Your Favorite Actor / Reader - Part 2
It was a nice, friendly hug but it went on longer than you had thought it would; you see, you had assumed (H/N) to just greet you with a short buddy-hug but this was turning into an embrace of a long lost friend. He squeezed you so tightly that you were able to feel the muscles of his chest under his t-shirt pressing against your chest which was enough to wake up the fangirl inside you and make her blush. However you had firmly decided that you wouldn’t let your inner fangirl show, oh no, you would think (H/N) as your friend and nothing more. He was not your crush, he was not famous and he definitely was not hot.
Who were you kidding! (H/N) was one of the most handsome men you had ever seen and having him hugging you was just… too much… especially because he smelled very nice. Yes, his cologne was perfect; it was not too strong or overpowering… but just… perfect. Anyway, so you had decided that you would ignore (H/N)’s stardom and treat him like you would treat your friends, you wouldn’t fuss over nothing, you wouldn’t grin and blush and you definitely wouldn’t turn into a flirtatious vamp, or a wannabe-vamp.
However you knew that it would be challenging because it was almost like your personality had been torn in two; on the other hand you were a down-to-earth woman from the next door, a bit insecure about yourself and shy among new people but when one got to know you, you were the friendliest and warmest person ever to walk on this earth. You were smart and funny, kind and generous, a bit awkward sometimes because you had a slightly weird sense of humor that was a bit too odd for some but when you met someone similar you clicked with them almost instantly. This was the person you wanted (H/N) to meet, although you had decided not to be too weird so you wouldn’t scare him off.
But there was other side of you as well, the side that you wanted to keep hidden from (H/N); it was the fangirl –side that made you giggle when your favorite actor smiled at the camera or acted in a funny way in the interview and it was the side that was now about to explode from happiness… yes, that side. The thing was that now that (H/N) was hugging you, you were seemingly cool and collected but you were squealing internally because this was too good to be true. You had decided that you would keep your relationship with (H/N) completely friendly, you wouldn’t flirt, because in your opinion you would just end up looking ridiculous if you did, and you wouldn’t get your hopes up even if (H/N) flirted at you. Most likely he wouldn’t and if you thought that he did, you probably would have just mistaken his friendliness as something more. This was the problem though; the fangirl inside you was already making conclusion about the long hug. She was jumping around in your head and filling your reasonable mind with hopeful ideas.
- Hi, Mr. (H/N). Nice to meet you. you said when (H/N) finally drew back with a smirk on his face.
- Please, call me (H/N). he said and the smirk changed into a wide, charming smile that was almost enough to melt your feet like the sun melted ice cream.
- Alright, (H/N). How was your flight? you asked and checked the time from your phone. At that moment you remembered the message that your aunt had sent you about fifteen minutes ago. The memory hit you as hard as a sledgehammer and turned your inner fangirl pale as a ghost, that was the end of giggly-giggly.
- The usual. he commented with a chuckle. “Okay then” you commented a bit nervously and gestured (H/N) to follow you. You bought the ticket for the commuter train for (H/N), yours was still valid fortunately, and then you and your guest walked silently to the train station that was located underground. You and (H/N) got aboard the train, found a place to sit although the commuter-part of the journey didn’t last more than seven minutes and therefore you had to get back on your feet almost immediately when you had finally found space to sit. Then at Tikkurila –station you hopped out from the train and checked out the time again; the train that was going to take you to Mikkeli was going to leave in two hours which gave you and (H/N) time to get some early lunch.
You had been quite silent during the first part of the journey and the friendly atmosphere had changed from casual to slightly awkward. On the commuter train (H/N) had tried to keep up small talk but your answers had been quite short and it had been obvious that you were nervous. (H/N) assumed that it was because he was famous and you were a fan of his, which of course did not mean that he would have seen himself superior in some way, but that, acting differently around him, was what people usually did; their behavior changed because he did not have the most common job in the world and his personal life made headlines wherever he went. (H/N) was partially wrong though, sure you were nervous because you were in the presence of your favorite actor but the real reason was that you were going to be alone with him at the cottage and he did not know it yet. Yep, that little detail. You knew that you had to tell him as soon as possible, preferably now, but you wanted to find a calm, silent place to share the news. You knew that you should have probably told him at the airport already, which would have given (H/N) an opportunity to book the next flight back home , but you had been in a hurry to get to Tikkurila before your regional ticket expired and discussing the matter at the noisy airport had not been the best thing to do in your opinion.
