It was thus that I–unwillingly–found myself the head of this makeshift group. Birgit’s driver took her while Ivan, Ahmed and I were driven by Stelios. We all met back up at Astoria where I took them on a small tour of the city. Mainly the old city, Lions Square to Koules before going back up to the lions to take some food.

There was this beautiful little gyros shop tucked in behind the Lions Fountain–Morosini fountain, as I’ll forever remember it due to junior high history. It was next to a larger cafe, but still somewhat hidden and covered by the large trees and their shadows even in day time. Speaking of day time, it was nearly empty because of it, which was good. We sat on one of the outside tables, and I ordered for everyone.

From there the conversation shifted to various topics ranging from schools–which I avoided talking about–to heroes, which I talked a lot about, eventually reaching sports where I had basically zero expertise.

Everyone else really was apparently, so I quickly tuned out that part of the conversation. It was natural, and it wasn’t like they were ignoring me, but I started to have flashbacks to high school again. I messed with the seams of my gloves and took out my phone to see that I had two messages, one from each of my parents, wishing me luck. I smiled at them as the first of the food started to come through.

Two minutes later, we were all eating and talking. I did have choice words about Ahmed’s use of a fork, but he only responded with some vague nonsense about appearance and making it to the top.

Payment was a hustle of its own since Birgit didn’t have any euro, only krone, and adamantly refused to let me pay for her until I practically had to beg her. It was at that point that she called me an idiot and accepted.

A few minutes after that we all went our separate ways, Ivan and Ahmed to the places they were renting while Birgit and I waited for her driver to pick her up and for my bus to take me home.

“You were quiet today,” said Birgit.

“Sorry, it’s just how I am in group situations sometimes.”

“As long as you aren't sulking, don’t be,” she retorted with a smirk.

“Sulking? Why would I be sulking?”

“For a variety of reasons. Maybe the exams didn’t go well, maybe something else happened. Maybe I did something?”

“Nothing’s wrong,” I said. My mind then flashed to all the weird nightmares regarding my death and that vision there. The weird note I’d left for myself and everything regarding Maria. The weird…sort of jealousy that I felt for a moment today.

“You,” said Birgit as she got into my personal space,“are hiding something.”

Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.

“As are you,” I retorted, looking down at her. “You know that there are some things that–that are tough to say. To talk about.”

“I know. But there’s also a lot that we’ve gone through. I trust you. I think that by telling you about Lady Flame, I have proven that. The rest of my life, I want you to know about it as well.” The temperature seemed to drop. “If you don’t feel the same way, then I-I don’t know what to do.”

I took a few steps back. “Are you threatening to break up with me?” I said in a small voice.

Birgit’s eyes widened at that. “No, God, no!” She actually sounded somewhat angry at the thought. “I don’t know what to do to get you to open up, idiot. It’s clear that you aren’t well, but it looks like I will have to freeze you to the ceiling before you tell me what’s wrong.”

“I’m scared,” I said, after a few moments of silence.

“Of what?”

“Of what will happen. Back then, when it happened, even Iraklis didn’t talk to me for a while until his mother got him to rethink that. I just-I don’t want to be alone again.”

I felt Birgit wrap her arms around me. She rested her head on my shoulder and said quietly, “I know you well enough not to care about whatever happened. Or to at least know that you aren’t a bad person.”

We separated after that and, as I looked down at her, I told her the whole story about how I hurt Maria. I neglected to mention anything regarding the nightmares or everything else. I couldn’t burden her with all of it, not all at once.

Plus, talking about that day and about what happened after it. At school, at everything. I just, I couldn’t handle more. And, even though she seemed to be at least somewhat understanding, I didn’t know how Birgit would react. Maybe she would think I was crazy, maybe she would think I was too much to deal with.

“Alex?” Birgit’s voice broke me out of my thoughts.

I realised I was looking down at my shoes at this point instead of her. I turned back up only to be met with a slightly teary eyed Birgit. “I’m sorry,” I said quietly. “I probably-I should-”

“Alex-”

“Do you hate me?” I asked before I could stop myself. I immediately slapped my hands over my mouth, realising what I’d said.

Birgit rolled her eyes and leaned up to kiss me slightly. “Does that answer your question?”

“Thank you,” I said simply, hoping it would get everything I felt across.

Birgit rolled her eyes but she was smiling nonetheless. “And then you wonder why I call you an idiot.”

“Since we’re still good, I owe you a WPW marathon,” I said with a small smile of my own. “I believe we have a deal for something so vulgar that posh people all over the globe will feel it?”

“Alright, you dork. How about this Wednesday? You can come to my house.”

“Isn’t your house in Denmark?”

“You know what I mean, you Greek giant,” she responded, sounding like a mix of annoyed and amused. “I’ll get someone to pick you up, how does that sound?”

“How about you give me the address and I come there on my own? I’d rather…not deal with that awkwardness.”

She giggled but agreed. Not long after that, my bus arrived. After a kiss goodbye, I got on. I practically collapsed on an empty seat. It went well. She didn’t hate me. She didn’t hate me.

So why was I still so damn scared? Because I was still hiding secrets? Or because the time for the truth was so close? Whether or not I made it to Atlantis and what I would make of myself if I did make it in?

I clenched my fists. Now that all the tests were done, judgement day would be coming any day now. I could only hope I was prepared for it.