Just A Notion

Chapter 20: Uncertain Returns

For a moment, she forgot where she was, but then she felt the steady warmth of Agnetha's arms around her, and reality returned.

She turned slightly to look at Agnetha, who was still asleep, her features softened and peaceful. Frida smiled faintly, a small sense of calm settling over her.

We'll face this together, she reminded herself and a small smile appeared on her lips. This was exactly what she has been looking forward to for such a long time. She always dreamed of being this close to the woman she loved most.

She valued the time they were just friends. She grew up with her, as a friend, almost like a sister. Frida had always considered Agnetha her little sister. Though they were not blood related, they shared a sisterlike bond that no one could ever break.

Frida is grateful for all the fun times, each sad moment and every memory they had shared together. It was truly the time of her life and she's so ready to continue her life with Agnetha like this.

Though now it was different, better perhaps. She couldn't have ever imagined laying this close to her, sharing a blanket, waking up together in the stillness of her apartment.

A knock at the door suddenly shattered the quiet, startling Frida. Agnetha stirred awake beside her, frowning in confusion.

"Who is that?" Agnetha murmured. Frida's heart pounded. "I don't know," she whispered. They exchanged a worried glance before Frida reluctantly climbed out of bed, wrapping herself in her robe as she padded to the door. She hesitated for a long moment, staring at the wood as if she could see through it.

Agnetha appeared behind her, putting her hand on her shoulder. "I'll handle it, don't worry.", she said stepping in front of Frida.

In return, Frida took some steps back into the apartment, distancing herself from what might happen next.

Who could it be? Benny, perhaps? Why is he here? And why so early? Does he know we returned? Frida began breathing heavily as the thoughts circled around in her head, never taking her eyes off the door.

Finally, Agnetha opened it slowly-only to come face to face with Björn. His brows lifted in surprise, and then his expression fell as he took in Frida's disheveled appearance.

"Frida," he said slowly, his gaze widening slightly. "I'm so glad you're okay.", he said and took a step closer, trying to get into the apartment but Agnetha stopped him holding onto the edge of the door to keep him from entering.

Frida swallowed, gripping a piece of her robe tightly as she watched the scene. "What are you doing here, Björn?", Agnetha asked, her voice serious, looking him directly into his eyes.

"I'm just checking on you both. May I-", he said as he tried to slip past Agnetha again. "No, you may not." Agnetha grabbed him by his wrist and pushed him back outside. She moved closer to him, her grip on his wrist tightening slightly as she pierced him with her eyes.

"She has gone through a lot. She's not ready to face you and certainly not Benny yet.", she hissed at him, quieter this time so Frida wouldn't hear. "It would be best to leave her alone for now. Do you understand me?"

Björn held his breath, his face changing from determination to anger. "What, you don't trust me? She's also my friend, why can't I talk to her?" Björn raised one eyebrow, returning Agnetha's insisted gaze.

She didn't let go of his hand, her face beaming with rage. "You're not in my position! You don't know anything about her, her needs, her feelings.", She swallowed once, holding back tears. "You can't just show up here expecting everything to be back to normal! It needs time, Björn, she needs time. It's ironic that you haven't learned from our divorce one tiny bit. You still don't understand the feelings of women, do you? You still think everything's so easy, huh? Well, I'm telling you it isn't."