CHAPTER VI

And there I was, sitting next to the girl who is my soulmate and not having the holy balls to talk to her.

She's going to think I'm an asshole, if she doesn't already.

"Really, are you okay?" Sarah asked again.

"Yes, I usually live in a parallel world most of the time."

"Well I hope that world is nice" she answered with a smile.

The real one is much nicer now.

"Well, what do you do in a town like this?" she asked as she quickly copied what the bat was writing on the board.

Even her calligraphy was beautiful.

"We can go to the cinema in the next town or go hiking in Camden Hills State Park" I explained.

"I've always been a mountain person," she said.

"I'll show you around whenever you like, I love to run around."

Okay, what's wrong with me? My mouth is going faster than my head.

"I'd love to" replied Sarah, copying again

"Hey, is it my impression or does Mr. Knowgle have the ears...?"

"Disproportionately large ? No, it's not up to you. I call him the Bat."

A 'puff' like when the air escapes from you was heard before the silence in the classroom was broken by a roaring laughter.

It was automatic, my laugh accompanied his immediately.

"Dunbar, Fisher out of class ... you're lucky I didn't warn you" shouted the bat pointing at the classroom door.

"Mike please."

"Yes, I'll pass you the notes, go."

"Ry you too."

"Sure, sis."

We gathered our things in silence or at least we tried to do so, as the odd giggle escaped us.

The corridor was completely deserted, as was normal considering that everyone was in their respective classes.

"God, I've never laughed so hard in my life", she said with a hand on her belly after such a laugh.

"It was funny I admit, but I want to apologize; because of me you were taken out of class."

"Don't worry about it…"

"Matt" I replied to the question.

"Don't worry Matt, it's good to have a break now and then and besides, I've already known that."

"Still, I feel bad. Can I make it up to you by taking you to lunch?"

"Sure,This was my only morning class."

"Like me, I'm fine with that lunch; let's go to a place you'll love."

I did it, I dared to take her hand guiding her all over campus to my car.

"Is it off campus?"

"Twenty minutes away, depends on the traffic" I explained as I opened the car door and helped her up, not that she was short, about 5'8 but until you get used to the height of the car, it's a bit tricky to get in.

"Thank you."

"You're welcome" I smiled as I closed the passenger door and in a couple of strides it reached the driver's side.

"Well, we've already talked a bit about me, or my brother did it for me, but what can you tell me about yourself?"

"What do you want to know?" I answered as I started the car.

"Who is Matt Dunbar?"

"My name is Matthew although since I was a child I have been called Matt or Matty, I was born here in Camden, I am a third year medical student and my father is the rector of the university; that would be all. And what about you? Why did you leave Massachusetts for Camden?" I asked as I was pulling the car out of the university grounds.

"My father was offered a higher salary if he moved to the Camden branch and after considering it with the whole family we decided to come here."

"Was that too abrupt for you and your brother?"

"For my brothers and me, it has been hard; but above all for the older, Lewis who had a girlfriend. You have siblings?"

"I had one, Rachel" I said with heaviness, feeling the heavy slab that was on my shoulders just by naming his name.

"I'm sorry, it must not be tasteful to talk about that."

"It's not, thanks for understanding."

"You're welcome. Do you mind if I turn on the radio?"

"Go ahead" I pressed as I got on the main road on my way to Nayla's cafe.

I parked the car right in front of the door of the restaurant but on the other side of the pavement, taking advantage of the fact that one of the cars was leaving the place free.

Nayla's café was the avant-garde place for all the young people who appreciated good music, from the older ones like Stevie Wonder to the more modern ones like Ariana Grande; if they were good they would play in the Triumph.

The walls of the cafeteria were a step through the history of music, from old snapshots, vinyls and the amazing jukebox that presided over the free piece next to the stage where Nayla's brother Tom played the piano. Everything led you on a journey through the noble art of music.

"This is incredible" exclaimed Sarah amazed as we walked through the door.

"I knew you'd like it" I said happily as I took a seat at one of the tables on the left side of the café, those that were wrapped in a comfortable U-shaped chair.

