Space & Time

Chapter 22 - Is Paris Really the City of Love?

The train ride so far had been uneventful. We were feeling good about our plan of action.

Mostly we rode in silence. My older brother Josef clearly noticed that Alexei was spending

considerable time trying to make eye contact with me. At the same time, I wanted to get

Fredrik‟s attention so we could step out of our little cabin and privately talk. Hoping Josef

wouldn't speak up and embarrass me, I stared back at him. Sometimes siblings can almost read

each other's thoughts.

I tried to let him know with the look that I gave him just to stay out of my business.

Josef‟s glare was telling me he wanted me to stay away from both Alexei and Fredrik. So nice to

have a protective older brother, he really needed to stay out of my way or I totally wouldn't feel

bad about punching him in the face.

I needed some space. As we pulled into Warsaw, I took the opportunity to grab Tannin‟s

hand and head to the tiny observation lounge in the front of our train car. I said to Josef as we

stepped out, "We are going to the front to get a better view of Warsaw, be back in awhile." I

closed the door to the cabin hard behind us giving a strong hint that we didn't need any

company.

In the observation lounge, the view was amazing. There were windows wrapping around

the front of the train car. When the train stopped, the windows automatically lowered and

allowed fresh air in. Tannin and I bundled up against the chill, apparently, Poland had a brief

fall and winter was starting to set in. We were astonished at the things we saw, tall pointed

skyscrapers, and many people moving about outside the train. Many of them were wearing fur

coats, must be the fashion today but I think it is wicked to wear a dead animal on your body. We

turned to head back to our cabin as the signal sounded for the train to depart. I saw Fredrik

walking through the hallway. I told Tannin to hurry back to Josef and I would be back shortly.

I looked back up and caught Fredrik‟s eye. He didn't turn away but in fact kept walking

towards me.

He stopped as we were face to face. "Mika, what is going on? We need to air some

things out between us because we are part of the same team."

I asked bluntly, "Fredrik what are you talking about?"

He answered, "Don't pretend like you don't know Mikhailya. I see you looking at me. I

know you like me, what you don‟t know is that I like you too. I am just frustrated with the

situation we are in. I was almost brave enough to start talking to you on Mars, and then our lives

fell into this chaos. Then you go and start kissing on Alexei. Are you with him again?"

This conversation was rattling my nerves. I could feel it in my fingertips. I am about

done with boys. Look out. "Fredrik, first of all I kissed Alexei, he didn't kiss me. It was just a

peck. I was not kissing him the way you think." The more I talk the angrier I get. "By the way,