You and (H/N) found a quiet restaurant right next to the train station and sat down by the table that was located in the most private corner and had space for your bag and (H/N)’s luggage. (H/N) took the sunglasses off, placed them on the table and smiled at you. Yes, it was (H/N) alright, right there, on the opposite side of the table. The waitress came to bring you menus and after a couple of minutes she returned to your table to get your orders and brought a large jug of ice-water for you and (H/N) to share.
- Something wrong? (H/N) asked after an awkward silence. You knew that you had to tell him about the message now but you did not know how to make it sound like you had not deceived him, which of course was the case, but you knew that it would sound like you had plotted against him and tricked him. You shifted yourself in the chair and poured yourself as well as (H/N) some water, emptied your glass immediately and filled it again. (H/N) stared at you curiously and tried to figure out what was going on; it was obvious that there was something that you wanted to say… but saying it was clearly difficult.
- My aunt and her family aren’t coming to the cottage. you blurted finally with a voice that was nervous and had a sense of urgency in it.
- Excuse me? (H/N) asked. His tone was friendly and casual but you were afraid that he was just covering his true feelings, he was a talented actor after all.
- I received a message just before you arrived. you spoke and took your phone from your pocket. “I can show it to you if you like” you added with a sincere tone and before (H/N) even responded you gave him your phone with the message on the screen. However the message was written in Finnish and as a result (H/N) just stared at the screen with a puzzled look on his face. (H/N) chuckled after a moment of trying to make sense of the words that looked like gibberish to him and stated
- Sorry, I can’t-
- Yeah, of course. Just see the date and time. you said and pointed at the details on the screen; message had been received on the twentieth, which was today, just before ten AM, which was about fifteen minutes before (H/N) had walked out from the customs. “Alright-alright” (H/N) said and gave you your phone back.
- What does the message say? he asked and took a sip of his ice water.
- In brief… That there has been a slight change of plans. That… you said, took a deep breath and then continued by stating nervously “…They’re not coming.” You had shifted your gaze to the surface of the table because you were embarrassed for not telling him earlier, however now you dared to take a quick glance at the man sitting right in front of you. “She also said that the cottage is ready and we are most welcome to stay there” you added after shifting your gaze back elsewhere.
- I see. (H/N) commented and emptied his glass. You emptied yours as well and then filled your glasses. You wanted to be polite and considerate but also to keep you seemingly occupied so the silence wouldn’t feel so depressing. (H/N) kept following your nervous actions intensely, almost like he had been trying to read you since he was not completely sure what to think about the situation now. Yes, there had indeed been a slight change to the plans.
- Unless of course, you rather not… you stated after the silence, added “…Go there after all” with a barely audible tone and then added immediately “I swear, I did not plan this!” (H/N) stared at you with a suspicious look on his face and then asked
- What about you?
- What… what about me? you asked and shifted your eyes to (H/N). You stared at him with a deeply confused expression as you waited for him to explain what he had meant.
- Well, obviously, you do not know me. he said and leaned back in his chair, keeping his gorgeous eyes fixed upon you at all times. “True” you mumbled and drummed the table with your fingertips nervously. You however noticed what you were doing and stopped it instantly. “You are an attractive woman, (Y/N)” (H/N) stated with a tone that you couldn’t read. “I don’t know about that” you mumbled as you felt a strong blush appearing on your face; the inner fangirl was screaming and running around from such compliment. “Oh, I say you are” (H/N) stated and winked his eye at you. The gesture made your exterior crumble for a moment and a grin appeared on your face.
