you in his ears and dashed to Enlil who had opened his arms to welcome her.

Astrid felt at ease when she hugged Enlil. She felt nothing but gratitude. He twirls her around, and Astrid's eyes opened wider in amazement. She wondered how both manage to fix the house in such a short time. With the help of wind I suppose, she thought.

`You are truly one hell of a God!', Astrid cried out.

`I will take that as a compliment', he replied and patted her head. She tiptoed and pulled his face down to kiss his cheek and interlaced her fingers with him before walking back to her pop and lacing her fingers with him. All three of them walked into the house together, to a new dawn and a new beginning.