by Jenna Payne
I lifted up a palm at him, the memory too painful to reminiscence. “Stop. Don’t even talk about it, it’s old news. That was back when we were teenagers in high school.”
He shrugged. “‘My point exactly. So like I was trying to say, you don’t have to feel weird talking about love to me. You don’t have to feel weird because of the past or because we had awesome threesomes,” he lightly joked, a small smile tugging on his lips.
I laughed, a jittery feeling building in my stomach at the fact that we were kind of getting along again. He watched me intensely as he smiled, a weird tension forming between us. I cleared my throat, “So, I’m going to head home now. I wish you and Nathan the best of luck.”
“What?” He asked, looking up the flight of stairs before turning to me again. “Y-you think me and Nathan are serious?”
“Well, aren’t you? He’s in love with you, isn’t he?” I asked.
He raised his eyebrows. “He says he is but deep down, he will never get over you. I know it.” He smiled sincerely. I nibbled on my lip anxiously, coming to conclusion that I was the one breaking Nathan’s heart now. But what could I do? What goes around comes around. I was not going to run back to him out of pity or anything like that.
“Take care of Nathan for me, okay?” I told him, ignoring his confession. “I’ll see you around.”
I waved and before he could say anything else, I galloped down the stairs and left the mansion without one last look. At first, I thought it would affect me stronger but I haven’t thought deeper about the situation since I got home. Yeah, it sucks to let go of someone you love but sometimes, you have to do it to set yourself free.
In a matter of a month, everything was out of my mind. Nathan and I only shared small talk and it felt great not having any rush of emotions when we did talked. Erick had been trying to reach me but I couldn’t exactly talk to him. I felt like he was trying to relight up some old candles and I definitely was not looking forward to letting history repeat itself. I actually met a new guy at a restaurant, Kevin. He’s sweet, funny and honest, everything that I look for in a guy, and we connected so deeply. We have been hanging out a lot, and Veronica approves of him, too.
THE END
Bonus Story 19 of 40
Fallen Loki
Fallen to Midgard. A piteous existence. To top it off he had been stripped of all powers and left in a female form. The now-woman looked at his new female form. At least he… or should he say, she was pretty. Yes, she was a comely maid. Ginger hair fell in gentle curls down her back. Her skin was pale with a sprinkling of freckles across her cheeks and nose. She was clad in a simple, olive green dress. She turned around, trying to get a good look at her curves. She hardly noticed another woman was nearby, staring, trembling in shock at her sudden appearance.
“You... you fell from the sky,” the other woman said. “What... what are you?”
“I am Loki of Asgard,” she said. “Midgardian woman... Why do you present yourself in your undergarments? Have you no shame? And your hair has been cut short. What have you done to deserve this punishment?”
“Wait... Loki?” she looked stunned and confused. “And what do you mean undergarments? I like my hair short!”
The woman had dark brown hair cut short at just above her shoulders. She wore a loose white t-shirt and faded jeans that hugged her hips tightly. She scowled at the alien woman, hands on her hips. Loki looked very puzzled. He had not expected a Midgardian woman, said to be weak and subservient to their men, to be so very confident.
“Perhaps I did not make myself clear,” Loki said with a slight smirk. “I am LOKI of Asgard! I am a god and will be treated as such! Now clothe yourself, mortal woman, and take me somewhere where I might obtain sustenance.”
“Ok, if you are Loki of Asgard, when’s the last time you fell to earth? No one talks like that, and I am clothed, modestly I might add,” the dark-haired woman said. Loki looked slightly bemused.
“What is your name Midgardian?” Loki asked.
“Alexis,” she replied. “Alexis Johnson.”
“Johnson?” Loki appeared more confused than ever. “Are you woman or man?”
Alexis did not have much to show in the chest, but she seemed too scrawny to be a man, which left Loki very puzzled indeed.
“I am a woman, and listen here Miss ‘Loki of Asgard,’ all you have done since falling out of the sky like a meteorite is insult me and I’m not going to accept that. I was going to make sure you were alright, take you to the hospital and what not, but you can just sit here in your self-made little ditch and insult the next person who comes this way, which since you’re in the middle of nowhere, could come by in the next hour to the next several days!”
