You Were Meant for Me

That night all I could think about was what happened with Ville. My mom noticed I was a bit distracted, but I didn’t want to talk to her about it. I didn’t want to hear the same lecture she gave every time I started talking to a guy. Be smart, Wynter. Say no and run away, Wynter. Don’t ruin your life for a moment of fun, Wynter. What she didn’t know is that I was always smart and careful when it came to sex. I wasn’t a nun. Just because my romantic relationships never worked out didn’t mean I couldn’t have intimate ones.

I was so deep in my thoughts I almost didn’t hear the alarm on my phone go off. I knew I would get side tracked and forget about my Skype date with Ryan. I ignored the looks from my family and ran to my room. It was 6 pm in Helsinki meaning it was 11 am in Scranton. My laptop took forever to load, but the second the Skype screen popped up, it showed Ryan’s screen name was requesting a video chat.

Once I clicked accept, I saw my best friend in all her beautiful glory. I could tell she was at her apartment just from looking at the bedroom walls and I could hear the muffled ruckus that was the rest of our friends. Her face lit up with joy and she let out an excited squeal. We hadn’t seen each other since two days before I left and we usually saw each other every single day. Saying I missed her was a big understatement.

She caught me up on what was going on back home before we got into my news. Not much had happened except for the guys landing an opening gig on a tour that was passing through Allentown in a few weeks. I knew they were so excited and for good reason too. MIW was starting to really take off and get big outside of the Scranton music scene. We talked for a few minutes before I finally decided to drop the bomb on her.

“So, uh," I paused, my nerves almost getting the better of me. "You know that band you love from Finland?”

“Which one, babes? There are a few. Those Fins sure know how to make music, but you know all about that, don’t you?”

“I was talking about The Rasmus. Wait, a few? Who else do you like from Finland? I don’t remember you ever talking about anyone really.”

“What about Rasmus? Oh, oh my god. Did you meet them? You totally did, you lucky bitch! Guys, guys,” She yelled out trying to get their attention. “Wynter met The Rasmus!”

“Ry! Can you focus for like, one second here?" I laughed as she cut me a glare. "Yes, I did meet them, but it gets even better than that. Lauri is actually my cousin.”

She let out a loud shriek and then I heard the bedroom door swing open followed by the voices of my friends telling Ryan to calm down and quit the yelling and shrieking. She looked at me with wide eyes, obviously not believing what I told her. I sent her the video I took from the festival as proof, making her scream yet again. All of the guys crowded around the computer and I laughed as they piled on the bed with Ryan, each one talking over the other, obviously excited to see me. From what I could hear, they were talking about the two shows they had played since I left.

We stayed on the video chat for hours before Chris said that it was time for the band to go to a meeting. I watched as they waved and shuffled out of Ryan’s bedroom, leaving her alone. She gave me a meek smile as I let out a yawn. I checked the clock and it was almost 10 pm. I blew her a kiss and told her I would message her later and with that, our Skype date ended. I hated saying goodbye, but I was going to be back home soon enough and once again, the crew would be reunited. I turned the light off in my room and climbed into bed. I didn’t even have a chance to check my phone before I ended up falling asleep.

***

The loud sound of knocking on my door woke me up from one of the best sleeps I had in a while. I opened one eye and saw that it was 9:15 in the morning. I jumped out of the bed, getting caught in the blankets in the process, and fell face first onto the cold, hard floor. The door swung opened and revealed Lauri standing there with an amused grin on his face and I could tell he was trying not to laugh. I couldn't help but glare at him as I untangled myself from the web of sheets and blankets.

“Get dressed, cousin. We’re doing things today, hooligan things. Let’s go, move move move!” He yelled like a drill sergeant trying to motivate me to get up from the floor. “Wear something comfy or don’t, whatever you want. We leave in ten.”

He closed my door and I made a face at the thought of getting out of my pajamas. I had no idea what hooligan things meant, but with my cousin involved, it was sure to be an adventure. I rummaged through my clothes and found something that felt appropriate. I quickly brushed my teeth then put a bit of makeup on. After pulling my hair on top of my head into two little buns, I was ready to go.

