Episode 1
Chapter 2
Rhandi : Why are you like this?
It was super rainy today, which isn’t supposed to be a normal thing for North Dakota.
I was extremely rushed to school because I had a meeting with Svanhildr, who is a high school student who got her arm broken by Janelle Davis because she is an Immigrant from the Faroe Islands.
I said goodbye to mom and dad, and left the bus.
Hello, I am Randhi. I am a middle schooler who is known as “The Police of Higher Skys Academy.” I am ****-Norwegian and ****-Indian and I get along with everyone… Everyone except Janelle Davis and some elementary schoolers that probably never heard the word “Kindness” in their lives.
I was at the principal’s office with Svanhildr. I was drinking coffee (how many 12 year olds drink coffee?) and I was writing notes on my bunny-shaped sticky notes.
“Ok, so your name is Svanhildr Johansdóttir, you are 17 years old, you were born in the Faroe Islands, English is your second language, Your mom works as a Genealogist and your dad works at Starbucks you are of Norse and Irish ancestry, you are a fan of Eviør, your least favorite school subject is Reading, You have a sister in the 4th grade named Æsa who is named after some company somehow .”
Svanhildr covered her mouth with her hand. “That is too much personal information,” she said, laughing.
Svanhildr changed her attitude. “What happened to Janelle?” she asked.
I went on my computer and searched up Janelle’s information. Under a red box, it said DUE TO DISCRIMINATION OF ANOTHER STUDENT’S CULTURE, JANELLE IS IN DEEP UNTIL NOVEMBER .
Svanhildr chuckled. “This is her 4th time.” she said.
After that, I decided to walk with Svanhildr. She talked about her life in the Faroe Islands.
“Well… We lived on a farm and it was really relaxing. I had a pet chicken named tápuligur, which means “silly” in Faroese.” she said.
We talked for a while, I told her that in my household, we learnt about both Norwegian and Indian cultures. I was speaking Norwegian very well and i’m learning Hindi.
“kan du forstå meg?” I asked Svanhildr.
Svanhildr started thinking, a lot. After 2 minutes, she responded with “En Lítill.” which means A little.
“Why did that took you so long?” I asked her.
Svanhildr sat down in a bench. “My brain is very slow when it comes to languages. Somebody may ask me to say something in Faroese and I forget the translation.” she explained, holding a dictionary in Faroese she had in her backpack.
But after that she placed the dictionary in her backpack, a slip of paper fell on the floor. I picked it up and it was a flyer for the city’s Nordic festival.
My eyes glowed. Not really, if they did I could see at night which I’m pretty sure that is impossible. I was going to the Nordic festival and I rented a Bunad and everything.
“I know I sound like Janelle but, OMG! You’re going to the Nordic festival this weekend?” I asked Svanhildr. “Are you gonna see Eviør? She is my favorite Scandinavian music artist, and she is from the Faroe Islands just like you. I love all her songs”
Svanhildr nodded. “Of course.” she said. “My mom’s Genealogy business is sponsoring so therefore we get to go for free.”
Because I made bracelets for the Nordic heritage protection club members (Me, Svanhildr and 4 boys and 3 other girls) I made a bracelet. That is my way of saying “will you got to the Nordic festival with me”
I pulled out something from my uniform’s pocket and gave it to Svanhildr. “Svanhildr, I already met you yesterday, so I made you something.”
Svanhildr opened the box and found a beaded bracelet that said “SVANHILDR” and has the colors of the flag of the Faroe Islands.
She wore the bracelet. She loved it.
“Thank you so much for this awesome bracelet.” she said.
I hugged her. I knew that even thought Svanhildr may be 5 years older than me and 5 grades smarter than me, she may be my new best friend… forever.
After a while, my other best friend, an Uzbek exchange student named Nilufar Isaev sat down on the bench. He started school last year, so he is new here.
“So what is happening.” he asked, smiling at Svanhildr.
“Nilufar, this is Svanhildr. Svanhildr, this is Nilufar.”
They waved at each other.
“So what happened is that yesterday, Janelle Davis had beaten her up because Svanhildr is Faroese.” I told him. “We met yesterday, and we are really good friends nowadays.”
Svanhildr smiled. “Nice to meet you, Nilufar, I’m Svanhildr Johansdóttir.” she greeted. “What grade are you on?”
“6th” he said. “What about you?”
“I’m in the 12th grade.” She replied worried. “What should I feel?”
Nilufar shook her. “You… You are from the land of great warriors and harsh landscapes.” he said. “You are a Scandinavian-American, your ancestors raided and they were so brave. Why are you not brave like them? they will be disappointed in you!”
Svanhildr shrugged. “I wanna be referred as a Nordic-American, not a Scandinavian-American.” she corrected him.
I loved how Me, Svanhild and Nilufar were having so much fun talking about who we are and what was happening, but then I checked my watch.
It was fitness time, I had to train for the upcoming football game!
I stood up and ran to the gym. “Guys, I forgot 3 hours passed by. I have a football game to prepare for.” I said, waving good bye to Svanhildr and Nilufar.
In the entire day, I was thinking about what a great friend Svanhildr is. She is connected to her heritage, she is kind, she is intelligent and she is very funny. And I have someone to go to a Nordic festival with.
When I got home, I was extremely happy.
“So what did you do today?” my dad asked me.
“It was amazing, I met a best friend who is also going to the festival with me.” I told him.
My older brother, Ragnar laughed at me. “You can’t be friends with somebody you just met.”
I glarred at him. “Or can I?”