Alexis was left with her chest heaving after the outburst, a finger pointing at the red-head and gentle blue eyes turning fierce as they glared. Loki looked at the finger pointing at her for a moment then smiled.
“Oh, I think I like you very much, Alexis, daughter of John,” she said. “Come, let us leave this dismal place. You shall take me somewhere where I might cleanse myself and then buy suitable garments.”
Loki brought her arms around Alexis and kissed her forehead. It was a common greeting on Asgard, but took Alexis by surprise.
“Where are the horses?” Loki asked.
“I don’t ride horses, but I do have a Mustang. It’s a convertible,” Alexis said awkwardly. “Uh... do you have anything? Like spacey luggage or whatever? And I mean, I’ll give you a ride to town and to the hospital, but don’t go turning me into some kind of servant, Miss High and Mighty.”
Loki laughed again.
“See, this is why I like you, daughter of John,” she said. “So spirited. If I had my powers I surely would have used them against you by now for my benefit. You are very lucky I was stripped of them before I was cast down here, or you might find yourself turned into a ferret. I’m quite the sorcerer you see. My magical power is the stuff of legend!”
“Uh huh,” Alexis led Loki to the car. “And yet, without me you’d be stuck here in a hole. Listen, this uppity attitude is going to get old really fast.”
“I don’t know what you speak of,” Loki pouted her pretty lips at the human.
“I bet you don’t,” she muttered before she drove Loki to the hospital. She wasn’t truly sure what she believed about this woman. She just dropped out of the sky like some crazy thrill seeking sky diver, or a survivor of a plane crash. Now she was babbling that she was some kind of Norse god. Maybe the fall had messed up her head.
“I do not like this transport,” said Loki, testily.
“We’re nearly there,” said Alexis.
Soon they arrived, and went inside. Alexis did her best to explain the situation, but it was hard.
“Yes, she just fell from the sky,” Alexis said for the fifth time. “I don’t know what happened, but I saw her fall. I was filming for my nature film, and next thing you know a woman in a green dress just fell right in front of me and skidded into the dirt. It was a horrendous fall, At least 300 feet. I brought her here to be sure nothing was broken or that she didn’t have any brain damage. She’s claiming to be the Norse god Loki from Asgard.”
The nurse replied to Alexis, “Ma’am, you must have been mistaken, because there are no signs of any breaks in her body. There’s also no sign of any damage in the brain. However, it is possible that something traumatic occurred and that is why she is indulging in this fantasy. Was there anything on her about a family?”
“No, nothing but a coin purse with some old looking coins in it.” Alexis said with a sigh. “I don’t even know her. I was just trying to be nice.”
“Well, we’ll see what we can do about locating her family. Do you want us to keep in contact with you?” the nurse asked.
“Yes, let me give you my phone number.” Alexis took up a pen and wrote down her number for the nurse. She saw ‘Loki’ in a white hospital gown, looking straight at her. She waved to her. Alexis sighed and decided to at le
ast say goodbye.
“Daughter of John, these people gave me these garments to wear,” Loki said. She spun around to show that she had no underwear on. Alexis blushed brightly and looked away for a moment.
“Listen.... uh... Loki... the fact is, I can’t stay here with you. These people are going to help you. They’re going to try to find your family to come and get you. I’m not sure what really happened out there, whether you fell or something else happened, but you need help. I hope your family comes for you.”
“My family cannot come for me Alexis, daughter of John,” Loki said. “Nor would they if they could. My family is on Jotunheim, and they are fierce to behold. Believe me, you do not want them to come here. They would destroy Midgard in a matter of days. My blood brother Odin is the one who sent me here in his anger. For the next 100 years I am burdened to live in this realm as a woman.”
“See, this is what I’m talking about. Loki... you’re not really Loki. You’re not some Norse God of mischief... I don’t know who you are, but you can’t be that.”
