Beneath the Northern Lights

The night was breezy and had beautiful weather. The sounds of cars whizzing by and wind beating the buildings filled the night sky of Helsinki. Ali was so carefree. After her talk with Lauri about Zacky and the effect he had on her she felt liberated. She had come out of the the confessions with Lauri feeling more confidant on doing what is best for her. She wasn’t sure if that was Zacky or not, but with Lauri’s help she felt she could answer that question soon enough. She and Lauri arrived at the bar. She smiled and looked over at the bar where she first met Lauri. Now here they were getting closer by the day. She felt so blessed to have met him. Lauri held her hand and walked through the crowds with Lauri. All of the sudden she didn’t realize Lauri had stopped. She ran into his back and looked around his shoulder just to see a shocked expression on his face. His lips spread into a huge grin and then giddy laughter came from him. He let go of her hand and ran to a brunette woman and hugged her tightly. Ali couldn’t help but smile even though she was very confused. to see Lauri so happy was uplifting. She walked up and could hear Lauri speaking Finnish quickly to the woman and kissing both of her cheeks and running a hand over her face. Ali looked down and wrinkled her brow. Was this jealousy? No. It couldn’t be jealousy. What was it then? Ali looked around trying to find something to distract her before hearing Lauri’s voice call out for her.



“Ali!!! Come here, come here!!!” Lauri reached out and took her elbow gently pulling her close. “You have to meet this woman. After my mother she is the most important female in my life. Ali, this is my sister, Hannah! Hannah, this is Ali Margera.” Lauri bit his lip in excitement. Ali looked at Lauri and let out a sigh. She thought it was an old crush, or a girlfriend, but it was someone even better.



“Oh! Hei!” Ali offered a hello in the woman’s native tongue. “It’s nice to finally meet you. I heard you were the one that we have to thank for Lauri’s career. If it weren’t for you, we might not have had such an amazing singing sensation on our hands.” Ali smiled. Lauri looked at Ali and paused and his lips curled into another smile. He hadn’t told her this fact. Either she was interested enough to look for more information or asked for it. She remembered and it made him feel like he mattered to her. He nodded verifying Ali’s comment. Hannah nodded and looked down at the American.



“Kylla!” Hannah grinned responding in her tongue. “It was me who pushed my little brother to sing. I’m so glad I did.” She nodded. She had a very thick accent and smiled at Lauri then looked back at Ali. “I heard Bam and Ville have been running rampant over Helsinki. I’m so glad to see most building are still in one piece. I did not know he had a little sister until Lauri mentioned it the other evening. It is nice to meet you. I trust my little brother is showing you the best of our country.” Hannah smiled widely. She was very nice and reminded Ali of Lauri in so many ways.



“Oh, yes! I’ve had a blast with Lauri. I hate to think what this trip would have been if I hadn’t had stumbled upon him a few days ago in this very place.” Ali looked up at Lauri and leaned against his shoulder lightly. Lauri smiled down at Ali and slid a hand around her waist and looked down at her.



“You would have had to deal with your brother more and I can’t think of a more nerve-wrecking activity.” Lauri laughed and then looked at his siter. Ali nodded and shrugged at the truth in the statement.



“I do hope, my little brother has Kakslauttanen in his plans for you.” Hannah looked at Lauri with a questioning eye and trying not to smile to widely. Lauri had a blank expression. He looked at his sister and then started to shake his head. Before he could respond, Hannah chimed in. “If he doesn’t, I will take you myself. It if the best that Finland has to offer. If you have come to visit and not experienced Kakslauttanen, well then you haven’t fully captured what Finland is.” Hannah was now more serious. Her matching green eyes switching to Lauri’s with a look of promptness. Lauri sighed and smiled lightly. It would make for a fantastic evening, but he wasn’t sure what Bam would think of it. He wasn’t sure what Ali would think of it. He nodded,



“Hannah does have a point. I will see what I can arrange.” Lauri smiled and then looked at his friend, “I will explain it all later, I promise.” Ali listened carefully trying to pull out any hints that might reveal what this Kakslauttanen was. She nodded and shrugged not sure what to say. She looked at Hannah,



“Well I guess I can’t wait?!” She stated. “As long as it’s not an ice fishing trip, I think I will enjoy it thoroughly.” Ali laughed and nodded. Hannah put a hand on her chest as she laughed. 



