Chapter 3:

going to the Cinema

When we arrive at the frat-house it is already in the middle of the night. I'm glad we didn't meet anyone else. After releasing Watson, I let myself fall backwards onto the bed. Just as I shove the shoes off my feet, my phone vibrates.

Curious, I take a look at it and realize that Valerie has answered me!

In a panic, I jump up and walk around in circles with my phone in my hand.

-Hi, Adrian! Nice to hear from you! Sorry I disappeared so suddenly last night. My friend had an argument with her boyfriend and needed me. -

Hmm... I've already thought something like that. Did this guy break up with the redhead? Just because of Aaron's bet? I hope I will never fall into this crosshairs! It's best to avoid the topic!

-I hope she feels better. -  I reply.

-Oh... unfortunately not, they broke up. -

I draw in a sharp breath.

-I'm sorry. - I write dutifully.

-It doesn't have to be. –  she replies to my surprise.
-I'm so glad she got rid of him! He always treated her badly! She deserves better! –

Smiling, I lean back. The girl is smart. Not that this is something new for me, I'm just always fascinated by her.

-Do you happen to feel like doing something soon? – I type, but delete it quickly. Am I going too fast for her? How much pity for her friend is appropriate?

-You seem to worry a lot about her. - I write.

-Of course, we've been friends since school! - she replies. -Let's see how I can best distract her...-

Suddenly, an idea comes to me.

-How about Uni Kino? We could all go together and watch a funny movie. There she also gets to know new people.- I suggest.

-Oh, that sounds good! - she replies.

"Yes!!" I whisper and take a leap of joy inside. Immediately I send her the Uni cinema program and the location.

For a moment I think about what I should do if her friend recognizes me. But then I shake my head. She was drunk and had very different problems that evening. Surely, she forgot about my nerd face anyway.

I wish I could spend time alone with Valerie, but without her friend she probably won't go anywhere, if only out of solidarity. Hmm... Maybe I shouldn't take someone with me so that there are four of us?

At that moment, there is a knock on my door.
A special knocking sign. Aaron.

I open the door and pull him in by the sleeve. Perplexed, he lets me maneuver him to the office chair.

"Woah- What's going on with you?" he asks, confused. I tap him on the shoulder, and then me.

"You and I go to the university cinema. With the redhead and Valerie."

Aaron looks at me confused. "You want to go to the university cinema with real people?" he asks doubtfully.

I ignore his comment and continue: "You don't tell anyone about the wine bottle and I got you a date with the redhead."

"Yara." He corrects me. "And that's champagne, not wine!  You don't joke  about a good Chanton!"

I sigh exhaustedly. "You're such a snob sometimes, do you know that?"

Aaron grins and shrugs. "Oh well. I'm in. I was thinking about how to make an appointment with her anyway."

"You're an ass." I say tiredly. "Do you know that guy really broke up with her after your bet?"

Aaron looks slightly perplexed. Do I see a trace of guilty conscience flashing on his face?

"Is he for real?" asks Aaron dismissively. "Then he's an even bigger idiot than I thought. But I'm not surprised that he wants to defend his honor after we've made the bet in front of all his buddies."

I was wrong. There´s no guilty conscience left in his body.

"There is nothing honorable about keeping such a bet when it breaks the heart of someone you love very much. Peer pressure is cowardly." I answer coldly. Aaron is not deterred and gets up from the chair.

"Peer pressure has been a basic human need since ancient times. And if, for whatever reason, you weren't so antisocial, you would have the same need for recognition and community as any other, normal person!" Says Aaron wisely.

I sigh and push him towards the door. "That's enough for tonight. I'm writing to you time and place because of cinema."

"Thanks for the invitation, buddy!" says Aaron with a cheeky grin.

"We're not buddies." Let me clarify. "I only pay for you keeping your Mouth shut!"

Aaron is still grinning. "So you're admitting that you owe me something?"

"Never." I fold my arms in front of my chest. "If so, you owe me a favor and a crate of beer because I won your motorcycle bet for you!

I quickly slam the door in his face before I can withdraw my invitation out of defiance.