- Are you comfortable with the idea of spending time on a deserted island with a man that you do not know? he asked curiously, sounding very serious which made the grin fade away from your face. “I could be a sex offender” he added playfully with a smirk on his face. You were speechless and completely unable to form your thoughts into words, hell, you did not even know what to think! (H/N) burst into laughter as he stared at you staring at him with widened eyes and deeply confused look on your face.
- Relax! I am joking! he chuckled and shook his head with an amused expression. “I am cool with it!” he added and then continued by asking “But seriously though, do you feel comfortable with the idea of being alone with me?” Finally you were able to snapping out from your thoughts and replied “I’ll take my chances.”
- Good. (H/N) replied and shifted his eyes from you to the waitress who was bringing your plates. She wished you and your companion “Bon appétit” and left you alone to enjoy the food. You however asked her to bring a new jug of ice water soon because you and (H/N) had almost emptied the first one.
- So was this the reason why you were so nervous and silent? he asked casually after the waitress had left.
- Yeah. you mumbled and rolled your eyes.
- Why? (H/N) asked. He sounded slightly amused but sincere, not angry or displeased in any way which made you feel very relieved.
- I know how it looks. you replied and sighed. “Oh?” (H/N) asked curiously.
- I mean… I promised you a vacation with my aunt and her family and now you are here… you explained, paused and added “Surprise! They’re not coming… Just… you and me.” (H/N) burst into laughter again because he was somewhat surprised for the sudden… expressiveness. There clearly was a witty, delightfully funny person behind the nervousness and he was looking forward to meeting the real you.
- And this would bother me… why? he asked and smiled at you reassuringly. You shrugged your shoulders and concentrated on playing with your food with the fork.
- Hey, I came here to spend a holiday at a cottage. We still have a cottage, right? he asked or more like stated. “Yes, we still have the cottage” you sighed and shifted your gaze from the place to (H/N).
- So it is all cool. Don’t worry! he said and then added “Just relax” with a friendly and surprisingly warm voice.
The atmosphere changed more relaxed immediately and instead of just paying with your food, you actually started to eat. You did not have that much time anyway, only about an hour because it had taken quite a long for the food to arrive which was somewhat surprising because the restaurant was otherwise pretty much empty. You laughed and joked a bit, now that the nervousness had disappeared, and after you had finished the lunch (H/N) gestured the waitress to come by the table. He ordered some dessert and two glasses of sparkling wine. The waitress nodded and brought two glasses for sparkling wine and filled them after (H/N) had approved the wine.
- To holiday. (H/N) said and raised his glass. You nodded and emptied the glass halfway on the first gulp since there was not that much time left. They waitress brought slices of cake to the table and (H/N) asked her to bring the check soon.
- Do you pay separately or together? she asked politely. (H/N) made a surprised “Uhm”-sound as he took his credit card out from his wallet because he had not even thought about splitting the bill. “Seperately” you stated but (H/N) commented “Nonsense” and told the waitress that he would pay. The waitress left again and (H/N) thanked her for the excellent service. You leaned back in your chair and folded your arms as you stared at the man sitting on the other side of the table.
- You didn’t have to do that. you said with a slightly disapproving tone. You did not want to live on anyone’s expense and assuming that someone else pays for you was not how you lived your life. (H/N) noticed the disapproval in your voice and shifted his eyes from the slice of cake to you.
- Do what? he asked with a somewhat confused tone.
- To pay my share. you stated and rolled your eyes.
- You have already paid the train tickets. (H/N) stated and rolled his eyes as well.
- Well, I invited you. you replied and shrugged your shoulders.
- Yeah, you did. However I will pay from now on and you will not make any objections. he said with a smirk on his face. You stared at him with a dropped jaw and scoffed. Just as you were about to object (H/N) continued
- How many millions did you make last year?
(H/N) had a point; you worked in a profession that was moderately paid and even though it offered a rather comfortable living for you, you were nowhere near the league that (H/N) was in. You knew that paying the lunch or even paying everything during his trip wouldn’t have any impact on his balance sheet but it was a matter of pride for you; you didn’t want to benefit or abuse the fact that (H/N) was rich… and you did not want to owe him anything because this holiday did not include any “services” and you hoped that you had made it perfectly clear in advance.
