Winter Swan

Jung Yun seemed to be very surprised to see Silje and she accused Silje of stalking her. At first, Jung Yun refused to believe that this was a coincidence, but after Silje explained, she decided to believe her.

Jung Yun and Silje looked awkwardly at each other, but Jung Yun’s mother looked very happy.

“Wow! I did think you were very tall and gorgeous, and now it makes sense. You are a model just like my daughter. And not just any model, a famous one! Well, that means you have to come more often! As Jung Yun’s friend, I will be extra generous to you.”

Friend?

Until now, Jung Yun definitely didn’t show any indication that she wanted to become Silje’s friend. She was Silje’s walking teacher, a reluctant one, and nothing more.

Yet suddenly, Jung Yun pulled up a chair across Silje and sat down at the same table. She called out to her mom and exclaimed, “Mom. I’m hungry! I want bibimbap please!”

Unlike her usual cold attitude, Jung Yun picked up a spoon and acted casually.

She turned to Silje.

“Do you want to eat with me? Bibimbap will be awesome with your soft tofu stew.”

That day, Silje and Jung Yun shared a meal and for the first time, and they had a close conversation. Silje realized that although Jung Yun always seemed unfriendly, in reality, she was a very outgoing person. Jung Yun seemed at home in her mother’s restaurant and she admitted that she had been following Silje’s career very closely. Their conversation was pleasant and Silje enjoyed talking to a fellow model.

Silje was friendly with the other models in her dorm, but they were all just colleagues and not friends. She felt glad to get to know Jung Yun a little better.

“I will see you at whichever audition we end up together! Bye!”

Jung Yun and her mother waved goodbye and Silje did the same with a smile.

It was a genuine smile, which was rare nowadays for Silje.

She did smile sometimes of course, but a lot of the times, Silje felt lonely and isolated in this giant city. She realized that she was human after all and she missed the warmth of another person.

There were days when she felt so cold, and she wondered if it was because of that man.

The one from Oslo.

She couldn’t stop thinking about him and the loneliness wouldn’t leave her heart.

As she walked the street, Silje suddenly felt a strong impulse.

An impulse to talk to someone…

Anyone…

***

The night streets looked bright with the streetlights.

Yellow, orange, and red lights… The bars and restaurants looked seductive with colorful signs.

When she walked into the place, Silje felt like she should perhaps drink as well. The bar was bright and warm inside, making Silje feel welcome.

It was especially crowded and festive because Christmas was just around the corner.

The shiny Christmas decorations made her smile. Greg the bartender was talking to a customer as usual, and Silje was glad to see him.

This place reminded her of Niels’ place in Norway. It was where she could come any time and rest in the warmth of good company.

“Hi, Silje! Welcome.”

Just like Niels’ café, this place greeted her happily every time she visited.

Greg was doing well as a bartender, but his main income was from a business he had started with his friend Matthew.

“Welcome to the jungle. In the jungle. Welcome to the jungle! Watch it bring you to your knees, knees!!”

The human jukebox, Matthew, was singing loudly as usual. Silje looked at him with a small smile and quietly sat down at the bar.

Greg winked at her as he expertly made his drinks. When Matthew continued, Greg yelled at him, “Gosh! I can’t take it anymore. You have such old taste, Matthew! The customers are going to think this is an 80’s bar. You are going to drive them all out with your annoying singing!”

Matthew, wearing a cowboy hat, ignored Greg and started another song.

“Oh, we’re halfway there… Oh, livin’ on a prayer!”

When he sang Bon Jovi’s “Livin’ on a Prayer”, Greg shook his head in frustration.

“He is impossible. Once he starts, no one can stop him. He is a human jukebox. I keep telling him that his song choices are too old. We aren’t living in the 80’s anymore! Nowadays, sensitive band songs or high-quality collaboration works are the way to go. Matthew, there is no place for you in the current music world.”

When Matthew continued to ignore him and kept singing, Greg winked at Silje again.

“Don’t worry. You just have to ignore him. It’s like watching the movie ‘Rock of Age’. I guess it’s a free performance, so we can’t complain. His singing is so bad though! He should just go out and become like that naked cowboy singer. Yeah! That’s a good idea! I will pay for it too!”

Silje tried her best to not laugh.

Suddenly, Matthew seemed to have remembered something. He brought out a large black plastic bag and dumped the contents on the counter for Greg to see.

“Listen buddy! I am an artist! Look at these handbags!”

Matthew winked proudly, but Greg protested, “I can’t believe I partnered up with you.”

“What are you talking about! I am an artist! When we sell everything, we should be able to open a great bar together!”

Matthew seemed impressed with himself for making the bags. He exclaimed, “Look at this! No one can make a bag like this! Look at the design! The details!”

Matthew held up one of the bags and showed it to Silje. It was a small baguette bag studded with gold decorations.

“It’s perfect! It’s a perfect size as well, don’t you think? Just looking at it reminds you of a real baguette and makes you feel hungry. Do you get it?”

He seemed truly impressed with himself and looked at Silje expectantly. It seemed like he would be very disappointed if Silje didn’t buy something, so with a grin, Silje picked out a random bag from the pile of fake replicas.

Silje paid him and smiled.

“Thank you. I will always treasure it.”

Matthew seemed very happy and started to sing again. He arrogantly said to Greg, “See? Silje became a success because my good luck rubbed off on her. If she never met me, she would’ve gone back to Norway by now.”

Greg nodded sarcastically and replied, “Stop talking nonsense!”

Watching the two argue, Silje laughed. They always made her feel better with their funny banter.

“Greg.”

When Silje said his name with a smile, Greg pushed Matthew away and quickly made a cocktail for Silje.

“Try this.”

Taking a sip, Silje smiled again.

“Metropolitan Cocktail. I see that Matthew hasn’t changed at all. How’s the business? It’s Christmas time so you must be busy.”

“Well, Matthew will never change. He is going to die while singing, I’m sure. The bar is doing alright. So what brings you by today? It has been a while.”