“Why can I not?” Loki interrupted her, fire in her green eyes. “Why can I not be what I am? A god and a trickster.”
“Well... because they aren’t real...” Alexis tried to explain gently. Loki chuckled.
“You are without truth in this realm. Once there was a time when a god of Asgard would come to Midgard and be worshiped. Now I fall to this realm and I am lucky that you know my name.”
“Listen, I really want to help, but I just don’t know what to do...” Alexis said.
“Get me out of here,” Loki said, pleading in her green eyes. “Your Midgardian healers cannot help me... I need somewhere to stay. Can I stay with you, daughter of John?”
“I...please stop calling me that. My father’s name is Mark. Just call me Alexis, ok?” she said. She rubbed her temples trying to think of what to do.
“Look, maybe I can get you out of here, but I don’t know, you should be able to sign yourself out,” Alexis told him. “I’ll get a doctor.”
Loki calmly explained to the doctor that she felt fine and was going to look for a nearby cousin who would be able to take her home. Since there was nothing noticeably wrong apart from a few scrapes and bruises that doctor let her sign herself out. Alexis led her back to the car.
“You really expect me to just let you stay with me because you claim to be a god?” Alexis asked. Loki humphed and gave a pout.
“Back in the day it was an honor to have a god stay at your home,” she said. “Thor and I would travel down to Midgard and be treated like kings.”
“You really believe this don’t you? That you’re a Norse God?” Alexis looked puzzled.
“Because that is what I am, though you will never live to see it, unless your age is extended,” Loki replied.
She let out a sigh.
“Fine. Let’s go to my apartment,” she said.
“I am hungry. I need nourishment Alexis,” Loki said firmly.
“I’ll make something when we get to my apartment okay?”
Alexis drove out of the hospital parking lot.
“This is an interminable wait, Alexis,” said Loki. “And this vehicle again, it displeases me!”
“You’ll just need to practice some patience. We’ll be there soon.”
“I hate to wait,” Loki crossed her arms over her large chest. “I never had to wait back when Midgard was young.”
“Well, Midgard isn’t so young anymore and people don’t even believe in you and your kin anymore,” Alexis pointed out. “The reason I know is because I’m a substitute teacher. The stories are fascinating, but they aren’t true.”
“Well, maybe to me, your stories aren’t true. Believe me, you don’t give birth to an eight-legged horse and just forget about it,” Loki said huffily.
Alexis looked over at Loki, giving her a peculiar look. “You can’t expect me to believe that,” she said. “First of all, you’re clearly human, and second of all, with a figure like that you expect me to believe you gave birth to a horse?? If you really want me to believe you, show me that you can shapeshift.”
“I was a horse at the time of the birth. It was altogether a rather dreadful experience and one I would not like to repeat.” Loki said. “And I cannot. Odin in all his wisdom saw fit to strip me of my powers. I could not even change my hair color if I wished it.”
Alexis looked incredulous, but then she smirked a little bit.
“So... what did you do to be stripped of powers, turned into a woman AND thrown down here to earth?” she asked as she parked the car. She looked at Loki, her blue eyes sparkling with a certain mischief.
“I... tricked Thor into an engagement with a troll...” Loki said, looking embarrassed. “It did not go as planned.”
Alexis snorted with laughter.
“I thought Thor was already married to Sif. I imagine that didn’t go over well with her either. Anyway, come on, I’ll make dinner.” Alexis got out of the car.
“Sif was indeed displeased. But then, Sif hasn’t liked me since the incident with the hair cutting,” Loki said, thinking aloud as she tried to get out of the car. She couldn’t for the life of her figure out how the car door worked.
“You’ve certainly done your homework, I must say that,” Alexis said. She watched Loki struggle with the door and nervously tucked a piece of her short dark hair behind her ear. “Do you need help?”
“Of course not, don’t be foolish!” the red-haired woman said as she struggled. “I do not see why you would even need such a contraception. Do horses no longer exist in this realm?” She began to bang on the door with her fists out of frustration. Alexis began to smirk. It was just so funny. She covered her mouth to avoid laughing before she walked over and opened the door. She pointed out the handle and showed Loki how to pull it.
