**
As we were leaving, my mom whispered into my ear. "You certainly have yourself a looker, and he seems very nice. They didn't make boys like that when I was your age. I trust you to be careful, but I expect you to have the time of your life."
She kissed me on the cheek, and we left for San Francisco.
**
Something strange happened on our way back to the city.
I was sitting between Oscar and Jakob in the second row of the SUV. I couldn’t be happier. Frank and Emma sat i
**
"They just broke the high school record, and that's after already running two miles!" said Coach Krebs. "Hell, the men's world record is forty-three seconds. I wouldn't be surprised if they threatened that time if they were fresh. Look at them. They aren't even winded. They're astonishing."
Coach Krebs was so excited I was afraid he'd pee his pants.
We watched the four boys run toward Lake Merced to log more miles.
I thought, 'Who are these guys!'
**
Friday, in the seco
**
I felt fantastic. What an amazing day. It had a bit of everything: successfully performing my duties as a school ambassador, meeting Oscar and the other Norwegians, seeing a fun popcorn movie, getting mugged and living to tell the tale, and experiencing my first sauna and cold plunge.
My life is almost perfect - almost.
**
It was the longest weekend of my life. Monday couldn't arrive soon enough. Even my mom noticed I was preoccupied with something.
"What's the matter, hone
**
Brad, Amy, Emma, and I stared at the Norwegians in amazement.
"How did you do that?" asked Brad.
"We have some self-defense training," said Frank.
After an awkward pause, Carson added. "That type of training is common in Norway."
I wasn't sure about that. 'That's some training,' I thought. 'The guys that robbed us looked tough. John Wick would have trouble disarming them.’
Who are these guys?
**
“The ‘N-line’ is scheduled to arrive in three minutes,” sa