Chapter 5

Astrid woke up groggily from her position on the couch when there were several knocks on her door. She had fallen asleep while binging Criminal minds she realized. The TV was still on so she shut that off and quickly tried to fix her appearance though her mused hair wouldn't cooperate.

"I'm coming, I'm coming," Astrid mumbled as she wrenched open the door.

"GIRL!" A blond woman, carrying several grocery bags, exclaimed as a greeting.

"Cami? What are you doing here?" Astrid asked confused. Her mind still hadn't caught up with her body.

"What do you mean what am I doing here? I read your text after work and came," Camicazi asked while raising a brow. "You said in your text you broke up with Eret so I brought the essentials. Oreos, Ice cream, and Rum!"

Astrid stepped aside to let Cami in and the other woman wasted no time walking to the kitchen area. "Though I am surprised. I thought you and Eret were good together. What exactly happened?"

"Where to start Cami, where to start...." Astrid muttered. She had a feeling that it was going to be a long night.

The following day Astrid woke up groggily once again but this time her head was killing her. She was in her bed though once she opened her eyes she saw feet sticking out of the covers next to her. Hastily she removed the blanket and saw Camicazi laying snuggled next to her. Though Cami was sleeping the other way around and hugging her leg like it was a plushie. Astrid had not noticed the drool until just now and made a face before trying to pry her College friend off of her leg.

"Five more minutes...." Cami mumbled in her sleep, clinging tighter to Astrid's leg. Astrid just rolled her eyes and resorted to a trick she hadn't used since they shared a dorm.

"COCKROACH!" Astrid yelled and Camicazi's eyes shot open, she lept up, slid off the bed in a fluid motion, and grabbed one of the empty glass bottles on the floor that Astrid hadn't even noticed yet.

"Where's that bish?!" Camicazi asked as she basically looked like she would go full Chuck Norris on the poor roach.

"Morning to you too Cami," Astrid chuckled as she turned around to look at her clock. "Well... afternoon," She said as the digital display read 1:49 PM.

"I can't believe you did that!" Camicazi was pouting as she flopped back on Astrid's double bed.

"Hey, it got you to Prof. Andrews' Sociology class on time, didn't it," Astrid stated before closing her eyes again as the sunlight gave her a headache.

"Anyone that schedules a class at 7:45 AM deserves to be smacked with a slipper," Cami grumbled. "Just how much did we drink last night? My head is killing me,"

"Astrid........." Camicazi whined. "I normally wouldn't ask this but..... Can you make your famous Yaknog?"

"I thought you hated my Yaknog," Astrid raised a brow.

"I do.... People need a damn iron stomach for it." Camicazi groaned. "But it might be the perfect hangover cure."

"I don't wanna get up," Astrid mumbled.

"Well I don't wanna get up either," Camicazi agreed.

"Thank Loki neither of us has work today," Astrid stated.

"Amen to that!" Cami agreed.

Both women ended up falling asleep again, waking up nearly three hours later. By then their hangovers were somewhat abated though they were craving food now. Astrid dragged herself to the bathroom while Camicazi just yawned and went to the kitchen to drink some water.

When both were presentable after.... Camicazi having also taken a bath and borrowed one of Astrid's Led Zeppelin T-shirts, they sat in the living room, watching a Hallmark movie. Cami had cleaned up the bottles while Astrid was in the bathroom and Astrid proceeded to share her leftover pizza with her girl afterwards. Both were content. Cami didn't like anchovies so she picked those off the pizza. Astrid happily ate them.

"So tell me about the new guy..." Cami smirked as she asked this. Astrid who was just reaching for her water froze.

"New guy? What new guy?" Astrid questioned.

"You said you met a cute guy!" Cami stated. "Though both of us were wasted at the time so I didn't get to hear the details. SPILL GIRL!"

"Cami, I just broke up with Eret!" Astrid stated.

"What? Doesn't mean you can't look." Camicazi crossed her arms. "You're single again! At least tell me you tried to get his number,"

Astrid was silent and blushed. "OMG you did get his number didn't you!"

"HE TEXTED ME!" Astrid quickly exclaimed before burying her face in her hands. "Just because he's cute doesn't mean.... Argh!"