“No!!!! Nein, I would not volunteer to take you ice fishing!!!!” She looked at her brother, “I don’t think he would either. You are safe.” Ali and Lauri shared a laugh. Before the conversation had a chance to continue, Lauri leaned over and rubbed Ali’s back.



“Peura, would you mind getting a Karhu beer for myself and whatever you’d like. Just start a tab. I want to talk to my sister for a moment. Hurry back, I will grab a table for us with Hannah.” Lauri smiled and then stood up straight. Ali was happy to get some drinks. She took off into the depths of the club walking back to the bar to order drinks. 

Lauri looked around and found a VIP booth that hadn’t been occupied. He loved these because they allowed for celebrities to still be apart of the club, but offered a bit more privacy. He took a seat and invited his sister to join him. She left her girlfriends to join her brother. 



“Lauri, Lauri, Lauri!!! Voi Luoja!! She is so sweet. Are you interested in her?” Hannah asked holding her drink tightly. Lauri blushed and shook his head.



“She is with someone else. I did something bad though. I told her brother, Bam, last night that I would try and split her and her current boyfriend up. I had a good talk with her this evening, but I’m not sure where her heart lies. She really loves her man. Her man is cheating on her and I don’t think he is really in love with her. That's why Bam wants me to do this for him.” Lauri said looking at his sister for help. Hannah sat up and shook her head and reached over taking Lauri’s hand.



“No, Lauri, you are saving her heartbreak. You are a good man.” Hannah paused, “She will thank you when she finally is not blinded by love and sees his ugliness. You will be the one she owes her thanks to. You can say you were one of the ones that tried to save her. You need to do this, Lintu.” Hannah nodded and smiled touching her brother’s face. “You have been so happy.” Lauri looked down and knew his sister was right, but it didn’t make him feel any more correct in his mission. He just simply nodded and then looked up at his sister.



“What do I do to open her eyes?” Lauri asked looking at his sister eager for her words of wisdom. She smiled and already had an answer to his question.



“Are you kidding me, Lauri? Take her to Kakslauttanen! It will take her breath away, she will be so calm and at peace. Plus...” She smirked and put on her more seductive voice, “you two will be alone all night long. Add a bottle of wine.....Oh! Kylla! Any girl would find that romantic! Lauri, you must!” Hannah insisted. Lauri paused and thought about it and then nodded and thought about how Bam would react to it. Most brothers wouldn’t be relaxed about it, but Lauri had a feeling that Bam would not stop him at all. He looked at his sister.



“I will do it. Thank you...” he smiled and hugged her tight and then sat back and sighed as he looked out at the dance floor thinking about the evening he and Ali would share soon enough. Hannah embraced her little brother and then looked at him. 



“You are so happy. I want nothing more for you then to be happy. I haven’t seen you so adventurous and happy since before Nikita. Maybe it’s good that you’ve met a Margera to change that.” Lauri rolled his eyes. 



“Let’s not talk about her. I’ve gone so long without hearing her name and it was rather nice. Thanks Hannah.” he shook his head and gave her an annoyed look. Hannah sipped her drink.



“Best you stay put then. She is out tonight. I already ran into her once and if looks could kill, baby brother....her body would have been ice cold before her body hit the ground.” Lauri scrunched his nose.



“That is so morbid!!”



“Ahh, do you not wish horrible things on her. You should.” She said bluntly. “No one would think less of you. She is so terrible! So unloving! No remorse...from her or from me for her for the death glare I gave her.” Hannah explained through her thick accent. She shook her head and then looked out at the dance floor and then she furrowed a brow.

“Where is Ali? She’s been gone for a long time.”



“No, I don’t wish anything bad on Nikita or anyone.” Lauri said and then gave a disapproving look to Hannah for her hatred. He then scooted to the edge and stood up, “I’m going to go see if I can find Ali. I will be back.” he disappeared into the crowds.



----------- 


When Ali had left the Lauri and Hannah, she had walked straight to the ice bar. It was lit up with neon lights making the ice countertops just glow and flash like nothing else. She smiled and took a seat between a man and woman and waited for the bartender to notice her. She ordered her and Lauri’s drinks and then waited. She took out her phone and began to message Bam when she heard a woman start speaking. 

“

A Karhu and a cocktail? Either someone is having a very rough night or you have some company who has a very good taste in beer.” A woman with raven black hair darker than Ali’s turned to face her. She had been keeping an eye on Ali for a few moments now. She was very thin and had heels that could kill a man if they crossed her. Ali simply smiled and decided to be polite. She wasn’t sure how she always managed to meet people at this bar, but she wasn’t going to worry about it. It only meant she seemed approachable.



