Chapter 2

Still a bit dazed after my meeting with Ri-yo, I saunter through the supermarket. Standing in the sweets isle I reach out for a large chocolate bar, when I feel a firm smack on my hand.
“Oww!” I yelp as I drop the chocolate bar on the floor.
“No more chocolate from now on. It looks like you recently took too many withdrawals from the National Fudge Reserve.” Ri-yo’s voice sounds resolutely next to me.
My mouth falls open as he picks up the chocolate and puts it back on the shelf.
“Are you insane?” I glare at him, resisting the urge to grab his collar. “I need a bit of sugar, otherwise I won’t be able to get through the day!”
“You can get energy the healthy way. Let’s go to the vegetable isle.”
“I don’t like vegetables,” I hiss, trying to keep my voice down, because I don’t want people to look at me thinking I’m talking to myself. I quickly look around to make sure nobody saw me, then turn to Ri-yo. Or at least to where I thought he would be. But both my fairy mentor and my shopping cart are gone. Two minutes later I find both of them next to the apples.
“What the…” I mutter as I inspect the cart. It is filled with fruit, vegetables, minced meat, cheese and potatoes. Not a single soda or bag of sweets in sight.
“And who’s going to pay for these expensive food items?”
“You are, I don’t have any money. I’m just making sure you eat healthy the next few days.”
He kindly smiles at me, but I can feel the sarcasm oozing from his tone of voice.
Grumbling, I make my way to the checkout.
“Hi Cedar, what’s wrong? You look all grumpy,” Lisbet the cashier asks me, as she starts scanning my healthy products.
“That’s because he…” I start, pointing at a grinning Ri-yo next to me, then trail off when I realize she can’t see him.
“Who?” Lisbet looks behind me, but from her point of view there is no-one there.
“I mean, there was this guy in the store who was criticizing my food choices.”
“Looks to me like you only have healthy stuff in your cart.”
“Yes, well, I have now. I replaced the chocolate with vegetables and things,” I quickly explain.
“That reminds me of my diet plans. I should really start tomorrow,” Lisbet sighs as she pats her stomach.
“You’re not fat, Lisbet!” I reassure her as I grab my money purse out of my bag.
“She is quite fat,” Ri-yo drily remarks. I smack his arm when Lisbet counts the money I handed her.
“That’s sweet of you, but I do want to lose a few pounds. Anyway, here’s your change. And I wish you a great day. See you next time.”
“Thank you, the same to you!”

With a healthy dose of resistance I watch and make notes as Ri-yo shows me how to make a tasty and healthy dish in my little kitchen.
“See, it is not that difficult,” he says, putting the vegetable dish with minced meat and potatoes in the oven. “And now we wait till it’s done.”
“Why don’t you cook for me a few times a week? You seem to enjoy it.”
He gives me the side eye.
“I’m not your personal butler. Now sit down, we need to discuss your love life.”
He sits down on the couch in the living room, one arm resting on the backrest. I feel he is looking forward to this, relishing every opportunity to say something snarky.
I sit down on a chair next to the small wooden dining table.
“There’s not much to tell,” I say, not daring to look him in the eyes.
“That has to do with your low self-esteem. Why do you never make a move when you like someone?” His question sounds sincere.
I pout.
“Well, I mean… look at me. I’m nothing special. I weigh too much, I have boring shoulder-length brown hair. I’m too hairy! There’s hair growing in places where it shouldn’t be on a woman.”
“So?”
“So?”
“You’ve also got nice long legs, a quirky sense of humor and a pretty mouth, when you’re not using it to complain and sulk, that is.”
I smile.
“Thanks.”
“Now tomorrow we’re going to get you a date.”
I almost choke on air.
“Excuse me?”
“We’re going to that lunchroom where you spend so much of your time and money.”
“What for?”
“Oh, don’t play dumb, Cedar. There is a reason why you go there specifically.”
“The shrimp on toast is really…”
“Oh, give me a break. It’s no use lying to me, Cedar, I can see right through you.”
“Alright!” I raise my voice in frustration and clench my fists. “There is this waiter, Niklas, who is quite nice. There, are you happy now?”
“That aggressive attitude of yours is also a topic we should get into later on. But for now, let’s discuss Niklas. What about him do you find attractive?”
“I’m not discussing that with a guy.”
“Where I’m from, everyone’s male and female sides are more balanced. Talk to the feminine side of me.”
“Where exactly are you from?” I interject, leaning forward in my chair.
“Don’t change the subject,” Ri-yo calmly instructs me. “I’m not telling you about myself, that’s not relevant. I’m here for you.”
I pout again and lean back in my chair.
“I don’t feel like discussing Niklas any further. I need a bit of time for myself.”
Ri-yo looks disappointed, but nods.
“Alright, I’ll see you again tomorrow.”
“Next month might be bett…” I start, but trail off when I notice he isn’t there.

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