Chapter 2: 

The Laboratory

The rest of the night passes as if in a trance. The guys in front of the main entrance let off some stupid comments about me that I don't even notice. I look at the car for another five cruel minutes, then I drag myself back into the house. The crowd is getting a little less, but still too many for my taste. I always take two steps up the stairs at once, unlock my room, grab Watson and my backpack, lock it up again, and leave this stupid party once and for all.

I long for familiar terrain full of peace and quiet. To think about whether I was just dreaming for the last hour or if Valerie was actually here. The only place that can be considered is the tiny laboratory, almost at the end of the corridor on the seventh floor of the chemistry department. Our working group shares four small laboratory rooms. But since there are literally only three of us: Professor Dr. Eberhardt, my colleague Dr. Henry Müller and I, one of the rooms belongs to me.

As in any laboratory, the typical rules apply here: no food and drinks in the laboratory, for example. But I don't care much about that when I let myself fall on the small sofa on the right wall and free my cat from my backpack. Watson protested that I took him with me without warning. But I know him. He quickly recovers and curls up next to me on the sofa, where he continues to sleep. He knows my lab like the back of his paw. We live here, so to speak.

I search my backpack for something edible or another can of energy, but when I find nothing, I let myself fall back groaning and stroke Watson's back. That's right, I didn't have any more energy supplies in the connection house. After all this excitement and meeting Valerie, I couldn't sleep now anyway. So I can work just as well.

I sigh and rub my hands over my eyes. The employee refrigerator on this floor surely has something exciting to offer, doesn't it? I get up, leave Watson alone and go looking for some food.