Our main task for the duration of our stay was to observe a small town an hour’s drive away; to study how they tended to their crops and animals, and document everything as precisely as possible. Ivar was better at languages than me, so he would be the onecommunicating with them as I slowly learned from the sidelines. I much preferred to observe anyway.
It was late now, the sun fully gone from the sky. I should rest. We would leave at five each morning in order to reach the town at around six. But it was hard thinking of sleep when I was in a whole new country. I longed to experience everything. Like a kid on Christmas morning, I wanted everything to happennow.
My phone lit up, a text from Dylan.
Dylan: Hope you arrived safely! Send pictures of your food! I need inspiration!
I smiled. We’d chatted at Christmas and he’d seemed so interested in my upcoming job here that I’d found myself talking for way too long about it. But Dylan wasn’t annoyed that I just kept talking and talking. He’d seemed truly fascinated by everything I’d said.
Me:I have and I will. Better go to bed. Early start tomorrow.
I dumped my phone on the bed and began changing out of my travelling clothes. I needed a shower before falling asleep. There was simply no way I was getting up earlier than planned to squeeze a shower in, too.
Once I was freshly showered and dressed in only boxers, I found my phone with two missed texts from Dylan.
Dylan: Sweet dreams!
Dylan: And remember those photos!
Smiling, I replied.
Me: I promise. Sweet dreams.
I stared at my screen for way too long trying to understand this feeling of contentment, or was it happiness? Dylan’s interest in my job and his blatant concern was nice. I wished we’d talked more in the past, but this Christmas was our first chance to really get to know each other. Mom had been busy with Jackson’s little sister, Ida, and Pete and Jackson were all loved up. It left Dylan and me alone to talk for hours. I’d never had that with him before. With our five-year age gap, it probably wouldn’t have been much fun earlier either. Now that Dylan was over nineteen, we could actually talk about stuff. It was nice.
I fell asleep with a smile on my lips.
Dylan:Good morning! How’s the weather in Africa? It’s snowing here and I’m considering running away to Africa and joining you!
I blinked at the screen trying to make sense of the words. Dylan had sent me that text exactly one minute before my alarm started. Did he know what time I was supposed to wake up? Had I told him? It could just be a coincidence, but if he’d had to check our time difference… that was actually sort of sweet. Vera had never bothered and we’d been dating. Dylan was just my little brother’s best friend, and my friend now too, I guessed.
Mom: Did you arrive safely?
Damn, I’d forgotten to text my mom.
Me: Yes, mom, sorry I forgot to text. Will call you later.
Mom: Have fun today! Remember sunscreen!
Ismiled and rolled my eyes. She would forever be such a mom.
I returned to Dylan’s text, feeling oddly nervous about texting him back. I didn’t want to somehow say the wrong thing and mess up this new friendship between us.
Me: Good morning. I think it’s sunny. Haven’t left the bed to check yet, though.
Dylan: You need to get up! First day on the job and I need those photos you promised me!
I laughed. Dylan was just such a positive person it would be impossible not to feel better after texting him
Me: I’m up!
Dylan: You better be!
I laughed again and sent him a smiley face. I could get used to this sort of wake-up call.
Ten minutes later, I met Ivar outside his room. We had a driver who would drive us into town and pick us up around seven that night. It would be many long days with this schedule, but we had the weekends off to do our own thing.
Ivar yawned as we got into the car, his eyes closing as soon as we began driving. He appeared to be asleep within seconds.Great, nowI was left alone with the driver who liked to talk. At least he spoke English.