- You know what they say. you said and smirked as you paused. “The first million is the hardest one and then it is all about replication” you joked because you did not want him to feel sorry for you. Yes, you were in a totally different pay-grade but you lived a very full and happy life nonetheless.
- Oh, you’re financial expert then? (H/N) asked with a joking tone. “I thought that you work at (your field of work)” he added.
- Have you spied on me? you laughed as you started to dissect the piece of cake on your plate. “Of course!” he laughed and took a big bite of the cake. The cake was quite sweet but there was a kick of tartness that balanced the sweetness nicely and therefore the cake had been an excellent choice for the end of a good meal.
- Sure, I’m an expert on many things but you will most likely notice that the more I speak, the less I make sense. you commented and took a bite of the cake as well. You however smirked at (H/N) to make sure that he understood that you were joking… well, partially at least. The truth was that even you did not always understand yourself.
- Is that so? he asked with an amused tone and then stated “You would make an excellent politician then!” The statement made you laugh so hard that for one moment you were almost going to choke to the cake in your mouth. (H/N) poured you a glass of water immediately and offered to pat your back but you told him not to panic.
- Actually, I think you’re too honest to be a politician. he said after you had managed to stop coughing. You emptied the glass of sparkling wine and smiled shyly. Yes, (H/N) was right, you were an honest person and proud of it.
- I can imagine the terror in your eyes when you received the message from your aunt. he stated and emptied his wineglass as well. His tone was friendly but there was a hint of playful tease in it which made you chuckle a bit.
- To be completely frank with you, I had to read the message through like three times before really understanding what it was saying. you admitted with a slightly embarrassed expression on your face. Yes, you had panicked and feared for the worst because you did not want to be mistaken as a person who tricked the others for her own gain.
- And that is what I like about you. (H/N) commented with a warm, friendly tone.
After this you checked the time from your phone again and cursed because now you really were in a hurry. You both ate the remaining bites of the cake slices as quickly as possible, took your things and paid the bill, or more specifically (H/N) paid it, at the sales counter and then you headed back to the train station. (H/N) put on his sunglasses again because he was somewhat worried that he would get recognized and surrounded by paparazzi-photographers or fans. Fortunately no one recognized him and if someone did, which was highly unlikely, they did not even stop and stare.
The intercity train was on time and arrived to the station only a couple of minutes after you and (H/N) had stormed to the platform. You got on the train and found your seats very easily because had booked a small, private cabin that had only four seats, a pair facing each other with a small table in between. The train was not full and it meant that you and (H/N) had the cabin for yourselves, although it was possible that someone would come aboard from the next station but at least you had an hour to enjoy (H/N)’s company without distractions. If you were lucky, you might have the cabin for yourselves the entire journey. (H/N) sat down, took off his sunglasses and made himself comfortable.
The train speeded up and soon the urban-environment got left behind and the train tracks traversed through fields and forests, over a couple of rivers and then stopped at Lahti. You watched people walking by your cabin and hoped that no one would enter it because you and (H/N) were actually sharing interesting conversations while (H/N) looked curiously out from the window. The train started to move again and after the stop at Kouvola the scenery changed from somewhat flat, farming-land-filled fields to forests and lakes. You had almost bought the train tickets to Imatra but then decided that the route from Helsinki to Mikkeli was much more beautiful and therefore you had altered the course a little. Time-wise it made no difference anyway.
- So do you do this often? (H/N) asked when the train dived into a short tunnel and the cabin went completely dark.
- Do what? you asked and shifted your gaze from your phone to the man sitting on the opposite side of the cabin, right in front of you.
- Invite people you do not know to spend a holiday with you. (H/N) specified curiously and took a comfortable position because he had a feeling that there was a somewhat funny story behind it.