The entire ride I kept asking Lauri where we were going and the only answer I got from him was places. Sarcasm had to run in the family. He switched the conversation from where we were going to what was going on with Ville and me. I couldn’t help but smile as the butterflies returned upon hearing his name. I told my cousin everything that had happened, including the run in with Jesse yesterday. Reliving the incident was just as bad and embarrassing.

We finally came to a stop outside of a plain looking building with dark tinted windows. As we got out and made our way towards the door, I noticed several security cameras pointed in all directions and a high tech keypad attached to the wall, preventing random people from walking into whatever place this was. I could feel my stomach doing flips as Lauri pressed a few buttons making the door let out a shrill beep. He opened the door and ushered me in, and I reluctantly followed. A part of me felt like we were walking into our certain doom.

Once inside, I could hear loud noises and hushed voices coming from somewhere. My cousin led the way down a hall and into a large room and my breath hitched in the back of my throat as I saw the culprits of all the commotion. I immediately recognized them from the music festival and from the countless videos I had watched since then. They stopped talking as they noticed us, then one of them let out a wild yell, greeting Lauri.

“Lintu, ystävä! Olet myöhässä, mutta olet täällä. Luulin ette ollut tulossa!” Lintu, friend! You’re late, but you’re here. I thought you weren’t coming.

“Kyllä kyllä. Anteeksi, otin serkkuni päivälle.” Lauri replied before motioning towards me. “Tämä on Wynter. Hän on siisti.” Yes, yes. Sorry, I took my cousin for the day. This is Wynter. She is neat.

The band all gave me smiles as they introduced themselves one by one. I already knew their names but I didn't want to openly admit it, so I just smiled back and let them talk. Lauri sat on the couch beside the one called Bazie. Unsure of what to do, I started walking towards the empty chair, but was stopped before I sat.

“Onnellista tavata sinut, Wynter.” The guy with hair sticking up in the back smiled, as he took my hand and kissed it tenderly. “Voit istua kanssani. Nimeni on Jussi, mutta voit soittaa minulle uusi seksikumppani.” Happy to meet you, Wynter. You can sit with me. My name is Jussi, but you can call me a new sex partner.

“Uh…” I stammered as I pulled my hand from his, trying to think of what to say to that. “Uhm.”

“Tämä on yksi tapa esitellä itsesi.” Lauri laughed as he pulled me down beside him. “Älä anna Valo kuulla sinua. Wynter on hänen kanssaan.” This is one way to introduce yourself. Don’t let Valo hear you. Wynter is with him.

“Vittu minua. Valo saa kaikki kauniit tytöt” Jussi pouted as he went back to his beer.
Fuck me. Valo gets all the pretty girls.

I listened as everyone talked but I felt a little uncomfortable. Sure, they were all nice, but I kind of just wanted to be anywhere else. I started picking at the loose strings from the rips in my pants and counted each one that fell to the ground. By string 10, I let out a sigh, catching Jyrki’s attention. He passed me a glass then poured a colored alcohol into it and told me to drink up. I gave him a grateful smile and turned the glass up, letting the potent liquid slide down my throat.

The guys in the room let out a cheer as I finished my drink in one gulp and immediately asked for a refill. I heard my cousin tell his friends that I was indeed a true Scandinavian. After we shared a few more drinks, Jyrki left the room with his ringing phone. Not even a minute later, I was surprised when Jussi pulled a chair towards mine.

“So, I guess I should apologize.” He smiled through his words. “I didn’t mean to offend you or Ville. I didn’t know about you two. I just like beautiful women and you are just exquisite.”

“That was a horrible apology, Jussi.” I laughed loudly. “Maybe next time just say sorry and leave the rest out? But yeah, it’s okay. Do it again and I might have to kick your ass.”

