"To our Abitur! The best senior-year, anyone ever had!" I raise my glass and Valerie gently bumps hers against mine. A delicate glass jingle sounds and we both taste the golden liquid.

"I've never drunk champagne in my entire life." Valerie admits.

"Me neither." I say laughing. "But if you start with it, you have to take one of the good ones!"  We giggle and return to our place on the balcony.

"If I lived here, I would be sitting up here every night drinking tea and reading." Valerie says dreamily. "You have such a great view!" She points further to the left, where the university rises as a tall, illuminated castle with its four towers.

"There is a better view." I say with a grin. "Even three better prospects!"

"Oh really? Valerie turns to me with interest." I nod knowingly. "Three beautiful views for three more of our remaining celebrations. You can be curious about it. Fits perfectly!"

"I can't wait!" Valerie looks excited and takes another sip of champagne.

"What have you been doing all along?" I ask her. "What brings you here?"

"I was in Frankfurt and completed my Abi," she begins, but suddenly she is interrupted by an angry female voice. The calls come from the garden below us. Frightened, we drive apart. Just in time to see the redhead from earlier arguing with the weird guy and then storming away angrily.

"Yara." Valerie says. "I have to go to her." She looks at me apologetically and empties her glass in one go. "I'm sorry, I have to go."

-Wait- I think. I can't think of words to keep them with me any longer. I would love to know more about her! What is she studying? Will I see her again? But she sets the glass down on the table in the middle of the room and hurries to the door. She waves back to me quickly, then her blond head of hair has disappeared through the door. I look around frantically, quickly close the window and hurry after her.

How can she be so fast despite these high heels? I ask myself as I rush down both flights of stairs to at least ask her for her number.

Panicked, I push my way between kissing couples on the stairs and dancing people in the entrance area. I work my way into the kitchen, but it's not here. Then into the living room, next door into the billiard room, but no trace of her. Frustrated, I curse quietly to myself as Aaron grabs me by the arm. Frightened, I drive around.

"Are you looking for the little blonde?" asks Aaron. He must have seen my look. "She just walked out the front door. With the redhead from before." He nods to the door. I pat him gratefully on the shoulder and make my way to the front door. Man, this house is so huge and so crammed with people! That's why I don't like people. Except Valerie.

Outside, a cool autumn wind blows around my face as I look around for her. A few people stand smoking in front of the entrance and look at me irritated as I run out and look around the street in both directions. About a hundred meters away, I see a pair of bright red high heels disappearing in a taxi. I start running without thinking too much about it. Hoping I reach them before they leave, but I'm too slow and the taxi drives away.

Out of breath, I prop up my hands on my knees, look after the car and gasp for air. God, I really have no stamina at all. 

Damn!

She disappeared again.