- Oh that. you mumbled and squinted your eyes as the train came out from the tunnel and the entire train filled with light again. The weather in Helsinki as well as in Tikkurila had been cloudy this morning but the clouds had cleared away as you had gotten nearer to the Lake District. “Come on, tell me!” (H/N) said with an enthusiastically curious look on his face which made his eyes sparkle with excitement, one of those things that you loved… no, liked about him.
- I was actually slightly drunk when I sent you that message. you stated and covered your face with your hands. It was a bit embarrassing to admit although you knew that (H/N) had probably already guessed it to be the case.
- I was right! (H/N) exclaimed victoriously.
- Come on, not that drunk! you stated in return and pointed out that your message had in fact been completely free from typos, which was something that you were very proud of. (H/N) was kind enough to agree with you.
- Anyway, there is a thing called “kalsarikännit”. you said with an amused tone and shook your head a little. You couldn’t believe that you were actually going to tell (H/N) what had made you to write the email.
- Kalsa… what? (H/N) asked. He sounded amused and confused at the same time, which was no surprise because the word you had just said was indeed a monstrous one to repeat for a non-Finnish person.
- Kalsarikännit. It means basically… Uhm… getting drunk alone at home in your underwear. you explained and flashed a wide smile.
- You have a special word for that? (H/N) asked. “Yes… yes we do” you commented as you nodded casually.
- So how does this… kals… kalsar… kalseri… whatever… turns into an invitation? (H/N) asked with an even more puzzled tone.
- Oh, well, I was alone… Friday evening… bored… So I started to play a drinking game while watching your interviews on YouTube. you explained. “Uh-uh?” (H/N) commented and focused his gaze on the scenery again.
- And… then the email just kind of… happened. you stated and rubbed your chin nervously. “I mean I never really believed that my invitation would actually reach you” you added with a thoughtful tone. You were right; your email would have never reached (H/N) if his PR-assistant had not made a mistake and forwarded the message to (H/N)’s manager… who had then found it so funny that he had sent it to (H/N) as a joke.
- A lucky accident. (H/N) commented and shifted his eyes back to you. At that moment the train drove out from a forest and the sunlight poured into the cabin making (H/N)’s eyes sparkle. The sight made your inner fangirl melt and for a moment you were unable to do anything but to stare into (H/N)’s (his eye color) eyes. You knew instantly that this week would be a struggle: a struggle between your inner fangirl and your normal self… but you had decided that you would keep the fangirl in a short leash, under a very strict management.
You arrived to Mikkeli on time and after waiting for the next transportation for thirty minutes you and (H/N) got on the bus with your things and headed towards Puumala. The road was quite narrow and filled with turns and hills and it was surrounded by forest. Then after an hour the road suddenly led to an area called Lietvesi where there was water everywhere. The bus slowed down a little and you smiled secretly as (H/N) took in the scenery; the clean, mostly untouched nature, green forests on the shores of the lake… and yes, the lake, reflecting the cumulus- clouds like a mirror… just like in the picture. The road was also framed with birches that had summer-green leafs and white bark with black spots. The birch branches danced gently in the breeze and the sunlight made the leafs shine like peridot-gemstones. Soon the road led back into the forest, however after twenty minutes you and (H/N) arrived to the bus station of Puumala.
Your dad was waiting for you and your “friend from abroad” at the station as promised and after loading your bags into the trunk you and (H/N) decided to meet your father at the harbor, which was only five hundred meters from the bus station. It was nice to walk a bit before sitting on the boat because you and especially (H/N) had been sitting quite too much already. Your dad told you that he would go to have one beer by the harbor and would meet you at the boat in two hours. “Where did you park your boat?” you asked before your dad got into the car. “By the elevator tower” he replied and drove away. (H/N) waved at him casually as he drove by you and him, turned right from the crossroads and disappeared behind a building.