We stood around the glass watching Jussi record some drum tracks. He was so entertaining to watch. His crazy hair danced with every beat he made and he reminded me of an inflatable dancing man you’d find at a car lot. Jyrki excused himself as his phone rang again. I turned my attention back to the recording and saw a tech messing with the sound board. Jussi had stopped playing and was talking and gesturing through the glass, even though we couldn’t hear him. The tech was checking different knobs and switches then ran out of the room, leaving everyone clueless as to what was going on. I handed Lauri my drink and got down underneath the controls. It had been a little while since I touched any kind of sound board, but I still knew what I was doing.

“Hey, get the fuck out from under there!” Someone screeched entering the room. “Who the fuck are you and what are you doing?”

I smirked to myself as I plugged the wires back in and Jussi’s voice came through the speakers loud and clear. I heard clapping as I stood back up and gave the screaming technician an eat shit look, which he gladly returned.

“I’m doing what you obviously can’t. You should have checked wires between the intercoms first. It was a simple fix really. Now you can go be a dick elsewhere.”

He rolled his eyes and retreated from the room, mumbling under his breath. I knew he was saying something about me, but I wasn’t going to let an incompetent fool bother me. Their producer was telling Jussi to start again and he started banging away, getting back into his groove. I heard Jyrki come back into the room, only he wasn’t alone.

Once I turned around, I knew exactly who he was. I had seen his tv shows and movies and I had even been to a few of his competitions back home, thanks to my friends. Everyone in the room let out an excited hoot when they saw him standing there. By the look on his face, I could tell he was up to something, but I had no idea what. I, for one, did not want to be a part of his pranks.

“Well, you guys, it’s been real and it’s been kind of fun, but it’s time for me to make my exit. Lauri, stay if you want. I can catch a cab, no worries.”

“You’re leaving?” An all too familiar voice asked. “But I just got here.”

I gasped as I saw Ville standing in the doorway behind Bam and Jyrki with a smirk on his face. The butterflies returned as he gave me a sweet smile and I couldn’t help but run to him. He wrapped his arms around me tightly and his chest vibrated with every laugh. I gave him a soft kiss then pulled away, unsure of how he felt about me kissing him in front of his friends. He shook his head no, almost saying he wasn't satisfied with just one kiss, and placed his lips back on mine.

“Awe, damn. I was hoping my charms were finally starting to work on you, Wynter.” Jussi chuckled as he brushed past us. “Just kidding, don’t kick my ass.”

“What can I say, Jus? The ladies love Ville.” Bam laughed as he gave his friend a pat on the shoulder. “Don’t worry. We’ll find you a cutie tonight. I doubt she’ll look as nice as Ville’s friend over there, but if you’re drunk enough, it won’t matter, right? Now,” He paused for a second, turning his attention to where we stood. “Wille Walo, are you gonna introduce us or do I have to do everything myself, you ass?”

“Right, right. Bam Bam, this is Wynter Nikula. Wynter, Bam Margera.”

I stood back and watched as everyone joked around and goofed off with each other. Bam was in Helsinki visiting for his birthday and was staying for a few days. Of course, that meant everyone was going out tonight and getting completely hammered. He invited me and I tried to politely decline, but once I heard that everyone else’s significant others were going, I felt like I needed to. When he heard I didn’t have anything appropriate for a night on the town, Bam quickly called for his fiance, insisting she take me shopping with her.

When Missy finally arrived at the studio, she wasted no time herding me to the waiting taxi. She said we had lots to do and no time to waste. Before I was forced in the back seat, I managed to give Ville a kiss good bye. I heard Bam tell Missy to get whatever we needed and it was his treat. As I opened my mouth to object, he hit the top of the taxi, telling the driver to go and then disappeared back inside with Ville in tow. I gave Missy a weak smile and she went back to her phone.

We spent the next three hours shopping and getting our hair done. Missy told me that they usually go all out, even for something as small as a night on the town to celebrate. It was definitely not something I was used to. The longer I spent with her, the more I came out of my shell which made her drop the bitchy attitude and much to my surprise, we got along pretty well. The closer it got time for us to meet the guys at the club, the more excited I got. Mige’s wife and Linde’s girlfriend were meeting us at the hotel Bam and Missy were staying at then we were leaving together in a car Bam arranged for us. For it to be his birthday, he sure was spending a lot of money on everyone else.