*Soleil*
"Sol". My mom calls across the terminal as she runs towards me.

The others had driven me to Heathrow airport less than ten minutes ago and I had just made a short stop in the coffeeshop before spotting my mom. Now I walk out, trying to put on the appropriate expression. The face slides into an involuntary smile as I get close to my mom. Is she going to look right through me and know Ghana is a lie ? My stomach starts knotting up with fear of being discovered. In my head I go through the lines I have practised, just to be sure; they have to be believable. Siri has told me that Ghana is reality for my mom and if I stick to the story she will never know differently.

"Oh I missed you so much sweetie". My mom say, hugging me tightly in her arms.

All doubt disappear when I hug my mom back. I really have missed my mom. No matter what I have to do to keep my new life a secret, I know my mom will always be here. Why did I even doubt that ? It is my mom.

"I missed you too". And I know the smile on my face is real and genuine.

My mom holds my out from her, looking me over. "Hmm I had expected you to be more tanned".

"Unfortunately there wasn't much time for sunbathing". I explain. "We were inside the clinic all day long, mostly we didn't get of before after the sun had set. No sun there".

"Oh my poor baby. You look totally exhausted. Have you lost weight ?" She looks closer at me. "Oh my goodness. You have got some muscles on you too huh ?

"Yeah it was kind of hard". I put on the fake smile again. "Sacks of rice and hospital equipment is kind of heavy".

"Listen what about a nice bath and a little nap ? I have taken the whole day of so I can really spoil you". My mom say with a smile.

"You didn't have to mom".

"Yes I did. While you have been away I have had to get used to the idea that you will leave home soon for good. And you have the house to yourself all day tomorrow because I have to until late". She gives me one more hug, kissing my hair.

"Mom ?"

"Yes sweetie". She smiles warmly at me.

I hesitate. What can I say ? Has some dark and dangerous creature been by while I was away ? "Nothing. I just missed you.. a lot".

"I missed you too. I am so happy to have you home again". She puts an arm around my shoulder. "Come lets get home".

When we get home I stop for a moment, staring at the house. It has only been about a month since I left, but standing here it feels more like a year.

"Tjalfe are you here ?" I whisper, holding my necklace. I feel it grow warm and a soft wind gently push me on the back as an answer. "Okay, here goes nothing". I mumble, walking to the door.

My room looks like itself; everything is where I left them. It somehow makes me safe to know that nothing here has changed, but I also fear if it is going to stay that way when I am no longer the same girl. Can I go back to being the Soleil who lives here ?

I lay down on top of my duvet and closes my eyes. The bed is just as soft and comfortable as I remember. I breath in the well known scent and sigh contently. It is going to be alright. As they other had said, I will used to having two lives.

A  message plings in on my phone.

'Are you home or what ? I am dying here sweetie'

'Yup laying here on my bed, trying to get my head back with me. Do you want to come by later ?' I quickly write back.

I get up and look in the mirror, my eyebrows has grown all back and my skin needs some cleaning after a long time without any care. I get a new message.

'You can bet Your ass I do. See you later. Hugs Davina'.

  I smile to myself. 'Nice, could you bring Your beauty bag, I really need the whole Big beauty treatment'.

I go back to bed, snuggling down under the duvet. I actually feel really tired and I guess half an hour won't hurt.

—————————————————————————————————————

I open my eyes feeling confused when there is a knock on my door. My mom's head pokes in. "I have made some sandwiches. Do you want some ?"

"What time is it ?" I mumble, feeling still half asleep.

My mom smile. "It is half past two. You have slept for four hours".

"Oh shit, I must have been much more tired than I thought. Is it okay if I take a shower first ?" I say sitting up.

"Of course". My mother say and close the door as she goes back to the kitchen.

The shower feel wonderful. Finally I can let the water run, without being scared that the water goes cold. For a moment I just stand there, letting the warmth engulf me, before I grab the soap and start lathering up. The long bath has to wait. I am hungry and I feel bad for sleeping for this long when my mother has taken time off to be with me.

When I walk into the dining room, there is a plate of sandwiches waiting on the table and my mom is sipping a cup of coffee.

"So.. tell me everything about your trip". She starts as I sit down. "What about the organisation ? Was it good people ?"

"Uhh yeah, kilroy seemed like a good organisation. I learned a lot about.. charity". Again I put on the fake smile and I fear my mom will look right through me. But she just look at me expectantly and with a soundless sigh I start telling. A couple of times my mom ask a question, but it is pure curiosity and I never feel like see expect anything.

"That trip seem to have had a good influence on you my dear. I mean look at you, you seem so grown up and confident". She look so proud.

"Well I guess I am.. life in Ghana is just so different from how we live here. I have seen people die and helped bury them. We have fought extreme weather and the camp was even attacked by armed militia. It might have changed me". The story I have brewed up only goes this far, from here I have to improvise, but best to keep as close to the truth as possible.

"Oh my.. armed militia ? What on earth did I send you down too". My mom looks scared.

Okay maybe that was too close to the truth. I swallow. "We had security guardians us mom. Don't worry, I was totally safe". I say, trying to smile.

Just then the doorbell rings and after the door open I hear a well known voice. "Hello in there, it's just me".

My mom forgets the militia and smile. "Well luckily some things are still the same. I will go watch the news and give you girls some time to talk. It is good to have you home again sweetie". My mom say, giving me a peck on the cheek.