You and (H/N) walked slowly along the main street and visited a local grocery shop to get some extra things. Then you headed down the hill and finally into the harbor-area which was filled with people who had arrived to their summer cottages for the Midsummer. The people always visited the harbor and the local shops during the days and then sailed or drove back to their summer cottages to warm up the sauna and prepare some dinner by using a grill. In the harbor there was a marketplace where local farmers sold fresh vegetables as well as berries and you couldn’t help feeling your heart almost stop when you saw the strawberries being sold at one stand. You bought two liters of strawberries and two kilos of new potatoes but this time you let (H/N) pay without objections. Then you walked along the pier towards the meeting point, got some ice cream and sat down by the lift. Yes, there was an elevator that led from the harbor on a bridge that crossed the inlet.
However there was still an hour left so after finishing the ice creams you suggested that you would go and check out the bridge now that you were right at it. You entered the glass tower, took an elevator up and walked out. It was almost six o’clock but the sun was still high up and the view was glimmering in the warm sunlight. You and (H/N) walked to the midpoint of the bridge and leaned to the railing to enjoy the light breeze blowing from south. You chatted a bit but most of the time stood there silently side by side, just enjoying the wind on your faces and the sun kissing your bodies gently. You could hear some music coming from the café where your father was enjoying his “cold one” and the wind carried a sound of seagulls screaming in the distance. You watched the marketplace getting quieter and the local sellers dismantling their sales-stands. There were a couple of sailing boats approaching the harbor and suddenly you remembered that you were supposed to meet your father at the boat… actually you should have met him five minutes ago!
- Shit, we’re late! you exclaimed and gestured (H/N) to follow you. You walked to the elevator tower and got back down to the harbor.
- Sorry! you exclaimed when you saw your father already loosening the knots that were keeping the motorboat in the harbor. He had already gotten your bags from the trunk, loaded them to the boat and now handed you and (H/N) lifejackets as you stepped onboard.
(H/N) helped your father to get the boat ready and then sat next to you when your father started the engine and slowly sailed away from the harbor. You couldn’t help admiring (H/N) when a smile appeared on his face; it looked like the worries had just simply melted away from his shoulders and his mind had become clear as well as peaceful. Here he was free, just a normal person! He had been walking without his undercover-sunglasses among the people and no one had paid any attention to him… not in a bad way at least.
(H/N) was a very polite person and he smiled at the strangers who were trying to make him buy their products. He declined the offers kindly and even bought something for him as a memento from this moment. What had really impressed you was that he had even shaken your father’s hand at the bus station and therefore he had clearly made a good first impression to your dad, not that your dad’s opinion mattered or something. Besides, it was not like (H/N) was your boyfriend and therefore he didn’t have to impress anyone… not even you… But he had and it had made your inner fangirl go “awww” with puppy eyes and fluttering eyelashes.
Your dad accelerated the speed when the boat left the harbor area and suddenly, after turning behind a small peninsula, you were facing a seemingly untouched nature. Yes, “seemingly” because there were summer cottages here and there but they were mostly hidden behind the trees because it was not allowed to build right at the shore. It was not allowed to cut the forest down by the lake either so the national scenery wouldn’t get spoiled. The boat moved towards south to the area called Niinivesi and Niinisaari and after an hour of leisurely-paced sailing you finally recognized the familiar island, slowly getting closer.
- That’s the island. you said to (H/N) and pointed at the uninhabited-looking island right in front of you.
(H/N) focused his attention to the direction you were pointing at and smiled widely. It had been a long travel and he was tired but also happy to finally be there… wherever “there” was; the journey had taken so many twists and turns along the way that he had completely lost the sense of direction already but it did not bother him… No, it did not bother him at all because this was what he had hoped the holiday to be… peace and quiet… a getaway from curious eyes and entirely free from fame. After five minutes your dad slowed down the motorboat and parked it by the pier. He asked you to hop on it and help with the ropes.
(H/N) took a quick glance at you as you hopped off from the boat and helped your father to tie the ropes to the pier. Your hair was shining in the sunlight as it danced in the light breeze and when the light hit your eyes it made them sparkle like precious gemstones. This, you in your light, colorful summer clothes, talking to your dad in a language that sounded like gibberish to (H/N), in this place that looked like a completely another world, a world where the summer days were endless and undisturbed… it made sense.
(H/N) had finally arrived.