“Scenario number 2.” She laughed. The woman nodded and stared at the foreigner.



“I thought I heard an American accent. Welcome to Suomi.” Ali looked at her quickly. 



“Thanks, it’s a lovely place and even better people.” Ali then leaned over the counter looking for the bartender subtly. The woman watched Ali and applied a layer of lipstick and smirked. 



“Are you in a hurry? You and your Finnish company should know Ponima is not the quickest service on a night like this.” Ali sat back and looked at the woman in disbelief the other was still trying to hold a conversation. 



“I...well I suppose you are right. I didn’t think about it.” Ali sat back and held her phone tightly. “I’m here with a friend and I would just really like to get back to him that is all.” 



“So a date? Pretty lucky American if you have struck a Finnish date.” The woman turned giving even more of her attention to Ali.



“It’s not really a date. We just came out for a fun relaxing night. We just got done talking about relationships and shit. We needed a drink.” Ali shrugged and tried to track down the bartender with her eyes. This woman was uncomfortably curious. Ali smiled at her and then decided to play her game back. “What brings you here? Are you alone?” The woman laughed. 



“Yes. I’m here forgetting about a fool. Boys are nothing but foolish pieces of meat. I’m hoping, if I’m lucky, I will find a smarter fool to maybe help myself forget the last one.” She laughed and looked at Ali as if expecting her to completely understand her. Ali was in shock. She nodded and raised a brow. She had heard men talk about women like this, but never a woman speak about a man like this. She looked down to see the woman was drinking something with whiskey. She could even smell it. 



“Well good luck with that. I’m sorry you have had such an unpleasant experience.” Ali was at a loss for words and finally the beer was placed in front of her. She grabbed it and held it close as she waited for the bartender to fullfill the rest of her order. She was now getting nervous. The woman raised her glass and pointed her finger at Ali.



“Whatever you do, girl, don’t get involved with Finnish celebrities. They are as cold and cruel as the tundra they walk on.” Ali paused and swallowed hard and looked at the dark looking woman and wasn’t sure what to say. The woman could tell she hit a cord. She leaned forward. “Who is it? I should have known you were a gold digger. All Americans are.” Ali was offended now.



“Excuse me... you know nothing about my life.” She stood up and wanted to run back to Lauri, but her drink wasn’t ready yet. The woman laughed and smiled maniacally. 



“I know enough, little girl. I’ve been there. I used to sleep with those guys all the time. They are nothing but power hungry egotistical rats. Run while you can, girl. RUN!.” The woman sat back and planned on not saying anything more. Ali stared at her and then jumped about half out of her skin when a hand was laid on her shoulder. She turned to see Lauri. She hugged him right and then pulled back to look at him. He smiled.



“Peura, you ok?! You look as if you’ve seen a ghost!” Lauri laughed and went to go pick up the beer that Ali had ordered. He smiled and saw Ali turn around to look back at the woman. Lauri followed her stare and then his heart fell. The woman looked back and started laughing.



“This?!?! You are here with him!?!?!?!” The woman shook her head and looked at Ali then Lauri. “You don’t waste time do you? Probably paid for over night shipping once I walked out, did you?!” The woman sat back and looked between the two of them. “Disgusting, Lauri.” Ali held to Lauri close and finally took her drink that the bar tender slid across the ice countertop. She looked up at Lauri who was glaring at the woman. 



“Nikita...” Lauri said simply and then reached down taking Ali’s hand and keeping his eyes on Nikita, “Go to hell....” Lauri turned and pulled Ali with him through the crowds. Nikita sat laughing and screaming profanities at Lauri. Finally security removed her from the club. Lauri and Ali returned to the booth where Hannah was. Hannah could tell something had happened. 



“Lauri, Lintu, what is wrong?” Hannah put a hand on his shoulder. He looked at Hannah and took a deep breath controlling his tempter.



“Nikita.”



“No...” Hannah looked at Ali, “Are you ok, my dear?” Hannah looked over to make sure Nikita hadn’t harmed her in anyway. Ali shook her head.

“I’m fine, really. Who is Nikita besides the meanest person I’ve ever encountered?” Hannah waited to see if Lauri would answer and then sighed when she could tell Lauri was struggling recovering from the emotional toll the encounter left.



