14

"Hey, everything ok with you?", she immediately came up from behind the counter and hugged me tightly. I felt a bit taken by surprise, but it was also incredibly good at the same time. "Yeah, what about you?" I pulled away from her and looked around the store while she walked back. Luckily there was no one else there, and that gave me the peace and quiet I needed for the upcoming conversation.

"Yes always. I saw that you left the club with Nilo. A good choice," she winked, but I just rolled my eyes and walked over to her. "I don't think anyone here is a good choice at all."

She looked at me questioningly and I took a deep breath. "Jayden keeps intercepting me and saying he has to ban me and talk nonsense. Ludwig was so sweet and nice to me at first, but then he just left me in the club and Chace just ignored me. Say, we were Always like that?"

I looked at her and noticed her blank stare. She seemed to have drifted off and I wasn't sure if she had even listened to me, but then she turned her brown eyes back to me and frowned thoughtfully. "What exactly did my brother tell you?"

My eyes widened and my jaw dropped in disbelief. "Who of them is your brother please?" I stuttered and regretted going to her. "Jayden. But don't worry. I think he's an idiot too and I really feel sorry for you that he sees you as his new toy."

She smiled and I was reassured that she wasn't one of those little sisters who had to protect and praise her brother at every opportunity. "He can think what he wants. I don't want to play games like that. I'm here to support my grandma and not for a circus event with these clowns."

She laughed at my words and I had to laugh too despite the whole confusion. Only after we caught each other again did she take a deep breath and look at me with a smile. "Don't worry. Ludwig is a really nice guy, but he's quite a reclusive person and not used to spending more time with women than just one night and Chace, he's a little follower who follows my brother like a puppy does his Mother."

She gave me an encouraging smile and I shot her an uncertain smile. I already noticed that Chace was a follower. But that Ludwig was supposed to be someone who used women for a night was somehow new to me and I couldn't believe it either.

"See you tonight?" the brunette snapped me out of my thoughts and I looked over at her confused. "What do you mean?" "Wialtrama?"

As soon as she said the name of this black hole, I shook with revulsion inside, but still it was a good opportunity to get to know her better. I nodded to her in agreement, gave her another wave as I walked to the door and then disappeared out into the cold.

There were more people about than before I entered, but luckily for me only people I neither knew nor had seen before. Amused that Lou had invited me, I hurried home to eat and get ready. I didn't mind the cold weather on the way, nor that it slowly started to rain. I just ran a bit faster and then got home quickly.

When I unlocked the door and looked around the kitchen and living room downstairs, I couldn't find my grandma. She was probably on the road or else I had offended her with my behavior, which I was pretty sorry about in the meantime. But it wasn't fair at all of her to keep me in the dark and let Ludwig go before he could give me any answers.

After not finding them anywhere, I went to the red kitchen and made myself a key with granola and a glass of orange juice. I didn't want any warm food as my stomach was still a bit upset and I was hoping the food would just stay inside me. As soon as I'd eaten, I went to my room and found suitable clothes for the night, then ran downstairs and disappeared into the bathroom.

Today it was my turn to confuse her, I thought, and then climbed into the shower.

I got out of the shower stall, full of confidence and the sweet smell of the shampoo, and stood excitedly in front of the mirror. My blue eyes sparkled wildly at me and I started putting on my make-up. A little make up, a few swipes of my mascara and I was looking good by my standards.

Using the hair dryer to let my wet hair fall in waves, I grabbed the small dresser and pulled on a tight black dress that featured a daring neckline.

I happily opened the bathroom door and pranced into the kitchen, but Lisbeth still seemed to be on the move, so I went into the living room and impatiently waited for it to finally get dark and I could set off.

While I sat on the couch and looked outside, the impressions of the last few days went through my head and I had to roll my eyes at all the lunatics I had met. One worse than the other and yet they all had something magical about them. Something that attracted me, especially Jayden, although I would never admit it.

I shuddered at the thought of him and quickly grabbed my keys and one of my grandma's red raincoats, then left the house and walked to the club under the lanterns that had only recently come on.

It didn't surprise me that there was still so much going on late at night. It seemed unusual to me, but apparently it was everyday life here. I watched the people pass me by without noticing me, as if they were used to me by now, and I kept glancing up at the full moon, which was so bright that lanterns weren't needed that evening.

"There you are finally," Lou came up to me and just looked sweet. Her brown hair was tied in a high ponytail, while the white blouse made her look really girly. "What do you mean finally? It's only just gotten dark," I replied, frowning, but apparently she didn't have time to talk, because she immediately pulled me to her side, took my arm and ran together with me Eddie who wished us a nice evening.

"Well, I'll find a table before everyone has left and you order our drinks. It's best to buy a whole bottle right away." She grinned cheekily and handed me money before taking my jacket and disappearing through the darkened surroundings towards the tables. I stayed behind and had to think about everything for a moment, collect myself for a moment. I hadn't actually planned on drinking, certainly not as much as the night before, but I didn't want to appear as a killjoy or spoilsport in front of my only friend here.

I took a deep breath and then ran to the bar to order a bottle of whiskey and two glasses. Of course, coke was also a must, so I made my way to our table with the full tray. It didn't take long for me to spot her and it annoyed me immediately that she was sitting at a table in the middle and hadn't chosen anyone at the edge.

"Bring it on," she stood up and helped me to place the bottles and glasses undamaged on the table. "Let's go then." As I sat across from her, where I had a good view of the dance floor, she poured us some, bobbing happily up and down.

Watching her and seeing how happy she was, I couldn't believe she was related to this handsome jerk. "Well then, here we go!" she toasted me and I took my glass to toast her, but instead of taking a sip like she did afterwards, I widened my eyes in disbelief and saw Jayden on the dance floor with a blonde woman dancing, who seemed to be older, but still very good-looking.

Lou apparently noticed my rigidity and followed my gaze, making her shake her head. "He's a complete idiot!" she nags, turning back to me. "And you should be drinking and having fun and not thinking about him."

She was right. Completely right. I pulled away from the two intimately dancing and focused on the pretty girl in front of me while sipping my drink over and over again. "Do you actually have a boyfriend?" I asked her and she laughed out loud.

"Do you think that would be possible with a brother like that?" She downed the rest of her glass and looked at the dance floor in amusement, but her eyes grew colder the longer she looked at her brother and a sadness spread in her eyes that gave me goosebumps.