I run out into the hallway and throw my arms around Davina's neck, before pulling her into my room.

"Oh Wow, you are growing a whole rainforest there". She looks at my eyebrows. "And what happened to Your skin ? Have you spend a month slow roasting in leftover oil from mcDonalds or what ?"

"Anything else ?" I say feeling mildly offended.

"Don't worry, I Got a new mask that are going to clean those pores right up in no time". She waves a white tube. "But first we are going to weed out those eyebrows". She throws her bag on the bed.

While I retell the story about Ghana and kilroy, I scream once in a while, as Davina plucks my eyebrows. But I can't help noticing that Davina don't ask much.. she is unusually quiet. "Are you okay ?"

"Yeah sure. Just listening sweetie". She say, clearly avoiding the subject. "Lie down on the bed, so I can put the goo on". She pushes a black blob that looks like far into her hand and sit down next to me.

"Come on Davina. You have listened to me talking for twenty minutes and you haven't cut me of once. I am dying here". I say grinning.

"Lay still or the mask will crack". She mumbles.

I shake my head. "Nice try.. now spill the beans".

"Okay then". Davina sighs. "But please don't be angry with me and you have to swear not to tell anyone okay ?"

"I swear on my mother's grave". I try not to giggle. What's with the drama ?

"It was one night at the Grotto. Celine came to get me, to come upstairs you know". She won't look me in the eyes.

"You got up on the balcony ?" I know my eyes grow wide as she nod and bite her lip. "Cool, but I thought you didn't care about the royals, or have you become a member now ?"

"It was Tom asking for me.. and well we are kind of dating now". It seems to just tumble out.

"Oh". Honestly I would never have guessed.

"And I know you have a crush on him and I didn't mean to, I mean I didn't want to be with him". She looks like a mess. "But.. I don't know. It just kind of happened".

I break down in giggle and Davina's surprised face only makes me laugh harder.

"So you are not angry with me ?" She asks.

"Why would I be angry with you ? I don't know him at all". I manage to get the words out between laughs, but when I see her face I stop laughing. "Oh you seriously thought I would get angry with you ?"

"But.. Well you told how he had made you all.. yeah you know". She rolls her eyes. "Sorry.. he does that to all the women, flirts with them, to make them come back. It's like a sales trick you know".

"Honestly don't worry, I haven't spend a single second thinking about Tom. To be honest I haven't had time for much thinking at all. I mean I hardly had time to answer Your texts". I tell her.

"I know, but well I haven't really written much either. But hey now you know why". She sends me a lopsided grin. "So no hot guys down there at all ?"

"Nope.. and no time for such things. Too much sickness and poverty, so no one was really in the mood for fun". I grin nervously, I hate when I have to make up lies on the spot.

She nod. "So time to get the mask of". She start rubbing at it on my chin, until she Can get hold and peel it of in big flakes.

"Ouch ! What the fuck are you skinning me or something ?" I hiss.

"Yup kind of. Look they are all here, all those pesky blackheads". She proudly shows me a piece of the mask from my nose.

"Eww Davina that is gross".

"Maybe, but look at Your face now". She hold up a mirror in front of my face.

"I look like a cooked lobster". I study my face. "But you are right, they are almost gone all of them. Now I just need my hair fixed and I will be almost presentable again".

A text ticks in on my phone and Davina leans forward trying to peak. "Who is it ?"

"Zac". I answer shortly, as I turn the screen so she can't read it.

"Oh my God. I thought you were like totally over and done with him. That's what you wrote". She gasps.

I sigh. "Well someone present told me to follow my heart right ? I might have kind of talked to him since".

"Oh so you had time for him ?"

"Davina that wasn't fair". I pout.

"Nah, but a bit of payback for me going around here being scared of Your reaction". She grins, but then she turns serious. "You are really crazy about him huh ?"

I sigh. "It's kind of complicated".

"How can it be complicated ? If you have feelings for him then grab the chance". Davina say. "What did he write ?"

"He is asking if he can come by tomorrow". I look at Davina feeling butterfly and panic mix in my stomach. "I can't handle it if he just dump me again".

"I know how you feel". Davina turns to look out the window. "I keep pinching myself. I mean what does Tom wants with a nobody like me ?"

"You are not a nobody Davina. You are the sweetest, funniest and best friend I have ever had". I tell her with a smile.

"Like you have so many to compare me to". She nudge me with a grateful smile. "He is just surrounded by crazy luxury and I don't know how to fit in. I feel like the ugly duckling".

"This is so not like you". I study her, feeling there is more to all of this. "I can see a but coming".

"Yeah.. and that is why I haven't ran away screaming yet. He is so perfect.. most of the time and he makes me feel so very special". Her eyes shine when she talk about him. "If there is just a chance that Zac can make you feel like that then take it, go for it".

I look at my phone, then at Davina, who sends me a reassuring smile. "Okay you win. I am telling him he can come over tomorrow". I write a quick answer and put down the phone.

The rest of the evening we spend acting like teenage girls, giggling and gossiping about the guys. Davina tells me about all the amazing places Tom has taken her. Only when she mentions a new club in London, she kind of cuts herself of, getting this weird look in her eyes and say it isn't anything to speak of.

Inside I am jubilant that coming home went this well and I enjoy just being normal, even if it is an act.