Page 4 of Bluebird

Adrien

"What are you doing this weekend?" I look at élias with raised eyebrows. He must have realized by now that I don't really have anyone but him. At least no one I get on so well with that I want to go out with them on weekends. Acquaintances from university, for a joint project or something, yes. Privately, nope. I'll go along if élias is there too, but I've become cautious. "Perfect, then you have something to do now! Nika is dancing a competition here in the region, on the German side, but not that far away. And you’re coming with us!"

I'm caught off guard and instead of answering, I just look stupid. élias immediately relents. "You don't have to come if you're not interested, but I've been alone twice now and that’s really not cool. And I haven't made friends with the other partners in the group yet. Probably because Nika never tried to be social before me.”

"No, I'm up for it. I've never been to anything like this before, I'm in! What does competition mean?”

“There is like a bunch of dance crews competing against each other with their choreos. There is usually a professional jury and an audience voting and together they decide who has won.”

“And these groups all come from around here?”

“No, they come from everywhere. Freiburg, Karlsruhe, Stuttgart, Lorrach. Sometimes there are even some from Switzerland or France. This time there could also be crews from Strasbourg.”

I’m intrigued and I can't wait to see Nika dancing. Her just walking is already a show of its own. I mean, not for me obviously, but I still have eyes.

***

Nika is in a league of her own on stage. All the dancers in her group are very good and she stands out. But someone else has caught my eye and I’m a little distracted. "Who's that next to Nika in the front row?"

"Vicki."

What do I care about Vicki... "No, on the other side."

"Her dance partner?"

I nod, even though I'm not really listening to élias. I'm completely absorbed by the young dancer next to Nika.

"This is Philipp. He's new. Nika is totally happy that she can dance with him. Her previous partner was good too, but the two of them have a great connection. They often dance together in the evenings after practice. He has to learn the old choreos and of course it makes sense to do that with his partner."

Yes, that makes perfect sense, seeing the two of them together is amazing. I've already seen a few groups today, but Nika's is by far the best. And no other group does what her crew does – they are so amazing because of the dynamics in their partner work.

Watching Philipp move his body is a completely new kind of experience for me. My eyes are glued to his every move. They are precise and powerful and, when he dances with Nika, his moves are at the same time so careful and so protective. And he looks good – damn, does he ever look good. Light brown curls, but only on top, the sides are shaved short. His body is lithe and toned, his arms muscular under his tight long-sleeved shirt. He is the only one who dances in long sleeves. His shoulders are trim, but in a way that matches his otherwise slim figure and forms a perfect V with his narrow hips. He is taller than Nika, probably about my height and I'm fascinated. "What do you know about him?"

"Not much really, just that he's new and is going to university in Freiburg, but lives in Nika’s hometown."

"How old is he?"

"The same age as us, 19 or 20. Why do you want to know?" élias looks at me curiously from the side. Shit... that wasn't really inconspicuous now, was it? Damn it.

"Just because ah… he's good, isn't he?" élias never believes this nonsense, but he doesn't probe any further and I'm grateful.

"What, that's it already?"

"They've just been dancing fifteen minutes full power, look at them, they're completely exhausted!"

Fifteen minutes? Seriously? It didn't seem that long to me, but if élias says so... I watch Philipp as he bows, which is the wrong term because he simply folds in half. Fuck, how can he be so flexible. This is definitely not just useful for dancing.

I quickly shake my head to get rid of these totally inappropriate thoughts. But shit... he's so hot. Pretty sure he's straight and won’t be interested in me at all. I've always had a knack for falling for the guys who aren't into me.

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...