When Philipp leaves the stage with the rest of the crew, I'm almost a little disappointed. I could have watched him forever.
"What happens now?" My voice sounds a little too enthusiastic and Élias looks at me as if I'm growing a second head. I add a smile to emphasize my vocal enthusiasm, but I don't think it improves my overall situation. Élias isn't stupid and I'm sure he's got me figured out. I don't understand why he doesn't call me out on my bullshit. After all, I've been lying to him for almost two months. Well, maybe not lying. But I haven’t been honest either.
"Well, there are three more crews to go, then the award ceremony and then Nika can leave and so can we. They usually go out afterwards, to a club or for a drink. We can go with them, but we don't have to."
"No, that’s fine by me!" I answer quickly, too quickly. So obvious. But I just can't control myself right now. I'm all jittery and tingly and excited and nervous and way too much at once.
***
"Congratulations! You were the best!" Élias takes his girlfriend in his arms and gives her a wet kiss on the lips. My eyes are on Philipp, who is standing behind Nika and doesn't really know what to do. The tip of his right foot is drawing small circles on the floor and his eyes keep nervously scanning the room. As if he's afraid someone will see him.
His eyes meet mine and he curls his mouth into a tight-lipped smile. He's even more beautiful up close. His eyes are green, like a carpet of moss, and his whole face is full of freckles.
I take a step towards him and hold out my hand. "Hey, I'm Adrien. I'm friends with Élias. You were really good up there on stage!" I try with English straight away and it was the right decision, because he relaxes a little as he answers.
"Thank you! My name is Philipp, and I dance with Nika. Obviously." He scratches the back of his neck sheepishly.
"Are you coming for a drink?"
"I don't think so. The others want to go to a club and that's not really my thing. I'd prefer a smaller bar or something, but..."
"Shall we go?" Nika interrupts and he flinches. "Oh, sorry, I didn't mean to startle you!" Softly she touches his shoulder.
"Philipp has just said he doesn't really want to go to this club, couldn't we just go to a bar or something. Just the four of us?"Not an obvious suggestion, not at all. I inwardly roll my eyes at myself.
"No, you don't have to change your plans because of me, I’ll just go home. I think there are still trains running."
"Don't you have a car? How did you get here?"
"Josh gave me a ride, but I don't want to distract him now." Philipp's voice is quiet and his shoulders shrug shyly.
"You're going with us. How about this – we drive back and see where we can find a place to go? Then you'll be home straight away, Philipp, and we won't have to drive so far afterwards." Nika doesn't allow any more discussion, and we get into her car. She and I are in the front, Élias and Philipp in the back. Nika drives and I have some pretty annoying motion sickness if I sit in the backseat.
As soon as she starts the engine, Philipp takes out his headphones and is gone.
"Do you know Philipp well?" I ask and Nika looks at me just as questioningly as her boyfriend did two hours ago.
"I would say no, because we mainly dance, and I only met him at the beginning of September. Why?"
"Is he from the same town as you?"
"Yes, but we went to different schools, which is why I've only just met him."
"Does he have a girlfriend?" The question wasn't planned, but my mouth was quicker than my brain and now I have to live with it. Great...
Nika's gaze is penetrating, not unfriendly, but a little reserved. "I don't see how that's any of your business, but no, he doesn't. And that’s not really his thing either." I'm surprised. Was that a hidden hint? Is he gay? Or bi?
"What's he doing? Élias said he's going to university."
A small smile plays around her lips as she answers. "How about you just ask him all these questions yourself?"
Yes, that would be a possibility... but, yeah… I’ll see...
Chapter 5
Philipp
I have no idea who decided on this seating arrangement, but I'm more than happy. We drive for half an hour, and I don't know if I could've managed to sit in the back seat with Élias's buddy for thirty minutes.