"Let me ask you this," Cami said. "Does he like you? Do you like him? Are you single right now?"

"YES, yes, and yes!" Astrid groaned.

"Then why the hell haven't you asked Mr. Sassy out yet?!" She grumbled.

"Oh, my Thor Cami!" Astrid blushed.

"What?! You never told me his name. You just said that he was considerate and sassy," She muttered. "You also said that he was adorkable and had a great ass....." here Astrid blushed again. Silently vowing not to get super drunk with Camicazi ever again.... Though she knew that that was probably a lie.

Astrid sputtered for a moment before answering. "Even if I said that he was adorkable, I don't think I'm ready to date so soon after a breakup."

"I get that girl. Totally," Cami stated. "Though I do think that you should keep in contact with this new guy. You never know."

Astrid nodded and the two fell back into a comfortable silence as Ocean's 13 played on Astrid's flatscreen. Her phone rang mid-heist and Astrid grumbled before quickly picking it up.

"Hello?" Astrid asked absentmindedly as she half concentrated on the movie.

"Honey, It's your mother," Came from the other end of the line and Astrid couldn't help but sigh.

"What do you want mom?" She asked as Cami paused the movie to give her friend a look.

"Look, I feel really bad about yesterday. Your father isn't talking to me. I want to make it up to you so what do you say about meeting me at a restaurant tonight."

"I don't know......" Astrid frowned. Her mother was as stubborn as a mule so this seemed a bit out of the norm.

"Come on sweetheart. A new restaurant opened downtown. We can go, patch things up and have a good time." Her mother said through the phone. And Astrid sighed as she gave in.

"Fine, fine. Text me the address and time and I'll meet you there." Astrid said over the phone and she could hear how happy her mother seemed. When the call ended she received a text stating 'The Continental, Corner of 45th Street and Dragon's ave, 7:30 PM. Wear something classy.'

"Hey Cami, do you know The Continental?" Astrid asked.

"I do, though I'd have to go buy tap-dancing shoes," Cami answered matter of factly.

"Not the dance! The restaurant," Astrid facepalmed.

"And here I was thinking you wanted to see my Fred Astair impression," Camicazi joked.

"Ha Ha..." Astrid said in a deadpan tone.

"Alright... alright..." The Continental opened about a month ago. A five-star restaurant I hear," Cami stated. "It's pricey. I wonder how your mom even got reservations. My boss has been trying to get a reservation for his and his wife's anniversary in two months,"

"This whole thing sounds fishy to me," Astrid grumbled.

"So you're not going to go?" Cami asked.

"Of course, I'm going," Astrid stated. "Mom would haunt and probably guilt trip me if I didn't."

"You could always think of an excuse.... A stomach ache." Her friend stated.

"Nah, it's fine. I'll go see what mom's got up her sleeve this time. If she genuinely wants to make up I'll probably forgive her. If she doesn't I think it's high time I go no contact with her." Astrid stated. "I can still talk to dad... I just won't talk to her."

"Well then.... Do you know what time it is?" Camicazi asked as she got that evil gleam in her eyes that made Astrid wary.

"What?"

"Time to raid your closet for the perfect dress!" Cami announced before vaulting over the couch and making her way towards Astrid's bedroom.

"Loki help me..." Astrid groaned.

Later that night, Astrid wore a classic black mini dress and met her mother outside the restaurant. "Mom, how in the Nine Realm's did you even get reservations for this place?"

"Cousin Nate works here as the sous-chef," Her mother remarked.

"Cousin Nate?" Astrid questioned as she tried to put a face to the name.

"You know.... Cousin Nate... Jonathan. He's the son of your uncle's second wife on your father's side." Astrid's mother explained as they headed inside though she still had no clue who her mother was referring to. Her family was rather... big.

Her mother told the host that they had a reservation for two. Astrid thought it was just going to be them two but when they were led to the table she froze as Eret and Miriam were already seated there. Astrid's mind was going a hundred miles a second as she cursed in several languages she knew that would even make a sailor blush. Miriam quickly stood up, guided Astrid to the seat, and then left with her mother. Bidding both youngsters a good night.

'(*&^%$#@#$%^&&^%$' Astrid thought as she now sat at a table with Eret. Romantic candles and all. She wanted to scream.