"How did you know do that?" she asked deliriously, sitting in front of me.

"Your folder; it's lined with the covers of the most iconic records of the greats, from Stevie Wonder's Innervisions to Whitney, from Whitney Houston."

"Observer, huh? "

"A lot."

"But look what the wolf has brought here, if it's my favourite guy" said Nayla who had come to the table occupied by Sarah and I "How are you looking?"

"Not as good as you, Nayla, tell me the secret." I said as I got up and wrapped her in my arms, leaving a kiss on her forehead before separating.

"This is natural charm, honey, you either have it or you don't. Won't you introduce us?"

"Of course, Nayla this is Sarah, Sarah this is Nayla, or Aunt Nayla" I said as I introduced them, stepping aside to make it easier for them to have the formal introductory kiss.

"A pleasure" replied Sarah when they parted.

"The pleasure is mine, honey, now" she said as she turned to face me. "Shouldn't you be in class?"

"I should, but I had with Knowgle and the bat thing is not just funny to me."

"That man should look at his ears, the truth" said Nayla while she took out her apron the notebook "Matty, the same as always ? Bacon, eggs, waffles, a natural juice and a double coffee ?"

"Do you eat all that?" asked Sarah in amazement "But where do you put it?"

"He has a black hole in his stomach, just like his father. What do you want?" asked Nayla.

"Some waffles and a coffee with milk, please" said Sarah after looking at the menu "Do you really eat all that?"

"I workout a lot" I said as I shrugged my shoulders.

I didn't like lying to her; but it wasn't my plan to tell her "I'm a werewolf who has to feed the beast and besides my high body temperature burns up all the food I eat, by the way you're my moon and I'm your wolf" just like that.

"Here's your food guys" said Nayla leaving some of the food, while Martin was doing it with the other one and the drinks "Enjoy."

"Thank you" we thanked both of you at the same time.

"This is really good" she said after swallowing the first bite of the waffle.

"You're going to come again, aren't you?"

"You're going to bring me more times" she assured me, looking at me with those honey-coloured eyes that stirred up my insides.

I loved the sound of 'You're going'.

"As many times as you want."

"I'll take your word for it."

"Someone told me that my favourite guy was around, right?" asked a thick voice behind my back.

"You say that to everyone Tom" I answered as I stood up and hugged Nayla's brother.

"I tell everyone that you are my favourite" he answered leaving a caress on my shoulder "Do you dare?" he asked as I pointed to the piano behind him.

"Do you sing?" asked Sarah.

"I try to."

"Don't let him lie to you, he does it and it's great" answered Tom while he hugged me on his shoulders.

"Nonsense."

"Come on, if you sing I'll sing and I never do it in public" offered Sarah while she put both hands together, as a plea.

"Do you promise?" I asked as I offered her my little finger, I know; a rather childish gesture but around her I behave like a child in love.

"Come on" she said as she intertwined his little finger with mine.

I went to the piano where Tom was already waiting for me, ready to play.

The first notes of 'Say Something' could be heard. I tried to do the song justice with my voice, at least I didn't go off-key like a clam.

"You sing great Matt, I don't know what you're afraid of" said Sarah coming up to the stage when I finished singing.

"Are you sure? You don't have any earplugs in your ears, do you?"

"I swear on my mother, look at the time; we have to go" she said while pointing at the big clock in the cafeteria.

"You're off the hook for today, but I want to hear you sing."

"I wasn't planning to run away" she said before offering me one of his bright smiles.

I paid for lunch even though Sarah refused.

"I've eaten three times as much as you have. I paid."

"Next time I'll pay, and there's no 'no' to it" she claimed once we left the cafe.

"As you wish" I replied while it was still too late to get safely past the road.

"I miss driving, but my car wouldn't have survived the trip from Massachusetts" she said when we reached car height.

"Here, I'll guide you," I said, throwing the keys at her and going to the passenger side.

Nobody drove my car but me, but I would give her my life.