“Horses still exist, but it’s cheaper and more convenient to own a car,” she explained. “Come on Loki. You said you were hungry.”
“Famished,” Loki said with a hand to her stomach. “I did not receive a chance to dine before my blood brother saw fit to cast me out.”
“You’re really going to stick this out?” Alexis asked. “I don’t know if you’re playing a trick or if you’re completely mad. You just don’t give up. I’m hungry too though, so let’s go.”
Alexis led Loki up to her apartment. It wasn’t very big, just a few rooms.
“It’s not much, but make yourself comfortable,” said Alexis. Loki looked around for a moment. She looked confused.
“This is all?” she asked. Alexis scowled angrily, hands on her hips.
“Don’t get all high and mighty with me,” she said. “I’m not rich or powerful, but at least I believe you.” She bit her lower lip thoughtfully before she spoke again. “Well... I don’t exactly believe you... but... kind of... I guess.”
“I am the god of lies. I can tell when you fib,” Loki said with a sad sort of look. “You have not believed anything I have told you.”
She sat down on the couch, twisting a long lock of red hair around her finger as she sighed sadly.
“Midgard has grown into a godless land...” she said, looking very disappointed.
“Well, I don’t completely not believe you...” Alexis said softly. She couldn’t help but agree. Earth had no real gods to believe in anymore.
“What do you like to eat, Loki?” she asked.
“Roasted boar has long since been my favorite,” the Asgardian said, with a slight smile at the prospect of food.
“Pork it is then. We’ll have teriyaki stir fry.” Alexis got into her freezer and pulled out a pack of pork chops. “I can’t cook like a Viking, so try not to be picky.”
“I am hardly a picky eater,” Loki said. “I am simply accustomed to higher standards. I dine at the high table, alongside the All-Father and his kin.”
“And I dine at a coffee table with my cat, Coconut,” Alexis said. “Different standards, I get it, but you will just have to learn to get over it.”
/> She went into her kitchen to begin cooking. It was half an hour later that she returned to find Loki lounging on the couch. She set a plate on the coffee table.
“Sit up you ungrateful bitch,” she said, shoving her over. Loki wrinkled her nose and looked angry.
“How dare you speak to me in such a tone, Midgardian! I should have your head!” she screeched.
“But you have no powers so good luck with that, now eat your food,” Alexis said, rather peeved with her guest. Loki tucked her long red hair behind her ears and looked down at her plate.
“What is that?” Loki asked. It was like no food she had ever seen before and she couldn’t help but be rather disgusted by it.
“Teriyaki stir fry with rice,” Alexis said. “Try it, it’s good. Tomorrow I’ll see about a roast. I can’t just magically roast something. It takes like all day. Be grateful I feed you at all.”
Loki stared blankly down at the plate. The small white grains looked like maggots and made her sick to her stomach.
“Don’t be a baby. Just eat it,” Alexis said. She spooned some pork into a small dish on the floor. A puffy white cat seemed to come out of nowhere and began to devour the pork in the bowl. Loki looked at the puff ball of an animal in surprise.
“What is that?” she asked.
“This is my cat, Coconut,” Alexis said, petting the feline’s soft white fur. “She’s pretty friendly if you want to pet her.”
Loki looked at the creature. She was unsure. It ate with such ferocity. In a way, although she knew this creature was feline, the way it ate reminded her of her son Fenrir. Poor, sweet Fenrir. Tears came to her eyes as she thought of him.
“Hey... what’s wrong?” Alexis asked. “The food can’t be that bad.”
“Your cat made me think of my son, Fenrir,” she said softly. “You seem very knowledgeable of the old tales... so I don’t need to explain to you.”
Alexis did know about Fenrir. She had never thought about it from Loki’s perspective. Fenrir had always seemed like the bad guy. He was a giant wolf that everyone was afraid of. She never stopped to think that to Loki, that was his son. Loki wiped her eyes with her sleeve. She truly seemed upset.