“Nikita is Lauri’s most recent ex. She used Lauri in many ways. Still hard to deal with. You know how those bitter feelings stick around.” Hannah whispered and rubbed her brother’s back. Ali could tell Lauri was very sensitive and this had just pierced that thin covering that protected his feelings. Ali looked at Lauri and reached over and took his hand.



“I’m sorry Lauri, I didn’t know who she was.” Ali pleaded. Lauri looked at her and shook his head. 



“You didn’t know. Not your fault. I’m just glad you are ok. I wouldn’t put it past her to start a fight.” Lauri sighed and kissed the top of Ali’s head and turned to hug her again. “I have two of my favorite girls here and I am happy. Nikita can’t ruin this evening.” Lauri began to smile again and looked between Hannah and Ali who were on either side of him. Hannah’s heart melted as Ali was enough to make her brother smile again. She sighed happily. 



--------

The night went on with stories from Hannah and Lauri’s childhood. Ali enjoyed learning more about Lauri as a person and not a celebrity. The three were really enjoying themselves. Finally they had had enough drinks that they were all ready to dance. Hannah was able to reconnect with the girlfriends that she came with while LAuri and Ali had a fun time messing around on the dance floor. After a few songs of Ali and Lauri being stupid, Lauri decided to really dance with her. A song with a good beat came on. It was the best of Finnish House music. He smiled and walked up to Ali and turned her around and carefully placed his hands on her hips and began to pull her back on his hips. She hesitated at first and then couldn’t help but smile as his lips lowered to her ear.



“Relax, it’s just a dance.” Lauri comforted her and then smiled as Ali came back against him more and let his hands and hips direct her movements. She smiled and laid her head back against Lauri’s shoulder. The music carried them both. This was the most contact they had had during their still very short friendship. Ali sipped her drink that was still in her hand and smiled as it gave her the confidence to start dancing back against Lauri finally. This new confidence made Lauri smile. She was relaxing and letting herself have some fun. He couldn’t help but kiss her shoulder as she twirled her hips back against Lauri’s hips. His hands coming around her waist more and pull her hips back harder against his. The two were finally grinding just like the couples around them. Ali had the biggest smile as she danced with Lauri. It felt so good to have some fun. Hannah glanced over and her jaw dropped seeing the two. She cheered even though she knew the two wouldn’t hear her. She pointed it out to all of her girlfriends. She was so happy that LAuri was enjoying himself and his company.

---

The night was danced away by Ali and Lauri. The club was starting to close. Ali smiled and pulled from Lauri.

“I think it’s time to go.” She smiled but then pouted not ready to leave. Lauri smiled and rubbed her back. 



“We have plenty of time to come back before you leave” Lauri hated thinking about it, but the reality was that at some point she would go home and he would stay here. The two walked out after saying goodbye to Lauri’s sister. Lauri drove the tipsy Ali back to her hotel room. He helped her get back to her room. She smiled and turned on the light not seeing Nicole in their room. She paused and thought it strange but didn’t feel like tracking her down. She sat on the edge of the bed and took off her heels and then looked at Lauri who was still standing by the door. 



“Lauri, stay here tonight. Don’t risk driving home. If Nicole was spending the night here she would have been in bed by now. You can sleep in my bed. I will take Nicole’s bed. Or there is a whole other room in the corner.” Ali moved to Nicole’s bed as she began to take off all of her jewelry. She watched Lauri and prayed he wouldn’t try and drive home. He sighed and thought about it then thought about the promise he had made to Bam. He nodded. 



“I will stay. Tomorrow I need to do some work so I won’t see you as much, so I will spend the night tonight.” Lauri said kicking off his shoes and starting to make himself comfortable in Ali’s bed. Ali rolled over to the edge of Nicole’s bed and smiled. 



“I’m glad.” Ali pulled the blankets around her and turned off the lamp. Lauri’s features were highlighted in a red glow from the city outside her room’s window. “Thank you for today, Lauri. I had a blast.” She smiled and blew a playful kiss before smiling and letting her eyes close. She had met two very important women from Lauri's past today. One for better and one for worse. Either way it gave Ali even more of a perspective on her new friend. She was glad to have met both. Lauri stayed up a few moments longer and watched Ali drifted off into sleep. He couldn’t help but smile at how precious she looked. If he could move to hold her all night, he would have. However, she was taken and he had to respect that fact. Eventualy, alcohol and dancing got the best of him and he drifted off to sleep.