Page 58 of Eternal

“I’ll be back in a couple of hours; think of what you want to do today,” Soren says, grabbing the keys to whatever ungodly expensive car he chose today and leaving.

What seems like days have passed, and even though it’s only been a few hours, Soren returns home. I had spent the time constructively, writing in our library, telling a simple story of a girl who fell in love with a guy. The world around me disappeared as I got lost in words.

The next thing I know, I hear what sounds like my name over my writing music.

“Freya?” I pulled out one of my earbuds.

“Freya!” I’m ripped away from that world and brought back to reality by Soren’s voice traveling through the house.

I get up to meet him in the hallway, a little bewildered at his yelling.

“There you are. Go sit on the couch and close your eyes,” Soren says, wrapping his arm around my waist, drawing me into his side, and placing a kiss on the top of my head.

I do precisely that while Soren goes back outside. He’s only gone for a moment when he calls out. “Are your eyes closed?”

I giggle. “Yes, they’re closed.” My fingers curl into the edge of the couch in anticipation.

The sound of two sets of footsteps enter the house completely and stop in front of me. I feel someone kneeling in front of me and the sound of bags being dropped behind them while the second set of feet goes back outside.

“Put your hands on your lap, palms up,” Soren commands.

I do what I’m told again when a wet little nose brushes against my fingers. My eyes flash open, and I’m greeted by a sweet pair of brown eyes that belong to a Dobermann Pinscher puppy. I take her in my arms and set her on the floor. I hunch over, running my hand along its velvety coat. She licks my face, and I start to laugh, pushing her off me as she gets excited, jumping up and tackling me with kisses. In the corner of my eye, I see Soren standing amongst bags, with his hands in his pockets. A very rare smile reaches his eyes as he watches me interact with the puppy.

“Is she ours to keep?” I ask, hoping Soren wouldn’t be so cruel as to take her away.

“Yeah, darling, she is. Do you like her?” Soren asks. I nodded several times before turning my attention back to her. “What are you going to name her?”

“Um. I don’t actually know. Do you have any ideas?” I look up at him.

Soren sits on the floor next to me, still not petting her. “What about Bella, or Dixie, or Storm, or-”

“Storm. I like that,” I whisper.

Storm stills in front of me, looking me in the eye, and I know deep down that’s supposed to be her name.

“Storm it is then. Would you like to open your other gifts?” Soren asks, pulling some of the bags in front of me.

My eyes widened. “What is the occasion?”

“There isn’t one. I just wanted to spoil you. Am I not allowed to do that?” Soren’s mouth twitches up in a crooked smile.

I stammer to find the words for him. Storm walks around exploring the house, and I begin opening my gifts.

Several books, jewelry, clothes, luggage, and a set of keys all sit in front of me. I’m overwhelmed with everything, especially the house keys.

“Why the house keys?” I ask.

He takes them from my hand, examining them, “Well, everything I purchased for you today is for a trip we are going on when I come back from Miami. Err--after your dad’s birthday party. I forgot about that.”

Come back from Miami? What? I feel a prickle on my scalp as it sets in. He got me Storm to help with the loneliness and the gifts to make up for leaving. Is Soren just fucking with me?

“Why can’t I come with you to Miami?” I ask softly.

“Because you need to get ready for the trip we are going on. Besides, you wouldn’t even see me when we are there. I have business to take care of with our fathers.”

I cross my arms across my chest. “You’re not going to tell me what exactly you’re doing there, are you?”

He shakes his head and walks into the kitchen. I suppose I’ll be fine with being on my own for a few days. I don’t understand why he’s so secretive about the trip to Miami.Baby steps, Freya, he’s at least told you ahead of time that he’s leaving.

---